Meaning of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by Rod Stewart

The lyrics of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by Rod Stewart reflect the emotions of someone stuck in a cycle of heartbreak and longing for a former lover to let them go. The repetitive plea to be set free and for the ex-partner to leave signifies the narrator's desperation to break free from the emotional baggage of the past relationship. The reference to wanting to be friends post-breakup highlights the conflict between holding on to the past and the pain of trying to move forward. The mention of being unable to do anything about the situation conveys a sense of helplessness and the lingering feelings that prevent the narrator from fully letting go. Overall, the lyrics capture the struggle of detaching from a past love that still holds a grip on the narrator's heart.