Got a racecar grin and a calculation
And every gun for a secret agent
Defunct that timebomb at the space station
Hey, Secret Agent X-9 why don't you drop me a line?
And say, would it cost you your job
To say what was in that gold box?
So why did they give you that job?
And why can they give you that job?
You think this guy was on a permanent vacation
But no he's not, he's a secret agent






Lyrics submitted by To Xi Ci Ty

Red Hand Case Lyrics as written by Isaac Brock Dann Gallucci

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Red Hand Case song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

14 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    I really really love this song. It's probably one of my favorites by Modest Mouse. My interpretation is that he has been caught doing something bad. I just kind of imagine them in a car, after she found out he cheated on her, and they're sitting in awkward silence. I think that he needs to distract his mouth from talking, hence the "shut ups" by smoking cigarettes. I think his idea of carton of cigarettes, as opposed to just a pack symbolizes the long journey or the awkwardness of the relationship. It seems he stresses carton because he would need so many cigarettes so keep himself from saying something stupid. I think that it's possibly his actions, like his cheating, that he blames as his guilty (red) hand's weight. I think the sending of the notes, is like his unspoken apology. I think the metaphor of the cage symbolizes his self pity and personal remorse. But hey, what do I know?

    JPardizzleon November 29, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Some lines in this lyric may be incorrect. If anyone spots a mistake and believes to know the correct words, please comment here and let me know so that I can edit the lyric.

    To Xi Ci Tyon June 06, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    my interpretation:

    Blame it on the red hand's weight Getting hateful, a little fed up - oh no Sent you a note from my cage: "I need the kind of cigarettes to stay shut up"

    Blame it on the red hand's weight Getting hateful, a little fed up - oh no Sent you a note from my cage: "I need the kind of cigarettes to stay shut up"

    I guess that's just the red hand's fate How is it that I have stayed shut up? Oh no Oh no

    :)

    halobreakon July 02, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is my favorite modest mouse song, it has a a bluesy feel. I love the giutar sound. I usually hate when people write "great song" on this site, but I think it is important to recognize this song as something completely different than other MM songs.

    cathayaon July 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Is this a new song?

    ICameAsaRaton January 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Sorry I was to lazy to realize it is from Sad Sappy Sucker just saw the new posts so....

    ICameAsaRaton January 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I hear:

    Blame it on the red hand's weight Getting hateful, a little fed up, oh no Thank you for open my cage I need a carton of cigarettes to stay shut up

    Blame it on the red hand's weight Getting hateful, a little fed, up oh no Thank you for open my cage I need a carton of cigarettes to stay shut up

    I guess that's just the red hand's fate I wish that I'd of stayed shut up... Oh no! Oh no!

    new324on August 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    its 1.30 am, and i just heard this song for the fiorst time 3 minutes ago, but since no ones had a crack at its meaning yt, i thought id give it a shot, so here we go... i get the impression it mite have something to do with getting caught red handed, being in prison (cage), asking for cigarettes to keep quiet.

    Im sure its way off but what the hell.

    teuszon November 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Wow, I listened to Sad Sappy Sucker about 3-4 times through before today. For some reason, this song just really stood out this time. There aren't any MM songs like this one and hearing Isaac do a bluesy sound just sends shivers down my spine. This song is just too good, but then again, so are almost all MM songs.

    -Sean

    sngrassoon December 01, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Wow, I listened to Sad Sappy Sucker about 3-4 times through before today. For some reason, this song just really stood out this time. There aren't any MM songs like this one and hearing Isaac do a bluesy sound just sends shivers down my spine. This song is just too good, but then again, so are almost all MM songs.

    -Sean

    sngrassoon December 01, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Album art
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."