MaCoys – Hang on sloopy

About the song

The story behind “Hang On Sloopy” is as fascinating as the song itself. Originally penned by the New York City rock band the Strangeloves, the track was destined to become a classic. However, fate intervened when the Dave Clark Five, with whom the Strangeloves were touring, expressed interest in recording their own version. Faced with the prospect of their song being overshadowed, the Strangeloves decided to release it themselves, but under a different name.

Enter Rick and the Raiders, a young rock group from Dayton, Ohio. The Strangeloves recruited the Raiders to record the song, and their 16-year-old leader, Rick Zehringer, was tasked with providing the lead vocals. To avoid confusion with another popular band, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Zehringer adopted the stage name Rick Derringer. The single was released under the name of the McCoys and quickly climbed the charts, reaching the top spot in October 1965.

“Hang On Sloopy” became an instant classic, capturing the hearts of listeners with its infectious melody and energetic performance. The song’s lyrics, which tell the tale of a hard luck girl, resonated with audiences of all ages. Despite its enduring popularity, the Dave Clark Five’s version of the song was never released, leaving “Hang On Sloopy” as a testament to the McCoys’ talent and the power of a great song.

Video

Lyrics

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

Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town (ooh-ooh-ooh)
And everybody, yeah, tries to put my Sloopy down (ooh-ooh-ooh)
Sloopy, I don’t care what your daddy do (ooh-ooh-ooh)
‘Cause you know, Sloopy, girl, I’m in love with you (ooh-ooh-ooh)
And so I say now

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

Sloopy wears a red dress, yeah, as old as the hills (ooh-ooh-ooh)
But when Sloopy wears that red dress, yeah
You know, it gives me the chills, oh-oh (ooh-ooh-ooh)
Sloopy, when I see you walkin’, walkin’ down the street (ooh-ooh-ooh)
I say, “Don’t worry, Sloopy, girl, you belong to me” (ooh-ooh-ooh)
And so I say now

Hang on, Sloopy, Sloopy, hang on
Hang on, Sloopy, Sloopy, hang on
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
Give it to me, hey now
Sloopy, let your hair down, girl
Let it hang down on me (ooh-ooh-ooh)
Sloopy, let your hair down, girl
Let it hang down on me, yeah-yeah (ooh-ooh-ooh)

Come on, Sloopy (come on, come on)
Well, come on, Sloopy (come on, come on)
Well, come on, Sloopy (come on, come on)
Well, come on, Sloopy (come on, come on)

Well, it feels so good (come on, come on)
You know, it feels so good (come on, come on)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, Sloopy (come on, come on)
Well, shake it, shake it, shake it, yeah (come on, come on)
Aw!

Hang on, Sloopy, Sloopy, hang on
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
Hang on, Sloopy, Sloopy, hang on
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
Hang on, Sloopy, Sloopy, hang on