"Hang on Sloopy": An Ohio State tradition since 1965

Learn the origins of the "Hang on Sloopy" tradition at The Ohio State University, including the song's history as a rhythm and blues hit "My Girl Sloopy" in 1964 with The Vibrations and 1965 as "Hang on Sloopy" by The McCoys. Hear from Ohio State alum John Tatgenhorst about what it was like to arrange "Sloopy" for the marching band when he was a student and how the song lives on.

[@gerardmetzger6182]

The older i get the better it sounds. Thanks to everyone who contributed to make this music available to all of us, and especially the Ohio State Marching Band.

[@DavidBlain4377]

I had a classmate from high school who went to Ohio State and he told me about Hang on Sloopy. I love 60's music and had no idea that that song was used at football games.

[@sjpbrooklyn7699]

Thank you! I saw many games in the sixties but I didn’t realize until now that I was there at its birth. Class of ‘66.

[@drystack86]

Such an anthem. I hear it at high school basketball games, the gym is packed and the students are going crazy to their band playing this song. I had tears in my eyes learning about the history ot it. Nice video.

[@barbrice721]

I had this record as a kid. It was still at mom and dads when they passed away.

[@robertmiller3810]

OMG, I was scrolling thru my phone when I saw the words “Hang on Sloopy”. I’m 80 years old now and as soon as I read it, tears began running down my cheeks. You see, back in 1968, that song was sung by my sister and her best friend all the time because her friend was nicknamed Sloopy. Why am I crying, because my sister passed away in 1989 at just 39yo from a rare brain tumor know as Antiplastic Astrocytoma. As fate would have it, her daughter, my niece was just talking about her two weeks ago. I told my niece about the song and her best friend and our cousin. I miss my beloved sister so much, as her daughter just visited her grave just 3 days ago. Just hearing that song brought back such overwhelming emotions, I miss her so much and I can’t stop crying. RIP my best friend and sister, we’ll be together again someday soon.

[@sbaker4920]

Memories are special (though the original would be better); lost my son in 2010.

[@robertmiller3810]

@@sbaker4920 Sorry to hear of your loss. The one thing you have as solace is the memories of happy times we had to share while they shared their time with us.

[@sbaker4920]

@@robertmiller3810 Thanks for your kind thoughts. My 26 year old son intentionally planned his death. i'm not sure I have yet moved very far from that day when the police came to my house at 7 am.

[@robertmiller3810]

@@sbaker4920 Strangely, I was the same age in 1969 when I deliberately stopped my heart with drugs and went to a place not many people come back from. It’s hard to explain what goes thru their mind but in my Autobiography I talk about “The Point of No Return”. It means this, “It’s when you’re more afraid of life and living, Than you are of death and dying.” I went thru it and sadly, so did your son. He was in pain for some reason known only to him. I spent years of therapy with mental health professionals. It was those same drugs my psychiatrist gave me that I used to kill my self. Why I chose death over life, only I know. I’m 80 years old now and curse the day a doctor at the ER for resuscitating me. He brought me back to a hellish nightmare I cannot escape from for 55 years. I’m truly sorry about your son’s death, he was tormented by something as he passed his Point of No Return. I hope this helps you to ease your pain. I fight the Grim Reaper every day now as he’s pounding on my apartment door and some day I’ll pass my Point of No Return again, an open the door to let him in.

[@sbaker4920]

@@robertmiller3810 Any way we could connect? I'm on facebook.

[@lucieleimbach]

We played it at Dublin High School in the 70’s. Both directors were from TBDBITL. It was a staple at football and basketball games.

[@pglen6042]

AS an alum I love Sloopy, so happy when the band plays it.

[@TheSilvert8008]

BUCKEYE NATION!!! At the risk of sounding corny, I'd love to see all the surviving members of The Vibrations and The McCoy's dot the I at a home game (preferably during pre-game of The Game (of that team up north...) O-H!!! :-D

[@grapatin]

I-O!!!!

