Bonus Track-You Keep Me Hangin On
Ross Diana & The Supremes Lyrics


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(Keep me hangin' on)

Set me free why don't cha babe
Get out my life why don't cha babe
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on

Set me free why don't cha babe
Get out my life why don't cha babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
'Cause you don't really need me
But you keep me hangin' on

Why do you keep a comin' around playing with my heart?
Why don't cha get out of my life and let me make a brand new start?
Let me get over you the way you gotten over me, yeah, yeah

Set me free why don't cha babe
Get out my life why don't cha babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on
No, you don't really need me
You just keep me hangin' on

You say although we broke up you still just wanna be friends
But how can we still be friends when seeing you only breaks my heart again
(And there ain't nothing I can do about it)

Whoa, ooh, whoa, ooh, whoa
Whoa, ooh, whoa, ooh, whoa, whoa
Whoa, ooh, whoa, ooh, whoa, whoa
Whoa, ooh, whoa, ooh, whoa,
Yeah, yeah

Get out, get out of my life
And let me sleep at night
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on

You say you still care for me but your heart and soul needs to be free
And now that you've got your freedom you wanna still hold on to me
You don't want me for yourself so let me find somebody else

Set me free why don't cha babe
Get out my life why don't cha babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on

Why don't cha be a man about it and set me free (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Now you don't care a thing about me
You're just using me, hey, abusing me

Get out, get out of my life
And let me sleep at night (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)




'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ross Diana & The Supremes's song "You Keep Me Hangin On" are about someone who is desperately trying to get over a past relationship. The singer is urging the other person to leave their life completely, as they are just playing with their heart and keeping them hung up on the relationship. They plead with the other person to set them free and stop using them, and to let go of them so that they can move on and find someone else. The singer seems to be frustrated that the other person is claiming to still care for them, but is unwilling to commit or really be there for them.


The lyrics of this song are relatable to many people who have been in a situation where they are trying to move on from a past relationship, but the other person keeps coming back and leading them on. The repetition of the phrase "set me free" emphasizes the desperation of the singer to move on and find closure.


Overall, "You Keep Me Hangin On" is a powerful song that captures the emotions of heartbreak and the struggle to move on. The catchy melody and strong vocals of Ross Diana & The Supremes make this an iconic song that has stood the test of time.


Line by Line Meaning

Set me free why don't cha babe
Please release me from this relationship


Get out my life why don't cha babe
Leave me alone and don't interfere with my life


'Cause you don't really love me
You don't have genuine feelings for me


You just keep me hangin' on
You're stringing me along without any real commitment


Why do you keep a comin' around playing with my heart?
Why do you keep visiting me and messing with my emotions?


Why don't cha get out of my life and let me make a brand new start?
Why can't you just leave me alone and let me move on with my life?


Let me get over you the way you gotten over me, yeah, yeah
Allow me to move on from this relationship just like you did


You say although we broke up you still just wanna be friends
You claim that even though we've ended things, you still want to maintain a friendship


But how can we still be friends when seeing you only breaks my heart again
It's impossible for me to be friends with you when it hurts me so much to see you


(And there ain't nothing I can do about it)
(And unfortunately, there's no solution to this problem)


Get out, get out of my life
Please leave my life


And let me sleep at night
And allow me to have peace in my mind


You say you still care for me but your heart and soul needs to be free
You claim to have affection for me but you want to be independent


And now that you've got your freedom you wanna still hold on to me
Now that you're free, you still want to have some control over me


You don't want me for yourself so let me find somebody else
Since you're not interested in having a serious relationship with me, please allow me to find someone who is


Why don't cha be a man about it and set me free?
If you were truly a mature adult, you'd release me from this relationship


Now you don't care a thing about me
You don't have any concern for my well-being


You're just using me, hey, abusing me
You're taking advantage of me and mistreating me


'Cause you don't really love me
Your feelings for me aren't real


You just keep me hangin' on
You're constantly giving me false hope without any real commitment




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: EDWARD JR. HOLLAND, LAMONT DOZIER, BRIAN HOLLAND

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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