The Handshake

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Details

Written by:	Greg Graffin
Released in:	1994
BPM:	93

Lyrics

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Every time you shake someone's hand
And it feels like your best friend,
Could it be that it's only superficiality?
Without regard to well-being, without an inkling of compromise,
Handshakes are nothing but a subtle "fuck you",
Contracts determine the best friendships.

This is the way of the modern world,
Everyone's vying for patronage,
This is the way of the modern world,
And something has gotta give.

Every time you shake someone's hand,
And you share neither color nor creed,
You gotta overcome the obstacles of history.
There is restrained passion, mistrust, and bigotry
And these have created the new foundations of society,
There's no harmony, just class and race.

This is the way of the modern world,
Everyone's fighting for dominance,
This is the way of the modern world,
And something has gotta give.

Now I believe in unity, and I am willing to compromise,
But I'm not gonna lie or sell my soul.

Every time you shake someone's hand,
It determines where you stand,
And if you won't uphold your side then it's better to
Fend for yourself, and shun the handshake,
Someone's gotta give.

Versions

Version	Length	Release	Catalog ID	Country	Format	Year
Album version
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		United States	MC	2018
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		Europe	CD	2018
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		Europe	12"	2018
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	86994-2	United States	CD	2018
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		Europe	12"	2013
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	6994-1	Europe	12"	2013
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	6994-1	United States	12"	2010
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		United States	12"	2009
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	R1 82658	United States	12"	2009
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	82658-2	United States	CD	2004
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	n/a	Russia	MC	1996
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		United States	CD	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	ESCA 6057	Japan	CD	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		Germany	MC	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	DRA 477343-1	Germany	12"	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		United States	12"	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	DRA 477343-1	Germany	12"	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		Germany	12"	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	DRA 477343-1	Germany	12"	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		Brazil	12"	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	82658-2	United States	CD	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	CD 82658	Canada	CD	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	DRA 477343 60	Europe	CD	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		United States	MC	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	82658-4	United States	MC	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		Spain	MC	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		Canada	MC	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		Yugoslavia	MC	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		United Kingdom	12"	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		Russia	CD	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	82658-2	United States	CD	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	DRA 477343 2	Israel	CD	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		United States	CD	1994
Live @ KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas, 12/10/1994
	2:42	Infected	DRA 661489	Europe	CD	1995
	2:42	Infected	DRA 661489 5	Germany	CD	1995
	2:41	Infected	ESCA-6305	Japan	CD	1995
	2:41	Infected		Japan	CD	1995
Live Loreley Festival 1996
		The Grey Race - Video EP		Europe	DVD	2003
*Not specified*
		Stranger Than Fiction		United States	12"	2018
	2.50	Stranger Than Fiction	86994-1GRY	United States	12"	2018
		Stranger Than Fiction		United States	12"	2018
		Stranger Than Fiction	EPIT-69942	Europe	CD	2008
		Stranger Than Fiction		Russia	CD	1997
		Stranger Than Fiction	DRA SAMP 2262 2	Germany	CD	1995
		Stranger Than Fiction	PRCD 5742-2	United States	CD	1995
		Stranger Than Fiction	82658-4	United States	MC	1994
		Stranger Than Fiction		United States	MC	1994
		Stranger Than Fiction	MJM337M	Poland	MC	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction		Canada	CD	1994
		Stranger Than Fiction	DRA 477343 2	Germany	CD	1994
		Stranger Than Fiction	MATTCD003	Australia	CD	1994
	2:50	Stranger Than Fiction	82658-2	United States	CD	1994
		Stranger Than Fiction		Germany	MC	1994
		Stranger Than Fiction	78 26584	Canada	MC	1994
		Stranger Than Fiction	82658	United States	MC	1994
		Stranger Than Fiction	789.076 \| 2-477343	Brazil	CD	1994

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Song interpretations (7)