[@glenntucker69]

Don't worry pal, my alma mater UGA is going to "dot the I" and then smash your little Angry Acorns into the turf at the Mercedes-Benz Dome in downtown Atlanta. DAWGS ON TOP!!!!!! 😆😆😂😂🤣🤣💥💥

[@marcopolo2418]

I-O!! That's a good idea 👍

[@rongabriel1198]

😢

[@toriblue]

@@glenntucker69 I went to OSU but I gotta give you credit for the hilarious insult "little Angry Acorns." 😆😆😆

[@matthewmaggio6278]

As a fan of OSU since 2000, this jam opened my eyes to past marching band songs

[@theredbaron5403]

Bruh I was a Ohio state Dean for my hole life

[@WickedlyMe328]

You became a fan at the right time! Post Cooper era! I’ve been a fan my entire life.

[@goatslunch6991]

Imagine if they showed a performance of the song in this video?

[@kingofthehousemedia]

Ohio State could really ramp up the Hang on Sloopy connection by inviting in Lisa Leonard Dalton, the Sloopy Girl dancer from Rick Derringer's 1975 music video. She has still got it and could dance on the field while the iconic video was on the big screen. Her dance has been an online sensation with millions of views when it was released on YT 10 years ago.

[@johnmetcalfe2482]

Ohio State has been rocking Hang On Sloppy for 50 plus years without any help…

[@stewartfenton7660]

​@@johnmetcalfe2482true,but for me,it would be a nice acknowledgement of each other.

[@dwillbecancelledsoon4086]

Who cares about some dancer that you wanked off to in the 60s? She didn’t write the song or sing it. She’s just an extra that featured in a film clip

[@sloopygirl-lisa.leonard.dalton]

@@stewartfenton7660 yes it would Stewart!!

[@stewartfenton7660]

@@sloopygirl-lisa.leonard.dalton Oh GOD- I woke up at 3.30 am my time and found a reply from LISA LEONARD that's all!! Lisa, fly across the Atlantic and be with me for ever. It's what we both want, stop fighting it.

[@gregorymcgee100]

I had that record, but at first I thought they were saying "Hang on Snoopy."

[@bikeny]

You and me both.

[@jacksongatlin5418]

Sounded great tonight in our route of Wisconsin

[@audielowe2700]

Thanks for the history..loved this song as lil boy ..never knew this history ❤

[@phil1517]

The real history of Sloopy song is that some teenage kid in St. Louis wrote it and the record label bought it from him and re-appropriated themselves as the writers even though the current people credited with the song's creation had nothing to do with it.

[@KenWalter-xr7rl]

I grew up in Ohio in the 70's. Every kid knew & loved this song. I played this in 7th grade band as I am sure all the school bands in Ohio did. I have not touched a trombone in more than 40 years but if you put one in my hands I could play my part today. I was thrilled to go to the Shoe last year for a game and the skull session. I am not ashamed to say Sloopy had me welling up. Go Bucks

[@Andrew-vx2ls]

Great song, great arrangement. Inspiring.

[@user-gt8st3qf4o]

I remember the Mccoys version. The song was very popular with us 14 year olds.

[@melvynobrien6193]

It was a hit for LITTLE CAESAR AND THE CONSULS in Canada. I have both versions on vinyl. That McCoys video version with the awesome chick dancer is memorable.

[@shenanigans-20__20]

Good work! Thanks!

[@dlbriley]

In High school thru my marching ba ND year. First played Hang on Sloopy on a clarinet then on a tenor sax. 😊

[@kazitude1]

As a Penn State fan, I love this👍👍👏

[@valdiviacchi]

You should have a contest for a new Sloopy Girl among your co-eds.

[@RobPett6986]

Wait wait wait! They get The Vibrations together to sing their version and record it, they talk about the issue of Black artists not getting their songs played on the radio, AND THEN THE VIDEO DOESN’T LET US HEAR THEM SINGING THEIR VERSION?!? I’d like to speak with the director, please.

[@RobPett6986]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJmTmXujYsieh9ksi=O8HF5uccN-hV7IUX

[@marysmith-ps7uj]

My thoughts exactly. The Vibrations should be acknowledged first! Not the McCoys. Geesh!

[@donaldleider7382]

Would it have been too much trouble to hear the original by The Vibrations?

