Hang On Sloopy - the McCoys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nuw8GJbqx94

Next up on the eternal escalator is Rick Derringer who died on May 25th 2025. Derringer, originally Rick Zehringer, became one of those rock "Zelig"'s, popping up here and there over the years, playing lead guitar on occasional Steely Dan, Meatloaf and Bonnie Tyler tracks, producing albums by Nils Lofgren, backing Cindi Lauper on tour, and hanging out at the heavier end of the heavy metal pool hall as part of Johnny Winter And and, later, the Edgar Winter Band.

More recently, his song "Real American" achieved historic distinction in that it was appropriated in support of both a Democratic presidential campaign (Barack Obama - on the occasion the public display of his American passport) and a Republican one (star wrestler Hulk Hogan used it as his theme tune, including the occasions where he campaigned for Donald Trump). On the one hand it was utilised to illustrate a truth, on the other as a theme tune for a man who made living out of simulated pugilism. Its chorus is as follows:

"I am a real American,

fight for the rights of every man.

I am a real American

and fight for what's right,

fight for your life..."

Who says Americans don't get irony?

Derringer was himself a Trump supporter.

Perhaps Derringer will be best remembered as guitarist and lead singer for then US sixties' band the McCoys. The McCoys would be a contender for the greatest one hit wonder were it not for the existence of a pair of chart-scraping follow-ups to the magnificent "Hang On Sloopy", namely the vastly inferior cover versions of Ritchie Valens' "Come On, Let's Go" and Little Willie John's "Fever" that reworked the cautious birdwalk style chord rhythm of "Sloopy". Ironically, once more, the single that "Sloopy" knocked off the US number one spot, way back in 1965, was Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction", ( see https://www.unclestylus.com/single-post/2019/01/01/eve-of-destruction-barry-mcguire ) itself definitely a contender for best one hit wonder ever. And pertinent to today too. But while McGuire's hit satirised the folly of war, the McCoys' first hit was a celebration of love.

Derringer's vocal is fused with the unashamed pride of youth as the song moves from the celebration of his love for a girl from the poor side of town to the actual act of making love with her. And there's that extraordinary moment, exactly 2 minutes 28 seconds in, where he sings

"Sloopy let your hair hang down girl, let it hang down on me"

and as he sings it, although the music's still playing, and the rhythm hasn't altered, it's as though there's a moment's silence, a moment of stillness where the world has stopped, as can occur in the act of love making.

It still amazes me that, back in the days of rampant radio-wave censorship, no-one banned "Hang On Sloopy". Under what other circumstances would Sloopy be letting "her hair hang down on" him than from her position on top in the act of making love? And in case there's any doubt, check out Derringer's steamy guitar solo and then his final orgasmic scream at the end of the song. Definitely not ironic.