Chandra and Leigh were born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, but moved to Silverlake, California in the late 1990s, where they were founding members of and backup singers for local band Slydell. They also began writing their own music and performing with other musicians, including Orphan Train, Joe Firstman, Fairchild, and Rilo Kiley and their singer Jenny Lewis.
In 2006 the Watson Twins released their debut EP, Southern Manners, almost simultaneously with Rabbit Fur Coat, their collaboration under the name Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins. The Watson Twins had previously been known as Black Swan before changing their name to accompany their album with Jenny Lewis.
Handle With Care
The Watson Twins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been sent up and I've been shot down.
You're the best thing that I've ever found.
Handle me with care.
Reputation's changeable.
Situation's tolerable.
Baby you're adorable.
I'm so tired of being lonely.
I still have some love to give.
Won't you show me that you really care.
Everybody's got somebody to lean on.
Put your body next to mine and dream on.
I've been fucked off and I've been fooled.
I've been robbed and ridiculed.
In day care centers and night schools.
Handle me with care.
Been stuck in airports, terrorized.
Sent to meetings hypnotized.
Overexposed, commercialized.
Handle me with care.
I'm so tired of being lonely,
I still have some love to give.
Won't you show me that you really care.
Everybody's got somebody to lean on.
Put your body next to mine and dream on.
I've been uptight and made a mess.
I'd clean it up myself I guess.
Oh the sweet smell of success.
Handle me with care.
The Watson Twins's song Handle with Care is a beautiful plea for love and care in a world that can be cruel and unforgiving. Through the lyrics, the singer expresses the hardships they have faced, being beat down, sent up, shot down, fooled, robbed, and ridiculed. However, despite all the pain and loneliness they have felt, there is still love within them that they wish to give, and they are searching for someone to show them care. The singer recognizes that they are a fragile human being who can be easily hurt, which is why they implore the listener to handle them with care.
The song tackles the theme of human vulnerability and the need for emotional support. The singer acknowledges that everyone has somebody to lean on, but they do not. They have been in day care centers and night schools, stuck in airports, terrorized, sent to meetings hypnotized, and overexposed and commercialized. Their life has not been easy, but they found solace in somebody who cared for them. They see this person as the best thing that they have ever found, and they want this person to handle them with care.
In summary, the song Handle with Care is a plea for love, care, and empathy in a world that can be harsh and unfeeling. The singer acknowledges their vulnerability and the pain they have experienced. However, they still have love to give and are searching for someone who can show them care.
Line by Line Meaning
Been beat up and battered 'round.
I have been through a hard time and faced many difficulties and challenges in my life.
Been sent up and I've been shot down.
I have been in situations where I have been rejected or failed.
You're the best thing that I've ever found.
You are the most important and valuable thing in my life.
Handle me with care.
Please treat me gently and kindly, as I have been through a lot and need to be handled with care.
Reputation's changeable.
My reputation can change depending on how I am treated or perceived by others.
Situation's tolerable.
I can handle difficult situations as long as I feel supported and cared for.
Baby you're adorable.
I find you charming and lovable.
I'm so tired of being lonely.
I have been feeling isolated and alone for a long time.
I still have some love to give.
I have not given up on love and still have affection and care to share with someone.
Won't you show me that you really care.
I need reassurance and proof that you truly care about me and my well-being.
Everybody's got somebody to lean on.
Everyone has someone they can turn to for support and comfort.
Put your body next to mine and dream on.
Come close to me and let's imagine a better future together.
I've been fucked off and I've been fooled.
I have been mistreated and deceived by others.
I've been robbed and ridiculed.
I have been taken advantage of and made fun of by others.
In day care centers and night schools.
I have faced challenges and struggles in various settings, such as in school or while taking care of others.
Been stuck in airports, terrorized.
I have been in situations where I felt trapped and scared, such as in airports or other unfamiliar places.
Sent to meetings hypnotized.
I have been forced to attend meetings or events that I did not want to be a part of, and felt disconnected from reality.
Overexposed, commercialized.
I have been overwhelmed and manipulated by media and commercial influences.
I've been uptight and made a mess.
I have been anxious and stressed out, and my life has been messy as a result.
I'd clean it up myself I guess.
I am willing to take responsibility for my mistakes and try to fix my problems on my own.
Oh the sweet smell of success.
The feeling of achieving success is wonderful and exhilarating.
Handle me with care.
I still need to be treated gently and kindly, even if I achieve success and overcome my difficulties.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy K Orbison, Tom Petty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nixieNICLA
I think this is a good remake of a great song. I think Jenny has a terrific voice.
@user-ys9fg4ol9s
Excellent cover ! Excellent voice. Bravo
@TheGarrison89
Jenny Lewis is by far one of the most beautiful singers of our time! I Loved her in the Wizard when we were kids, I've enjoyed growing up with her movies and music in my life.
@simon-nak8403
Jenny has been one of my favorite singer since about 2010. Turns out she was my first celebrity crush. Just found out she's the red head girl in the movie The Wizard with Fred Savage. I saw the movie when i was 7 in 89.
@MagusMirificus
A lot of you fellows are missing the point here. The guests on this track are Ben Gibbard, Connor Oburst, and M Ward, who are all modern indie music legends. Obviously them and Rilo got together some night and said "Hey, let's record something, that'll be awesome," so they decided to cover the most famous Traveling Wilburys song, since that whole group came from famous musicians just hanging out and making music for fun.
@99marshmellows
well Connor! THAT was a surprise! Great song
@carlbethel8639
Great cover, Love it.
@Raquel-gx6ni
my mind has been blown.
@AnaphoraNigh
I'm intrigued by the Watson Twins.
@isabel-vf8cu
still disappointed that Jenny Lewis and Ben Gibbard haven't done any more collaborations past this (and the Postal Service, if that counts)