Don't hang up (no no)
Oh don't you do it now,don't hang up (No No)
Don't hang up like you always do
I know you think our love is true
I'll explain the facts to you,don't hang up
Give me a chance or our romance is through
Don't hang up, oh don't you do it now,don't hang up
I took a walk with Mary Lou
I ran around to visit Sue
She had some boys I never knew
Don't hang up
They took a ride so baby I went too
Stopped at the record hop I had to be a sport
We jumped and we did the slop
Then you walked in, and I was caught
Don't hang up, Oh don't you do it now
Don't hang up
Ah you got some explain'in too
Ah like that chick I saw with you
So talk fast like you always do
Don't hang up, you've got one chance
Or our romance is through

Then you walked in and you were caught
Don't hang up, oh don't you do it now don't hang up
I didn't say our love was through
But if we made a fool for two
Cause making up is fun to do
Don't hang up
Cause no one Ellis will ever do but you
Don't hang up, oh don't you do it now
Or you'll be sorry baby
You know I love you baby

Overall Meaning

The Orlons' song "Don't Hang Up" narrates the story of a guy trying to reconcile with his significant other after some misadventures and misunderstandings. He desperately pleads with his partner not to hang up the phone on him and give him a chance to explain everything. The song starts with the singer making an appeal to his significant other to stop hanging up on him, which she has been doing lately. He confesses his love and assures her that the time they spent together was authentic. The singer then shifts to justify his recent actions of taking a walk with Mary Lou and visiting Sue. He claims that he met some boys he never knew and joined them for a ride. They arrived at a record hop, where he did the slop, and that's where his partner walks in on him. The singer begs his partner not to hang up and promises her that he wasn't cheating on her. He tries to explain his situation and asks for a chance to talk. The singer reassures his partner that he still loves her and wants no one else.

The Orlons recorded "Don't Hang Up" in 1962, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Shirley Brickley, Stephen Caldwell, Rosetta Hightower, and Marlena Davis made up the vocal quartet, and the producer for this song was the famous team of Gamble & Huff.

Line by Line Meaning

Don't hang up (no no)
Please don't end the call

Oh don't you do it now,don't hang up (No No)
I'm begging you not to hang up on me

Don't hang up like you always do
I know you tend to hang up on me often

I know you think our love is true
You believe that our love is genuine

I'll explain the facts to you,don't hang up
Please listen to what I have to say and don't end the call

Give me a chance or our romance is through
If you don't give me a chance, our relationship will end

I took a walk with Mary Lou
I went for a walk with a girl named Mary Lou

I ran around to visit Sue
I went to visit a girl named Sue

She had some boys I never knew
Sue was with some guys that I didn't recognize

They took a ride so baby I went too
They went for a ride and I joined them

Stopped at the record hop I had to be a sport
We went to a music event and I had to join them

We jumped and we did the slop
We danced together

Then you walked in, and I was caught
You arrived and I felt guilty

Ah you got some explain'in too
You also have some explaining to do

Ah like that chick I saw with you
I saw another girl with you

So talk fast like you always do
Explain it quickly, like you usually do

you've got one chance Or our romance is through
This is your final chance or our relationship will end

I didn't say our love was through
I never said that our love is over

But if we made a fool for two
But we might look like fools together

Cause making up is fun to do
Because reconciling can be enjoyable

Cause no one Ellis will ever do but you
Because no one else can take your place

Or you'll be sorry baby
If you hang up, you'll regret it

You know I love you baby
You know that I love you

Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: D. APPELL, KAL MANN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Comments from YouTube:

@aarongodoy1684

5y↑186

If Dennis The Menace brought you here, then you are a winner!

@Joe8th

4y↑5

YES

@nickdaman23

2y↑5

It brought me lol

@alskyviewerallen9665

2y↑2

Definitely

@joshuacoleman6947

1y↑4

More like a good taste in music makes you the real winner!

@criminalgangsterbisonblade7980

1y↑2

It did

20 More Replies...

@simon.6636

2y↑30

To all the Katana ZERO players who actually googled it, be welcome

@sakuyaizayoi1945

2y↑40

At least one guy at the Katana Zero Dev Team has pretty good oldschool pop taste

@roxas5071

True.

@zireael29

yes

@hardcore_UFOs

the cheevo brought me here

@tammie1078

8y↑327

Heard this on Dennis The Menace, such a great song, very fun too!

