“Don’t Keep Me Hangin’ On”
Sonny James
Written by Sonny James and Carole Smith
Billboard
#1 (4 weeks)
August 5 – August 26, 1970
The least satisfying No. 1 single from Sonny James so far this decade is most interesting for its title, which unfortunately makes me wish I was listening to the much better Supremes classic, “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.”
Well, this is better than the Reba dance mix of said Supremes hit. I’ll give it that. But it’s not that much better. “Don’t Keep Me Hangin’ On” is dated even by 1970 standards, leaning too heavily on the Jordanaires-style harmonies from the early Rock & Roll era.
James is a bit hamstrung by the arrangement, keeping him from letting loose as a stylist. It’s a disappointment after the creatively adventurous “My Love.”
“Don’t Keep Me Hangin’ On” gets a C.
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I know 70’s country very well, but I don’t remember hearing this one. It is a pleasant listen but “C” is fair. Nothing special.
Never heard this one before, which isn’t terribly surprising since I’ve got some work to do when it comes to learning Sonny James’s discography. I actually enjoy the Jordanaires-style background vocals, so I don’t see it as an issue of being dated. However, I think they are a little too loud here and drown out Sonny. Like Tom said, pleasant enough but a C seems appropriate.
Actually, I really liked this “non-cover” of Sonny’s. In live performance the song sounded better than the 45-rpm version. I would give this a C+ or B-
I developed a real soft spot for the harmonies of acts like the Ray Conniff Singers, Mitch Miller, The Ames Brother, the Mills Brothers Four Lads, etc. when combing through my parents’ record collection as a kid, so the harmonies from the Jordanaires is too comforting for me to ever be disconcerted by them. The provide real warmth, stability, and fullness to the production to my ears. This kind of country music just makes me want to cuddle up and cozy down.
I fault Lonestar for being lame but I love this; my inconsistencies are on full display.