There are two bands with the name The Vibrations:

1.The Vibrations w… Read Full Bio ↴There are two bands with the name The Vibrations:

1.The Vibrations were an African-American soul vocal group from Los Angeles, California, active from the mid-1950s to 1976. Most notable among the group's hit singles were "My Girl Sloopy" (1964) and "Love in Them Thar Hills" (1968). The quintet's members included Don Bradley, Carl Fisher, Dave Govan, James Johnson and Ricky Owens.

2.The Vibrations are also a three-piece alternative rock band from Prague, Czech Republic. The band members are David Svoboda (vocals, bass), Filip Marek (guitar) and Simon Strba (drums). The band released a demo EP called "Storm" online in 2010.

My Girl Sloopy
The Vibrations Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy Hang on
Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy Hang on

Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town
And all the girls I know they try to put my Sloopy down.
Sloopy I don't care what your daddy do
Don't you know little girl that I'm in love with you.

Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on
Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on

Sloopy let your hair down
Let it down on me
Hang on Sloopy
Sloopy let your hair down
Girl, let it down on me

Come on Sloopy,
Come on, come on
Come on girl,
Come on, come on
Say yea yea yeah
Good good good good
Good good good good good
I wanna say ahhhhh

A little bit of soul
I want you tell me something
Well don't it make you feel crazy
I wanna say ahhhhh

Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on.

Overall Meaning

The Vibrations's song My Girl Sloopy is about a girl named Sloopy who lives in a notorious part of town where all of the other girls try to diminish her reputation. However, the singer doesn't care about Sloopy's background or what her father does; rather, he is "in love" with her. He implores Sloopy to "hang on" and let her hair down for him, encouraging her with the repeated phrase "Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on."

The lyrics are a plea from the singer to Sloopy to embrace her true self and not let the others' opinions get her down. Hang on Sloopy can be seen as a metaphor for holding onto one's individualism and overcoming societal pressure.

The Vibrations's energetic delivery of these lyrics adds to the song's overall vibe, which is a fusion between soul, rock, and blues. The song is layered with brass and percussion, creating a lively and upbeat sound that engages listeners.

Line by Line Meaning

Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy Hang on
The singer is asking Sloopy, who lives in a rough neighborhood, to stay strong and persevere through difficult times.

Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town
The singer highlights the fact Sloopy resides in a place where life can be challenging.

And all the girls I know they try to put my Sloopy down.
The singer observes that most girls he knows disapprove of Sloopy and try to discourage him from pursuing her.

Sloopy I don't care what your daddy do
The singer reassures Sloopy that her father's social status does not affect his love for her.

Don't you know little girl that I'm in love with you.
The singer expresses his affection for Sloopy and his desire to be with her.

Sloopy let your hair down. Let it down on me
The singer requests Sloopy to be comfortable enough to express herself fully in his company.

Come on Sloopy, come on, come on
The singer urges Sloopy to come with him, trusting that he will take good care of her.

Say yea yea yeah Good good good good Good good good good good
The singer encourages Sloopy to affirm and keep believing in their relationship by saying 'yes' and expressing her approval.

I wanna say ahhhhh A little bit of soul
The singer wants to share his enthusiasm and passion with Sloopy by celebrating their love together.

I want you tell me something Well don't it make you feel crazy I wanna say ahhhhh
The singer desires to know Sloopy feels the same way about him, and expressing how their love makes him feel.

Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on
The song ends with the singer's plea to Sloopy to hold on and stay with him, knowing that their love is real.

Writer(s): Bert Russell, Wes Farrell

Contributed by Kylie L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Comments from YouTube:

@bryans6861

2y↑29

I love listening to the original versions of songs and paying homage to the artists who all too often get overlooked.

@civilsoldi

1y↑2

I have this 45

@gazicj

18w

that's right

@donaldhetzler9143

3y↑58

My Girl Sloppy by Vibrations...one of the MOST OVERLOOKED original of all R &B musical recording in the history of America..!!

@donaldhetzler9143

3y↑5

My Girl Sloopy

@sandeedobberstine5591

34w

Agree!

