Hang Fire

The Rolling Stones

About Hang Fire

"Hang Fire" is a song by rock and roll band The Rolling Stones from their 1981 album Tattoo You. Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Hang Fire" is a fast-paced, up-tempo rock and roll track, which belies the happy beat with sharp, satirical lyrics directed squarely at England's economic decline through the 1970s. The song is a bleak look at English society of the time. The lyrics lament an unemployed working class Englishman who would rather bet the horses than try to marry into the upper class, the only way to get ahead in English society. The song is one of the few times the band wrote an overtly political song, and it is notable that it was never released as a single in England, even though the band was touring Europe during the single's North American release. The lyrical irony and commentary on English society harks back to some of the group's more socially contentious songs of the sixties such as "Mother's Little Helper", "19th Nervous Breakdown" and "Street Fighting Man". 


Year:
2011
2:24
46 
#1

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In the sweet old country where I come from
Nobody ever works
Yeah nothing gets done
We hang fire, we hang fire

You know marrying money is a full time job
I don't need the aggravation
I'm a lazy slob
I hang fire, I hang fire
Hang fire, put it on the wire baby
Hang fire, hang fire put it on the wire baby, go ahead
Hang fire

We've got nothing to eat
We got nowhere to work
Nothing to drink
We just lost our shirts
I'm on the dole
We ain't for hire
Say what the hell
Say what the hell, hang fire
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire baby
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire baby

Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo

Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire

Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire baby
Doo doo

Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo

Yeah ten thousand dollars, go have some fun
Put it all on at a hundred to one
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire baby
Doo doo
Doo doo, hang fire, hang fire put it on the wire
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire
Put it on the wire baby
Put it on the wire

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The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in Dartford in 1962. The earliest settled line-up consisted of Brian Jones (guitar, harmonica), Ian Stewart (keyboards, piano), Mick Jagger (lead vocals, harmonica), Keith Richards (guitar, vocals), Bill Wyman (bass) and Charlie Watts (drums). Since Wyman's retirement in 1993, the band's full members have been Jagger, Richards, Watts and guitarist Ronnie Wood who joined in 1975. Darryl Jones (bassist) and Chuck Leavell (keyboardist) are regular contributors but not full band members. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted the Rolling Stones in 1989, noting that "critical acclaim and popular consensus has accorded them the title of the “World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.”Rolling Stone magazine ranked them 4… more »

27 fans

Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Artist Related
The Rolling Stones is a British rock band that was formed in 1962, which recorded "Hang Fire."
Song Information
"Hang Fire" is a track from the 1981 album "Tattoo You" which is a critically acclaimed album of the Rolling Stones.
Popularity
In the United States, the song rose as high as number 20 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Album Related
"Tattoo You" was a huge commercial success, it went on to be certified 4X Platinum in the United States.
Song Makers
The lyrics of "Hang Fire" were written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, the key members of The Rolling Stones.
Theme of song
The song "Hang Fire" criticizes the economic policies and lack of job opportunities for youth during Margaret Thatcher's government in England.
Release
The song was released as the second single from the album in 1982.
Video
The official video for "Hang Fire" was shot at a concert in Hampton, Virginia in 1981.
Genre
"Hang Fire" is recognized as a rock song, with influences from blues - a style that The Rolling Stones are known for.
Song Length
The song has a very fast pace and is quite short, with a running time of just 2 minutes and 21 seconds.
Live Performance
"Hang Fire" is one of the lesser performed songs of The Rolling Stones, it didn't make a regular appearance in the band's setlist until their 2012-2013 50 & Counting Tour.
Musical Style
The song is known for its infectious rhythm and energy, featuring a high-tempo guitar riff and a catchy chorus.

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    Hang Fire

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1982

    Billboard #20


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