Garneau, a native of Boston, lived with his family in Paris during grade school, and later New Jersey before moving to New York City. Garneau discovered a love of music at a young age while learning to play piano. After high school, Garneau briefly attended Berklee Music School in Boston, but left after completing one term and moved to Brooklyn, NY. There he began writing music and playing live shows at small venues in the East Village and Lower East Side of Manhattan, including CBGB's Gallery and "The Living Room".
Garneau eventually signed with Absolutely Kosher Records, an Emeryville, California-based record label. He was brought to the label by Jamie Stewart and Caralee McElroy of Xiu Xiu. Garneau released his debut album Music for Tourists in October 2006 and on iTunes in January 2007. His second project, an EP titled "C-Sides", was released in December 2007. Garneau's second full-length album, titled "El Radio," was released in July 2009.
Hands on the Radio
Chris Garneau Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We left too soon.
We left you in the afternoon.
I hurt somebody.
I love you too.
I love you underneath the moon.
I love you underneath the moon.
This town is my favorite and I promise I'll come back.
Girls, I promise you.
Boys, I promise you too.
With hands on the radio, we'll get there soon.
We'll get there in the afternoon.
Fans in the stadium, they leave too soon.
They always leave in the afternoon.
They always leave in the afternoon.
This town is my favorite and I promise I'll come back.
Girls, I promise you.
Boys, I promise you too.
This town is my favorite and I promise I'll come back.
Girls, I promise you and boys, I promise you too.
The song "Hands on the radio" by Chris Garneau is a melancholic track that tells the story of leaving someone behind, confessing love and making promises to return to a town that the singer loves. The singer starts the song by apologizing for hurting someone but simultaneously confessing his love for them. The chorus mentions the use of the radio to get somewhere, promising listeners that they will arrive soon, but also acknowledges that people leave too soon. The second verse continues with the promise of returning to the town that the singer loves, this time with a promise made to boys and girls alike.
The song overall seems to be about regret and the desire to return to a familiar and beloved place, but also about the fleeting nature of time and how easily people can leave or be left behind. The use of the radio as a motif suggests a search for connection or guidance, with the hands on the radio perhaps symbolizing a need for control or direction in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hands on the radio.
We are relying on the power of music to take us where we need to be.
We left too soon.
We departed before we had the chance to fully experience what this place had to offer.
We left you in the afternoon.
We left behind a part of ourselves when we departed this place.
I hurt somebody.
I have caused pain to someone else, perhaps unintentionally.
I love you too.
I reciprocate your feelings of affection.
I love you underneath the moon.
Our love is romantic and passionate, taking place under a starry sky.
This town is my favorite and I promise I'll come back.
I have a deep attachment to this place and vow to return in the future.
Girls, I promise you.
I am making a promise specifically to the female audience.
Boys, I promise you too.
I am making a promise specifically to the male audience as well.
With hands on the radio, we'll get there soon.
We believe that music can transport us to the places we long to be.
We'll get there in the afternoon.
We are confident that we will reach our destination by day's end.
Fans in the stadium, they leave too soon.
Those who depart the concert venue early are missing out on something special.
They always leave in the afternoon.
It seems as though people often leave events during the latter half of the day.
This town is my favorite and I promise I'll come back.
My admiration for this place runs deep and I am committed to returning.
Girls, I promise you and boys, I promise you too.
I am making a pledge to everyone in attendance, regardless of gender.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRIS GARNEAU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hannah Stella
My favourite Chris Garneau's song.
Mark
i love this song
Connor Palmer
This song makes me miss so many things that i don't even think i want back and it's strange
J
10년전 어느 추운 날 한 까페에서 이 곡을 처음 들은 후로, 이 노래를 가장 좋아하고, 제 인생에서 가장 많이 들으며 살고 있습니다.
katherine fang
beautiful song and emotion
Robin In Colorado
Just beautiful. I heard you for the first time on the soundtrack of the Indie film Month to Month. Kudos. You have me hooked. Haunting.... Highly recommend
Olivia Johnston
I love this song but the first time I heard it I cried a bit... is that wired?
Adam Kapetanakis
No it is wireless
Olivia Johnston
+Christianna Hursh that is true
Annie H
+Olivia Johnston A lot of Chris Garneau's music is sad and beautiful enough to make people cry.