@Eddiedoowop

15y↑42

You should have seen these guys perform live. I had the pleasure of seeing them at the Apollo, the Uptown, the Royal and many other venues. Avery talented and underrated group. The Temptation Walk came from this song, The Sloop Dance

@sandeedobberstine5591

34w

Wow! You were blessed 🌈🧡

@raymondmalcuit8361

3y↑14

The Vibrations Version Of This Song, Went To Number 26 On The Billboard Hot-100 Chart In 1964.

@JA-rn5qv

3y↑4

Dorothy Sloop (aka Sloopy) passed away in 1998. RIP

@rosemarywatson1231

1y↑8

This is the version that counts! I remember songs like Papa Oom Mow Mow and The Bird's the Word in the movie Full Metal Jacket and it's like it's new, except it's not! Louie Louie, the original version is fire!

@richardcarrillo9523

4y↑2

Growing up in Los Angeles, summer time out of school listening to am station KGFJ R&B SOUL, befor people in LA became haters.

@jerrytaylor7281

36w↑1

I heard the radio play Hang On Sloopy and say it came out in 1965 but I remember hearing it being played many times at Savanna Beach Georgia in 1964 when I was in the Army getting ready to be shipped to Korea. So I just did some research and I found this ORIGINAL version by the Vibrations (The one I remembered) and NOT the "cover" done (stolen) by the McCoys that became a hit in 1965.) I believe the original was actually recorded in late 1963. Yes, I too love hearing the ORINALS of music to FEEL where today's blues and rock really came from. The same goes for early tap dancers whose routines were "lifted" from Fred and others, it you know what I mean. Luckily today, original talents are getting recognized for their great rewards.

@donaldhetzler9143

3y↑7

Ever since I first heard the Vibrations recording of My Girl Sloppy..I was just mesmorised , blown away at their rhythmic capabilities, their professional vocalisms, their total sound on their Atlantic single..As I kept playing that sound at my DJ engagements.. everyone found their rich BASS and insane percussion sounds, the swing and sway, plus the conga beats..caused a total frenzy everywhere I played this at all my DJ engagements..for years following 1964 when Sloppy was recorded..for the next 50 years..THIS VIBRATIONS SOUND..was requested over and over again , never ending..Quite honestly now, I think that I am about the only person that actually has 'My Girl Sloppy" by Vibrations..generation after generations of folks..are MESMORISED totally of this "SACRED SOUND"..as we call it! If only this group had been recognized, by their superior sounds, if only if if only..resulting in now..Youtube, wikipedia, all of today's venues, and vaults of music, rarely even realize the REAL IMPACT of this masterpiece.all the attention now goes to the fake " Hang on Sloopy" McCoy COPYCATS..SO SAD, how could have this evolved into such a dad situation..for my favorite VIBRATIONS group of 5 sounds,!!

@donaldhetzler9143

A very BAD SITUATION ,never even recognized..!! Vibrations..unsung heroes..from 1964..!!

@bambam4LSU

3y↑6

First time listening to these guys, both are good. Guess its just the mood your in!

@beefoneeto

15y↑10

These guys were the best dancers back at the Murray The K shows.Wish someone would post Over The Rainbow-one of their best.

@TRICK-OR-TREAT236

1y↑1

I'M PICKIN UP GOOD VIBRATIONS.

@brianbullard8291

1y↑4

This is still pretty funky...😀⭐⭐⭐

@victorscena4322

7y↑40

This is the version I grew up knowing. I love the Latin beat. I still have the original 45. This version almost sounds like the Drifters back round music. I love the 50's sounds. Dr. Doo Wop.

@danielmorris3687

It's because it is Victor. Bert Berns produced this and a lot of the Drifters hits also.

@victorscena4322

Do I know Dan Morris ? Dr.

@danielmorris3687

You don't know me. I read your comment about the Drifters and sent a reply I thought might interest you.

@victorscena4322

love the drifters Thanks

@michaelglickman1300

@@danielmorris3687 I thought Leiber and Stoller produced for The Drifters.

