Hang On Sloopy
Barry McGuire Lyrics
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Sloopy, hang on
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
And everybody, yeah, tries to put my Sloopy down (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Sloopy, I don't care what your daddy do (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
And so I sing out
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Sloopy wears a red dress, yeah, as old as the hills (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
But when Sloopy wears that red dress, yeah, you know, it gives me the chills, oh, oh (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Sloopy, when I see you walking, walking down the street (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
I say, "Don't worry, Sloopy, girl, you belong to me" (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
And so I sing out
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Give it to 'em right now
Sloopy, let your hair down, girl
Let it hang down on me (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Sloopy, let your hair down, girl
Let it hang down on me, yeah, yeah (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Come on, Sloopy (Come on, come on)
Well, come on, Sloopy (Come on, come on)
Well, come on, Sloopy (Come on, come on)
Well, come on, Sloopy (Come on, come on)
Well, it feels so good (Come on, come on)
You know, it feels so good (Come on, come on)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, Sloopy (Come on, come on)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, yeah (Come on, come on)
Oh
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Hang on, Sloopy
Sloopy, hang on
The song "Hang on Sloopy" is a song of encouragement to the titular character, Sloopy, who lives in a rough part of town and is subject to criticism and ridicule from those around her. The chorus, repeating the phrase "Hang on, Sloopy," serves as a message of support to her. The singer declares his love for Sloopy, indicating that he doesn't care about her father's occupation or financial situation. The second verse describes Sloopy's iconic red dress, which gives the singer chills when she wears it. He pledges to protect her and tells her she belongs to him. The bridge of the song includes the singer's plea for Sloopy to let her hair down and shake it, indicating a desire for her to be carefree and enjoy her life despite adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang on, Sloopy
Encouraging Sloopy to persevere through tough times
Sloopy, hang on
Reinforcing the message to Sloopy to keep holding on
Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Describing Sloopy's difficult living situation
And everybody, yeah, tries to put my Sloopy down (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Expressing that Sloopy is constantly being criticized by others
Sloopy, I don't care what your daddy do (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Making it clear that Sloopy's family background does not matter to the singer
'Cause you know, Sloopy, girl, I'm in love with you (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Expressing the singer's romantic feelings for Sloopy
Sloopy wears a red dress, yeah, as old as the hills (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Describing Sloopy's appearance and the age of her dress
But when Sloopy wears that red dress, yeah, you know, it gives me the chills, oh, oh (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Expressing the singer's attraction to Sloopy's red dress
Sloopy, when I see you walking, walking down the street (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Indicating the singer's admiration for Sloopy's beauty
I say, "Don't worry, Sloopy, girl, you belong to me" (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Expressing the singer's possessive feelings towards Sloopy
Sloopy, let your hair down, girl
Asking Sloopy to let loose and embrace her wild side
Let it hang down on me (Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Implying the singer's desire to be sexually intimate with Sloopy
Come on, Sloopy (Come on, come on)
Encouraging Sloopy to join in or follow the singer's lead
Well, it feels so good (Come on, come on)
Expressing the pleasure or excitement that comes from dancing with Sloopy
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, Sloopy (Come on, come on)
Encouraging Sloopy to keep dancing and having fun
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, yeah (Come on, come on)
Urging Sloopy to embrace her sensual, playful side and let loose
Hang on, Sloopy
Continuing to tell Sloopy to hold on and stay strong
Sloopy, hang on
Reiterating the message to never give up and keep holding on
Contributed by Camden Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.