Hang You Up

Album: When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Hang You Up" was the second single from Yellowcard's 2011 album When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes, following "For You, and Your Denial." In the song, frontman Ryan Key is trying to get over his ex. He keeps taking her picture down, only to hang it back up again.
  • Yellowcard took a break between 2008-'10 because their record company was in turmoil and the band members needed some time to figure out their personal lives. They finally reformed on August 1, 2010 with bass player Peter Mosely being replaced by Sean O'Donnell of Reeve Oliver. Vocalist Ryan Key told CMU the album was inspired by "the fight I still have in me." He explained: "I took two years away from Yellowcard to sort of refocus my entire life. When it came time to write for the record, I was overwhelmed with the feeling of fighting to get our band back where we wanted it to be. I think there is an overall theme of moving forward and living in the present."
  • The band enlisted director Chris Marrs Piliero to direct the comedic music video, which contrasts the somber tone of the lyrics. "The song is a little bit heavy," Key told MTV News, "and I think we all wanted to make sure with the video we weren't taking ourselves too seriously and making it some emotional piece of a video."

    In the clip, Key is so preoccupied with singing his song that he's a nuisance to everyone who crosses his path. While ignoring customers at his job at a fast-food joint, Key spots his ex and jumps out of the drive-through window to pursue her.

    "I had to jump out of a drive-through window about 30 times," Key recalled. "It was really challenging. Those windows are small! The first time I did it, they were going to put all this padding down for me. I was like, 'Guys, it's like three feet. I got it.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Al Jourgensen of Ministry

Al Jourgensen of MinistrySongwriter Interviews

In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.