4 More Replies...

@trfesok

2y↑2

In my Yardbirds playlist with their cover, the more famous version with the McCoys, and the less famous one with Rick Derringer solo. Thanks for the upload!

@lukehauser1182

7y↑13

This discussion thread gets an A+ - lots of opinions and lots of respect!

@bennyjazzful

5y↑4

WOW WOW WOW !

From a mad keen 75yo Aussie fan.

@j1mdown1ng

10y↑5

Bert Berns wrote the song and produced both versions. Each has it's attributes. The Vibrations didn't get the harmony on the IV chord, but there rendition has a nice feel. Berns also wrote Twist And shout; the original version by The Top Notes was produced by Phil Spector, who rearranged the whole thing. Berns said "You f*cked it up" His production of the Isley Brothers scored the first hit.

@hwgray

9y↑3

Jim Downing "The Vibrations didn't get the harmony on the IV chord." They weren't trying to.

@michaelmcgehee1357

2y↑3

The Vibrations also perform a beautiful version of the song " Misty". This group could do it all showstoppers.

@daveadam435

3y↑3

Crazy drumming man !!!!

@lazur1

13y↑5

Bert Berns wrote the song. He was an experienced professional, thus contracted to receive composer's royalties from both The Vibrations' & The McCoys' versions. The Vibrations had no part in composing the tune, & are only entitled to -mechanical- royalties, (performance royalties), paid for airplay of their recording only, not any other version. Perhaps they've been cheated out of -those- payments, but they were -not- cheated by the McCoys, who also were only entitled to mechanical royalties.

@douglasford2257

3y↑3

Most of you were born late to remember or recognize this version by the vibrations,you just missed out before your time.

@civilsoldi

4y↑5

Love it!!

@garyspring5981

4y↑3

i like this version best

@lazur1

13y↑2

@lazur1 Berns also wrote "Twist & Shout", "Under The Boardwalk", "Brown Eyed Girl", "Piece Of My Heart", "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love", "Tell Him","A Little Bit Of Soap", "Cry To Me", & "Here Comes The Night", all huge hits, plus 100s of other great tunes. He got his money.

@bobmack3919

2y↑3

THE VIBRATIONS (5 LEAD SINGERS) BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN AT MY WHITE ELEPHANT CLUB IN THE 1960'S - HEAR 5 UNRELEASED ALBUMS OF THE WORLDS MOST AMAZING RECORDS AT "BOB MACK PLAYS RARE PITTSBURGH DOO WOP" NOW ON YOUTUBE #

@rockingronniewalker1870

9y↑37

Normally I go for the original version of a song, but I cannot make my mind up on this one. The McCoys did such a good job on it

@barkboingfloom

5y↑6

It's not really the McCoys. It's Rick Zehringer, (lead singer of Rick & The Raiders) backed by The Strangeloves (of I Want Candy fame). When the record was released The Raiders became The McCoys and Zehringer became Derringer. The Strangeloves were not credited at all.

@ShadowPlay1919

I think you go for the one you are more familiar with not the original. It is just probably you're usually more familiar with the original songs

@QueenFan12

4y↑2

@@barkboingfloom Actually theres just 1 session musician playing on this named Bernard Purdie I believe, and he played the drum parts while Rick's brother Randy did the call and response with him. The Strangeloves are the ones that found The McCoys and had them record Hang On Sloopy, (Which at first they were gonna give to the Dave Clark Five) and the session musician was used because Randy could only play standing up at the time.

@johnmunk5067

3y↑3

@@QueenFan12 Real close, but they weren't going to give it to The DC5. The DC5 told The Strangeloves they were going to record their own version. The Strangeloves figured it would be a hit if they did and so they gave it to Rick & the Raiders (who changed their name to The McCoys because of Paul Revere and) because I Want Candy was still providing sales and they weren't ready for a new release yet. So, The McCoys recorded over the Strangeloves backing and it beat The DC5 to the charts......I think I got that right. Sounds sort of like a soap. Anyway, this is one song I was never able to make up my mind which I liked better. I kinda like this one better. It seems to have more personality, but the McCoys was more polished. I Have The McCoys 45 on Bang records.