@nextchannelyeahthatguy7165

5y↑18

That's why I am hear

@MrAvs-fk6in

5y↑9

Same lmao

@aralynnandjadesvlogs7454

5y↑9

Same’s it’s very positive

@armandohoyos2142

5y↑2

Me too I heard on Dennis the menace today 8-27-2020 chilling watching it with my son and a female with big A**.

@19x_hitubera56

5y↑3

Same it’s awesome

27 More Replies...

@faridganem6294

6y↑546

Yeah.....that one Katana ZERO achievement

@dejanantic3494

5y↑35

I see you're a man of culture as well

@ScytheBFG

4y↑8

@lincolnthemop4319

4y↑19

I came here hoping to god someone commented this

@fizzyelf5715

4y↑13

i thought i was the only one who googled it

@spleeN_

4y↑2

Yeah, that's why I'm here, too.

11 More Replies...

@knowspicker6616

4y↑24

At 77 years, with arthritis. this song keeps me dancing. Have original record in picture sleeve, preserved while I play on Youtube. Thank you poster.

@GeminiJo

3y↑6

Keep dancing baby! Signed a 32 year old.

@813lynch4

5y↑71

Dennis the Menace...totally haven't heard this song in 25 years,but tripping out and watching Dennis the Menace. Instantly it reminded me of being a kid

@Joe8th

I have it on VHS

@Rickygizmo

4y↑2

I’m 11 but I love movies from the 90s and 80s and music from any generation lol and I’ve seen the movie so many times I can’t keep up 😅

@Joe8th

4y↑1

@@Rickygizmo and im 10 and i watch movies on vhs

@Rickygizmo

@@Joe8th ikr have people said you should watch new movies not old because it has happened to me

@Joe8th

@@Rickygizmo nope

@catman916

5y↑123

The Orlons were one of the best groups out of Philly in the 1960s.

@akbarlebowitz8151

4y↑5

Also backed up Bobby Rydell on "Wild One" and "Swingin' School".

@davidmaslow399

4y↑5

Right You are! Cameo/Parkway records

@k9slover

4y↑5

One of the best groups in the US

@FinalCurtainCall

4y↑8

Dennis the Menace brought me here. I love this song ❣️

@scottythegreat1

@@FinalCurtainCall You call!

@52-hertz

3y↑17

I hung up a lot and got an achievement.

@coleozaeta6344

49w

10G- Hello? Hello?

@BeepsBPS

6y↑71

Thanks Katana Zero! Now I can add this too my Fallout 76 playlist too! The wonders of the internet and music!!! Cheers ya'll!

@BillySotherden

5y↑9

Wow, that's a fucking GREAT song for Fallout!!! Good call!

@anthonydelarosa9367

11y↑171

Good songs never die.

@jj5307

7y↑3

Yep.

@timothythorne9464

6y↑4

Love that ol' rock & roll. And this one is really bright and cheerful, with just the right amt of funkiness

@flyboy_1102

@Iconhulk

4y↑3

...Just keeps getting better with time.. (Buddy Holly, Beegees, Ricky Nelson, The Temptations, The Diamonds, The Four Tops, etc.)

@WhoBeSilly

NEVER!

1 More Replies...

@Ilovemovies917

7y↑69

They finally got Buzz to babysit

@bronysimpson3250

47w

Too bad Buzz will never be big enug to carry anything except silly old mail cars.

@martyjewell5683

3y↑6

Swell freakin' tune. This song hit the "airwaves" the year I became a teenager. Life was simpler. I had my crappy little two transistor, three inch speaker, AM only portable radio and I thought I was sooooo cool. Lotta sweet music in the early 1960's. Glad folks still dig it.

@jabesescalante2327

1y↑3

I am here because of Katana zero, and I am staying for the tunes 🎶

@judyjae6022

38w↑3

When I was just a kid I heard my parents playing this song. I fell in love with the Orlons...great harmonies and rhythm. ♥️🎼🎹🎶🙍‍♀️

@julieviola6787

3y↑17

I was born in the late 60's but I grew up listening to the music 🎶 of the 50's and 60's and I just love it!

@AndrewVOdom

2y↑1

Same here (on all counts)!

@julieviola6787

2y↑1

@@AndrewVOdom The music 🎶 from the 50's and 60's is just Great 👍 to listen to and dance! That music was my parents time and I remember them dancing around the house or at party's, weddings! Sometimes I do cry when certain songs come on cause it makes me think of my father cause he passed away 💔 😔 But those songs are wonderful 👏

@sluggzmcgee7420

9y↑351

Dennis The Menace brought me here.

