The Secret Handshake was the pop/electronic solo project of Luis Dubuc.
… Read Full Bio ↴The Secret Handshake was the pop/electronic solo project of Luis Dubuc.

Dubuc first got his start playing drums in a couple of bands with his friends, most notably in the hardcore unit Thirty Called Arson. Inspired by artists like Michael Jackson and Daft Punk, he eventually began writing and recording some songs as a side project in his Dallas-based bedroom with a laptop and Wurlitzer to assist him. By November 2004, Dubuc had self-released his first full-length album, entitled Antarctica. Less than a year later, he followed up with the EP This Is Bigger Than You and I, which was issued through Doll House Recordings. Momentum began building around his distinctive electronica laptop pop/rock, and The Secret Handshake developed a devoted fanbase. Another EP, Summer of '98 (referring to the summer before he started high school), was released in early 2007 through New York's Triple Crown Records, anchored by the vocoder-heavy title track. The full length One Full Year followed, becoming his full length Triple Crown Records debut.

In 2008 The Secret Handshake was featured on the Punk Goes Crunk compilation/covers album, where he covered Skee-Lo's rap classic "I Wish".

On April 29, 2009, The Secret Handshake released his third studio album, My Name Up in Lights. The album was recorded entirely in Dubuc's apartment in Dallas. In 2009, the album reached #17 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and #45 on the Independent Albums chart.

The Secret Handshake opened for the Alternative Press Tour 2009, entitled The Fall Ball, which also featured You Me At Six, Set Your Goals, The Academy Is..., and Mayday Parade. Luis Dubuc was featured on the subscriber-only cover of Alternative Press November 2009 issue, along with the lead singers of the other bands featured on The Fall Ball tour with a feature article. The Secret Handshake toured in Australia from November 26 to December 6.

The Secret Handshake finished a two-month tour in the summer of 2010 with Every Avenue, Sing it Loud, and There for Tomorrow on the Motel 6 "Rock Yourself to Sleep" tour.

The Secret Handshake's fourth studio album Night & Day was released on August 17, 2010. Sound In The Signals complimented the new style found on the album, but criticized Dubuc's vocal ability. Alternative Press noted the new Motown sound was a risky move but stated that Dubuc "obviously had the skills to pull it off".

Luis Dubuc was interviewed in the Alternative Press October 2010 issue, in the feature article titled You Can Hurry Love.

In 2011, Dubuc put The Secret Handshake to sleep and began to make music under the name Mystery Skulls.

The Glitch
The Secret Handshake Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Do you miss me?
to the extent of separation
or is it just more of
the feeling in disguise
there's an army at your door
they're shouting out your name
wishing for you to come back
to the way things used to be

when everything's amiss
just remember
to call
'cause I'll be singing you to sleep
when everything's amiss
just remember
to call
'cause I'll be singing you to sleep

hope you get my postcards
hope it displays
an effort
'cause I love
may my words keep you warm
on a cold winter's night
it seems so overbearing

when everything's amiss
just remember
to call
'cause I'll be singing you to sleep
when everything's amiss
just remember
to call
'cause I'll be singing you to sleep

I wait for the start
she tells me not to speak
I waited for
she tells me not to speak

I wanted more
she tells me not to speak

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Secret Handshake's song The Glitch depict a bittersweet conversation between two people who are separated. The singer questions their partner's feelings towards their separation, pondering if they truly miss them or if their emotions are being masked. The singer then describes an army at their partner's door, wishing for them to return and restore their relationship to how it used to be. Despite the distance between them, the singer assures their partner that they will be there for them, singing them to sleep if they ever need comfort in their absence. The chorus serves as a reminder to call out to the singer for comfort when everything feels wrong.

The second verse reveals the singer's efforts to communicate with their partner through postcards, sending words of love and warmth to fill the space between them. The singer acknowledges the overwhelming feeling of being apart but confidently claims they will be there when needed. The final lines of the song are repeated from earlier in the song, with the singer waiting for their partner to speak, longing for more but being told not to say anything.

The overall theme of the song is the struggle of long-distance relationships and the desire for closeness in the midst of separation. The lyrics depict a vulnerable and honest conversation between two people who miss each other deeply.

Line by Line Meaning

Do you miss me?
Are you experiencing a feeling of separation, or is it just a disguised emotion?

to the extent of separation
To the degree of a physical or emotional disconnect.

or is it just more of
Or is it just an additional sensation?

the feeling in disguise
The emotion hidden beneath one's actions or words.

there's an army at your door
A great number of people who desire your return.

they're shouting out your name
They're calling out for you to come back.

wishing for you to come back
Desiring for you to return to the way things used to be.

to the way things used to be
To a past state or situation.

when everything's amiss
When everything is in chaos or disorder.

just remember to call
Remember to reach out for help.

'cause I'll be singing you to sleep
Because I'll be there to comfort and support you.