badrelgnsf The Same Person lost in ramble nation Location: Sacramento CA Status: Offline Posts: 2097	Quote i think its a symbolic deal its not about buisness but can be.. more about relations and people in general terms when you shake a hand or agree to one term you are sequestering others in a sense picking a side and usually coming to terms with someone elses views and paradigms not your own hence the fend for yourself.. . im not gunna lie or sell my soul.. not just buisness.. but rather.. all life relations.. and it doesnt have to be physically a handshake.. though its base is that. You could just say.. agree with paperwork.. the effect would be the same 02/28/2010 at 15:43 i think its a symbolic deal its not about buisness but can be.. more about relations and people in general terms when you shake a hand or agree to one term you are sequestering others in a sense picking a side and usually coming to terms with someone elses views and paradigms not your own hence the fend for yourself.. . im not gunna lie or sell my soul.. not just buisness.. but rather.. all life relations.. and it doesnt have to be physically a handshake.. though its base is that. You could just say.. agree with paperwork.. the effect would be the same
AJ Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote I tend to latch onto the lyric "Handshakes are nothing but a subtle fuck-you." The song represents, to me, the increasingly phony quality of the professional world -- or other worlds in which a handshake is a prominent feature. I do identify with the notion (regardless of whether it's the song's intention) that much of modern day society's pleasantries are meaningless and solidify an inhumanity. That "Good day" and "How are you?" don't represent anything, but truly are components of an unspontaneous society that favors calculated order over real engagement with a person on an in-depth level. 11/23/2004 at 06:05 I tend to latch onto the lyric "Handshakes are nothing but a subtle fuck-you." The song represents, to me, the increasingly phony quality of the professional world -- or other worlds in which a handshake is a prominent feature. I do identify with the notion (regardless of whether it's the song's intention) that much of modern day society's pleasantries are meaningless and solidify an inhumanity. That "Good day" and "How are you?" don't represent anything, but truly are components of an unspontaneous society that favors calculated order over real engagement with a person on an in-depth level.
Chris O Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote I agree with John from Stillborn. But there is more. 1) There are 2 sides to a handshake so it can represent not only a deal or a contract, but a compromise. ("I believe in unity and I believe in compromise but I'm not going to lie or sell my soul") And each side has a duty not only to the bond of the handshake, but to their own integrity and morality. Which brings me to: 2) A handshake is a symbol of your friends, your relations, your world. If those around you are bombing and plundering and engaging in class warfare etc. and you are shaking their hand, you are part of it. You have a duty, if you don't approve of these things, to not shake the hand, to defend "your side" and your soul. 10/06/2004 at 19:07 I agree with John from Stillborn. But there is more. 1) There are 2 sides to a handshake so it can represent not only a deal or a contract, but a compromise. ("I believe in unity and I believe in compromise but I'm not going to lie or sell my soul") And each side has a duty not only to the bond of the handshake, but to their own integrity and morality. Which brings me to: 2) A handshake is a symbol of your friends, your relations, your world. If those around you are bombing and plundering and engaging in class warfare etc. and you are shaking their hand, you are part of it. You have a duty, if you don't approve of these things, to not shake the hand, to defend "your side" and your soul.
John From Stillborn Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote The Handshake is a simple interpretation. There once was a time where a shake of the hand or having a man's work was as strong as a contract. It was a time where a man actually was respected for his integrity. Somewhere in the mix we sold our integrity for a shrewd business deal. Maynard (from TOOL) defines this altogether too familiar phenomenon as 'smiley glad hands'. Such a description is very accurate. What I think Greg basically is trying to say, 'if you aren't going to stand by your word, then fend for yourself and leave the rest of society alone.' 07/11/2004 at 17:33 The Handshake is a simple interpretation. There once was a time where a shake of the hand or having a man's work was as strong as a contract. It was a time where a man actually was respected for his integrity. Somewhere in the mix we sold our integrity for a shrewd business deal. Maynard (from TOOL) defines this altogether too familiar phenomenon as 'smiley glad hands'. Such a description is very accurate. What I think Greg basically is trying to say, 'if you aren't going to stand by your word, then fend for yourself and leave the rest of society alone.'
The Devil Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote Now I think this song basically states the obvious in human nature, men try to dominate all other classes. We see in the world today that a lot of men try to show their dominance over other men with a strong handshake, a firm grip some say, this just proves that human beings in general are pretty much superficial. This is of course just my opinion. 07/11/2004 at 17:32 Now I think this song basically states the obvious in human nature, men try to dominate all other classes. We see in the world today that a lot of men try to show their dominance over other men with a strong handshake, a firm grip some say, this just proves that human beings in general are pretty much superficial. This is of course just my opinion.
phd_in_lsd Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote I agree whole heartedly with Iceman's interpretation and in fact, I am quite impressed with his knowledge of anthropomorphism. I myself am currently finishing my doctorate in said subject, hence why this song is particularly interesting to me. Although I would like to touch on one other important point that Iceman may have simply forgotten. That is: While Johnathan Cartesian is certainly one of the most prolific and outspoken voices in this field, I think it would be prudent to acknowledge the later works of a man named Wolfgang Van Ottenheimer, discoverer of what later became known as the Ottenheimer co-angular apocryphal. This theorem deals specifically with the exchange of bonds in a handshake. If we are to hold this theory true, then you would see that the song is actually about the simulated protocol of the western revolutionary triangulates. 07/11/2004 at 17:32 I agree whole heartedly with Iceman's interpretation and in fact, I am quite impressed with his knowledge of anthropomorphism. I myself am currently finishing my doctorate in said subject, hence why this song is particularly interesting to me. Although I would like to touch on one other important point that Iceman may have simply forgotten. That is: While Johnathan Cartesian is certainly one of the most prolific and outspoken voices in this field, I think it would be prudent to acknowledge the later works of a man named Wolfgang Van Ottenheimer, discoverer of what later became known as the Ottenheimer co-angular apocryphal. This theorem deals specifically with the exchange of bonds in a handshake. If we are to hold this theory true, then you would see that the song is actually about the simulated protocol of the western revolutionary triangulates.
Iceman Guest Location: Global Citizen	Quote Well, I think this song is about man's right to completely disregard the bond between two men in a handshake; Which can be proven by the Cartesian examples of anthropomorphism. For those who are not familiar, anthropomorphism is the study of human bonding through trivial gestures. By means of a shrug of the shoulders, or sway of the hips, man is instantly enthralled in the heat of battle. 07/11/2004 at 17:32 Well, I think this song is about man's right to completely disregard the bond between two men in a handshake; Which can be proven by the Cartesian examples of anthropomorphism. For those who are not familiar, anthropomorphism is the study of human bonding through trivial gestures. By means of a shrug of the shoulders, or sway of the hips, man is instantly enthralled in the heat of battle.