In the late 1990s, she had major dance hits with the songs "In a Dream," "When I'm Gone," and "Can't We Try" (a duet with Collage and remake of the Dan Hill and Vonda Shepard 1987 hit song). All of these tracks appeared on her 1998 debut album entitled What Are You Lookin' At?. She released a second album, Instant Pleasure, in 2000. Instant Pleasure included the single "What U Did 2 Me" which reached #101 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2001. Her best charting success is in Canada, where she is still active performing shows at clubs. Her debut single "I Fell in Love" distributed by the then BMG Canada reached #1 on the Canadian Singles Chart while the follow-up "In a Dream" was at #6.
In 1996, "I Fell In Love" peaked at #61 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1997. It hit the #1 spot on the Canadian Singles Chart singles chart during that year, making it the most successful freestyle dance music single of the decade in Canada.[citation needed] The single also peaked at #9 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart in the USA.
The follow-up to "I Fell In Love," peaked at #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1997. It was #6 on the Hot 100 Canadian Singles Chart and solidified Rockell's position on the artist roster of the then BMG Music Canada. It also peaked at #13 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.
"Can't We Try" with Collage peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1998. The single peaked at #11 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.
"When I'm Gone" failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999, but appeared on the Hot Dance Airplay and Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts. It also peaked at #21 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.
Rockell's lead-off single to her second album Instant Pleasure, "What U Did 2 Me," was her best selling single and it garnered her a music video. It fared well on Hot Dance Airplay and Hot Dance Music/Club Play charts.
She also released "The Dance" (a cover of the Garth Brooks hit) and "Tears," but neither of these singles charted on the Hot 100. Both singles performed well on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play and Hot Dance Airplay charts. "The Dance" peaked at #27 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart and "Tears" peaked at #16 on the Hot Dance Singles Sales chart.
In 2005, she came back with "L.O.V.E.", produced by DJ Mickey Bono of the Beat Thrillerz. A limited independent release that had a trance remix by Lenny "Linus" Douglas and freestyle remixes by Russ Castella and Randy Taylor-Weber, the original writer/producer of "In a Dream". It became a modest Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart hit. It also received some dance radio airplay.
In spring 2007 Rockell recorded a new single, "Playing My Love." It was released to Dance/Rhythmic format radio in July 2007. A freestyle remix by Salsation 3 was released in November 2007. A nationwide tour with several dance artists including Joe Zangie was announced as well.
In November 2007, Rockell released a new dance single with Canada's Odeon Records, "You Keep Me Hanging On," a remake of the Supremes' original.
In 2009, Rockell released a dance cover of Donna Summer's "On The Radio" with several remixes.
You Keep Me Hanging on
Rockell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get out of my life why don't you babe?
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hanging on
Set me free why don't you babe?
Get out of my life why don't you babe?
'Cause you don't really need me
You just keep me hanging on
Get out of my life why don't you babe?
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hanging on
Now you don't really need me
You just keep me hanging on
Set me free why don't you babe?
Get out of my life why don't you babe?
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hanging on
Keep me hanging on
Set me free why don't you babe?
Get out of my life why don't you babe?
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hanging on
Now you don't really need me
You just keep me hanging on
The Rockell song, "You Keep Me Hanging On," is a ballad about a woman trapped in a toxic relationship. The singer repeatedly pleads with her partner to leave her life and set her free because he doesn't love her but keeps her hanging on. The lyrics are a powerful representation of a woman's desire to be free from a bad relationship, conveying a sense of sorrow, anger, and frustration.
The first few lines are a plea to the partner to let go of the singer's life and set her free. She tells the partner that they don't actually love her, and they are only keeping her hanging on, which is a painful and difficult experience for her. The repetition of these lines emphasizes the singer's desperation to be free from the situation.
In the second half of the song, the singer realizes that the partner doesn't need her, further emphasizing the feeling of being trapped. The tone of the song shifts as she becomes more assertive and demands that the partner leave her alone. The final repetition of "Set me free why don't you babe?" is more pleading and emotional, bringing the song full circle and highlighting the singer's pain and frustration.
Overall, "You Keep Me Hanging On" is a powerful song about the struggles of a woman in a toxic relationship, conveying an emotional range that many can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
Set me free why don't you babe?
Please let me go, why are you keeping me in this relationship against my will?
Get out of my life why don't you babe?
Please leave and stop ruining my life with your false love and attachment.
'Cause you don't really love me
Because your love for me is not genuine and true.
You just keep me hanging on
You are just using me to fill a void and keep yourself entertained, without any regard for my well-being.
Now you don't really need me
You have moved on and don't require me in your life anymore, but you still refuse to let me go.
Keep me hanging on
You are deliberately keeping me in this state of uncertainty and emotional turmoil, and I am trapped without any freedom or choice.
Writer(s): EdwardHolland Jr, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
Contributed by Lucas B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Beth
I love everything about this! Freestyle still lives on here in Fall River! 💜
Jason Charron
Always has
Kendall Ford
Absolutely love this song and the video! Never gets old ❤
Antigone Hughes
The song and the video is absolutely 🔥🔥🔥!!! ❤
Frank Latanzo
Love it 🔥🔥
Maritza T
Wishing you all the success in the world!! Congrats girl!! Love ya!! <3
Shayne Conceicao
Wow, this song and video combo is awesome!
bklynborn718
Great to see you still doing what you love.
Jenny Boomboom
Absolutely love this Rockell #freestyleforever❤️
Gus 24/7 Hustle
Love this. Keep going !!!