Let's Hang On!

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“Let's Hang On!”
Single by The Four Seasons from the album Gold Vault of Hits
B-side	On Broadway Tonight
Released	September 1965
Format	7"
Genre	Rock
Length	3:15
Label	Philips
Writer(s)	Bob Crewe-Sandy Linzer-Denny Randell
Producer	Bob Crewe
The Four Seasons singles chronology
Since I Don't Have You (1965) Let's Hang On! (1965) Don't Think Twice (as The Wonder Who?) (1965)

"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. Produced by Crewe, the single reached the #3 position in the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, the group's highest placement since "Rag Doll" hit the top spot in July 1964.

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.

[edit] Cover versions

In 1966, Mrs. Elva Miller recorded "Let's Hang On!" on her debut album, Mrs. Miller's Greatest Hits. "Mrs. Miller" had made a dent in the Hot 100 chart with her off-key, off-tempo rendition of "Downtown", complete with whistling and forgotten lyrics. On the album (and the subsequent single), "Let's Hang On!" had all of the same hallmarks — and mumbling.

In 1981, the song was in much more capable hands as Barry Manilow recorded a version of "Let's Hang On!" for his album If I Should Love Again. The song (as "Let's Hang On") was eventally released as a single the following year, reaching #32 in April 1982.

In the early 1990s, PWL boy-duo Shooting Party released the song to poor chart success, despite being played often on the show The Hitman and Her.

[edit] Other Uses

The song is also very popular with fans of Wigan Athletic F.C. It is often sung by the fans when the team is one goal up. The song was first heard at the JJB Stadium during the club's first season in the old Division One, now the Football League Championship. The tune was used as a Beechnut gum commercial later in the '60s.