@tammie1078

8y↑16

LOL same here, when Miss Mitchel said, you call and the song ends lol.

@Johnnycdrums

8y↑2

I missed that episode, I guess they were digging deep or had hip writers.

@SaxyLament

8y↑14

It was a scene in the movie.

@smileyladyT

8y↑7

lol watching it right now

@newzealander1462

7y↑3

Same

15 More Replies...

@FlashEarth89

7y↑160

Hello?
Hi! This is Alice Mitchell.
[Hangs up]
Alice Mitchell.
Nooo. 🤣🤣

@stewartmatthews1551

5y↑6

Oh yeah I remember here this song on a movie called Dennis the meddis

@stewartmatthews1551

Sweet song I wish I could here it on my rateo

@a-rex5774

5y↑6

*Wilson as last name
Henry and Alice look at each other seriously
"You call"

@jordanthomas7304

5y↑4

Martha and George Wilson as last resort Henry and Alice: You call.

@dnasty312

4y↑4

Hi 👓 This is Henry Mitchell.
[hangs up!]

4 More Replies...

@danielmata3083

6y↑41

Never tire of hearing this toe-tapping tune

@oldermusiclover

4y↑3

me neither

@alexsav3577

3y↑4

same

@chriskleckner1659

6y↑15

1962 when I was listening this as a college student in Boston on Top 40 AM radio...fun times :)

@peterlynch2193

6y↑48

Haven't heard this in years! Such a great song!

@flyboy_1102

5y↑2

@deathpote13

6y↑99

Katana ZERO brought me here. Anyway, you hung up your phone a lot.

@skyitande

4y↑4

In 1962, the Orlons released one of the all-time greatest doo wop hits, Don't Hang Up. Google it. Anyway, you hung up your phone a lot.

@joeboy6489

32w

What a great record. Ace drummer and sax solo, live handclaps, and the Orlons' vocals! Tuff! Tight!! So good!!!

@leonwilson1405

36w↑2

LUV them back then and still LUV to hear them again and again.

@shreddxx

4y↑17

Wonderful music from my youth, that I'm rediscovering after almost 60 years. Their songs are among the best at withstanding the winds of time from that era.

@Juli414

7y↑44

I called a business, was put on hold, and this was their hold music. I didn't recognize it, so I had to Google. I have heard many of the Orlons' songs before, but I don't recall this one. Very appropriate for hold music, and more fun to listen to than what most businesses use.

@billeagle51

7y↑9

Good Idea..funny! But a good idea!

@Dogeathotdog1

7y↑6

😂😂

@ellencocke1394

6y↑4

😀

@joyrebel8201

4y↑1

LOL

@fireflymiesumae

4y↑1

Brilliant business

@konniezinn-rood7686

11w

This song 🎵 started playing in my head last night . Terrific song.

@josephkane4753

8y↑44

Another timeless Jukebox Classic single from 1963 By The Orlons Called Don't Hang Up just a good dance tune from this year

@timothythorne9464

6y↑1

It's not exactly profound, but it's bright and cheerful with a great hook and I love it

@hidenseek4889

6y↑3

If you can't dance to this then you can't dance.

@sheddski2942

These old songs have such rithym to them it’s the real deal the drums and sax fill in great

@lajas46

Don't forget SOUTH STREET and NOT ME

@alseickel1787

7y↑64

"You call."

@d33jus

6y↑5

“No you call..”

@gortbot7748

2y↑2

After I got out of the Navy, I went to Temple on the GI Bill. We rented a house at 13th and South. The Orlons were still big on South Street.

@SanBan-do7by

1y↑2

One of the best things from late 1962

@bruceellis7975

4y↑37

I still play this one at weddings, proms, anniversaries and HS reunions. If I slip it in after Old time Rock n Roll or Runaround Sue - no one leaves the dance floor.

@annalisa14

38w↑2

My excellent memory and singing voice brought me here ❤️😀😃😄😁❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

@merce10554

5y↑13

I woke up this morning with this song in my head.

@RobertsonT100

7y↑22

The Mitchells had to get use to hearing the phone hitting the receiver when they mentioned their sons name lmao

@THXx1138

7y↑33

One of childhood faves.

@brianew

6y↑3

mine, too

@Jesse-gr2xo

cool channel name - the movie.

