Let's Hang On!

"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 single reached the number three position in the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, the group's highest placement since "Rag Doll" hit the top spot in July 1964.^[1]

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.^[2]

The single's B-side, "On Broadway Tonight", was the theme of a CBS-TV variety series (1964–1965) hosted by Rudy Vallee.

Cover versions

In 1966 Jan & Dean recorded "Let's Hang On!" for their 1966 Filet Of Soul album.

In 1980, the song was covered by British doo-wop band Darts who took it to Number 11 in the UK singles chart. This was the band's last UK top 40 single.^[3]

In 1981, the song was revived by Barry Manilow who hit number six on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, number 32 on the Hot 100,^[4] number 12 in the United Kingdom charts,^[5] and was certified silver, number 16 in the German singles charts and number 8 in the Irish singles charts.

References

↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 238.
↑ Official UK Charts - Four Seasons
↑ Official UK Charts - Darts
↑ Allmusic. Barry Manilow Singles Chart Discography
↑ Official UK Charts - Barry Manilow

The Four Seasons

Frankie Valli Tommy DeVito Bob Gaudio Nick Massi Charles Calello Joe Long Gerry Polci

Albums	Sherry & 11 Others (1962) The 4 Seasons Greetings (1962) Big Girls Don't Cry and Twelve Others (1963) The 4 Seasons Sing Ain't That a Shame and 11 Others (1963) Golden Hits of the 4 Seasons (1963) Dawn (1964) Rag Doll (1964) Born to Wonder (1964) Stay and Other Great Hits (1964) The 4 Seasons Sing Big Hits by Burt Bacharach... Hal David... Bob Dylan (1965) 4 Seasons Entertain You (1965) Lets Hang On (1965) Working My Way Back to You (1965) On Stage with The Four Seasons (1965) New Gold Hits (1967) The Genuine Imitation Life Gazette (1968) Edizione D'Oro (Gold Edition) (1968) Half and Half (1970) Chameleon (1972) Who Loves You (1975) Helicon (1977) The Very Best of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (2002)

Singles	"Sherry" "Big Girls Don't Cry" "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" "Walk Like a Man" "Ain't That a Shame" "Candy Girl" "New Mexican Rose" "Dawn (Go Away)" "Stay" "Ronnie" "Rag Doll" "Alone (Why Must I Be Alone)" "Save It for Me" "Sincerely" "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby" "Big Man in Town" "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" "Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)" "Since I Don't Have You" "Girl Come Running" "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" "Let's Hang On!" "Don't Think Twice" "Working My Way Back to You" "Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'bout Me)" "On the Good Ship Lollipop" "I've Got You Under My Skin" "The Proud One" "Tell It to the Rain" "Beggin'" "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" "C'mon Marianne" "Lonesome Road" "Watch the Flowers Grow" "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" "You've Got Your Troubles (I've Got Mine)" "My Eyes Adored You" "Our Day Will Come" "Who Loves You" "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" "Silver Star" "Grease"

Related topics	Discography Members Albums Songs The Four Lovers The Wonder Who? Bob Crewe "Ces soirées-là" Jersey Boys: Original Broadway Cast Recording Jersey Boys (musical) Jersey Boys (film)

Book:The Four Seasons

Barry Manilow singles

1970s	"Mandy" (1974) "Sandra" (1974) "It's a Miracle" (1975) "Could It Be Magic" (1975) "I Write the Songs" (1975) "Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again" (1976) "This One's for You" (1976) "Weekend in New England" (1976) "Looks Like We Made It" (1977) "Daybreak" (1977) "It's Just Another New Year's Eve" (1977) "Can't Smile Without You" (1978) "Even Now" (1978) "Copacabana" (1978) "Ready to Take a Chance Again" (1978) "Somewhere in the Night" (1978) "Ships" (1979) "When I Wanted You" (1979)

1980s	"I Don't Want to Walk Without You" (1980) "Bermuda Triangle" (1980) "I Made It Through the Rain" (1980) "The Old Songs" (1981) "Somewhere Down the Road" (1981) "Let's Hang On!" (1982) "Oh Julie" (1982) "Memory" (1982) "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" (1982) "Read 'Em and Weep" (1983) "When October Goes" (1984) "Run to Me" (1985) "I'm Your Man" (1986) "Keep Each Other Warm" (1989)

1990s	"If I Can Dream" (1990) "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" (1997)

2000s	"River" (2003) "Unchained Melody" (2006) "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" (2006)

2010s	"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" (2012)

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