'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.

[roberto_camp]

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.

[gerardmetzger]

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.

[DavidBlain]

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.

[sjpbrooklyn]

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.

[robertmiller]

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.

[barbrice]

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

[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.

[pglen]

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

[kathleenmckeithen]

I'm a 76 year old Floridian and I Love This!!!!❤

[matthewmaggio]

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

[TheSilvert]

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

[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.

[LeannHeifner]

Best to be swaying and singing inside the Ohio State Stadium . I was there !Nothing could be finer 🎵

[audielowe]

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

[johnmehaffey]

Thankfully I grew up in the sixties loved this record then and still love it

[Andrew-vxls]

Great song, great arrangement. Inspiring.

[rickram]

Thanks for keeping this music alive! Great vid

[jacksongatlin]

Sounded great tonight in our route of Wisconsin

[judycolson]

How wonderful. Never knew this at all and I'm an Ohioan. Byw, so was Rick Derringer! I'm guessing he knows about his hit song going viral at the OSU and I'm sure the original writers would get royalties all these years. Imagine that, ever since 1965 when I was a mere 8 years of age. Hang on Sloopy...Sloopy hang on!

[frankswisher]

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