 Like "Moonage Daydream", "Hang On to Yourself" was written during Bowie's promotional tour of America in early February 1971.He recorded the song and "Moonage Daydream" with Arnold Corns the same month.Although it was released as both an A-side and a B-side, the song flopped and prompted Bowie to rewrite it to fit the "Ziggy" narrative.