@John_Fugazzi

@@johnmunk5067 You got the story exactly right.

4 More Replies...

@rebeccahope3354

6y↑10

OMG where has this been all my life????? Brilliant!!!!

@garyspring5981

4y↑2

WOW THIS IS THE BEST AND ORIGINAL DO LIKE THE OTHER ONE ALOT BUT THIS GOT IT BEAT

@billyangus

1y↑2

This is now the first time I've heard The Vibrations' original.
For a long time, I thought The McCoys recorded it first.
The original is very good, but The McCoys took it to near
the top of the charts.
Nevertheless, this number is an all-time classic. 😎😎
I think it also became the new sate song for Ohio.

@MrRankamateur1

11y↑2

Loved it then... love it now!

@jeffreysiegel9125

4y↑12

I never heard this version before! The vocals, harmonies, congas, percussions and horns are fantastic!!! Much better than the bubble gum cover of the tune, imo. ☺🌺☮

@davidbardwatkins

2y↑2

Fantastic

@Darthjacy

15y↑2

i glad i play this in school band!!!!

@gilbertcordero2761

9y↑2

awesome song good old days they had good. music

@frithst

7y↑3

The first version I ever heard was the Yardbirds one which I thought incredibly stylish as a teenager. Now I realise it was a straight cover of this.

@SeaboardAirLineRail

8y↑16

....another instance where the original is hard to beat. I like the McCoys version too but that version sounds more like a jam session....the original has a nice laid back groove...

@greaserleo

14y↑4

Love the bongo's makes it more like a wild jungle boogie

@JoshuaCraigStrain

11y↑6

Just saw Rick Derringer interview - He gives total props to Vibrations ( Had original RB hit with song) , and as far as what the writers (The Strangeloves) did as far as fairness in business - I dunno but Rick's straight !

@stinkytrouble

He said he incorporated the phrase "Hang on Sloopy" into the song for The Vibrations.
Is it true?

@sergiozaza9341

7y↑1

This is wicked good , yes I'm from The Sixties !

@marydenise7429

7y↑2

I like this version best

@marcialevin7324

1y↑1

❤❤❤❤

@michelleblanchard6580

10y↑4

Damn, nice!!!

@antoniodilucia3448

5y↑2

true music golden classic

@Slappybeaver1

13y↑1

Ok guys here is how and who get paid for a song. Songwriter - Bert Burns (actually now his estate) (a) earns a royalty on sales by any artist that records Sloopy usually paid via record label (b) there is also a payment to the writer for airplay, radio TV (c) a fee could also be earned if song is used in a commercial or film. The Artist - Vibrations earn a royalty on record sales of their version of Sloopy, the rate is laid out in their contract with Atlantic Records.

@videogeekin

3y↑1

“ The whole time I thought Rick Derringer with The McCoys was the first one to record this.I read that Rick took the name from The Ventures tune ‘The McCoy’.”

@doughelms558

4y↑1

My favorite song Sloopy John B!

@defossard

4y↑4

Ramsey Lewis' version of this was the first I heard many years ago. And at last I have discovered the original via The McCoy's and David Porter. What a song. I just love it. All versions have their charm.

@someonewholovesanimebb7610

7y↑1

We are playing this in my school band

@tino0936

9y↑5

Jammin'

@musikfanat

14y↑2

Cool!

@johnmelmer8606

5y↑2

the song that later became hang on sloopy by the mccoys

@tonyetzu

The bassline sounds like the one in "Summer Nights" from Grease.

@fretts

There's that Bert Berns Cuban sound!

@victoriatilghman628

1y↑1

♥️😉🥰♥️

@bettel19

12y

Nice comment, coming from an African American. The black race should be very proud of you and your knowledge of the English language.

@petercooper2665

10y↑42

The original and still the best version... :-)

@ToaHat

6y↑2

One of my top favorites when I was in 7th grade, 1965.

