“Hands” by Mac Miller
“Hands” is the one song on Mac Miller’s “Circles” album which reads the most like a traditional rap. And the lyrics are based on two different storylines, so to speak.
In the chorus, Mac, as usual, references the subject of depression. And in that regard he is telling the addressee to try to become more optimistic. But later the passage takes on more of a braggadocio tone, with Miller touting himself as the type of individual who stays in control and always goes hard at life. Meanwhile the track’s singular verse is in a large part dealing with the subject of his haters. And basically what he is saying is that there are some people who want to see his downfall, yet he’s not really sweating it. For instance, he implies that he can retaliate if he so wanted. But ultimately he chalks up such behavior on the part of his haters to their own mental shortcomings as opposed to them actually hating him.
Now in terms of how the title comes into play, such is a matter of debate as the word “hands” is never mentioned in the song. But perhaps it points to a metaphor used in the chorus, that of Mac ‘staying behind the wheel’, which again is indicative of the vocalist maintaining control over his own life.
Quick Facts about “Hands”
The writers and producers of “Hands” are Mac Miller alongside Jon Brion.
This song was released as part of Mac Miller’s album “Circles” on 17 January 2020. The label behind the track is Warner Records.
Miller’s management didn’t release “Hands” as a single. The management only released one single to support Mac’s “Circles” album. And that single goes by the title “Good News“.
