Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, "Hang Fire" is a fast-paced, up-tempo surfer style rock and roll track, which belies the happy beat with sharp, satirical lyrics directed squarely at England's economic decline through the 1970s.
“In the sweet old country where I come from, Nobody ever works, Yeah nothing gets done/We hang fire, we hang fire.”
The song is a bleak look at English society at the time, where labour unrest was common and high taxes prevented growth. The lyrics parody the English economy, lamenting an unemployed working class Englishman who would rather bet on the horses than try to marry into the upper class, the only way to get ahead in English society.
“ You know marrying money is a full time job/I don't need the aggravation/I'm a lazy slob.”
The song is one of the few times the band wrote an overtly political song, and it is notable that it was never released as a single in England, even though the band was touring Europe during the single's North American release. The lyrical irony and commentary on English society harkens back to some of the group's more socially contentious songs of the sixties like "Mother's Little Helper", "19th Nervous Breakdown" and "Street Fighting Man".
Richards was asked about the track in a 1981 Rolling Stone magazine interview where he admits the track relates to England and the "ugly politicians" who had caused the country to decline when the "money got tight".
Hang Fire
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nobody ever works
Yeah nothing gets done
We hang fire, we hang fire
You know marrying money is a full time job
I don't need the aggravation
I'm a lazy slob
Hang fire, put it on the wire baby
Hang fire, hang fire put it on the wire baby, go ahead
Hang fire
We've got nothing to eat
We got nowhere to work
Nothing to drink
We just lost our shirts
I'm on the dole
We ain't for hire
Say what the hell
Say what the hell, hang fire
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire
Hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby
Doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo doo
Doo doo
Yeah ten thousand dollars, go have some fun
Put it all on at a hundred to one
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby
Doo doo
Doo doo, hang fire, hang fire put it on the wire
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire
Put it on the wire, baby
Put it on the wire
The Rolling Stones’ song “Hang Fire” is a satirical commentary on the lazy and do-nothing attitude plaguing the singer's homeland. The opening lines convey the singer's frustration with the lack of work ethic while rendering a nostalgic longing for the sweetness of the old country. The singer then points out the irony of how in that old country, marrying money is treated as a full-time job, and anyone who does not want the hassle of working hard can easily become a lazy slob.
The refrain of the song, "Hang Fire," repeating throughout relays the emotions of complacency, apathy, and inertia. The second verse presents the stark contrast, highlighting the people's misery and poverty without jobs, food, or water, and no prospect of anything better. The chorus hits with a sense of sardonic urgency as if challenging someone, anyone, to use the last ten thousand dollars to go have some fun and put it all on at a hundred to one.
In summary, the song “Hang Fire” is an ironic reflection of the do-nothing attitude that permeates the singer's homeland. It paints the picture of a society where people can't get enough of the easy path and thus refuse to take responsibility for their destiny. The lyrics question and challenge the listener's approach to life, urging to do better, and embrace hard work.
Line by Line Meaning
In the sweet old country where I come from
Growing up in the country I'm from
Nobody ever works
No one really works hard
Yeah nothing gets done
Tasks are often left incomplete
We hang fire, we hang fire
We procrastinate and delay tasks
You know marrying money is a full time job
Marrying into wealth can be a full-time occupation
I don't need the aggravation
I don't want the stress of chasing money
I'm a lazy slob
I admit that I'm unmotivated
I hang fire, I hang fire
I delay and put off important tasks
Hang fire, put it on the wire baby
Delay and procrastinate, like you would send a message
Hang fire, hang fire put it on the wire baby, go ahead
Delay and procrastinate, and transmit this message
We've got nothing to eat
We have no food to consume
We got nowhere to work
We lack opportunities for employment
Nothing to drink
We have no liquids available
We just lost our shirts
We've experienced serious financial setbacks
I'm on the dole
I rely on unemployment benefits
We ain't for hire
We are not seeking employment
Say what the hell
What's the point
Say what the hell, hang fire
What's the point of rushing; let's procrastinate
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby
Delay and procrastinate, and tell everyone
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire
Keep delaying important tasks
Hang fire, hang fire, put it on the wire, baby
Delay and procrastinate, but let someone know about it
Doo doo doo
Vocalization
Yeah ten thousand dollars, go have some fun
Here's a large sum of money; spend it freely
Put it all on at a hundred to one
Take a major gamble
Doo doo, hang fire, hang fire put it on the wire
Delay and procrastinate, and transmit the message
Hang fire, hang fire, hang fire, hang fire
Keep delaying important tasks
Put it on the wire, baby
Tell everyone about the delay
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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The Rolling Stones q
@pattyoconnor683
The Rolling Stones on Ed Sullivan show
@douggraham5082
This may not be the most famous Stones song, but it is my favorite.
@y.k.9705
@Johnny Chimpo True, but the stones live are just unbearable to me. And I listen to them all day long every day. Weird. I went to see them in 1981 "Tatoo You" tour and I sh't you not, I walked out. There was the Clash, Police, and some other bands.
@pickle5051
God bless The Rolling Stones for their healing sounds
@pickle5051
Perfect. Still makes me want to break stuff
@bilhamcobbly2957
With ya
@KOSMICKEN09
Slave is my fave on tattoo you. But it's an essential album for sure
@tuntematonohikulkija2843
This is definitely one of the most underrated rolling stones song it has amazing jam and it's also extremely catchy