Born on 27th April 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Peebles was discovered as a talent by Gene "Bowlegs" Miller of Hi Records during a 1968 trip to sit in singing with him at a Memphis, Tennessee, nightclub. A popular local bandleader, Miller was known for also helping other musicians, such as members of the Hi Rhythm Section, get their starts in the Memphis music industry. Peebles soon began writing and singing hits for the label, cowriting with label staff songwriter Don Bryant, whom she married in 1974. Peebles released a number of commercially successful and critically well received albums produced by Willie Mitchell on Hi Records throughout the 1970s, until the rise of disco in the late 1970s took her music out of the limelight. Hi Records was sold in 1977, but Peebles reunited with Willie Mitchell in 1989 to produce her comeback album, Call Me.
Hangin' On
Ann Peebles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems to me like, seems to me like that's where I belong
You know, you know how to hold me
You know how to thrill me
And you know how to control me, makin' me like it
(Just enough to keep me hangin' on) just enough to keep me hangin' on
(Just enough to keep me hangin' on) just enough to keep me hangin' on
My heart is like a yo-yo string
I'm tied to you, tied to you, right or wrong
My love keeps on growing
And your love keeps right on showing
(Just enough to keep me hangin' on) just enough to keep me hangin' on
(Just enough to keep me hangin' on) just enough to keep me hangin' on
A love as true as mine
Will make you do most anything
Like hiding tears and heartaches
And dreaming those old silly dreams
Oh sweetheart, you got me
Got me where you want me
You just keep stringing me along
(Just enough to keep me hangin' on) just enough to keep me hangin' on
(Just enough to keep me hangin' on) just enough to keep me hangin' on
And like a fool, I tagged along (just enough to keep me hangin' on)
In the song "Hangin' On" by Ann Peebles, the lyrics depict a love that has a hold on the singer. The person she is in love with has complete control over her emotions and actions. The lyrics, "It's true you got me wrapped around your finger" and "You know how to control me, making me like it" demonstrate the level of control this person has over the singer.
The singer feels like she belongs to this person and that her heart is tied to them. The lyrics, "My heart is like a yo-yo string, I'm tied to you, tied to you, right or wrong" convey her sense of being unable to break free from this love. She also mentions that her love for this person continues to grow, and they keep showing their love just enough to keep her hanging on.
The chorus of the song, "Just enough to keep me hangin' on" reinforces the theme of the singer being stuck in a love that she cannot escape. Despite this, she acknowledges that her love for this person is true and that it makes her do anything, even if it means hiding her tears, heartaches, and dreaming silly dreams.
Overall, "Hangin' On" is a powerful song that speaks to the difficulty of breaking free from a love that has a hold on you. The lyrics are relatable and well-written, and Ann Peebles delivers them with emotive vocals that capture the essence of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
It's true you got me wrapped around your finger
You have complete control over me and I am powerless to resist.
It seems to me like, seems to me like that's where I belong
I feel like I belong under your complete control.
You know, you know how to hold me
You know exactly how to make me feel comfortable and secure.
You know how to thrill me
You know how to excite and exhilarate me.
And you know how to control me, makin' me like it
You are adept at keeping me under your control and I find myself enjoying it.
(Just enough to keep me hangin' on) just enough to keep me hangin' on
You give me just enough attention and affection to keep me hooked and loyal to you.
My heart is like a yo-yo string
My heart is constantly in motion, pulled in different directions by you.
I'm tied to you, tied to you, right or wrong
I am bound to you, whether what we are doing is right or wrong.
My love keeps on growing
My love for you continues to increase.
And your love keeps right on showing
Your love for me is still evident and present.
A love as true as mine
My love for you is genuine and unconditional.
Will make you do most anything
My love for you is strong enough to make me do almost anything for you.
Like hiding tears and heartaches
I am willing to conceal my pain and emotional turmoil for you.
And dreaming those old silly dreams
I still hold onto the unrealistic and foolish dreams I have for us.
Oh sweetheart, you got me
You have complete and total control over me.
Got me where you want me
You have placed me exactly where you want me in terms of loyalty and obedience.
You just keep stringing me along
You continue to lead me on with false hope and empty promises.
And like a fool, I tagged along (just enough to keep me hangin' on)
I foolishly continued to follow you and allow you to control me, even though it was not beneficial for me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Holland Jr., Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jean Mitchell
The lyrics of this song is so good makes me want to listen to it over and over ❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥👍🏽
Kay Hinton
I saw her live back in the 70's and have been a fan ever since. I also have the album with this pure magic!
Chris Corman
You are truly lucky. ❤️ everything about her music
Janet Boggs
This was and still is one of my favorites by Ann Peebles,one of my favorite people,that I love to hear sing,Great Voice.
Henry Frost
Beautiful soulful voice 🌹
Jean Mitchell
Powerful words dosent get any better ❤️❤️🔥🔥
Played TV
The best versions of this song IMO.- I love Ann Peebles so many great songs!
Antonio Meyrelles do souto
This is more than soul! ...it's pure magic!
Jean Mitchell
Great song writers just love it ❤️❤️
Denise Smith
I love listening to this...soulful magic.