[edit] Career
Henson's career started in his home state of Oklahoma, performing at clubs around Oklahoma City and Tulsa. His family was active in politics and raised buffalo on a ranch outside Oklahoma City. In the mid 1960s, Henson moved to Nashville and became a member of the vocal group The Kimberlys. After leaving the group, Henson started on his solo career, and in 1967, he signed with Monument Records, and he immediately scored in a big way with a song called "Skip a Rope". The song became a huge hit, spending six weeks at Number 1 on the country charts in 1968 and also making the Top 25 on the Pop charts.
[edit] After Skip a Rope and Later Career
After "Skip a Rope", Cargill continued to have Top 20 hits with such songs as "Row Row Row" (1968), "None Of My Business" (his only other Top 10) (1969), and "The Most Uncomplicated Goodbye I Ever Heard" (1970). Later, he had a television show, Country Hayride, and performed for many years in Reno and Las Vegas. Johnny Cash was godfather to his oldest son, Cash.
After leaving Monument Records, Henson moved to Mega Records in 1971, where he scored several minor hits. In 1973, he made a strong comeback to the charts when he signed with Atlantic Records and scored 2 Top 30 hits in 1974 with "Some Old California Memory" and a version of Mac Davis' "Stop And Smell The Roses". In 1980, he formed his own record label Copper Mountain Records and he scored his last Top 30 hit that year with "Silence On The Line". In the late 1980s he retired to Oklahoma City and died on March 24, 2007
Hangin' On
Henson Cargill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know how to hold me to thrill me and control me
Just enough to keep me hangin' on oh oh oh just enough to keep me hangin' on
My heart is like a yo-yo on a string I'm tied to you right or wrong
My love keeps a growing cause your love keeps a showing
Just enough to keep me hangin' on oh oh oh just enough to keep me hangin' on
Like hiding tears and heartaches dreaming silly dreams
You've got me where you want me you keep stringing me along
Just enough to keep me hangin' on oh oh oh just enough to keep me hangin' on
Oh oh oh just enough to keep me hangin' on
The lyrics in Henson Cargill's song "Hangin' On" convey a sense of being entangled and controlled in a relationship. The singer suggests that they are completely under the influence of their partner, as if their partner has them "twisted around [their] finger." The singer acknowledges that they feel they belong in this position, hinting at a certain level of submission and dependency.
The second paragraph further illustrates the control the partner has over the singer. The partner knows how to manipulate and excite the singer, effectively maintaining their hold on them. The phrase "Just enough to keep me hangin' on" implies that the partner keeps the singer emotionally invested in the relationship without fully committing or reciprocating their love and affection.
The third paragraph captures the singer's deep love and devotion towards their partner. They express that their love continues to grow, even though the partner's love is only demonstrated to an extent. The singer describes their actions as being driven by their strong love, including hiding their pain and dreaming of a better future. This suggests a willingness to endure hardships for the sake of the relationship.
The final paragraph emphasizes the power dynamic in the relationship. The partner is depicted as having the singer under their control, like a yo-yo on a string. Despite being aware of this manipulation, the singer feels unable to break free, as their partner continues to keep them strung along. The repetition of "Just enough to keep me hangin' on" reinforces the idea that the partner's actions are just sufficient to maintain the singer's attachment, without fully committing to the relationship.
Overall, these lyrics highlight the complexities of a relationship where one person holds power and control over the other, while the other remains emotionally invested and unable to let go. It portrays a sense of longing, vulnerability, and a struggle to maintain a connection despite the unequal dynamics at play.
Line by Line Meaning
It's true you have me twisted around your finger it seems that's where I belong
I acknowledge that you have complete control over me, and it feels like that's where I should be.
You know how to hold me to thrill me and control me
You possess the capability to both excite and manipulate me, maintaining your influence on me.
Just enough to keep me hangin' on oh oh oh just enough to keep me hangin' on
You provide me with only the bare minimum of affection or attention, but it is sufficient to make me stay and remain devoted to you.
My heart is like a yo-yo on a string I'm tied to you right or wrong
My emotions are constantly fluctuating like a yo-yo, and I am bound to you regardless of whether it is right or wrong.
My love keeps a growing cause your love keeps a showing
My affection for you continues to intensify because you consistently express your love for me.
Just enough to keep me hangin' on oh oh oh just enough to keep me hangin' on
Again, you offer just the minimal amount of affection or attention necessary for me to remain devoted to you.
A love as strong as mine will make me do most anything
The immense power of my love for you compels me to do almost anything for you.
Like hiding tears and heartaches dreaming silly dreams
I am willing to conceal my sorrow and pain, as well as indulge in whimsical fantasies, all because of my deep affection for you.
You've got me where you want me you keep stringing me along
You have successfully placed me in a position that suits your desires, continuously leading me on and manipulating me.
Just enough to keep me hangin' on oh oh oh just enough to keep me hangin' on
Once again, you provide only the necessary amount of affection or attention to ensure my continued devotion.
Oh oh oh just enough to keep me hangin' on
This repetition emphasizes that you consistently offer just the minimal sustenance required to keep me attached to you.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ron Taylor
on So Many Ways of Saying She's Gone
first time ive heard all these songs-wonderful