[@jennibarnes140]

I agree it's shocking

[@jennibarnes140]

Dreadfully racist treatment, in 2023!

[@Smackwater587]

Great job!❤

[@masonmcguire3520]

That's awesome!

[@KlingonPrincess]

It would be cool to see the band incorporate "The Vibrations" into their choreography. Great story!

[@bob_._.]

It wouldn't have become a tradition if the crowd at that first game hadn't come up with their own tradition during the 3rd quarter -- the "We want Sloopy!" chant.

[@starguy2718]

Speaking of one-hit wonders that became a staple at college athletic events: "Na-Na Hey-Hey Kiss Him Goodbye".

[@stevepotocin9501]

This needs to be better researched, Hound Dog, By Big Mama Thorton, and Twist and Shout, by The Isley Brothers were both hits for those artists.

[@danstrode]

"Hound Dog", in 1952, staying seven weeks at number one on the Billboard R&B chart in 1953 and selling almost two million copies. "Twist and Shout", which reached number 17 on the Hot 100 and number 2 on the R&B chart, staying on the charts for 19 weeks

[@sigsin1]

I love this story so much. It’s a band story. I’m a Wolverine but I love this!

[@lawyerscariocascariocasadv4633]

❤

[@djackklingler3]

RIP John Tatgenhorst 1938 - 2024

[@frankswisher6342]

I love my buckeyes born in 1956 been watching since 1966 to this day i ❤ OSU n my Buckeyes- BEAT MICHIGAN

[@doctor78212]

Love Hang On Sloopy, and this is a good story to cover. My OCD troubles me in a lot of articles. Hang On Sloopy was written in the key of G Major. The arranger said he arranged it in the key of G flat. The sheet music on the piano is written in the key of F. Details like this drive me crazy. 🤪 p.s. Hang On Sloopy will never be forgotten by my generation. So glad Ohio carries it on.

[@gill444100]

Awesome.

[@Expectadorable]

Gracias.

[@Daehawk]

I love Hang on Sloopy and I love Lisa Leonard Dalton.

[@coppertopv365]

Born an raised in Ohio.. And I never knew.

[@lawyerscariocascariocasadv4633]

Fantástico. Ever

[@galekelsey224]

This is cool, you’ll like this, too!!!

[@lawrencequave7361]

Nice video 'cept for one thing: We didn't get to hear the DAMN arrangement. Why? I'm VERY disappointed--especially since I played in my school marching band way back when.

[@jeffclark364]

A great STORY....I remember the ORIGINAL story in 1965!! GO BUCKEYES!!

[@CreightonRabs]

If I'm not mistaken, The McCoys were from Dayton; I'm surprised that didn't get mentioned in this piece.

[@MelissaThompson432]

I remember when the McCoys version came out in 1965, and I know exactly how cool it would have been in those days to any band member, to get to play a contemporary hit song (not one 10 years old.) I don't follow football, so I never knew about the Sloopy/Ohio State connection, but I'm impressed by the whole story--- including the fact that the original (which I never knew existed) was included. In true pop music fashion, the McCoys version was almost the same, just...less. They put a fresh coat of paint on it. I'll link the original below.

[@MelissaThompson432]

The Vibrations: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJmTmXujYsieh9ksi=wAcTf-q-435rFzoF

[@BALOYBEACHBUM]

I am from Findlay,Ohio and the Buckeyes was always our team! GO BIG 10! GO BUCKEYES!!

[@johngaither9263]

Now record a Platinum selling hit like USC did with Fleetwood Mac and you'll be right up there.

[@96driver]

Dwight Yoakam Played it to fire up the audience 8/4/23 at the PNC Pavilion in Cincinnati. Search "Dwight Yoakam - Hang on Sloopy - Cincinnati, Ohio - Aug 4, 2023" The audience chants O H I O

[@artvandelay4545]

This one time at band camp...

[@chrismclaughlin5184]

The video of this song is cool, hippy cutie pie dancing

[@m2pozad]

Good Black musicians had been integrated into mainstream society since the early broadcast days, long before desegregation. All money was green.

