Band members:
Andrew VanWyngarden (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, drums)
Ben Goldwasser (keyboards, vocals, guitar)
Matthew Asti (bass, keyboards)
James Richardson (guitar, vocals)
Hank Sullivant (guitar, keyboards)
Will Berman (drums)
You can learn more about MGMT, browse photos, and see the tour schedule at the Official Website.
Hand It Over
MGMT Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the rights that they abuse
Might just fuck us over
But the doors won't shut
Until they're sure there's nothing left to use
Someone's taking over
Threw it away, but now I say
It's time to hand it over
The joke's worn thin, the king stepped in
Now we'll see who is who
Look who's bending over
But the stars weren't wrong, the time felt right
We both knew it was true
The smart ones exit early
And the rest hope for a shoulder
If we lose our touch, it won't mean much
If everyone's confused
Which door do we open?
It's the same old trick
They played their hand
Now there's one thing to left to do
It's time (hand it over)
It's yours and it's mine (hand it over)
One thing on my mind (hand it over)
It's rightfully mine (hand it over)
In the dark (hand it over)
What's yours is mine (hand it over)
Mmm, make it right (hand it over)
And give me what's mine (hand it over)
Oh, this time (hand it over)
It's yours and mine (hand it over)
Hey, it's time to (hand it over)
Just give me what's mine (hand it over)
Mmm, anytime (hand it over)
It's yours and it's mine (hand it over)
Oh, I need time (hand it over)
No, no it's rightfully mine (hand it over)
Oh, anytime
The lyrics of MGMT's song Hand It Over portray a commentary on the corruption and greed within our society. The first verse alludes to deals made by those in power in order to disrupt the status quo, although the consequences of these deals may result in negative consequences for the people. The line "someone's taking over" suggests a shift in power, as those who have been oppressed take back control. The chorus emphasizes the notion of relinquishing control and giving what's rightfully owed to those who have been cheated or left behind.
The second verse speaks to the idea of those in power attempting to maintain their control, but ultimately being usurped by someone stronger. The line "the smart ones exit early" suggests that some individuals are able to recognize the impending danger and remove themselves from the situation before it escalates. The final two lines leave a sense of ambiguity, as the confusion and uncertainty of the situation leaves us questioning which path to take.
Overall, the song speaks to the need to recognize corruption and rising to the occasion to take back control. Its message is a call to action for society to be more adequately represented and valued by those in power.
Line by Line Meaning
The deals we made to shake things up
The agreements or arrangements we formulated to cause some novelty, disruption and changes
And the rights that they abuse
The power or authority they have which they misuse or exploit
Might just fuck us over
It may result in a disadvantageous or harmful outcome
But the doors won't shut
The opportunities or options are still available
Until they're sure there's nothing left to use
Until they are certain that all means have been exhausted or exploited
Someone's taking over
Someone is gaining control or authority over the situation
Threw it away, but now I say
Disposed of it previously, but now I am asserting
It's time to hand it over
It is time to surrender or relinquish ownership, control or power
The joke's worn thin, the king stepped in
The humorous or amusing aspect has become stale or obsolete, and an authoritative figure has intervened
Now we'll see who is who
A judgment or assessment will be made to ascertain people's characters or abilities
Look who's bending over
Take notice of who is yielding or submitting to a more dominant entity
But the stars weren't wrong, the time felt right
The predictions or expectations didn't prove erroneous, and the moment seemed apt or appropriate
We both knew it was true
Both parties recognized or acknowledged the verity or reality of the situation
The smart ones exit early
The intelligent or astute individuals leave before it is too late
And the rest hope for a shoulder
The remaining people rely on others for support or guidance
If we lose our touch, it won't mean much
In case we become inept or lose our competence, it won't have a significant impact
If everyone's confused
If all individuals are perplexed or uncertain
Which door do we open?
Which option or course of action should we pursue?
It's the same old trick
It is the identical or customary deception or tactic
They played their hand
They utilized their strategy or resources
Now there's one thing to left to do
Now, there exists only one option or action to take
It's time (hand it over)
Now, it is the appropriate moment to surrender or relinquish power or control (hand it over)
It's yours and it's mine (hand it over)
It belongs to both parties and hence, both parties should give it up or relinquish control (hand it over)
One thing on my mind (hand it over)
I am solely focused on the action of surrendering or relinquishing control (hand it over)
It's rightfully mine (hand it over)
I have a legitimate entitlement over it and should rightfully claim it (hand it over)
In the dark (hand it over)
In a state of uncertainty, vagueness or obscurity, it is time to take action (hand it over)
What's yours is mine (hand it over)
What belongs to you, should also be surrendered or relinquished in this scenario (hand it over)
Mmm, make it right (hand it over)
Emphasizing the need to rectify, restore or make things fair and just by surrendering or relinquishing power or control (hand it over)
And give me what's mine (hand it over)
Surrender or relinquish what is legally, ethically or rightfully mine(hand it over)
Oh, this time (hand it over)
Making a definitive statement about the need to act now, rather than later (hand it over)
Hey, it's time to (hand it over)
Calling attention to the necessity to take action(hand it over)
Mmm, anytime (hand it over)
Anytime or anywhere, it is time to surrender or relinquish power or control(hand it over)
It's yours and it's mine (hand it over)
Acknowledging that mutually, both parties own it and hence, the need for mutual action regarding surrendering or relinquishing power or control(hand it over)
Oh, I need time (hand it over)
Asking for some extra time to contemplate and assess before taking the steps to surrender or relinquish power or control (hand it over)
No, no it's rightfully mine (hand it over)
Asserting the legitimate and principled entitlement for the need to claim, surrender or relinquish power or control (hand it over)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Andrew Vanwyngarden, Benjamin Goldwasser
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KenmoreChalfant
Actually, I feel like that's what this song is about.
