Ghost Logo
HomeTour
NewsInterviewsHistoryPopesMembersSongs
Phantomime

Hanging Around

Phantomime
2023

Duration: 3:48

Track number: 3

Times played live: 0

Writers

Lyrics by: Jean-Jacques Burnel, Dave Greenfield, Hugh Cornwell, Jet Black

Music by: Jean-Jacques Burnel, Dave Greenfield, Hugh Cornwell, Jet Black

Theme

The Stranglers' 1977 debut track captures the underbelly of London nightlife through vivid character sketches—hustlers, drunk women, eccentric friends. Hugh Cornwell infused the song with irreverent religious humor, creating a connection between 'hanging around' and Christ's crucifixion with darkly comedic intent. Ghost's take honors this punk ethos of using religion to provoke and unsettle.

Lyrics
Big girl in the red dress She's just trying to impress us She's got the barley fever But she doesn't make a sound She's just hanging around She's just hanging around Down the court road early With the hustlers big and burly There's a million of 'em selling And the buyers can be found They're just hanging around They're just hanging around Christ, he told his mother He told her not to bother 'Cause he's alright in the city He's high above the ground He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) One of 'em comes over Got a monkey on his shoulder And the monkey's getting grinner But his eyes are on the ground He's just hanging around He's just hanging around I'm moving to the Lenny With the leather all around me And the sweat is getting steamy But their eyes are on the ground They're just hanging around They're just hanging around Christ, he told his mother He told her not to bother 'Cause he's alright in the city He's high above the ground He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) Christ, he told his mother He told her not to bother 'Cause he's alright in the city He's high above the ground He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) He's just hanging around (hanging around) (Hanging around) (Hanging around)
Musicians
Tobias Forge

Tobias Forge

Vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards

Other songs from the album

Tour

Discover upcoming tour dates and details of all shows from the last 40 years

Comments

Leave your comment about "Hanging Around"


Comments (0)

Hanging Around | Ghost