The Only Way Is Up

The song describes two people facing serious hardship together. They have been “broken down” and are near the bottom, with possible eviction and uncertainty about food. Yet the mood shifts from acknowledging these troubles to insisting that they can endure them. Their affection and companionship give them courage, and the repeated refrain turns hope into a shared promise.

“On the bottom line” suggests being in a very difficult or poor position, while “hold on” is both a request to persevere and a reminder not to give up. The image of having nowhere secure to live makes the problems concrete, but the speaker says they can move and “still carry on.” “The only way is up” is a metaphor: after reaching a low point, improvement seems like the only direction left.

The refrain sounds confident, but it may be more hopeful than certain. The lyrics admit that the next meal and the future are unknown, so the couple’s optimism does not mean their problems have disappeared. Rather, they choose to face uncertainty together and believe that better days are possible. The song leaves open whether circumstances will truly improve soon; its strongest assurance is their determination to keep going.