Their sound has been compared to a fusion of Talking Heads, Tame Impala, and Steely Dan, raised under the California sun. The band's creative process takes place in their house-turned-studio in Highland Park, where they self-produce all their music, utilizing an assortment of instruments scattered throughout the space.
Since the release of their single "New Biome" in 2016, Sure Sure has witnessed a rapid growth. Their subsequent releases, including the heartbreak-pop track "Friends" and the dance-infused "Hands Up Head Down," earned them acclaim and reached number one on the Hype Machine charts. Notably, they received praise from notable figures in the indie music community such as Grizzly Bear and Rostam of Vampire Weekend.
Sure Sure has established themselves as an exciting emerging band from the Eastside of Los Angeles. Their talent and captivating live shows have propelled them to perform over 150 shows in two years, sharing stages with esteemed artists like Young The Giant, Hippo Campus, Coin, and Rainbow Kitten Surprise.
Hands Up Head Down
Sure Sure Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sipping my whiskey soda
Everyone turns and whispers
Oh my God I gotta get out
But I feel a hand grab my shoulder
Your hair's a little long
Where'd you say you're from?
Is there something wrong?
Don't look at those
Figures in the background
Put your hands up
Keep your head down
Put your hands up
Keep your head down
Bartender makes a promise
Guaranteed you're gonna love this
But I'm not sure I'll be honest
Try to run, but I'm molasses
Frozen here in the center
Everyone laughs and laughs and laughs
Your pants are kinda tight
Where'd you say you're from?
You're talkin' kinda smart
Why don't you bite your tongue?
Don't look at those
Figures in the background
Put your hands up
Keep your head down
Put your hands up
Keep your head down
Put your hands up
Keep your head down
Put your hands up
Keep your head down
Put your hands up
Keep your head
The lyrics of "Hands Up Head Down" by Sure Sure portray a scene where the singer feels out of place and judged by those around them. The first verse suggests that the singer stands out in a crowd, feeling uncomfortable and wanting to escape the attention of others. However, before they could leave, someone grabs their shoulder, perhaps offering a sense of comfort or connection in this unfamiliar environment.
In the chorus, the lyrics encourage the singer to ignore the judgmental figures lurking in the background and to instead raise their hands up and keep their head down. This could symbolize the idea of staying true to oneself and not allowing the opinions or scrutiny of others to affect them. The lyrics imply that it's important to remain confident and not let external judgments define one's self-worth.
The second verse continues to describe the atmosphere, with the singer receiving comments about their appearance and origins. The lyrics suggest that the singer may feel judged for their choices and individuality. Despite this, the line "You're talkin' kinda smart, why don't you bite your tongue?" implies that the singer is intelligent and unafraid to express their thoughts, even if it may attract criticism.
Overall, "Hands Up Head Down" seems to convey a message of resilience and self-acceptance in the face of judgment. The lyrics encourage the listener to hold their head high, be authentic, and not be swayed by the negative opinions of others. It serves as a reminder to stay true to oneself and focus on personal growth and confidence rather than seeking validation from external sources.
Line by Line Meaning
Sticking out like a sore thumb
I am clearly different and noticeable in this situation
Sipping my whiskey soda
Enjoying my drink and trying to blend in
Everyone turns and whispers
People are gossiping and talking about me
Oh my God I gotta get out
Feeling the urge to escape from this uncomfortable situation
But I feel a hand grab my shoulder
Someone reaches out and stops me from leaving
Your hair's a little long
Commenting on my appearance
Where'd you say you're from?
Curious about my background
You look a little scared
Observing my nervousness or anxiety
Is there something wrong?
Inquiring if there is a problem bothering me
Don't look at those figures in the background
Ignore the judgmental and critical people around
Put your hands up
Raise your hands in surrender
Keep your head down
Maintain a low profile and avoid drawing attention
Bartender makes a promise
The bartender assures me of something
Guaranteed you're gonna love this
They are certain that I will enjoy what is to come
But I'm not sure I'll be honest
Doubting if I will genuinely like it
Try to run, but I'm molasses
Attempting to escape, but feeling slow and stuck
Frozen here in the center
Unable to move or escape from the attention and mockery
Everyone laughs and laughs and laughs
People mock and laugh at my expense
Your pants are kinda tight
Making a comment about my clothing
You're talkin' kinda smart
Noticing that I speak intelligently
Why don't you bite your tongue?
