From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Hang Fire" is a song by rock and roll band
the
Rolling Stones off their 1981 release Tattoo You.
Written by Mick
Jagger and Keith Richards, "Hang Fire" is a
fast-paced, up tempo surfer style rock and roll track, which
betrays the happy beat with sharp, satirical lyrics directed
squarely at England's economic decline through the 1970s.
|
“ |
In the sweet old
country where I come from, Nobody ever works, Yeah nothing gets
done; We hang fire, we hang fire. |
” |
The song is a bleak look at English society at the time, where
labour unrest was common and high taxes prevented growth. The
lyrics parody the English economy, lamenting an
unemployed working class Englishman who would rather bet on the
horses than try to marry into the upper class- the only way to get
ahead in English society.
|
“ |
You know marrying
money is a full time job; I don't need the aggravation; I'm a lazy
slob |
” |
The song is one of the few times the band wrote an overtly
political song, and it is notable that it was never released as a
single in England, even though the band was touring Europe during
the single's North American release. The lyrical irony and
commentary on English society harkens back to some of the groups
more socially contentious songs of the sixties like "Mother's Little Helper," "19th
Nervous Breakdown" and "Street Fighting Man."
Keith Richards was asked about the track in a 1981 Rolling
Stone magazine interview where he admits the track relates to
England and the "ugly politicians" who had caused the country to
decline when the "money got tight."[1]
"Hang Fire" was first written and recorded during the Some Girls sessions
in Paris. Released as the third
single from Tattoo You, the song became a radio hit in the
United States where it reached number 20 on the singles chart.
Notes
- ^
"Keith Richards – Interview". Rolling Stone (magazine) November 12,
1981
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