"You Keep Me Hangin' On" Quotes

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Source: "You Keep Me Hangin' On"

Speaker: The Supremes

"Keep me hangin' on."

You don't really need me, but you keep me hangin' on.

Context

This line is from the song "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by The Supremes from the album The Supremes Sing Holland–Dozier–Holland (1967).

This line is all about getting someone toxic out of your life. If you've got an ex that's still hanging around and preventing you from moving on, bust out this song. They'll be alarmed, wonder why you've suddenly and very inexplicably burst into song, and back away very slowly—mission accomplished.

Check out this clip to help you practice.

Where you've heard it

If you've never had an ex sing this to you and it became a viral video and your grandparents showed it at your last Thanksgiving to all of your relatives, then good for you. It's not like that happened to us, or anything. No, we're not bitter…

Moving on—if you're not familiar with The Supremes' version, you may know the 1986 Kim Wilde cover.

Additional Notable References

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Referencing this song means you're probably someone who shouldn't be trifled with, and that's supremely cool.