I was chewin' gum for something to do
The blinds were being pulled down on the dew
Inside, out of love, what a laugh
I was looking for you

Saxophones started blowing me down
I was buried in sound
Taxicabs were driving me around
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown

They were translated poorly, I felt like a clown
I looked like someone I used to know
I felt alright
And if I ever was myself
I wasn't that night

Oh, it's okay for you to say
What you want from me
I believe that's the only
Way for me to be, exactly
What you want me to be

Oh, it's okay for you to say
What you want from me
I believe that's the only
Way for me to be
Exactly what you want me to be

Oh, I was chewin' gum for something to do
The blinds were being pulled down on the dew
Inside, out of love, what a laugh
I was looking for you

Saxophones started blowin' me down
I was buried in sound
The taxicabs were driving me around
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown

Oh, it's okay for you to say
What you want from me
I believe that's the only
Way for me to be
Exactly what do you want me to be?
Exactly what do you want me to be?

Felt like a clown
They were translating poorly
I looked like someone
I used to know
And if I ever was myself
I wasn't that night

Exactly what do you want me to be?
Exactly what do you want me to be?


Lyrics submitted by eastcidskl

Handshake Drugs Lyrics as written by Jeff Tweedy

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Handshake Drugs song meanings
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    General Comment

    This song is not about taking drugs to be someone else. The singer of the band, Jeff Tweedy had to go on medication because of a condition he has. This song, and most of the album, is about him taking this medication. My favorite line of the song "and if I ever was myself, I wasn't that night" just goes to say how he wasn't himself on that medication.

    Canadian Guyon December 02, 2004   Link

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