A minute-twenty-seven of musical bliss, a post-pubescent piece of pop-punk perfection.
Don't Hang Up, penned in 1978 by Jane Drano, Margo Go and Belinda, is characteristic of the band's early aptitude for composing lyrics reflective of ill-fated teenage romance and post-adolescent angst. Musically the girls keep it simple here - virtually all rhythm, no melody - but with percussion this formidable, melodicism hardly seems necessary (no guitar solos, no problem!). The track's arrangement has been significantly altered since it's original hardcore interpretation*, now equal parts pop and punk, maximized distortion on the guitars are now replaced by cleaner chords a la The Undertones, the drum patterns are far tighter, the arrangement more nuanced. Equally noteworthy, Belinda and Jane have begun utilizing their distinctive vocal interplay on the chorus, an attribute which would also feature prominently in much of the band's later material.
Although the lyrics could hardly be described as Dylan-esque or in-depth, the song's outro ends on a triumphant note, clearly these girls are not the emotionally-tortured girl-group victims of the 1950's/60's.
"Go on hang up/
Now that you've listened/
And I've explained the way that I feel/
You reached the end of the line."
**** 1/2
Don't Hang Up, penned in 1978 by Jane Drano, Margo Go and Belinda, is characteristic of the band's early aptitude for composing lyrics reflective of ill-fated teenage romance and post-adolescent angst. Musically the girls keep it simple here - virtually all rhythm, no melody - but with percussion this formidable, melodicism hardly seems necessary (no guitar solos, no problem!). The track's arrangement has been significantly altered since it's original hardcore interpretation*, now equal parts pop and punk, maximized distortion on the guitars are now replaced by cleaner chords a la The Undertones, the drum patterns are far tighter, the arrangement more nuanced. Equally noteworthy, Belinda and Jane have begun utilizing their distinctive vocal interplay on the chorus, an attribute which would also feature prominently in much of the band's later material.
Although the lyrics could hardly be described as Dylan-esque or in-depth, the song's outro ends on a triumphant note, clearly these girls are not the emotionally-tortured girl-group victims of the 1950's/60's.
"Go on hang up/
Now that you've listened/
And I've explained the way that I feel/
You reached the end of the line."
**** 1/2
~Eden Felt
Go-Go's - Don't Hang Up (live 1979)
(Wiedlin / Olavarria / Carlisle) (1978)
It's not so bad that I can't see you
To say what I've been thinking about
You're still the toughest boy around
What you've been up to has made me doubt
Don't hang up
Just listen
Got to explain the way that I feel
Stay on your end of the line
The telephone's the cowards way
But please listen anyway
I can't be with you anymore
So don't come knockin' at my door
You're still the toughest boy around
What you've been up to has made me doubt
Don't hang up
Just listen
Got to explain the way that I feel
Stay on your end of the line
The telephone's the cowards way
But please listen anyway
I can't be with you anymore
So don't come knockin' at my door
Don't hang up
Just listen
Got to explain the way that I feel
Stay on your end of the line
No, I won't come running back
No, I'll never change my mind
All along I've been a fool
I've gotten smarter
I know your kind
Don't hang up
Just listen
Got to explain the way that I feel
Stay on your end of the line
Go on hang up
Now that you've listened
And I've explained the way that I feel
You reached the end of the line
Just listen
Got to explain the way that I feel
Stay on your end of the line
No, I won't come running back
No, I'll never change my mind
All along I've been a fool
I've gotten smarter
I know your kind
Don't hang up
Just listen
Got to explain the way that I feel
Stay on your end of the line
Go on hang up
Now that you've listened
And I've explained the way that I feel
You reached the end of the line
