Red Hand Case

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?

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.

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

:)

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.

Is this a new song?

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

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!

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.

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

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