About the song
“Hang On Sloopy” is a timeless rock ‘n’ roll anthem that has been captivating audiences for over five decades. Written by Wes Farrell and Bert Berns in 1964, the song has undergone numerous transformations, adaptations, and interpretations, yet its essence remains unchanged. The song’s origins can be traced back to the early days of rock ‘n’ roll, when rhythm and blues vocal group the Vibrations first recorded it in 1964. The song’s popularity soon spread, with Atlantic Records releasing it as a single, which reached No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
As the song’s fame grew, it became a staple of garage bands and a favorite among rock enthusiasts. In 1965, the Yardbirds, with guitarist Jeff Beck, recorded their own version, while the McCoys, a young rock group from Ohio, released a version that would become the most successful, reaching number one on the singles chart. The song’s enduring appeal can be attributed to its catchy melody, memorable lyrics, and the versatility of its arrangements, which have been translated into various languages, including Spanish and Portuguese.
The song’s connection to Ohio State University and its status as Ohio’s official rock song are testaments to its enduring popularity. The story of “Hang On Sloopy” is also a fascinating tale of creative collaboration, with multiple artists and bands contributing to its evolution. From its humble beginnings as a garage band favorite to its current status as a rock ‘n’ roll classic, “Hang On Sloopy” remains a beloved anthem that continues to inspire new generations of music lovers.
Video
Lyrics
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
And everybody, yeah, tries to put my Sloopy down (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Sloopy, I don’t care what your daddy do (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
‘Cause you know, Sloopy, girl, I’m in love with you (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
And so I say now
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Give it to ’em (yeah)
Sloopy, let your hair down, girl
Let it hang down on me (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Sloopy, let your hair down, girl
Let it hang down on me, yeah, yeah (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Come on, Sloopy (come on, come on)
Well, come on, Sloopy (come on, come on)
Well, come on, Sloopy (come on, come on)
Well, come on, Sloopy (come on, come on)
Well, it feels so good (come on, come on)
You know, it feels so good (come on, come on)
Oh, shake it, shake it, shake it, Sloopy (come on, come on)
Oh, shake it, shake it, shake it, yeah (come on, come on)
Ohh
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on