Music Review: New Kids On The Block "Hangin' Tough"
New Kids On The Block
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Hangin' Tough
Album: Hangin' Tough
Year: 1989
The New Kids say they are bad boys who are not to be messed with in the goofy "Hangin’ Tough."
Brash drum machines and the sound of a whistle being blown opens the song, setting a vacant tone. Over the beat, the New Kids "oh, oh, oh." In the first verse, Jonathon Knight tells everyone to do the choreographed moves they've seen in the music videos. He adds that it's a short dance and it will be a break from everything. People will like the beat and will stop whatever they are doing to listen to it.
In the chorus, the New Kids say they are determined to keep everyone entertained. They ask people if they can handle the forceful beat. They rap that they are an uncouth clique.
In the second verse, Jordan Knight says people gossip about the popular crowd, their boss, and celebrities. Jordan warns them not to say anything about them. Otherwise, they will be beaten up. There will be no excuses. He adds if anyone insults them or tries to stop them, they will return with even more ambition.
The chorus is sung again.
The synth has a flashy solo.
In the bridge, they tell everyone to have fun. The entertainment isn't over until they say it is.
The drum machines has a grinding solo.
The chorus is sung once.
The New Kids adlib "just hangin' tough" to close the song.
The New Kids OnThe Block desperately want to be cool. They say they have the best music and moves. They are bad boys with the hearts of gold. If anyone says anything mean about them, they will go after them. But they're cool! And did they mention bad but oh so good? And cool!
The vocals are dry and frigid. They are trying to prove their "tough" image by half-rapping. It ends up being foolish than intimidating.
The drum machines chug at a mechanical pace. It lords over the beat in its uptight, controlling way.
"Hangin’ Tough" is dreadful from beginning to end. The prettiness of the New Kids can't save them from the dreck.
Album: Hangin' Tough
Year: 1989
The New Kids say they are bad boys who are not to be messed with in the goofy "Hangin’ Tough."
Brash drum machines and the sound of a whistle being blown opens the song, setting a vacant tone. Over the beat, the New Kids "oh, oh, oh." In the first verse, Jonathon Knight tells everyone to do the choreographed moves they've seen in the music videos. He adds that it's a short dance and it will be a break from everything. People will like the beat and will stop whatever they are doing to listen to it.
"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh/Listen up everybody if you wanna take a chance/Just get on the floor and do the New Kids' dance/Don't worry 'bout nothing 'cause it won't take long/ We're gonna put you in a trance with a funky song, 'cause you gotta be."
In the chorus, the New Kids say they are determined to keep everyone entertained. They ask people if they can handle the forceful beat. They rap that they are an uncouth clique.
"Hangin' tough, hangin' tough, hangi'' tough/Are you tough enough?/Hangin' tough, hangin' tough, hangin' tough/We're rough."
In the second verse, Jordan Knight says people gossip about the popular crowd, their boss, and celebrities. Jordan warns them not to say anything about them. Otherwise, they will be beaten up. There will be no excuses. He adds if anyone insults them or tries to stop them, they will return with even more ambition.
"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh/Everybody's always talkin' 'bout who's on top/Don't cross our path 'cause you're gonna get stomped/We ain't gonna give anybody any slack/And if you try to keep us down we're gonna come right back/And you know we're."
The chorus is sung again.
The synth has a flashy solo.
In the bridge, they tell everyone to have fun. The entertainment isn't over until they say it is.
"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh/Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh/Get loose everybody 'cause we're gonna do our thing/'Cause you know it ain't over 'till the fat lady sings."
The drum machines has a grinding solo.
The chorus is sung once.
The New Kids adlib "just hangin' tough" to close the song.
The New Kids OnThe Block desperately want to be cool. They say they have the best music and moves. They are bad boys with the hearts of gold. If anyone says anything mean about them, they will go after them. But they're cool! And did they mention bad but oh so good? And cool!
The vocals are dry and frigid. They are trying to prove their "tough" image by half-rapping. It ends up being foolish than intimidating.
The drum machines chug at a mechanical pace. It lords over the beat in its uptight, controlling way.
"Hangin’ Tough" is dreadful from beginning to end. The prettiness of the New Kids can't save them from the dreck.