Introduction
“You Keep Me Hangin’ On” as performed by Phil Collins is a cover of the iconic 1966 hit originally made famous by The Supremes. While not an original composition by Collins, his rendition, released in 2010 on his album Going Back, offers a fresh take on the Motown classic, paying homage to its roots while injecting his own musical style.
The original version, written and produced by the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team, is a quintessential example of the Motown sound, characterized by its driving beat, catchy melody, and the distinctive vocals of Diana Ross. It tells the story of someone trapped in a relationship where their partner is neither fully committed nor willing to let go, leaving them “hangin’ on.”
Collins’s version, from his album Going Back, which is a collection of covers of 1960s soul and Motown songs that he grew up listening to, stays relatively faithful to the original arrangement while showcasing his signature vocal style. He maintains the song’s energetic tempo and infectious rhythm, but his more gravelly vocal tone gives it a slightly different feel compared to Ross’s smooth delivery. This album project was a clear labor of love for Collins, allowing him to revisit and reinterpret the music that influenced him.
By covering “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”, Collins not only paid tribute to The Supremes and the Motown sound but also introduced the song to a new generation of listeners. His version serves as a reminder of the timeless quality of the original composition and its enduring appeal across different musical eras. It is a testament to the song’s strong melody and relatable theme of relationship struggles.