Hands On It
Smartbomb Lyrics


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I got concrete shoes and pockets full of lead. Status symbols drag me down.
And if ya don't pay your debt, you will wind up at the bottom of the fucking Boston harbor.
The number one killer, cash, cabbage and dough.
Exploit the world and then count your coin.
Gasoline burns paper with ease. If I could just get my hands on it.
Half a mind to say goodbye, the other half to curl up and die.
How can I make it in this world without a reason to fight. Showtime.
Make yourself up, then you die. If I could just get my hands on it




Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Smartbomb's song Hands On It depict the struggles of living in a capitalist society where money is the driving force. The first line, "I got concrete shoes and pockets full of lead," refers to the feeling of being weighed down by the pressure to accumulate wealth and material possessions. The following line, "Status symbols drag me down," further emphasizes the negative aspect of coveting material objects as a way of defining one's status in society.


The lyrics then describe the consequences of not being able to pay one's debts, with the vivid image of being thrown into the Boston harbor. The song then delves deeper into the theme of money being the root of all evil, with the line "The number one killer, cash, cabbage and dough." The lyrics call out those who exploit others to make money and suggest that those who do so will only be left counting their coins in the end.


The chorus of the song, "Gasoline burns paper with ease. If I could just get my hands on it," expresses a desire to burn the source of the problems being faced, which is the money itself. The next few lines, "Half a mind to say goodbye, the other half to curl up and die. How can I make it in this world without a reason to fight," describe a feeling of hopelessness, with the singer struggling to find a reason to continue fighting in a society that values money above all else. The final lines, "Make yourself up, then you die. If I could just get my hands on it," suggest the futility of trying to make oneself presentable in this society, as death will come regardless, and the desire to get "hands on" the money intensifies.


Line by Line Meaning

I got concrete shoes and pockets full of lead. Status symbols drag me down.
I feel heavy and weighed down by the things that are supposed to make me look important and successful.


And if ya don't pay your debt, you will wind up at the bottom of the fucking Boston harbor.
If you don't pay what you owe, you will suffer the consequences, even if they are extreme and violent.


The number one killer, cash, cabbage and dough.
Money is the most important thing in our society, even if it takes precedence over moral values.


Exploit the world and then count your coin.
Many people benefit from exploiting resources and people in the world to accumulate wealth and power.


Gasoline burns paper with ease. If I could just get my hands on it.
Gasoline is a highly flammable substance, and the artist desires the power that comes with controlling such a dangerous material.


Half a mind to say goodbye, the other half to curl up and die.
The singer feels torn between wanting to give up and wanting to fight for what they believe in and achieve their goals.


How can I make it in this world without a reason to fight. Showtime.
The singer wonders how they can succeed in a world that seems to value aggression and competition over compassion and collaboration.


Make yourself up, then you die. If I could just get my hands on it.
The artist feels that the pursuit of material success and beauty is ultimately empty and meaningless, but still desires the power and status that comes with it.




Contributed by Micah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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