The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
(Keep me hanging on)
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
Set me free why don't cha, babe
Get out my life why don't cha, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh)
'Cause you don't really need me
But you just 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 brand new start?
Let me get over you the way you gotten over me, yeah
Set me free why don't cha, babe
Get out my life why don't cha, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh)
'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 just 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
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Yeah, yeah
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) hangin' on
You say 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
Set me free why don't cha, babe
Get out my life why don't cha, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh)
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on
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
Hey, abusing me
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 (ooh, ooh, ooh)
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
Set me free why don't cha, babe
Get out my life why don't cha, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh)
'Cause you don't really need me
But you just 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 brand new start?
Let me get over you the way you gotten over me, yeah
Set me free why don't cha, babe
Get out my life why don't cha, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh)
'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 just 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
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Yeah, yeah
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) hangin' on
You say 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
Set me free why don't cha, babe
Get out my life why don't cha, babe (ooh, ooh, ooh)
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on
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
Hey, abusing me
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 (ooh, ooh, ooh)
Lyrics submitted by ImaniTheGreat
You Keep Me Hangin' On Lyrics as written by Lamont Dozier Edward Holland Jr.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
this song is so good! The last 2 months I was in love (and still am) with a girl who's long-time-"friend" does the same shit to her. Saying they're still friends, but nevertheless playing with her heart anytime, so she fails to let go. He's litterally destroying her, and she still calls him a good friend.
I know how this feels.
Is this a bon jovi cover?
no it's not, it's a diana ross cover. it's not a kim wilde song. who's the bozo that put it here?
well - technically its a supremes cover. Dunno wher eyou got Bon Jovi though mate!
i love itttttt
One of the worst things in life is a one sided friendship/relationship. And the only way to help yourself is to get away from it immediately. You can't always rely on it to just die out on it's own; you must extinguish it. She doesn't want anything to do with this guy anymore; he's only a distraction. As she tries to focus on her own life, he catches her eye and she follows him. But once she gets close, he disappears. When she looks back at her life, she sees that she's missed out, and for nothing. Just gotta let go and ignore
This is a song about a guy who is playing very selfish - after relationship , he wants to have his ex girlfriend as a ,,background option,, , always to be there for him, actually he doesnt want to let her go with her life and to find another guy, making her to wait for him. She realizes that he cares only for his own needs, and not about her feelings. This is a good lesson - cut off selfish ex from your life.