… 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.
Too Young
The Secret Handshake Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That i wasn't sure just what to say
Who to call, how to feel,
And won't someone tell me is this even real, oh
I'm such a mess
I'm such a reck, oh
I'm such a mess
On your floor
Next to your bed
And if you let me stay so
I'll be there
Cause in the night time when your sleeping
I'll be there to say
That i loved you and i left you anyway
Is there some extra space,
On your floor
Next to your bed
And if you let me stay so
I'll be there
Cause in the night time when your sleeping
I'll be there to say
That i loved you, I left you anyway
I was lost as a latchkey child
And I saw more than I could handle
Left alone
In the lonely isle
Left to stare into you
The phone called ended with drop me a line
I though about it long, and hard.
Don't play me for the fool
Even though i'm just the fool for you
I'll turn into a mess
And and and when the snow comes down
And covers up the ground
To see you for what you really are
Play me for the fool
Even though i'm just the fool for you
I'll turn into a mess
And when the snow comes down
And covers up the ground
To see you for what you really are
The phone called ended in such a way
That I wasn't sure just what to say
Who to call, how to feel,
Won't someone tell me is this even real, oh
I'm such a mess
I'm such a reck, oh
I'm such a mess.
The Secret Handshake's song "Too Young" expresses the feeling of being lost and confused after a phone call ended in a complicated way. The singer is not sure how to respond, what to feel, or who to call for guidance. The lyrics convey a sense of desperation, as the singer is willing to sleep on the floor next to the person they love just to be close to them. They express a desire to be there for them and say "I love you," but the reality is that they have left them anyway.
The second verse reveals that the singer has been through difficult times in their life and has seen more than they can handle. They feel alone and lost, searching for something in the object of their affections. The phone call ends with the request to "drop me a line," but the singer is hesitant to respond. They don't want to be played for a fool, but at the same time, they can't help the way they feel.
Overall, "Too Young" portrays the feelings of uncertainty and despair that can come with love and relationships. It highlights the desire to be close to someone and the fear of being vulnerable and potentially hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
The phone call ended in such a way
The conversation ended abruptly, leaving the singer unsure and confused about their emotions.
That I wasn't sure just what to say
The singer was at a loss for words, unable to articulate their feelings after the sudden end to the call.
Who to call, how to feel,
The singer is left feeling lost, not knowing who to turn to or how to deal with the situation.
Won't someone tell me is this even real, oh
The artist questions the reality of the situation and wishes for someone to provide clarification and guidance.
I'm such a mess
The artist is overwhelmed with emotions and unable to maintain composure.
Is there some extra space, on your floor, next to your bed
The singer seeks a physical space in the other person's life, suggesting they wish to be closer and more involved.
And if you let me stay so, I'll be there
The singer expresses a desire to be with the other person, promising to always be there for them if given the chance.
Cause in the night time when your sleeping, I'll be there to say, that I loved you and I left you anyway
The artist hopes to be with the other person even in their dreams, acknowledging that they had once loved them but still chose to leave.
I was lost as a latchkey child, and I saw more than I could handle
The artist felt abandoned and alone, experiencing difficult situations that they felt ill-equipped to handle.
Left alone, in the lonely isle, left to stare into you
The artist was left with their own thoughts and feelings, finding solace in the other person's presence while struggling to connect with them.
The phone call ended with drop me a line
The other person requested the singer to contact them again later, leaving the singer with a glimmer of hope and uncertainty.
I thought about it long, and hard.
The artist spent a considerable amount of time contemplating this request, as it held significant meaning for them.
Don't play me for the fool, even though I'm just the fool for you
The singer seeks honesty and authenticity from the other person, admitting their vulnerability and love for them.
I'll turn into a mess
The singer acknowledges their emotional instability and vulnerability when it comes to the other person.
And when the snow comes down, and covers up the ground, to see you for what you really are
The singer hopes that a change of season will bring clarity to the relationship, allowing them to see the other person's true intentions and feelings.
I'm such a wreck, oh
The artist continues to feel lost and overwhelmed, unsure of what the future holds for them and the other person.
I'm such a mess.
The artist reiterates their emotional turmoil and fragility, unable to maintain their composure in the face of such intense feelings.
Contributed by Aubrey I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Leonard
The Secret Handshake is one of those projects that was so brief and had so little fan fair that almost everyone I've ever met has never heard of it. TSH slapped in 2009 and is one the first bands that got me into this genre. Respect.
roderickrulez
what would you call this genre? I want more synthy autotuned stuff but I don't really like Cash Cash, something more melodic like this.
ItsaJap
@roderickrulez Kill Paradise would be another similar sound.
Sam Murray
Gotta say, I'm not a fan of the composition of this song, but the lyrics are just so damned beautiful that I adore it anyway. I can't help but listen to it on repeat constantly. Fits a certain situation even 3 months on from the event...
Ellie Powell
This song is one of the best songs ever. It's soo deep and sad, but just soo....GOOD. The Secret Handshake is my all time favorite, I love Luis.
x3rawrr3579
i saw them in concert they were amazing<3
For Sun and Emperor
Saw them Live at DanceRAWRDance. He kicks butt, even without any serious stage presence. His voice covers that. I was totally into the show in ten seconds.
Iced Strawberry Music
love this song . such a nice melody
Justice
What an absolute banger. Synth pop at its best. I feel this
lanene93
let's just say that I cried to this song many many times