Formed in 1991 by working class music manager Jimmy Rabitte, The Commitments performes a unique blend of soul music, described by trumpeter Joey "The Lips" Fagan as "Dublin soul." Featuring Deco Cuffe on lead vocals, Imelda Quirke, Natalie Murphy and Bernie McGloughlin as female backing vocalists, Outspan Foster on lead guitar, Dean Fay on bass, Steven Clifford on keys, Derek Scully and Joey "The Lips" Fagan on trumpet and Billy Mooney on drums, The Commitments were successful in local venues in North Dublin. During the final months of their original run, Mooney left the band and was replaced by former security guard Micko Wallace. The group disbanded in late 1991 after a hectic club show – at which the band were to be joined by Wilson Pickett – and due to internal affairs, just minutes before the band were offered a record deal.
In 2010, the band reformed and are set to perform a number of dates.
The movie was also the breakthrough for singer Andrew Strong.
Hard To Handle
The Commitments Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here I am
I'm the man on the scene
I can give you what you want
But you got to go home with me
I forgot some good old lovin'
And I got some in store
When I get to throwin' it on you
Boys and things that come by the dozen
That ain't nothin' but drug store lovin'
Pretty little thing, let me light your candle
'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle, now, gets around
Action speaks louder than words
And I'm a man with a great experience
I know you got you another man
But I can love you better than him
Take my hand, don't be afraid
I wanna prove every word I say
I'm advertisin' love for free
So, won't you place your ad with me
Boys will come a dime by the dozen
But that ain't nothin' but ten cent love
Pretty little thing, let me light your candle'
'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle, now, gets around
Baby, here I am
I'm a man on the scene
I can give you what you want
Just come go home with me
I forgot some good old lovin'
And I got some in store
When I get through throwin' it on
You got to come back for more
Boy will come a dime by the dozen
But that ain't nothin' but drug store love
Pretty little thing, let me light your candle'
'Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle, now, yes around
Give it to me
I got to have it
Give me some good 'ole lovin'
Some of your good lovin'
The Commitments' "Hard to Handle" is a song that reveals the confidence of a charismatic man who believes he's got all it takes to bring satisfaction to a lover. The man who is "the man on the scene" offers to give his potential lover all she could ever want, but she has to come home with him. He declares that he's got "some good old lovin'" and "more in store" and that when he's done giving it to her, she'll keep coming back for it.
In the second verse, the man acknowledges that the woman has another man but assures her that he can love her better than he can. He beckons on her to take his hand and not be afraid, promising to prove every word he says. He appeals to her to advertise her love for free by placing her ad with him.
In summary, "Hard to Handle" is a song that portrays the confidence of a man who assures a potential lover of his ability to give her satisfying love if she comes home with him.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby here I am
I have arrived and I am ready to offer myself to you
I'm the man on the scene
I am confident and well-equipped to provide what you need in this situation
I can give you what you want
I have the ability to satisfy your desires
But you gotta come home with me
In order to receive what I have to offer, you must come with me
I have got some good old lovin'
I have a lot of love to give
And I got some more in store
I have even more love to give than what I've already shown
When I get through throwin' it on you
After I have fully expressed my love to you
You gotta come back for more
You will want to come back to me because of the love that I have shown you
Boys and things that come by the dozen
There are many men and material possessions that you could choose from
That ain't nothin' but drugstore lovin'
But those options are shallow and unfulfilling
Hey little thing let me light your candle
Hey, attractive person, let me bring some excitement and passion into your life
Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle, now, gets around
Because I am experienced and confident, I know how to please women and I have a reputation for doing so
Action speaks louder than words
My actions will demonstrate my love for you more than my words ever could
And I'm a man of great experience
I have lived and loved many times and have insight into what makes a romantic relationship work
I know you've got another man
I am aware that there is competition for your affection
But I can love you better than him
I am confident that I can provide a more satisfying and fulfilling love than your current partner
Take my hand don't be afraid
Trust me and let me lead you towards a fulfilling relationship
I'm gonna prove every word I say
My actions will back up the promises I make to you
I'm advertising love for free
I am offering you my love without any expectation of payment or reward
So you can place your ad with me
You can trust me to provide a fulfilling romantic partnership
Boys come along a dime by the dozen
Many men are interested in pursuing you
That aint nothing but ten cent lovin
However, those men only have shallow love to offer
Hey little thing let me light your candle
I am still here, ready and able to provide a more fulfilling love than anyone else
Cause mama I'm sure hard to handle, now, gets around
I am experienced and able to meet your needs, and others have taken notice of this fact
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Otis Redding, Alvertis Isbell, Allen Alvoid Jr. Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark singing for a smile. 😊
A fantastic voice. 👍
smartalek1
Every time I play any of the tracks or clips that show up here, I fall in love w/the movie all over again. I wonder if it's a good thing, or a bad one, that they never made a sequel? W/ the way it ended, it'd be tough for them to write a credible follow-up story, so it most likely woulda bit. But you never know...
Paul Crewe
They perfected an already great tune
Niamh Tee
Why isnt this on the soundtrack!? Its AMAZING!! lol
Guy de Loimbard
It's a two-volume soundtrack, it's the opening track on Volume 2.
Gerard Gouldson
it's on the 2nd CD they released.
Hutchman
It's on the deluxe edition
toriElena
it was a great film, i have it somewhere on vhs, i really should buy it again on dvd format, since i dont even have a vcr anymore. Some movies are worth buying twice...this one makes that list.
Bebedori
Hicieron la version completa en "The Commitments Vol.2" el año 1992.
Luca Cacciani
Great movie!!