Let's Hang On!
In-game article clicks load inline without leaving the challenge.
"Let's Hang On!" is a song composed by Bob Crewe, Sandy Linzer, and Denny Randell that was popularized by the Four Seasons in 1965.
The Four Seasons version
The Four Seasons' recording reached No. 3 in the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, the group's highest placement since "Rag Doll" hit the top spot in July 1964.
This was the last Four Seasons hit to feature bass singer/bassist Nick Massi. The same month "Let's Hang On!" was released, Massi left the group and was temporarily replaced by the band's arranger Charles Calello before Joe Long came in as Massi's full-time replacement.
The popularity of "Let's Hang On!" has been attributed to the inclusion of several devices into the recording: a two-line introduction (sung by lead singer Frankie Valli), the use of two fuzz guitars (one guitarist playing low notes, another playing high notes on a fuzz bass), a chorus loaded with hooks and sung in falsetto, and backing vocals giving counterpoint with Valli's lead vocal. It re-established the group's presence in the Top Ten (of the Hot 100) as The Four Seasons were in a flurry of activity, recording albums both as The Four Seasons and as supporting musicians for Valli's rekindled "solo" career. In the UK, the song was a No. 4 hit for the group.
Billboard described the song as having a "hard-driving dance rhythm." Cash Box described it as a "hard-rockin' fast-moving rhythmic ode about a lucky fella who is mighty pleased that he's fortunate enough to have met the girl of his dreams."
The single's B-side, "On Broadway Tonight", was the theme of a CBS-TV variety series (1964–1965) hosted by Rudy Vallee.
Chart history
| Chart (1965–66) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Weekly charts Chart (1965–66) Peak position Canada RPM Top Singles 3 New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade) 8 South Africa (Springbok Radio) 19 UK (OCC) 4 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 3 U.S. Cash Box Top 100 1 | Year-end charts Chart (1966) Rank U.S. Billboard Hot 100 ?? U.S. Cash Box 41 |
| Canada RPM Top Singles | 3 |
| New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade) | 8 |
| South Africa (Springbok Radio) | 19 |
| UK (OCC) | 4 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 3 |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100 | 1 |
| Chart (1966) | Rank |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | ?? |
| U.S. Cash Box | 41 |
Barry Manilow cover
In 1981, the song was revived by Barry Manilow who hit No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and No. 32 on the Hot 100. The single climbed to No. 12 in the United Kingdom and was certified silver, while peaking at No. 4 in Australia, No. 16 in Germany and No. 8 in Ireland.
| Chart (1982) | Peak position | |
|---|---|---|
| Chart history Weekly charts Chart (1982) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report) 4 Germany 16 Ireland (IRMA) 8 UK (OCC) 12 US Billboard Hot 100 32 US Billboard Adult Contemporary 6 US Cash Box Top 100 35 Year-end charts Chart (1982) Rank Australia (Kent Music Report) 27 US (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual) 186 | Certifications Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA) Gold 50,000^ United Kingdom (BPI) Silver 250,000^ ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | |
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 4 | |
| Germany | 16 | |
| Ireland (IRMA) | 8 | |
| UK (OCC) | 12 | |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 32 | |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary | 6 | |
| US Cash Box Top 100 | 35 | |
| Chart (1982) | Rank | |
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 27 | |
| US (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual) | 186 | |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
| Australia (ARIA) | Gold | 50,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | Silver | 250,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Other cover versions
In 1969, Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon covered the song and took it to No. 36 in the UK singles chart. Australian soft rock group, Dove, provided their rendition in 1975.
In 1980, the song was covered by British doo-wop band Darts who took it to No. 11 in the UK singles chart. This was the band's last UK top 40 single.
In March 1990, British band Shooting Party covered the song. It peaked at No. 66 in the UK singles chart.
In 1995, The Manhattan Transfer covered the song on their album Tonin', featuring lead guest vocals by the original singer Frankie Valli. The album reached No. 123 on the Billboard 200.[citation needed]