@alanharper4910

5y↑2

This is the best version in my opinion thanks The Vibrations

@donaldhetzler9143

3y↑1

The Vibrations with their incredible BEATS.wer never ever recognized for their incredible rhythmic abilities, their background musical sounds, their harmonic vocals were THE VERY BEST..! ever since the first time

@el-filoloco427

no conoces a los rockin devils

@boomranger40

7y↑2

I am a Hugh fan of Rick Derringer who turned this song into a rock and roll standard. But this is the original.

@danielmorris3687

7y↑1

I recommend that anyone who loves this old R&B read Joel Selvin's great book from 2014 about Bert Berns the writer and producer of this song and a ton of others from this period, including Twist & Shout and Here Comes The Night. It's titled Here Comes The Night: The Dark Soul of Bert Berns and the Dirty Business of Rhythm & Blues. Fascinating story about a fascinating man operating during a fascinating time in the music business.

@johnaugsburger6192

Thanks

@billchew450

15y↑2

The Vibrations also did the particular version of Misty that the Magnificent Men made popular. Can anyone post that?

@Slappybeaver1

13y

@charliemorris2338

Danm!We snunk into E.C.Glass H.S. the hear the McCoys do their hit not knowing they had lifted it!

@AmericanShia786

3y↑1

I like this better than the McCoy version, and at least as much as the Yardbirds version. This has the best vocals for sure!

@ann8846

35w

Yes. The harmony at the very beginning, and then the complexity. You feel that Sloopy owns her power a bit more here. She is not as sad of a case as the girl in the McCoy version - that girl lives or dies based on the encouragement. Sloopy in this version just finds it helpful.

@frankfazio9322

Always thought the Consuls release was the original. That's the one I heard first. Never heard the McCoys one until it became a hit,

@tyreewhite6653

Well Done ! But, how did the McCoys get the song? Were these songs open to anyone?

@64JBran

10y↑2

I don't think the Vibrations were too worried about not receiving royalties from "Sloopy" since they were already receiving them for recording "Stranded In the Jungle" as The Jayhawks and later "The Watusi" as the Vibrations and "Peanut Butter" as The Marathons.

@mroldies51

11y↑1

The Vibrations - "My Girl Sloopy", SP Atlantic 2221, 1964 Is it really a live recording or the studio recording with the simulated audience ? Thank you.

@alang13

38w

Where did the extra verse in the McCoy's version (about the red dress) come from? It's not in this original.

@tonyetzu

2y↑1

I wonder why the MaCoys version was more popular.

@unclebillmusic

12y↑11

THE BEST VERSION - THEN AND NOW AND ALWAYS !

@musikfanat

14y↑1

I had the studio version that they released...

@user-zf7lr6zp6i

実に！最高！過ぎです！。

@TheRover940

12y

Always love the original versions. Anyone remember the original artist for "Keep on Dancing". Liked it better but cant for the life of me remember who performed it.

@billchew450

13y

@lazur1 Thanks for clarafying exactly who gets what. Question- even with so many songs by black artists in the 50s being covered by whites, so many of them actually wrote the songs- did'nt they get royalties?

@chuckHart70

51 never knew... destroyed the McCoys 45 playing it over and over...

This version would have been the same had I knew it existed!

@Slappybeaver1

13y

I apologize for the multiple postings something screwed up...me.

@billylebraillard

9y↑1

C'est pas une version, c'est l'original !

@mortallious1234

I feel a lot better than when I pressed play.

@MrPistolMason

13y↑4

The original is ALWAYS the best!!!

@johnsain

With the song 'Oh Me Oh My' too?

@Newdispweb

7y↑14

The Vibrations are such an underrated group. When they came to the Regal, no one could barely follow them, they'd jam so hard. Watusi, Cindy, and Sloopy, whom WIKIPEDIA doesn't even mention their version, even though it was out before those amateurish-sounding other folk. Their music was on a brown label with silver letters; can't remember its name. But these brothers were BAD. I hope their in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. If not, that should be corrected immediately.

