Handy Man
Del Shannon Lyrics


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Hey girls, gather round
Because of what I'm puttin' down
Oh, baby, I'm your handy man
I'm not the kind that uses pencil or rule
I'm handy with the love and I'm no fool
I fix broken hearts, I know I really can

If your broken heart needs repair
I'm the man to see. I whisper sweet things
You tell all your friends, and they'll come running to me
Here is the main thing I want to say
I'm busy twenty four hours a day
I fix broken hearts, I know I really can

Hey girls, gather round
Because of what I'm puttin' down
Oh, baby, I'm your handy man
I'm not the kind that uses pencil or rule
I'm handy with the love and I'm no fool
I fix broken hearts, I know I really can

If your broken heart needs repair
I'm the man to see. I whisper sweet things
You tell all your friends, and they'll come running to me




Here is the main thing I want to say
I'm busy twenty four hours a day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Del Shannon's song "Handy Man" are a playful and flirtatious ode to someone who is willing and able to fix broken hearts. The singer of the song positions himself as a skilled "handy man" who can effortlessly repair any damaged romantic connection. The lyrics are addressed to a group of women, who are instructed to gather around and listen to what the singer is "puttin' down." He boasts that he is handy with love and is not the kind to use a ruler or pencil, suggesting that he relies on intuition and emotional intelligence rather than formal measures of skill or knowledge.


The second verse doubles down on the singer's claims: If a broken heart needs repair, he is the man to see. He knows just what sweet things to whisper and promises that if one person tells their friends, they will come running to him as well. He concludes by reiterating that he is always busy and available, framing his skills as both rare and valuable.


Overall, the song seems to be a playful and lighthearted take on traditional gender expectations around emotional labor and caregiving. The singer positions himself as uniquely adept at repairing broken hearts, casting himself as a desirable partner in the process.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey girls, gather round
Attention ladies, come here


Because of what I'm puttin' down
Listen to my words and music


Oh, baby, I'm your handy man
I'm here to help fix your problems


I'm not the kind that uses pencil or rule
I don't need tools to fix things


I'm handy with the love and I'm no fool
I'm good at fixing broken hearts and I'm smart


I fix broken hearts, I know I really can
I'm confident that I can help mend your broken heart


If your broken heart needs repair
If your heart is broken, I can help


I'm the man to see. I whisper sweet things
Come to me and I'll say kind words to comfort you


You tell all your friends, and they'll come running to me
If I help you, you'll tell others and they'll come for my help too


Here is the main thing I want to say
This is the most important message I have


I'm busy twenty four hours a day
I'm always available to help you




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore
Written by: JIMMY JONES, OTIS BLACKWELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Craity

(Lyrics)
Hey girls, gather round
Because of what I'm puttin' down
Oh, baby, I'm your handy man
I'm not the kind that uses pencil or rule
I'm handy with the love and I'm no fool
I fix broken hearts, I know I really can

If your broken heart needs repair
I'm the man to see. I whisper sweet things
You tell all your friends, and they'll come running to me
Here is the main thing I want to say
I'm busy twenty four hours a day
I fix broken hearts, I know I really can

Hey girls, gather round
Because of what I'm puttin' down
Oh, baby, I'm your handy man
I'm not the kind that uses pencil or rule
I'm handy with the love and I'm no fool
I fix broken hearts, I know I really can

If your broken heart needs repair
I'm the man to see. I whisper sweet things
You tell all your friends, and they'll come running to me
Here is the main thing I want to say
I'm busy twenty four hours a day



All comments from YouTube:

Johnny Dasher

Best version of this song by a mile. Del Shannon was pure gold, such a talent. Gone too soon!

speedy45rpm

As much as I like the Jimmy Jones original, I prefer the energy Del brings to this oft-recorded song. He still managed to slip it into the Top 40 during the summer of 64, the most frenzied period of the British Invasion and the emergence of Motown and with groups like the Beach Boys and Four Seasons at their peaks. Thanks for posting another gem from the great Del Shannon.

TheYankeeSamurai

FINALLY FOUND THE SONG!!! It was playing in Ford vs Ferrari and I finally found it! Del Shannon until 2020 I never heard of him but I really like his music!

Hugo

Great movie

Jonni

DeffKanGrotling44... Yes, he was wonderful. Some of his later music was produced/joined in on by his friends George Harrison, Jeff Lynne (of ELO), Tom Petty and Mike Campbell (Tom’s lead guitarist of the Heartbreakers, now in Fleetwood Mac). He just had so much talent❀️

Rob Iacullo

I never heard of him until his first song came out. 1962? I was 13. My mom raised me on rock and roll. My dad raised me on classical. Rock won. :)

Malcolm Jones

You must be a youngster, just check out more of the 60's music and you will be amazed at what us oldies have to reminisce about, we had the greatest times and music, which will live on forever.

I M A D G A N

yup bro..today I found it

9 More Replies...

James Veliky

I used to wear his records out when I was a teenager. One of the greats.

John Carraway

One Del's best. I used to listen to it back in the day. Everything he sang was great.

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