"The deals we made to shake things up
And the rights that they abuse
Might just fuck us over
But the doors won't shut
Until they're sure there's nothing left to use"
This is a record label trying to control artists, turn them into a product, use them up and fuck them over.
A lot of artists are contractually obligated to release X albums within X years when they make a record deal. Or even some people might keep bothering a successful artist who's not currently under a contract... trying to make some money off of them. So, one way or another, maybe the label was pressuring them to release a new album.
"But the stars weren't wrong, the time felt right
We both knew it was true
The smart ones exit early
And the rest hope for a shoulder"
'The time felt right' means that they actually were wanting to make a new album. 'Smart ones exit early' is like 'quit while your ahead'; i.e., artists who make a bunch of money with a couple albums and then disappear. 'The rest hope for a shoulder' is like saying the ones who keep on putting out music are bound to get reactions from old fans who don't like the new music and reading or hearing negative comments like 'mgmt sucks now' is depressing and makes you want 'a shoulder to cry on'.
"It's time (Hand it over)" is MGMT saying 'we're working on a new album' and the fans saying 'Hand it over'.
@TheJuan587
Verse 1]
The deals we made to shake things up
And the rights that they abused
Might just fuck us over
But the doors won't shut
Until they're sure there's nothing left to use
Someone's taking over
Threw it away, but now I say
It's time to hand it over
[Verse 2]
The joke's worn thin, the king stepped in
Now we'll see who is who
Look who's bending over
But the stars weren't wrong, the time felt right
We both knew it was true
The smart ones exit early
And the rest hope for a shoulder
[Verse 3]
If we lose our touch, it won't mean much
If everyone's confused
Which door do we open?
It's the same old trick, they played their hand
Now there's one thing to left to do
[Chorus 1]
This time (Hand it over)
It's yours and it's mine (Hand it over)
One thing on my mind (Hand it over)
It's rightfully mine (Hand it over)
In the dark (Hand it over)
What's yours is mine (Hand it over)
Mm, make it right (Hand it over)
And give me what's mine (Hand it over)
[Chorus 2]
Oh, this time (Hand it over)
It's yours and mine (Hand it over)
Hey, it's time to hand it over
Just give me what's mine (Hand it over)
Mm, anytime (Hand it over)
It's yours and it's mine (Hand it over)
Oh, I need time (Hand it over)
No, no, it's rightfully mine (Hand it over)
Oh, anytime
@jz5452
I can understand this song and most of the others. I hope everyone else can start understanding them more. It took me years to but I was always subconsciously attracted to their music. Vanwyngarden is ahead in time in our current age.
You have to be spiritually aware to completely understand what he means or is trying to express. There's a lot of depth and history to it.
"The deals we made to shake things up
And the rights that they abuse
Might just fuck us over
But the doors won't shut
Until they're sure there's nothing left to use"
This has to do about humanity repeatedly reincarnating. History has been repeating itself from our imbalance of light and darkness.
We are set on a path by a higher conscious in life. We are suppose to learn from our past mistakes and transform and evolve with light in our life, individually and together.
We have free will and every so age our human race keep making terrible errors that get ourselves taken out because darkness overcame man and it was destructive, unlawful and not on the divine path we've been set on. It could happen again in our time where we could wipe our race out, spiritually and physically only to start again and be better than before. It comes as no surprise and seems to be a pattern in our evolution.
"The joke's worn thin, the king stepped in
Now we'll see who is who
Look who's bending over"
Once we fulfill our purpose and live a life in the light then we can evolve from physical form and "the king", as Vanwyngarden refers him here, chooses who evolves and who continues to reincarante until they don't make those mistakes that unqualified them in the first place, unless he is referring about the end of humanity once it gets to the end of its physical path all together.
"It's time
It's yours and it's mine
One thing on my mind
It's rightfully mine
In the dark
What's yours is mine
Mmm, make it right
And give me what's mine"
He is referring to his soul not feeling like it's completely his own because the higher conscious rules over it. He can see premonitions of the future but he can't see what will be done about his soul, if it will remain his own or be absorbed by the higher conscious in life. He is hoping it will remain his own and that he will keep his conscious.
Regardless he will have to, hand it over.
Hope this helps some of you and also understand that MGMT is not about just being on drugs. They are much deeper than that and hope more can learn to appreciate that as well. This is only my interpretation of what I could grasp or found highlighting.
I'm sure they will always know what the true meanings are since it is their art.
@klemensmeyn5455
The end of this song is absolutely out of this world - the "hand it over" choir in the background makes it so deep, dreamy and psychedelic. Best one from MGMT!
@GilbertKingAispuro
80s like a MUTHA! AMAZING
@bangbangmofffvcka3251
Close to plagiarism of Ariel Pink - Round and Round
@kevin71127
Born too late to explore the world, born too early to explore the stars– born just in time to enjoy MGMT's return.
@nomercy7622
Kevin this is the gayest copy ive ever seen lmao
@Okayokayokayokayoh
@@nomercy7622 damn bro dont need to do dat😂
@feelsokayman3959
Both of these things you don't get to experience seem cooler and funnier than they really are.
@aconcagua5189
@@feelsokayman3959 LMAO
@feelsokayman3959
@@aconcagua5189 lmao? i was being serious lol
@EnjoyerofYoutube
MGMT is in great form right now. Beautifully written/produced songs, amazingly trippy videos.