@SoRRoWSTaRR

3y↑17

I was born in the late 90s and I love this song

@karenhess8201

3y↑3

U have an old soul son and a great ear for the oldies but goodies @ShyGuy🐼 don't ever change that about yourself

@Jesse-gr2xo

2y↑2

That's what this music history preserved in Youtube is for. I find songs to love from all eras.

@alskyviewerallen9665

2y↑1

I was born late 80s and I love the song it’s amazing

@josepha.spadaro7881

34w

Great song! Thanks! I remember the TV ads (from the 1980's or so) for a long-distance telephone company ... they used this song. They told customers that their rates were very cheap ... so, don't hang up!

@JordanBritt

6y↑9

When your 5 year old has a reputation for causing trouble and once again, the Wilsons are the unfortunate last resort.

@michaelhughes8424

8y↑28

Great catchy song, still sounds great!

@samuelgriffin9364

6y↑12

The days of drive in movies jukebox joints soda shops brings back a lot of memories

@SleepyTucker

6y↑28

Katana Zero brought me here. Oh how achievements in video games make you find something nowadays

@AreRicX

5y↑4

i wish more developers does this. its kinda fun to find this type of easter egg

@dynamicgecko1213

3y↑3

One of the best achievment messages I've ever read.

@niilsaa

Dennis the Menace! I vividly remember this scene. Alice and Henry were trying to find a babysitter for Dennis to no avail so they flipped through the entire phone book - until they landed on Mr. George Wilson. The ending of this song was perfectly timed with a finger landing on Mr. Wilson’s name, both parents shooting each other a stare of dread and saying “you call” is something I will never forget.

I fell in love with this song because of that movie, it still gives me goosebumps to this day! The harmonies are so wonderful.

@stevewalton4771

12y↑7

I'm in an acapella group called "2nd Chance" out of South Philly, PA, as the "bassman",and the man here was at our show, he sang this and "South Street"..what a great guy!!! Got to spend a fair amount of time talking with him!

@steveforbes7718

3y↑8

Yes indeed! Another great one hit wonder from Philly! Back in the days when REAL Rock and Roll ruled the airwaves! I remember this going into heavy rotation when I was growing up in the birthplace of Rock and Roll, Cleveland, Ohio! This is one of those songs that will never get old, just like Dick Clark, and me! LOL

@090250

2y↑4

They had more than one hit😉

@steveforbes8287

2y↑3

@@090250 I stand corrected. They most certainly did. Shame on me! My memory cells are starting to have data glitches. LOL

@090250

2y↑1

@@steveforbes8287 😄

@darbyhilltopreunion3061

they sang hits like Wah Watusi, South Street among others.

@gnarlsbronson4737

6y↑6

One of my dads favorite tunes! Great philly sound!

@King_Steffon_II

3y↑2

First heard this as a little kid watching Dennis the Menace. Now I'm 30 and still listen to Doo Wop even though it's not the jive with today's youth 🤷🏾‍♂️

@karenhess8201

You have an old soul! Always stay true to you and love the music!

@stevenewsome5995

3y↑5

I remember this as being one of the first records I ever heard. I think this lead singer is great!!

@Super_Nova87

1y↑1

I was just watching Dennis the Menace and had to hear this song again, definitely addes to my list LoL😂😂😂.....Classic‼️‼️‼️

@unspeakableexperiments7699

11y↑21

Just a classic! Thanks for posting.

@noecastel

2y↑3

i've just finish katana hero now i'm here

@mariellclement8092

47w↑1

They were so adorable. Cute as can be.

@cortneystinnett3964

5y↑12

I just watched Dennis the menace

@leonwilson1405

36w

Thank you WRBK 90.9 Richburg, SC for jogging memories.

@pattimonroe2007

10y↑10

Wow what memories! I remember as a child looking at my big brother's 45 paper jacket and thinking that the black woman with blonde hair was so exotic looking!!

@666superhater

9y↑7

Good old rock n roll brought me here, my parents grew up on 50s & early 60s rock n roll.

@sandsoftime1954

and I bet ,you did too !

@catherinequaile8457

1y↑1

I just want to dance around my kitchen when I hear this great song ❤

@umartra7452

2y↑2

Great song to listen to anytime of the day, a classic!

@suzuplaza

2y↑2

i hanged up so much i got an achievement

@GS195

5y↑8

If you came here from the parents of a five-year-old boy being snubbed by every babysitter in the book, welcome.

@justinsommerfeld7027

21w

I heard this as the "on hold" music when calling a place, had to look it up right away!

@Stlwartheart14

5y↑2

Strong Terry lives in all our hearts.

