About The Song
Title: You Keep Me Hangin’ On
Artist: The Supremes
Release Date: 1966
Album: The Supremes Sing Holland–Dozier–Holland
Writers: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Eddie Holland
Genre: Soul, R&B, Pop
Chart Performance:
- “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” by The Supremes reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.
- The song is one of The Supremes’ signature hits and a classic of the Motown era.
Musical Style:
- “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” is a soulful and dramatic pop-soul song that highlights The Supremes’ evolving sound.
- The track features a compelling arrangement, with Diana Ross delivering passionate and emotive vocals.
Song Structure:
- The song opens with a distinctive guitar riff, immediately capturing the listener’s attention.
- Diana Ross’s vocals convey the emotional intensity of the lyrics, and the chorus is characterized by its powerful refrain.
Cultural Impact:
- The song is regarded as one of the defining hits of The Supremes’ career and the Motown catalog.
- Its success showcased the group’s ability to adapt to changing musical trends and experiment with new sounds.
Usage in Media:
- “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” has been covered and sampled by various artists and has been featured in films, TV shows, and commercials.
- Its enduring popularity is reflected in its frequent inclusion in compilations and retrospectives of classic soul music.
Legacy:
- The song remains a timeless classic and is celebrated for its emotional depth, powerful vocals, and innovative production.
- “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” is considered one of the standout tracks in The Supremes’ discography and a symbol of the Motown sound.
In summary, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” by The Supremes is a soulful and iconic song that exemplifies the group’s musical evolution and impact on the Motown era. The combination of powerful vocals, emotional lyrics, and a memorable arrangement has solidified its place as a classic in the annals of soul and pop music.
Video
Lyrics
“You Keep Me Hangin’ On”
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Get out my life, why don’t you, baby?
‘Cause you don’t really love me
You just keep me hangin’ on
You don’t really need me
But you keep me hangin’ on
Why do you keep a-coming around
Playing with my heart?
Why don’t you get out of my life
And let me make a new start?
Let me get over you
The way you’ve gotten over me, hey
Set me free, why don’t you, baby?
Let me be, why don’t you, baby? (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
‘Cause you don’t really love me
You just keep me hangin’ on (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Now you don’t really want me
You just keep me hangin’ on
You say although we broke up
You still wanna be just friends
But how can we still be friends
When seeing you only breaks my heart again?
And there ain’t nothing I can do about it
Whoa-whoa-whoa
Set me free, why don’t you, baby?
Whoa-whoa-whoa
Get out my life, why don’t you, baby? (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Set me free, why don’t you, baby?
Get out my life, why don’t you, baby?
You claim you still care for me
But your heart and soul needs to be free
Now that you’ve got your freedom
You wanna still hold on to me
You don’t want me for yourself
So let me find somebody else, hey
Why don’t you be a man about it
And set me free? (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Now, you don’t care a thing about me
You’re just using me (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
Go on, get out, get out of my life
And let me sleep at night (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
‘Cause you don’t really love me
You just keep me hangin’ on