Michael Geist, also known as DJ Ghost, formed GGFH in 1986. After releasing several demo tapes and playing the occasional live show, Brian J. Walls joined the band and the duo were eventually signed to "Dreamtime Records" in 1992.
GGFH toured briefly with the metal bands Fear Factory and My Dying Bride and shortly after the tour, Brian J. Walls left the band to pursue other interests (1993).
Over the next 10 years DJ Ghost started a graphic design company and gained notoriety as a DJ. After the release of “The Very Beast of GGFH Vol. 1” in 2001, DJ Ghost decided to begin work on another GGFH LP.
With the absence of Brian J. Walls, the band’s main song writer, DJ Ghost looked to a handful of contributors to help write new GGFH material.
Serrated Smile was released in 2005.
Hands
G.G.F.H. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Watching the way
The children play
Walking away
From the things that I fear
Walking away from me
And the things that I've seen
Have you seen
Have you seen what I've seen
Do you know the way it feels?
Feeling the things that I do
Seeing the things that I do
Do you know
What's going on in here?
Can you tell me
The things that you fear
Can you tell me the way that it should be
When something else is controlling me
Do you feel?
Do you feel the things that I do?
Hands touching, reaching out again
Searching for something to feel
Hands touching, reaching out again
Grasping for something real
Pulling so hard,
Struggling to touch you feel
Reaching out for something
Something in my past
Something that isn't real
Can you feel the things I feel?
Hands touching, reaching out again
Searching for something to feel
Hands touching, reaching out again
Grasping for something real
Hands touching
"Hands" by G.G.F.H. is a song that touches on themes of trauma, dissociation, and a search for connection. The lyricist sets up a vivid scene of blood being washed away while children play nearby, creating a stark contrast between a violent event and the innocence of childhood. The singer is then shown walking away from their fears and their own self, asking if the listener understands what they have seen and felt. They search for someone to connect with, describing their hands reaching out desperately for something to feel, something real.
The repetition of the phrase "hands touching, reaching out again" emphasizes the singer's longing for tactile connection, a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil they are struggling with. The final stanza introduces the idea of reaching out for something in the past, something that isn't real, possibly hinting at the singer's struggle with dissociation or delusion. The song ends on a question posed to the listener, asking if they can feel what the singer is feeling.
The lyrics of "Hands" are relatively simple, but create a powerful and haunting image of a person in turmoil. The repetition and emphasis on touch and connection echoes throughout the song, creating a sense of desperation and yearning. It is a song that speaks to the universal desire for connection and the pain that comes from feeling disconnected.
Line by Line Meaning
Washing the blood away
Trying to cleanse and remove the emotional and mental pain from one's past experiences.
Watching the way / The children play
Observing those who are innocent and carefree, recognizing the stark contrast between their reality and one's own traumatic experiences.
Walking away / From the things that I fear
Choosing to distance oneself from the sources of anxiety and pain in order to protect oneself.
Walking away from me / And the things that I've seen
Leaving behind the memories and experiences that have stained and damaged one's mental health.
Have you seen / Have you seen what I've seen
Asking if anyone else understands or can empathize with the hellish things one has gone through.
Do you know the way it feels? / Feeling the things that I do / Seeing the things that I do
Asking if anyone else has experienced the same torture and pain as oneself and can truly comprehend the depth of despair it brings.
Do you know / What's going on in here? / Can you tell me / The things that you fear
Pleading with someone to open up and share their own fears and struggles, hoping to find solace in mutual understanding.
Can you tell me the way that it should be / When something else is controlling me
Questioning what a healthy, normal existence would look like in comparison to the overwhelming, all-consuming negative thoughts and memories that dominate one's life.
Do you feel? / Do you feel the things that I do?
Begging for someone else to share in the burden of the overwhelming emotions one experiences.
Hands touching, reaching out again / Searching for something to feel / Hands touching, reaching out again / Grasping for something real
Longing for human connection and physical touch in order to feel grounded and present in reality.
Pulling so hard, / Struggling to touch you feel / Reaching out for something / Something in my past / Something that isn't real
Desperately trying to hold onto something that has already occurred and cannot be changed, even though it is not worth holding onto.
Can you feel the things I feel?
Making a plea for someone to understand the depth of the pain and trauma one has endured.
Contributed by Austin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@davidsmit9297
Saw them in '93 supporting My Dying Bride... Impressive stuff...
@martinbradley791
Me too at Bradford UK. Shame Ghost didn't make that tour. Loz did a great job though. But not the same without Ghost.
@stevenkent5125
awesome
@manasyt
Damn
@triphor
2:19