[@davidgoble4182]

when i was a kid growing up in the 60,s i thought they were saying snoopy lol

[@jmpayne333]

As an Ohioan I approve this message. Lol

[@lawyerscariocascariocasadv4633]

I ❤

[@malcolmmeer9761]

Can't begin to touch Enter Sandman VTech Boiler Up

[@cartapax5077]

Es Lupe, Lupita mi amor.

[@danstrode]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIDKpYCrea6Di5I

[@cartapax5077]

@@danstrode

[@jamesziegler-xl4bz]

Since 1965

[@timh8324]

But there needs to be a sloopy girl dancing...

[@jg90049]

I was in Grad. School at Ohio State in 1965. I thought "Sloopy" was ridiculous at the time.

[@cathypeterson2420]

Wow this song makes me think of osu YeawHY?

[@johnrhondaboyd2751]

Did they ever pay royalties I wonder....

[@pyuhlu]

Go Bucks

[@johnkeviljr9625]

Covering a song is standard in the industry. The Mc Coys made a better version. No racism involved.

[@johngaither9263]

If they were the only ones to have done it then maybe. But they weren't. Many 60's rock bands made a fortune covering R&B tunes from a decade earlier. The Beatles actually met and applauded the efforts of Muddy Waters and others.

[@johnkeviljr9625]

@@johngaither9263 Still, not about racism.

[@NickGuy0320]

“No racism involved” when it was entirely about race 😂

[@riceski]

@ 5:32 the announcer says if not for OHIO Hang on Sloopy would have been forgotten. This is simply balderdash. This song is loved around the world. The lead singer Rick Darenger went on to play with other groups and produced other singers including Cindy Loupner and others. The group only had this monster hit that bumped the Beatles to 2nd place. Thank you OHIO but Sloopy got you this attention - not you getting attention for Sloopy

[@B717virtual_pilot]

Go Bucks!

[@cgilleybsw]

I may have to consider Ohio State a break :)

[@jennibarnes140]

HAS CARL FISHER and THE VIBRATIONS EVER BEEN HONOURED AND RECOGNISED BY OHIO STATE???? Love and sincerest apologies to them all. I am appalled. 😢😢😢😢 ❤❤❤❤

[@jennibarnes140]

If not, a dreadful oversite 😢😢😢😢

[@jeffcampbell5755]

2:30

[@m1t2a1]

They need Lisa Dalton.

[@ImToastAlso]

News to me that they wouldn’t play black music. Listening to my grandparents, who are white, the favored music were English groups, and R&B. The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, the Four Tops, Otis Redding, Junior Walker and The All Stars.

[@randallbouza1864]

Still doesn't explain what the song has to do with Ohio, other than they borrowed it, similar to how Stanford borrowed Alright Now.

[@bvm3925]

Rick Derringer was from Ohio, maybe that helped.

[@Gen_Kael]

Excuse me, its THEE

[@silverkitty2503]

now that is american culture

[@marilyntaylor9577]

I did too, until today!

[@schwarzestiefel]

It’d be nice to hear the original version of the song instead of some guy blathering all over it.

[@stevepotocin9501]

And the McCoys were NOT one hit wonders.

[@danstrode]

9 top 100 hits 3 of them top 25 hits (US)

[@LLcoolDel]

What are the names of the other hits.

[@terrydouglas5008]

Fever, come on let's go

[@DntHtThPlya]

There weren't any Hatfields in the band, were they?

[@melvynobrien6193]

That eejit professor said it's just four notes repeated; he mustn't have listened to the song, which also has a verse section. In addition, this video implies it was stolen black music, when in fact it was written by two WHITE MEN in 1964, so it wasn't a black song, it was always a WHITE ROCK SONG. The Vibrations were the first to record and release it, but it's been a hit for several WHITE bands. Let's be honest, eh?

[@JohnWhitmer-nh5yg]

Horse shit. The reason Hang on Sloopy became an Ohio State Buckeyes song was because I changed the words to "Hang on Woody. " You're welcome.

[@hinsdalehighschools2896]

Yes - this is the real story (don't know if John Whitmer changed the words, but someone did).

