Ohio State Rock Song

"Hang on Sloopy "

Written by Celina-born guitarist Rick Derringer, and
First recorded by The McCoys

Adopted in November 1985.

The song, "Hang On Sloopy", words and music by Bert Berns and Wes Farrell, was adopted as the official state rock song of Ohio by House Concurrent Resolution No. 16 in 1985.

Ohio State Rock Song: "Hang on Sloopy "

"Hang on Sloopy "

(Chorus)

Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on
Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on

Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town
And everybody yeah, tries to put my Sloopy down
Well, Sloopy I don't care what your daddy do
Cause' you know Sloopy girl I'm in love with you

And so I say now

(Chorus)

Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on
Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on

Sloopy let your hair down girl, let it hang down on me
Sloopy let your hair down girl ,let it hang down on me

Come on Sloopy, Come on Sloopy
Come on, come on
Come on Sloopy, Come on Sloopy
Come on, Come on

Well it feels so good
Come on, Come on
You know it feels so good
Come on, Come on

Well, Shake it, Shake it, Shake it Sloopy

Come on, Come on

Well, Shake it, Shake it, Shake it Yeah

Come on, Come on

(Chorus)

Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on
Hang on Sloopy, Sloopy hang on

Origin of Song: "Hang on Sloopy "

Facts about "Hang On Sloopy"

  • First recorded by The McCoys in 1965
  • The McCoys were a rock band from Dayton
  • "Sloopy" was at the top of the national record charts in 1965
  • "Sloopy" is a favorite of the Ohio State University Marching Band
  • "Sloopy" was first performed at the Ohio State-Illinois football game on October 9, 1965, by the Ohio State University Marching Band
  • House Concurrent Resolution No. 16 made "Sloopy" the State Rock Song in 1985
  • "Hang On Sloopy" sounds a lot like "Hang On Snoopy" to a child

"Hang on Sloopy," was a national hit in 1965 by The McCoys, from Dayton, Ohio. Co-written by The McCoys' guitarist Rick Derringer of Celina, Ohio, "Hang on Sloopy," became the Ohio state rock song in November 1985.

Ohio Law: House Concurrent Resolution No.16

The actual House Concurrent Resolution No.16:

WHEREAS, The members of the 116th General Assembly of Ohio wish to recognize the rock song "Hang On Sloopy" as the official rock song of the great State of Ohio; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, an Ohio-based rock group known as the McCoys reached the top of the national record charts with "Hang On Sloopy," composed by Bert Russell and Wes Farrell, and that same year, John Tagenhorst, then an arranger for the Ohio State University Marching Band, created the band's now-famous arrangement of "Sloopy," first performed at the Ohio State-Illinois football game on October 9, 1965; and
WHEREAS, Rock music has become an integral part of American culture, having attained a degree of acceptance no one would have thought possible twenty years ago; and
WHEREAS, Adoption of "Hang On Sloopy" as the official rock song of Ohio is in no way intended to supplant "Beautiful Ohio" as the official state song, but would serve as a companion piece to that old chestnut; and
WHEREAS, If fans of jazz, country-and-western, classical, Hawaiian and polka music think those styles also should be recognized by the state, then by golly, they can push their own resolution just like we're doing; and
WHEREAS, "Hang On Sloopy" is of particular relevance to members of the Baby Boom Generation, who were once dismissed as a bunch of long-haired, crazy kids, but who now are old enough and vote in sufficient numbers to be taken quite seriously; and
WHEREAS, Adoption of this resolution will not take too long, cost the state anything, or affect the quality of life in this state to any appreciable degree, and if we in the legislature just go ahead and pass the darn thing, we can get on with more important stuff; and
WHEREAS, Sloopy lives in a very bad part of town, and everybody, yeah, tries to put my Sloopy down; and
WHEREAS, Sloopy, I don't care what your daddy do, 'cause you know, Sloopy girl, I'm in love with you; therefore be it
Resolved, That we, the members of the 116th General Assembly of Ohio, in adopting this Resolution, name "Hang On Sloopy" as the official rock song of the State of Ohio; and be it further
Resolved, That the Legislative Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit duly authenticated copies of this Resolution to the news media of Ohio.

Ohio Law

The Ladybug was designated as the official state insect by Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, 111th General Assembly, 1975-1976 Session. The Ladybug is one of two official Ohio State Symbols that is not official by law. The other member of this lawless duo is the official State Rock Song adopted by House Concurrent Resolution No. 16 in 1985.


State Songs
US State Songs
Forty-nine states of the United States (all except New Jersey) have one or more state songs, selected by the state legislature as a symbol of the state.