Formed in Baltimore, MD, United States in 1998, SR-71 has produced three ma… Read Full Bio ↴Formed in Baltimore, MD, United States in 1998, SR-71 has produced three major-label albums: Now You See Inside, Tomorrow, and Here We Go Again.

After becoming instant Top 40 material with their driving hit Right Now and the lesser-known Politically Correct on their first album, the band slowly shied from the limelight for its second album, part of the reason the third album was not released in the US.

In recent days lead singer Mitch Allan has pursued a solo career, reworking some SR-71 songs and creating some of his own. SR-71 split in 2007, but reformed in 2009.

The name of the band came from SR-71 Blackbird, a retired supersonic surveillance aircraft of the United States Air Force.

Current Members:
* Mitch Allan - lead vocals, guitar
* Pat DeMent - guitar, backing vocals
* Mike Ruocco - bass, backing vocals
* John Allen - drums, percussion, backing vocals

Former members:
* Dan Garvin - drums, percussion, backing vocals (1998–2001)
* Mark Beauchemin - guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1998–2003)
* Jeff Reid - bass, keyboards, backing vocals (1998–2003)

Broken Handed
SR-71 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you wanted to
Could your heart be true
If you wanted to
Could you not want

Anyone else's world
Anyone else's world
If you wanted it

Just break off a bit

If you wanted a taste of it
Somebody else's world
I'm a Broken Handed Superman
You're a Krypto-Nightingale Snow White

Now I understand
It's something I understand
Some things I understand
If I wanted to

Could my faith be true
If I wanted to
Could I not want
Anyone else's world

Anyone else's world
When I wanted it
I'd break off a bit
If I wanted a taste of

Someone's world
Somebody else's world
There is no sin and virtue here
Always see me

All my deamons
Always see me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Broken Handed" by SR-71 are open to interpretation, but it seems to be about the struggle to stay true to oneself while being tempted by the allure of someone else's world. The opening lines suggest that a person's heart and desires could be true or false, depending on their choices. The chorus repeats the idea that one could have anyone else's world, but then the next line suggests a resistance to this temptation, saying "If you wanted it, just break off a bit."

The song moves into the perspective of the singer, who identifies themselves as a "Broken Handed Superman" and addresses someone else as a "Krypto-Nightingale Snow White." These are likely references to Superman's weakness (Kryptonite) and Snow White's purity and beauty. The singer seems to recognize that they are flawed, but also understands something about themselves.

The second half of the song shifts back to the chorus, with the singer questioning if their faith can be true and if they can resist the temptation of others' worlds. The final line "Always see me/all my demons" suggests that they are aware of their faults and vulnerabilities, but they are still trying to stay true to themselves.

Line by Line Meaning

If you wanted to
In the hypothetical situation of you choosing to

Could your heart be true
Would you be truthful and genuine in your feelings?

If you wanted to
In the hypothetical situation of you choosing to

Could you not want
Would you not desire something else?

Anyone else's world
Someone else's reality or experience

If you wanted it
If you desired that

Just break off a bit
Simply take a portion of it for yourself

If you wanted a taste of it
If you desired to try out something new

Somebody else's world
Another's reality or experience

I'm a Broken Handed Superman
I may seem powerful but I have limitations and flaws

You're a Krypto-Nightingale Snow White
You possess superhero-like qualities and a pure, innocent nature