Story Behind The Song
The song started with the scenario in verse one: Watching - and being irritated by - people in their cars weaving in and out of lanes while they were talking on the phone. The from-the-heart chorus "Hang It Up!" soon followed, as did the rest of the story in each verse.
Song Description
Observations of cell-phone abuse, punctuated by a call-and-response "Hang It Up", "Hang It Up" in the chorus.
Each chorus is a different scenario (oblivious drivers on the phone, people on Bluetooth headsets ignoring the world around them, and a concert goer who's more interested in telling his friend at home that he's at a show...rather than watching the show itself.)
Set to a pseudo-reggae beat and a folk-rock arrangement.(straight ahead acoustic rhythm guitar, lead electric guitar, and drums.
| Song Length |
4:04 |
Genre |
Folk - Rock, Folk - Alternative |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Irritated, Annoyed |
Subject |
Frustration |
| Similar Artists |
Bob Dylan, Warren Zevon |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
The day started out simple enough
I was heading down the road trying to wake up
Then got a bad bad feeling - 'bout what was lying ahead
Cars swervin' like balls in a pinball game
It's official - everybody's insane
Nobody's driving --- without a phone to their head
Chorus
Hang it up - hang it up - hang it up
Hang it up - hang it up - I've had enough
Saw a loving couple walking hand in hand
Seemed everyday enough, but I didn't understand
No something - it wasn't right
They were laughing and talking - but not to each other
I got a little closer - that's when I discovered
The headsets - and flashing blue lights
Chorus
Hang it up - hang it up - hang it up
Hang it up - hang it up - I've had enough
Bridge
Everyone's talking - we're not saying a thing
Might as well be using --- two cans and a string
On stairways and sidewalks in line at the grocery store, too
Alexander Graham Bell --- didn't think this one through
Went to a concert and a guy three rows down
Called his buddies and said, "Hey, can you hear me now"
I said,"We all can - You don't have to shout"
I'd had it by then - I ran over there
It's beautiful when a cell phone sails through the air
The usher even smiled ----- as he was throwing me out
Chorus
Hang it up - hang it up - hang it up
Hang it up - hang it up - I've had enough
Hang it up - hang it up - hang it up
Hang it up - hang it up - I've had enough