You Keep Me Hangin' On

Kim Wilde

About You Keep Me Hangin' On

"You Keep Me Hangin' On" is a 1966 song written and composed by Holland–Dozier–Holland. It first became a popular Billboard Hot 100 number one hit for the American Motown group the Supremes in late 1966. The rock band Vanilla Fudge covered the song a year later and had a top ten hit with their version. British pop singer Kim Wilde covered "You Keep Me Hangin' On" in 1986, bumping it back to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1987. The single reached number 1 by two different musical acts in America. In the first 32 years of the Billboard Hot 100 rock era, "You Keep Me Hangin' On" became one of only six songs to achieve this feat. In 1996, country music singer Reba McEntire's version reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Over the years, "You Keep Me Hangin' On" has been covered by various other artists including Lisa Hartman, Wilson Pickett, Rod Stewart, Colourbox, the Index and The Box Tops. 


Year:
2003
4:14
1,163 
#5

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Set me free why don't cha babe
Get out my life why don't cha babe
'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 comin' around playing with my heart?
Why don't cha get out of my life and let me make a new start?
Let me get over you the way you gotten over me, yeah

Set me free why don't cha babe
Let me be why don't you babe
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on
No, 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, ooh, whoa, ooh, whoa
Set me free why don't you babe
Get out, get out of my life
Why don't you babe
Set me free why don't you babe
Get out of my life
Why don't you babe

You claim you still care for me but your heart and soul needs to be free
And 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

Why don't cha be a man about it and set me free
Now you don't care a thing about me
You're just using me

Go home, get out, get out of my life
And let me sleep at night
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on

You don't really need me

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Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde (born Kim Smith, 18 November 1960) is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart New Wave classic "Kids in America". In 1983, Wilde received the Brit Award for Best British Female. In 1987 she had a major hit in the US when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On" topped the charts. Starting in 1998, while still active in music, she has branched into an alternative career as a landscape gardener. more »

2 fans

Written by: Edward Holland Jr., Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


7 facts about this song

The Supremes
"You Keep Me Hangin' On" was originally recorded by The Supremes in 1966. - It was the group's 8th number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100. - The song has a rhythmic feel that later went on to define the disco era.
Vanilla Fudge
The psychedelic rock band Vanilla Fudge released a cover of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" in 1967. - Their version of the song was much slower, heavily instrumental, and lasted almost seven minutes. - The cover peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Colourbox
An English electronic band named Colourbox also covered the song in 1982. - Their synth-heavy, electronic version transformed the song into a new wave track. - This version was less successful compared to other versions, but it showcased the versatility of the original composition.
Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart covered the song for his 1977 album "Foot Loose & Fancy Free". - His version has a more rock'n'roll sensibility to it, showcasing the versatility of the song between genres. - Stewart's cover didn't match the charting success of either The Supremes' or Fudge's versions, but it became a staple in his live performances.
Kim Wilde
In 1986, English pop singer Kim Wilde covered the song. - Kim Wilde’s version was a successful single as well, hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in America. - It became a major international hit, topping the charts in not only the US but also in Canada and Australia.
The Box Tops
The Box Tops released a cover of the song in 1968. - Their version was more in line with the rhythm and blues genre, demonstrating the versatility of the song. - While it was not as successful as some other versions, it remains a unique interpretation of the classic song.
As a bonus fact
- The Supremes' original and Kim Wilde's cover versions both share the distinction of reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a decade apart. This makes "You Keep Me Hangin' On" one of a few songs to reach No.1 by two different artists.

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    You Keep Me Hangin' On

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1987

    Billboard #1


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