[@meman6964]

Yes!!! Woody Hayes!!! I heard him speak, and saw him coach Go BUCKEYES

[@Jbmc65]

That racial discrimination back then was sickening. As a Canadian born in the early 60’s I remember hearing about this when I was a kid but in Canada this was not an issue. Many of my childhood friends where black kids and we went and did everything together and never heard a peep from anyone. We never had colored go here signs. But our government was discriminating enough against our native peoples .

[@johngaither9263]

You're lucky. Canda didn't have to suffer 600,000+ men killed in the fight to end slavery. Nor endure a century of Jim Crow, Poll Taxes and other humiliations of black people.

[@scottsyverson4260]

The importance of tradition in college athletics, and in particular football, can not be overstated from the fan's perspective. It's ironic that this video would publish in the backdrop to the Big 12's role in the destruction of the traditions of the Pac-12 conference, and for what? TV revenues. So, you'll excuse me if I find this little excursion into Ohio State "traditions" strikes me as more than a little hypocritical.

[@michaelscurr9046]

Lisa leanard dalton hot as

[@carminesilverado]

that is all true however I wish to keep alive an other chant - I Don't Give A Damn About the Whole State of Michigan

[@mga2899]

But it wasn't such a simple song.

[@jerryjanik480]

Didn't know the history of the song Let's Go Michigan I hate this song because you guys use it

[@jeffreycook3289]

And thats why we use it, nothing like free real-estate in every _ichigan fans frontal lobe! Enjoy and go Buckeyes.

[@Think_For_Yourself_]

This is their real state song. Internet trying to change history with trt gaslighting.

[@Obospeedo]

Truth hurts

[@michellekinder3051]

Also what is interesting is that they would not allow certain white performers to have their songs played. Why, they sound to black. Look it up. Those musicians also helped to bring down segregation. Elvis. Righteous Brothers and many more

[@helpmehelp3009]

I am a Brit, and even we know this university band, black and Southern music was well known and used , copied by Stones, beatles, etc but the beatles wrote more music than classical music composer's, we never had the ridiculous apartheid that America had for years. You lost so much rich culture because of it.

[@user-gj1pq5zm4l]

America still suffers from that apartheid. Officially it may be gone, but in daily life, it’s never really gone away. (Speaking as a Canadian neighbour who travels there and follows their news.)

[@m2pozad]

@@user-gj1pq5zm4l Completely irrational. That would be Africa. First by European colonists, then by African retribution, promoted by US boycotts of South Africa. The US is posing as the bastion of BLM wokeism.

[@adairjanney7109]

would have been nice if they kept us sperate, their evil to live near and evil to be around and event heir own people know its true and cant stnad them

[@markwolfshohl6562]

White versions always sound better! That’s why they are hits

[@DntHtThPlya]

Nah..just more of y'all around to buy the records. When you're over 80% of the population...

[@peterfireflylund]

Not always. Big Mama Thornton made some good versions.

[@user-gj1pq5zm4l]

It’s just that you’re more used to white music.

[@sligo405]

Get ready to get eaten by Michigan this year. May as well call Ryan an Uber.

[@lucassmiraldo3948]

If we want this story to have a fitting end camo why have we not addressed the stolen material that was taken from these black artists. The ethical thing to do is for Ohio State to pay these artists a fee for the original work. Anything less should not be a feel-good story.

[@retha1875]

Stopped listening because you tried to make it about race. Who fuckin cares who records the song and if it hits, it hits. How many people recorded My Way, Yeterday, Mr Bojangles, Bobby McGee etc

[@brentj.peterson6070]

Gay

[@Thejoeordinary1]

Yawn

[@carseye1219]

It's a great story and I hate to admit this as a Buckeye diehard, but I don't care much for the song. I have bought into all other Buckeye traditions. I have stood and clapped for hundreds of ramp entrances. I Have the words down to all the other Buckeye songs, etc. I don't hate "Sloopy" but I don't love it. But that's just me. If you love it, great. Go Bucks!

[@jarheadlife]

Elvis covered anything… not sure why he gets much credit for what he did really.

[@randolphfriend8260]

🥲 🩷 🎉

[@erichoyman2839]

Afroamericans stole this song from the withes