"Hold Me in Your Arms" is the second studio album by English singer Rick Astley, released on November 26, 1988, by RCA Records. It served as the follow-up to his highly successful debut album Whenever You Need Somebody and marked his last collaboration with the Stock Aitken Waterman production team. The album continued Astley's commercial success, achieving Platinum and Gold certifications worldwide. Three of the album's five singles became Top 10 hits in the United Kingdom, further cementing his popularity.
A remastered version of Hold Me in Your Arms, including some remixes, was released on April 12, 2010. Additionally, a 2023 remastered edition was announced for release on May 12, 2022. This version included a double CD set featuring reimagined versions of She Wants to Dance with Me and Hold Me in Your Arms from his The Best of Me compilation, along with B-sides, instrumentals, and remixes. The album was also released as a limited edition blue vinyl.
The album's production was split between Stock Aitken Waterman and Astley's own compositions, with production assistance from PWL associates Phil Harding, Ian Curnow, and Daize Washbourn. The release was delayed due to a fire at PWL Studios that destroyed some of Astley's recorded material. Hold Me in Your Arms was also notable for marking the end of Astley’s collaboration with Stock Aitken Waterman. He sought to move away from the dance-pop sound that defined his early career and wanted to shed his "boy-next-door" image. This shift in direction led to Astley’s next project, the 1991 soul album Free.