Suggesting that I should keep quiet
Put your hands up
Raise your hands in surrender
Keep your head down
Maintain a low profile and avoid drawing attention
Put your hands up
Raise your hands in surrender
Keep your head down
Maintain a low profile and avoid drawing attention
Put your hands up
Raise your hands in surrender
Keep your head down
Maintain a low profile and avoid drawing attention
Put your hands up
Raise your hands in surrender
Keep your head down
Maintain a low profile and avoid drawing attention
Put your hands up
Raise your hands in surrender
Keep your head down
Maintain a low profile and avoid drawing attention
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Christopher Mattias Beachy, Michael Richard Coleman, Kevin Farzad, Charles Glick
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
unknown presences
Sounds like a survivors point of business getting too drunk at a club and getting picked up by a creep then raped and then abandoned. Super revolutionary how many bands are giving voices to those of us that are survivors of S.A.
It can happen to anyone any time so always keep aware if yr surroundings and let ppl you truly can depend on and trust know your where abouts when going out to a event with alcohol and/or away from yr own transportation and not close to home to be especially important to do this at times in that position and more so if they are new people/date yr attending with..
❤ love and hope to everyone going thru life surviving or know someone that is living thru it that you care about. 1 in 3 females will go thru s.a. in their life time and 1 in 5 guys also
I'm a guy who had my first experience 3 being Raped by young teen guy and others occurred not not choice even as a straight male, but that was my truama repeating itself to try and figure it out and heal.. hypnotherapy changed My life massively and let me begin to heal finally, I stillstruggle every day with the cptsd aand other diagnoses I have including bipolar type 2, adha, etc and signs of not knowing you where thru it as a kid from blocking it out (hypnotherapy let me remember again I hid it for 19 years straight without literally knowing or believing it.. although I always had a gut feeling but disassociation is so powrful.) and I became a true anorexic nervous not eating for months at times and it's a sign of not knowing you went thru that as a kid especially I'd male but isn't always the case ofc.
Anyways just wanted to offer some wisdom and help from my experiences and life advice from such a important topic that just so happens to be what the song is heavily implying. I could be wrong but the music video even gives that vibe and the metaphor or keep yr hands up put yr head down is implying forcing you to do something you don't want too or maybe getting hands tied up so you can't do anything they also want you to keep yr head down so you don't see their face or something or whatever spot they are trying to bring you to so you can't recall those details to police later or something
Anyways thats just my thoughts haha great song tho and feels special and means a lot to have it done in a such a powerful way that truly gives a perspective of how that would be when focusing on it but the happy feeling notes distracting uou from realizing the danger that's occuring underneath the surface of the false comfortable safe feeling you thought you were in going to the environment that brings you into this life changing experience an=d you don't even believe it really in the end actually happening so you pretend its all okay and leaves the last part with the distorted bass feeling confused/sinster vibe like something bad happened but yr confused or not aware of it yet so you let it go and it ends but like its not truly ended cause you'll have to face it eventually in yr life time or something
Idk haha I tried to share my thoughts at least but sorry it's so long
Sure Sure
Our EP is out now. Stream it or Purchase it here https://www.suresuremusic.com/wil ٩( ᐛ )و
Eric Posen
You guys are going to be big. I've seen all your shows in LA. Remember me - I want backstage passes to your show at The Greek in the future :)
Sure Sure
got it - putting u down
Victor Pierre
absolutely love you guys . every song you release becomes a favorite. thank you for existing <3 :D
Sure Sure
dude! love you too. thank you for existing :]
mikayla
Okay but this song is so good and they are INCREDIBLE live!! Last night you guys were amazing as the opening act for hippocampus!! I hope you guys become super famous cause you guys have such good music and you're lots of fun
Mell0
Just saw y'all at Newport Music Hall in Columbus. I didn't think anybody'd be able to precede Half Alive (they're basically my favorite), but you guys blew me away! Bangers all the way through!
Can't decide whether Kevin or Stanley was sexier.
You guys are making it big soon! You sure deserve it!
My Average Life
saw you guys in mtl a few nights ago omg y'all are so good live, I've rarely seen that good crowd interaction. Loved dancing to this with you guys and the neanderthal song absolutely slaps.
Alyssa Mckenna
I’m still so stoked that I got to hear this live & do this dance with you guys!! Miss you sm!!!
Sure Sure
hope to see u again in april !