Handshake by Two Door Cinema Club Lyrics Meaning – Grasping the Mystique Behind the Melody
Lyrics
Oh what became of you
Familiar as you shook my hand
What was it you meant to do?
Because all could change for one
And all, can change in this new day
She said the devil will want you back
And you’ll never find love in an open hand
Shut your eyes, so you see I’m there
And know you’ll always have this if you see this man
She said the devil will want you back
And you’ll never find love in an open hand
Shut your eyes, so you see I’m there
And know you’ll always have this if you see this man
And no, this was not for my pride
I know this was my time
She said the devil will want you back
And you’ll never find love in an open hand
Shut your eyes, so you see I’m there
And know you’ll always have this if you see this man
So when nobody will take you back
And you’ll never find love in an open hand
Shut your eyes, and you’ll see I’m there
You know you’ll always have this if you see this man
Two Door Cinema Club’s ‘Handshake’ tantalizes the listener with its upbeat indie pop tempo, yet a closer listen reveals a labyrinth of deeper meanings that transcend the seemingly simple surface. The song, part of the band’s renowned album ‘Beacon’, explores themes of love, temptation, and personal resolve within the slippery terrain of human connections. Like a cryptic note passed under a desk, ‘Handshake’ invites us to unfold its creased corners and peer into the substance of its message.
Profound in its lyrical brevity, the song weaves a narrative that is open to interpretation while masking a precision of insight that is the hallmark of the band’s lyrical prowess. From the first haunting chord to the last resonant note, ‘Handshake’ is a musical expedition into the innermost valleys of the psyche — a ballad that beckons with the siren call of understanding the universal struggle between head and heart.
The Cryptic Dance of Intimacy and Isolation
‘Handshake’ operates on multiple levels, reflecting the complex, often convoluted personal interactions that define our experiences with others. It suggests a story of a ‘loving man’ presumably changed or lost in the grind of life’s machinery. The intimacy of a handshake — a globally recognized symbol of connection — is twisted into a premise for a personal crossroads. The lyrics entwine the listener in a paradox where the familiarity of the gesture is met with the existential uncertainty of intent.
The song questions the essence of what it means to connect with another human being. Is it an exchange of empty rituals, or can there be profundity in such a simple act? The handshake, an open hand, may represent vulnerability and the risk inherent in personal relations, a theme which the song circles with a poetic grace.
Devils, Desires, and the Search for Love
The recurrent mention of the ‘devil’ in the chorus can be construed as the inner demons we grapple with or perhaps the external forces of temptation that lure us away from our paths. It’s a callback to age-old warnings that the easiest route to comfort — the open hand — may not yield the profound love we seek. Instead, there’s a suggestion that true connection requires a leap of faith — to ‘shut your eyes’ and trust without the benefit of evidence.
The siren in the song, with her forewarnings, could be seen as the conscience or a proxy for wisdom gained through experience. The repetitive nature of the chorus serves to imprint her cautionary messages deep into the psyche of the protagonist and, by extension, the listener.
The Philosophical Quandary of Choice
One of the more introspective lines of the song, ‘Because all could change for one/And all, can change in this new day’, hints at the metamorphic power of choice. Each day brings potential for radical change, suggesting a world in flux where stability is an illusion, and each decision can ripple out to create unforeseen futures.
The essence of change embodied in this line provokes us to consider our own life choices. Are we, like the protagonist of the song, at a juncture where the decisions we make could redefine our paths? It’s an existential query artfully brought to the surface through the band’s lyrical craftsmanship.
Memorable Lines that Evoke Haunting Nostalgia
‘And no, this was not for my pride/I know this was my time’ are lines that resonate with a haunting nostalgia. It captures a moment where self-awareness dawns, and one recognizes the importance of their own journey and the decisions they must face, unclouded by hubris. It is at once an assertion of agency and a quiet nod to the inevitability of marching to the beat of one’s own heart.
In capturing such a fleeting yet defining moment, ‘Handshake’ fortifies its place not just as a catchy tune but as a profound statement on self-discovery and taking ownership of our narratives.
Unraveling the Song’s Hidden Meaning
Plunging beneath the surface, ‘Handshake’ is less about specific events or characters and more a canvas for projecting the complexities of human emotion and interaction. The handshake is emblematic, a token of myriad possibilities in which open-heartedness can lead to connection or sorrow, and where caution might yield safety or regret.
The devil, as it were, is not in the details but in the broader stroke of understanding the dance between openness and guardedness. Between the lines of ‘Handshake’ lies the existential dichotomy of embracing love with the knowledge that, in doing so, we expose ourselves to potential loss and sadness.
