The Handshake by MGMT Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Intricacies of a Cryptic Anthem
Lyrics
I just sealed the deal
I’ll try not to let them
Take everything they can steal
People always told me
Don’t forget your roots
I know I can feel them underneath my leather boots
You toss all the mornings lost to the clouds and you watch it go
Your fair weather friends on a parachute binge get lost when the wind blows
The handshake’s stuck on the tip of my tongue
It tastes like death but it looks like fun
I was a loner
I was just waiting by myself
When you, warped temptress
Rose to bring me happiness and wealth
Black tears, black smile, black credit cards and shoes
You can call all the people you want
But it’s you who’s being used
Under your black eyes, honey
Right beneath your nose
A curse on all creation
Every single thing you know
White smoke, white light, white marble on the floor
It would only take a few seconds of darkness to figure out what’s in store
Little girl
You convince yourself that you want it, but you don’t know
You keep trying to wash the blood from your hands, but it won’t go
We’re gonna keep you on the run
We got the handshake under our tongue
We got the handshake under our tongue
We got the handshake under our tongue
We got the handshake under our tongue
We got the handshake x15
MGMT’s ‘The Handshake’ emerges as a tapestry woven with threads of enigma and introspection, masterfully illustrating the intricacies of human desires, innocence lost, and the pursuit of material pleasures. Within its melodies and haunting lyrics, listeners unearth a myriad of interpretations and questions about the depths of their own interactions and the complexities of societal exchanges.
At its core, the track dissects the quintessential ‘handshake’—a symbol of deals and promises—as more than a mere act. It’s a gateway into a labyrinth of symbolism, exploring the dualities of success and sacrifice, and the essence of what we truly relinquish in our quest for worldly treasures. Beneath the psychedelic soundscapes crafted by Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, lies a profound narrative laden with paradox and a piercing look at modern-day capitalism.
An Ode to the Dual Nature of Ambition
The song’s opening lines immediately confront us with the act of ‘shaking the handshake’—a paradoxical statement suggesting the completion of a deal, yet with an undercurrent of immediate regret. It’s an invitation to ponder over our ambitions, to reflect on how often what we desire wraps itself in a cloak of allure, only to reveal later the steep price that comes with attainment.
MGMT crafts a narrative that oscillates between surrender and resistance, painting a picture of an individual ensnared by the trappings of success but acutely aware of the cultural amnesia that often accompanies the rise to the top—a loss of roots, identity, and perhaps even morality.
The Seductive Lure of Materialism Breakdown
‘Rose to bring me happiness and wealth’—the lines depict the attraction to material gains as a ‘warped temptress,’ a personification of temptation that skews the character’s perception of happiness. This personification brings to the forefront the intoxicating appeal that material wealth can possess, with its ability to obscure reality and seduce individuals down a path where possessions take precedence over people.
‘Black tears, black smile, black credit cards and shoes’—the use of color creates a stark contrast to the initially sought-after purity and joy, suggesting that the so-called treasures are, in fact, tainted. The darkness of the materialistic pursuit is emphasized, highlighting a world where everything becomes a transaction and emotional disconnection reigns supreme.
Deciphering the Song’s Hidden Philosophy
There’s a philosophical undercurrent running through ‘The Handshake,’ a discourse on the human condition and the shapes it takes when faced with the allure of ephemeral success. The song delves deep into the nature of existence—a curse on all creation—implying that the fundamental flaw lies not in the act of acquiring, but in the very fabric of what drives humanity.
Through the juxtaposition of ‘white smoke, white light, white marble on the floor’ against ‘a few seconds of darkness,’ MGMT suggests that perhaps the only way to truly understand the value and implication of our choices is in their absence. The song’s philosophical journey is less about the overt meaning of words, and more about the spaces in between—they beckon us to peer into the void to grasp the true costs of our endeavors.
Washing Off The Taint of Compromise
A recurring theme in ‘The Handshake’ is the endeavour to reconcile with one’s actions, as the metaphor of attempting to ‘wash the blood from your hands’ recurs. Despite the relentless effort to cleanse oneself, the indelible mark of the deed—akin to a betrayal or a soul-selling pact—refuses to fade. It’s the eternal struggle for redemption and the stark realization that some choices leave a permanent scar on one’s moral canvas.
This struggle is encapsulated in the haunting reiteration that ‘we’re gonna keep you on the run,’ an ominous reminder that once caught in the web of questionable decisions, the chase for atonement is unending. It’s a potent illustration of the haunt that follows betrayal, of the self or others, in the chase of superficial fulfillment.
Memorable Lines that Echo Beyond the Track
As the line ‘We got the handshake under our tongue’ is repeated like a mantra, it cements itself into the consciousness of the listener. The ‘handshake’ epitomizes the insidious nature of promises made with ulterior motives, transactions laced with deceit—kept hidden, ready to be unleashed to fulfill selfish agendas.
The track serves as a vessel for these memorable lines that hold a mirror to the listener’s own experiences of compromise, collusion, and the inner turmoil borne from the dichotomy of chasing both worldly success and inner peace. The lyricism reverberates, a poetic yet unsettling reminder that once the handshake is made, its implications resonate far beyond the grasp of two hands.
