Many thanks to Sherlie Matthews and Jesse Davis for taking the time to give us the following insights into the origins of 'Gonna Hang On In There Girl' - here, we present Sherlie's original hand written lyrics.

 I began by asking Sherlie how the song actually came about....

Sherlie Matthews:

I was going with Frank Wilson at the time. This song was a testament of our relationship. I never got paid for that song, at all. Here's my original hand written lyric sheet and Iead sheet. I didn't even sign the lyric sheet...funny thing at the bottom, I'd written bobby womack's private tele number...in those days we didn't have 'area codes'

Jesse Davis picks up the story:

Jesse Davis:

Herb Newman (not sure if that spelling is correct), President of ERA, approached me with the song, thinking that it would be a good song for me (along with 4 others): Hang On In There Girl, Albuquerque, Night Bloomin' Jasmine, Something To Think About, and You Don't Need A Crown. All were done in one recording session, with a good size band and back up singers, so I was very pleased with that. Most songs are recorded two or three times and the best one is used. To the best of my memory, that was the case with these songs...except for Something To Think About which was done in one take.

The first time I went to Australia, for a three month tour, Something To Think About (written by Barry Stewart) was released over there on the Festival label. I am not certain how that came about, but presume Herb made some sort of deal for the song ....or perhaps Herb owned Festival also... The song was getting radio play which resulted in my doing several more 3 and 6 month tours over there (when I say tours...I was booked at many different clubs in Sydney, Brisbane, Surfers Paradise and Perth........as well as New Zealand, but that is another story.

As far as I knew, Hang On In There was not released in the U.S. (and international rights were sketchy back then), so thought the song had died on the vine so-to-speak...until about 15 years ago when I learned it was a collector's item - primarily in the U.K. It was a young couple on a honeymoon trip to the U.S. that we first learned this from. They were driving down the freeway and saw my name on the hotel marquee where I was working, came in that night to see if "I was the Jesse Davis they were hoping I was". They were so excited and talking so fast, that it took a couple minutes for my wife and I to figure out what they were talking about! They took a photo to "prove" to the friends that they met me....and some months later sent us a note that they finally found, and purchased, a copy of the 45 record.

That was our first learning of the Northern Soul scene. But the Internet was not then, what it is now...so no real info presented itself. It was really several years later, when my wife decided to check again and all sorts of info popped up. This led to her getting in contact with various DJ's and others in the scene (David Flynn was the first contact...he was a DJ in the UK as I understand it, but has been living in Tokyo for the past few years). She was then in contact with Mike Ashley, Rob & Karen Wrigley (who have become friends of ours) and others along the way. We went to a N.S. event in Los Angeles....put on by Kev Roberts....several years ago. That was the first time we got to meet some of the N.S. fans and learned how dedicated they are. Ultimately, Diane stayed in contact with Rob & Karen, who put us in touch with Ady Croasdell....and ultimately, that was what led to my appearance in Cleethorpes this past June. We had a great time, and the fans were terrific.....so we hope that more gigs over there will present themselves. Wouldn't it be great if a concert/show promoter brought both Sherlie and I over at the same time!!........

I continue to perform regularly, mostly close to home these days (San Diego, Palm Springs, Las Vegas)......

See Jesse's personal test pressing