@danielbence9562

5y↑4

Hi this is Henry Mitchell. Hi this is Henry Mitchell!

@martincvitkovich724

Had this and many more 45's in the early 60's...great times

@steves7896

I was born in 2046 and loved this back then.

@mintyaquagreen1675

37w↑1

You know, it's a funny story. At first I thought the song was called "Gotta Hang Up", but when I typed in Dennis the Menace to find this song, I realized that it was "Don't Hang Up." All those years and I'm surprised it was called that. Sheesh!

@19x_hitubera56

5y↑4

Dennis Ethel menace brought me here and I love this song

@jonathanm6935

First 45 RPM I ever bought. I also have the original sleeve. I heard the song on the radio, not TV.

@RDK860

6y↑3

Landed on the Top 30 on 10/13/62, Peaked at No. 4 On the Chart 15 Weeks!

@salbaca6737

I had a sick old stero system put on my Harley this is the music me and a man, his name is Jesus listen to the other day me and him went for a ride we were hitting them doo wop oldies. The Orlons, Del Shannon, Elvis, the Crowns, the Mellow kings, the Bop Chords.and one Willie Nelson tune Three days. Ohhh Yeah.

@m.aurice913

One of the tracks you have on your mind since dekades and finally found it🎉😊
Thx Mason Gamble

@DJBooster4ever

4y↑1

Hello , this is henry mitchel.....CLACK!

@ghostegrim5361

2y↑4

Katana Zero hits hard

@rogeralsop3479

5y↑4

Wonderful song!

@poorboy102

6y↑8

A group that should have been more popular.Great songs and singing

@AxisX7

4y↑3

Henry & Alice Mitchell look right at one another
"YOU CALL"

@1953Johnnyp

8y↑1

I was playing Diablo II and this song came up on my feed. Must be in my 60's because I remember this song! Bummer.

@oldermusiclover

5y↑3

LOVE THAT DRUMMER AND SAX MAN

@savedbyzero3554

7y↑4

......A TIMELESS CLASSIC..... !!!!!!!!!!

@johnoktavec

5y↑1

haven't heard this since the 60's on my little record player.awesome!

@dontwatch1742

5y↑1

Am from the UK just heard this song for the 1st time I love it 2020

@maynorramirez6090

Loved my childhood in the 90's, thanks to The Dennis The Menace movie😊

@djburgy

6y↑2

Wow, I forgot about this song. Love it! Brings back memories!

@seanthony7

I'm with you Dianna

@aquahennyblu5014

5y↑9

Dennis the menace brought me here 💁

@louisnicolosi1313

loved the 60's.. 2021 still loving it.. 70 years young.....

@sooz9433

4y↑2

Soundtrack of my youth 🎼🖤

@johnnytube2192

5y↑5

I'm thinking of doing a 2020 flip side of this great song to educate all of us on how NOT to get scammed by all the robocalls we keep getting these days. I will entitle it DO Hang Up!!!

@latoshawhite8495

I remember Niles off of the nanny mention this song right here to Fran and I love it so much right now in my life right now

@angelabluebird609

4y↑2

I've always LOVED this song and all the Orlons' songs! Had a sister ten years older, whose radio was never turned off. Wouldn't trade growing up with all this music from the time I was a tiny child.

@josephsiano5447

12w↑1

Grrrrrrrrrreat song “””🎶 You

@dustinbooker1376

3y↑1

Alice and Henry looking at each other: "You Call"

@Mr.Snowy.1990

4y↑3

Dennis from 1993 :)
(Deutschland)

@cmvogt5951

3y↑2

Dennis the Menace Brought me Here.

@hillaryilinsky1009

4y↑1

always loved them.

@timtrickz92

6y↑44

This song tastes like Paint... and wood.

@drubaru3255

5y↑14

I'll make us some sandwiches

@Joe8th

4y↑1

Ohhhhh
I was watching that movie right now
Haha

I was watching it on VHS

@BG-xg7tv

4y↑1

i get that reference

@karenhess8201

3y↑1

@@drubaru3255 😂

@hebneh

5y↑2

It’s very much to the credit of one of the members of the Orlons that she wore a blonde wig in some of these photos of the group.

@mysterym444

5y↑1

The game brought me here too, but from like 1993. 🧶🙅🏻‍♀️

@danielgatchell871

Half a century ago was when this was published! Now almost 60 years ago this song came out! That is more than half of 100 years ago! The 50s were over 60 years ago and now the 60s are creeping up!