The chorus' lyric "You're questioning the science, 'cause you don't understand, How I'm doing what I'm doing in a fucking handstand," highlights the idea of doing something unconventional and unique that others might not understand. Cyrus is using the metaphor of a handstand to represent her unconventional and unique approach to life. She's saying that she's not doing things the way that others expect her to, but instead is using a different perspective, or a different "hand" to approach life.
The bridge, "I wish I could crawl inside your heart, Take you captive and then sail away, I wish I could know that it's forever, Take me captive and then sail away", could mean that Miley is longing for a connection with others, to understand them and have them understand her. She wants to have an intimate connection with someone, but also acknowledges the fact that it's difficult to know if that connection will be permanent.
In summary, the song "Handstand" is an introspective reflection on Miley Cyrus' unconventional approach to life and how that approach can make others feel confused or unable to understand her. The song also touches on the desire for closeness and permanence in a connection with another person.
Handstand
Miley Cyrus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Past the manta rays and palm trees
Glowing creatures beamed down from great heights
Electric eels and red venom
In the sky, we could see the riders on horseback, on comets
Coming toward us, kicking up with laughter
My friend Big Twitchy rode the boat into the light
Surfed the north break
Just me and Twitchy 'cause that's all we knew
You're questioning the science 'cause you don't understand
How I'm doing what I'm doing in a fuckin' handstand
You found it so impressive that I do it again
My other one is busy, so I use my left hand
We took it kinda fast but you put it in slow
I see your mother's calling and you're hitting ignore
It's like you saw a unicorn, you don't understand
How I'm doing what I'm doing in a fuckin' handstand
I wish I could crawl inside your heart
Take you captive and then sail away
I wish I could know that it's forever
Take me captive and then sail away
You're questioning the science 'cause you don't understand
How I'm doing what I'm doing in a fuckin' handstand
You found it so impressive that I do it again
My other one is busy, so I use my left hand
We took it kinda fast but you put it in slow
I see your mother's calling and you're hitting ignore
It's like you saw a unicorn, you don't understand
How I'm doing what I'm doing in a fuckin' handstand
The opening lines of Miley Cyrus's "Handstand" take us on a surreal journey to an exotic land, where the singer (presumably Miley herself) and her friend Big Twitchy meet under the neon glow of a dinghy, surrounded by otherworldly creatures like manta rays, electric eels, and red venom. The atmosphere is so otherworldly that even the riders on horseback, kicking up with laughter, seem to have come from the sky. As the two friends surf the north break and dance until there's nothing left, we get the sense that this is a moment of pure hedonism, free of any worries or concerns beyond the pulsing beat of the music.
In the second verse, however, reality intrudes in the form of a skeptical listener, who questions how Miley's doing a "fuckin' handstand" and finds it "impressive" when she does it again. In a way, this is a metaphor for the way in which Miley's music often defies easy categorization or explanation, challenging her critics to keep up with her genre-defying experimentation. But even as the listener remains puzzled by the singer's acrobatics, her thoughts turn inward to a more tender, vulnerable place, as she wishes she could "crawl inside [the listener's] heart" and "take [them] captive and then sail away."
Line by Line Meaning
We met each other on the neon dinghy
We first encountered each other on a brightly lit boat
Past the manta rays and palm trees
As we traveled, we passed by sea creatures and tropical plants
Glowing creatures beamed down from great heights
Radiant beings shone from above us
Electric eels and red venom
Dangerous sea creatures and poisonous liquids were present
In the sky, we could see the riders on horseback, on comets
We witnessed fantastical imagery, including people riding horses on shooting stars
Coming toward us, kicking up with laughter
These riders approached us jovially
My friend Big Twitchy rode the boat into the light
One of my companions courageously took the boat further into the unknown
Surfed the north break
They rode the waves with skill
We danced until there was nothing left
We partied until we couldn't anymore
Just me and Twitchy 'cause that's all we knew
It was just us two because we didn't know anyone else at the gathering
You're questioning the science 'cause you don't understand
You're confused and skeptical about how I'm performing a handstand
How I'm doing what I'm doing in a fuckin' handstand
You're amazed and dumbfounded by my ability to hold myself upside down with only my hands
You found it so impressive that I do it again
You're in awe and want to see me repeat the feat
My other one is busy, so I use my left hand
I inform you that I'm using my left hand for the handstand because my right hand is occupied
We took it kinda fast but you put it in slow
We moved quickly, but you slowed things down by bringing up a separate topic
I see your mother's calling and you're hitting ignore
You're ignoring a call from your mom
It's like you saw a unicorn, you don't understand
You're amazed, like you've just seen something mythical like a unicorn
I wish I could crawl inside your heart
I desire to fully comprehend your emotions and thoughts
Take you captive and then sail away
I want to capture your heart and escape with you
I wish I could know that it's forever
I crave the knowledge and reassurance that our relationship will last indefinitely
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Harmony Korine, Maximilian Richard Morando, Miley Ray Cyrus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davidkonevky7372
How do some people hate this song is beyond me. It's atmospheric, it's vivid, it has sickening production, and a great vocal performance by Miley
@robinday4987
It's because they can't appreciate a good ole bj
@gabepessoal
hate?? how could?? this is my favorite one :)
@leonsalgeuro
people HATE this??? disappointed with I could understand, but HATE?
@jelenakilibarda6250
@@gabepessoal and my favorite, I listen to it non-stop
@aunknownstranger
How they could, this is one of the best songs on the album 😭
@juliawoods5460
This whole album feels like going for a drive through Miami, seeing the palm trees, the buildings, the ocean and the traffic.
@gon7954
And the neon lights
@davidkonevky7372
Also love how this album was divided into AM and PM. It really adds into the atmosphere, you can imagine the blue sky turn into a sunset and then seeing the neon lights come out when the night comes.
@129lieux
When I say this album is a vibe, this comment is what I meant 🌴🔵 This is album is so immersive. Best album of her