The lyrics describe a group of people, including a big girl in a red dress, hustlers, a man named Christ, and a man with a monkey on his shoulder, all hanging around various locations in a city, seemingly aimlessly.

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Meaning of "Hanging Around" by The Stranglers


"Hanging Around" by The Stranglers reflects the sense of aimlessness and listlessness that can come from urban life. The various characters depicted in the song seem to lack purpose and direction, merely passing the time by loitering in different locations in the city. The repeated mention of Christ can be interpreted as a figure who is disconnected from the chaos and mundane activities happening around him, suggesting a sense of detachment. The song captures a feeling of stagnation and emptiness that can arise in urban environments, where people may find themselves going through the motions without any clear goal or motivation, just simply "hanging around."