You Keep Me Hangin
The BB Band 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 BB Band's "You Keep Me Hangin' On" is a classic breakup song that reflects the pain and frustration of being stuck in a relationship that has ended. The song's narrator pleads with their ex-partner to let them go and move on with their life. They are frustrated that their ex keeps hanging on, even though they don't truly love them.


The lyrics reveal the singer's desire for freedom and closure. They want to be set free from their ex-partner's emotional hold on them so they can start over and heal. The chorus, "set me free, why don't cha babe" is a plea for their ex to release them from the pain of being strung along.


Despite the singer's plea for closure, their ex continues to come around and play with their heart. The singer is left feeling heartbroken and unsure of how to move forward. The song's repetitive refrain, "you just keep me hangin' on" reflects the singer's feelings of being stuck in a never-ending cycle of pain and heartbreak.


Overall, The BB Band's "You Keep Me Hangin' On" is a powerful and relatable breakup song that captures the emotions and struggles of moving on from a toxic relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Set me free why don't cha babe
Please let me go from your grasp, my dear


Get out my life why don't cha babe (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Remove yourself from my existence, won't you?


'Cause you don't really love me
Your feelings towards me are not genuine


You just keep me hangin' on
You merely toy with me, keeping me in your clutches


Why do you keep a comin' around playing with my heart?
Why do you persist in emotionally tormenting me by continuing to appear in my life?


Why don't cha get out of my life and let me make a brand new start?
Won't you please depart from my world, so that I can move forward with a fresh beginning?


Let me get over you the way you gotten over me, yeah, yeah
Allow me the opportunity to move on from you, just as you have done from me


You say although we broke up you still just wanna be friends
You have suggested that we stay friends despite the conclusion of our romantic relationship


But how can we still be friends when seeing you only breaks my heart again
It is impossible for us to maintain a friendship when being around you causes me emotional pain


(And there ain't nothing I can do about it)
(Unfortunately, this is the reality I must accept and live with)


Get out, get out of my life
Please, leave my life behind and never look back


And let me sleep at night
Allow me the peace of mind to rest peacefully when I go to sleep at night


You say you still care for me but your heart and soul needs to be free
Although you claim to have affection for me, your innermost desires and spirituality demand freedom


And now that you've got your freedom you wanna still hold on to me
Even now that you have what you wanted, you still wish to keep me in your grasp


You don't want me for yourself so let me find somebody else
Since you do not desire me for yourself, allow me to search for someone who will


Why don't cha be a man about it and set me free (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
Would you please exhibit maturity and release me from your hold?


Now you don't care a thing about me
Your present indifference towards me is clear to see


You're just using me, hey, abusing me
It appears that you are manipulating me for your own gain, and it is a harmful practice


'Cause you don't really love me
Your affections towards me are not genuine


You just keep me hangin' on (ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh)
You simply continue to hold onto me, keeping me in limbo




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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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