@johnsmythe1841

Selections from a music historian The brown label was from Atlantic; Wikipedia now mentions this version; the McCoys (or rumor has it The Strangeloves) did not sound amateurish.

@williamsmith8041

4y↑1

Wikipedia DOES mention them! That's how I got here.Id never heard of them until today

@axandio

9y↑11

This original version has a groovy reggae feel to it.

@richardkline1832

8y↑1

That is what I thought

@ChefDaveWQFS

8y↑1

+Jay “Spirited Soul” Tee That's the influence of Bert Berns, the writer's as a mambo dancer and the time he spent in pre-Castro Cuba.

@danielmorris3687

Not many folks now days know about Bert Berns but he was a very innovative producer for a few brief years in the early to mid 60's. It's a shame he isn't more revered for his work but I've read that Jerry Wexler in particular did all he could to downplay Bern's contributions to these R&B classics.

@victorscena4322

Daniel, Thank you for that information. I did not know about Bert and his impact on R&B and all the wonderful work he was involved in. I just read his Bio and he was blow away. He was a true genius. Dr.

@harmonichebe

11y↑1

keep on dancin was done by the gentrys, i believe that was the original was by alvin cash and trhe crawlers, who did "twine time"

@andrastereminiec921

11y

what is the line that's sung after sloopy wears a red dress?

@yvettemoreno7946

5y↑1

The ORIGINAL IS THE BEST😎😎😎😎😎

@lazur1

13y↑1

@billchew450 Many inexperienced songwriters were cheated of their fair share. More were cheated than weren't. Some of them were muscled into sharing writer's credit with producers who wouldn't use their songs unless the artist cooperated. Some didn't understand the paperwork or what they were entitled to, so the producers took it all.

@cazgerald9471

5y↑1

Yup, well said.

@oyogoyog

13y

wasnt there another version of this in the summer of 1965 by a canadien band tht was a minor hit, befoire the mccoys version.

@ClearMindedOne

11y↑3

It also reflects a bit of the difference in white and black music approaches. Black music was more earthy and bluesy relying on horns and organs whereas white music is more about rocking it in your face until there is a full blown rave up. The McCoys version reaches its climax with the electric guitar solo and then bombastically and abruptly returns to a primitive beat. That approach was far preferred by white audiences rather than the slower albeit deeper groove of black R&B hits.

@cazgerald9471

The first cover (May 1965) was a soulful rendition by a white group https://youtu.be/0AiWzUY2VPg

@THE-HammerMan

6y↑10

I believe that BOTH versions are so good, and in such different styles of music, that they both deserve their places in our rich music treasury. They are both so good in different ways.
Kinda like "Birdland" by Weather Report...not the original, but oh so good!

@pablomalaga4676

5y↑1

Birdland is an original Weather Report (Joe Zawinul) composition, what are you talking about?

@michaelmcgehee1357

2y↑2

The Vibrations were a very good group,but more film clips are needed.

@montauk6

5y↑1

Did the Vibrations ever record a studio version of this song?

@playit12002

this is the studio version, produced by bert berns. the live sounds were canned...

@ClearMindedOne

11y↑1

Great original R&B version. However I don't think it is necessarily a replacement for the McCoys version which rocked this into prominence and remains the preferred version for airwaves. Not a matter of better or worse. Like the Beatles Twist and Shout is the definitive version of that song even though a very good version had been out only a year before.

@TorquayTarn

1y↑2

Way better than the Wonderbread version by the McCoys!

@RobertCeisler

Twist & Shout + Green Onions

@billchew450

13y↑1

That is a damn shame. I, for example, wonder if Hank Ballard got his fair share for writing " The Twist'.

@johnsmythe1841

6y↑1

LOL...the original is great, but why do so many folks feel a need to down the McCoys version? You know you CAN like one verison and not hate the other. For the record, the McCoys version was great, too, and sold more. Be it because it had a bigger promotion, it was done by White guys (likely not the McCoys but the Strangeloves), it was far from sounding like amateurs.