Released 1986 Length 3:26 Writer(s) Dan Baird | Format 7" single Label Elektra | |
Genre Southern rock, hard rock, rock and roll | ||
"Keep Your Hands to Yourself" is a song by the American southern rock group The Georgia Satellites. The song was written by the group's lead singer, Dan Baird, and was released in 1986 as their debut single. The single reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of February 21, 1987, kept off the top spot by "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi.
Contents
Content
The song is in the key of A major with a moderate tempo of about 112 beats per minute. It follows the chord pattern A-D-A-E-A, with vocals ranging from D4 to A5.
The lyrics tell the story of a woman who refuses to become more intimate with her boyfriend until he marries her.
Critical reception
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic wrote that the song "rocked as hard as an old Chuck Berry song, as well as being almost as clever." In the book 99 Red Balloons: And 100 All-Time One-Hit Wonders, Brent Mann wrote that "it's just a timeless, kick-out-the-jams rock 'n' roll number. Dan Baird digs into the song's vocals with a no-holds-barred zest straight out of a Texas honky-tonk."
Cover versions
Several cover versions of the song exist. A year after its release, Hank Williams, Jr. covered it on his album Born to Boogie. John Anderson covered the song in 1994 for his album Country 'til I Die, and released it as the B-side to that album's single "Bend It Until It Breaks". Sawyer Brown released a version from their 2005 album Mission Temple Fireworks Stand. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers performed a version of the song during their 1989 tour. Garth Brooks performed a version on the This is Garth DVD. The Charlie Daniels Band covered the song on their Tailgate Party album. The song has been a favorite of bar-bands for many years because of its simplicity and popularity.