In 1982, Robert Hazard and the Heroes released their highly anticipated debut record. The self-produced and self-titled five song EP quickly sold over 300,000 copies in the Philadelphia area. Soon thereafter, the record caught the attention of the recording industry and the band was signed to an eight album deal by RCA. RCA released a remixed version of the EP nationally and Rolling Stone magazine gave the record four stars.
In late 1982, Robert Hazard removed The Heroes from the marquee and replaced two of The Heroes, John Lilley and Rob Miller with new band members. The band's new line-up performed "Change Reaction" and "Escalator of Life" on Dick Clark's American Bandstand TV show. Around this time, Cyndi Lauper recorded the '80's anthem "Girls Just Want To Have Fun". (See VH1 VJ talk about the song.) Her version was a huge hit, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard charts in 1984.
In 1984, Robert Hazard released his highly anticipated first full length album - "Wing of Fire." This album was intended to expand musically upon the song material that he had been playing live for the past few years. However, the production of the record suffered due to too much involvement from RCA management. Regardless, the record received an impressive advance order of 89,000 copies. Unfortunately, the record promotion was hampered by management changes at RCA, and sales stalled.
In 1986, Robert Hazard released another self-produced record titled "Darling." He named his revamped band the New Heroes.
[1991 Reunion]
In 1991, Robert Hazard and the Heroes reunited for a 10 year reunion concert at the now defunct Chestnut Cabaret on 38th Street in Philadelphia.
In 1998, Robert Hazard released the "Howl" CD, and began performing in the Philadelphia area with his new band, The Hombres.
In July 2002, Robert Hazard released a limited edition compilation CD, titled "Out of the Blue", that featured classic Hazard songs from the eighties. In the summer of 2003, after a five year hiatus, he returned to the studio and recorded "The Seventh Lake" CD which was produced by the T-Bone Wolk. In 2004, Robert Hazard recorded and released the "Blue Mountain" CD.
Robert Hazard died unexpectedly August 5, 2008 at age 59 after surgery for pancreatic cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Hang Around With You
Robert Hazard Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't pay the rent, all my money's spent
'Cause I just want to hang around with you
I just want to hang around with you
All my friends are gone, they all said so long
They don't come around, they just put me down
'Cause I just want to hang around with you
I just want to hang around with you
You can keep the cash, you can take the stash
You can have my Chevy II
I ain't got no home, I'm just a bag of bones
With no proper point of view
'Cause I just want to hang around with you
I just want to hang around with you
You can keep the cash, you can take the stash
You can have my Subaru
I ain't got no home, I'm just a bag of bones
With no proper point of view
'Cause I just want to hang around with you
I just want to hang around with you
I just want to hang around with you
I just want to hang around with you
I just want to hang around, I just want to hang around
I just want to hang around with you
The lyrics of Robert Hazard’s song “Hang Around With You” express the desperate desire of the singer to spend time with someone he cares about. He laments his current situation where nothing seems to be going right, keeps him up at night, and he is unable to pay rent. He also feels lonely as all his friends have left him, and they only put him down. Despite all of this, the singer declares that he prefers to spend time hanging around with this special person. The lyrics are straightforward, highlighting the importance of human connection and social interaction in difficult times.
The repetition of the phrase “I just want to hang around with you” in the chorus emphasizes the desperation of the singer's desire, which seems to be the only solution to his problems. The lines "You can keep the cash, you can take the stash, You can have my Chevy II, I ain't got no home, I'm just a bag of bones, With no proper point of view" tell us that the singer is willing to give up almost everything in his life, including his car and possessions, to hang around with this person. He is vulnerable and willing to put himself in a position of need, highlighting the importance of companionship.
In summary, even though the lyrics are simple, it conveys a significant meaning about the importance of human connection and how it can help people in their darkest hour of need.
Line by Line Meaning
Nothing's workin' right, I can't sleep at night
Everything in my life is going wrong, it's causing insomnia
I can't pay the rent, all my money's spent
I don't have enough money to pay my rent, I'm broke
'Cause I just want to hang around with you
The only thing that makes me happy is being with you
All my friends are gone, they all said so long
My friends have left me, they're not around anymore
They don't come around, they just put me down
When my friends were around, they were negative and critical of me
'Cause I just want to hang around with you
Being with you is the only thing that makes me happy
You can keep the cash, you can take the stash
I don't care about money or material possessions
You can have my Chevy II
I'll even give you my car
I ain't got no home, I'm just a bag of bones
I'm homeless and feel physically and emotionally drained
With no proper point of view
I don't know what to do with my life, I'm lost
'Cause I just want to hang around with you
Being with you is the only thing that brings me joy and comfort
You can keep the cash, you can take the stash
Money and material possessions mean nothing to me
You can have my Subaru
You can have my car, it doesn't matter to me
I just want to hang around with you
All I want is to be with you, that's all that matters
I just want to hang around, I just want to hang around
All I want to do is spend time with you
I just want to hang around with you
Being with you is the only thing that makes me happy
Writer(s): Robert Hazard
Contributed by Jordyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michael Smith
I played in his band from 1987-1989 as his keyboard player. Sad to say he died of pancreatic cancer a few years back. He was a genius and I wouldn't be the person or musician I am today without his influence.
Phillip Remaker
Man, what a great band that was! I have no idea why you guys didn't blow up like the Hooters. I imagined you guys on parallel trajectories.
Betty- beetttyyyy
Hi Michael. It's nice to hear from you.
We were saddened by Roberts passing. Yes, He was a true genius. (We went to: Two , Robert Hazard & The Heroes concerts at Six Flags Great Adventure & 1 in New Brunswick, NJ. It was always a great show!
Kevin C
Saw them at JFK Stadium in the 80s
Michael Smith
@Phillip Remaker It’s a long story - tragic and pure bad luck. He was signed and RCA was planning to support him all the way on the back of his success with ‘Escalator’. But in the middle of producing his first label LP, Steve Lillywhite, the producer, was forced to leave production for nearly a year. By the time the album was released, the furor had died down and his moment had passed. Really sad circumstance for him. But I wasn’t in the original Heroes when he was signed - I replaced the original keyboard player who left to join the Psychedelic Furs in 1987.
Michael Smith
@Betty- beetttyyyy He was always a great performer live. Below is a video of my first live show with him at the Empire in Philly - an WMMR Friday night simulcast. I was 16 and had had only 10 days to learn and rehearse all 3 sets. But it was an amazing experience to play with those guys.
ringnerd
Don't blink: 30 years passes quickly. I remember this on the playlist of Philly AOR stations like WMMR and WYSP. RIP
joe gausch
ringnerd
you are so right
Debella,Piere Robert,
Mark the Shark
Morning Zoo
Philly music in the early 80's was killer!
Phillip Remaker
@joe gausch And Pierre is STILL AROUND!!
Joe K.
WIOQ too!