If it weren't for your maturity, none of this would have happened
If you weren't so wise beyond your years
I would've been able to control myself
If it weren't for my attention, you wouldn't have been successful and if
If it weren't for me you would never have amounted to very much

Ooh, this could be messy but
But you don't seem to mind and
Ooh, don't go telling everybody
And overlook this supposed crime
We'll fast forward to a few years later
And no one knows except the both of us
And I have honored your request for silence
And you've washed your hands clean of this

You're essentially my employee and I like you having to depend on me
You're kind of my protege and one day
You'll say you learned all you know from me
I know you depend on me like a young thing would to a guardian
I know you sexualize me like a young thing would and I think I like it

Ooh, this could get messy but
Ooh, you don't seem to mind
Dude, don't go telling everybody
And overlook this supposed crime
We'll fast forward to a few years later
And no one knows except the both of us
I've more than honored your request for silence
And you've washed your hands clean of this

What part of our history's reinvented and under rug swept?
What part of your memory is selective and tends to forget?
What with this distance it seems so obvious

Just make sure you don't tell on me, especially to members of your family
We best keep this to ourselves and not tell any members of our inner posse
I wish I could tell the world
'Cause you're such a pretty thing when you're done up properly
I might want to marry you one day if you watch that weight and keep your firm body

Ooh, this could be messy and
Ooh, I don't seem to mind
Ooh, don't go telling everybody
And overlook this supposed crime
We'll fast forward to a few years later
And no one knows except the both of us
And I have honored your request for silence
And you've washed your hands clean of this

Ooh, this could get messy but
Ooh, I don't seem to mind
Ooh, don't go telling everybody
And overlook this supposed crime
We'll fast forward to a few years later
And no one knows except the both of us
And I have honored your request for silence
And you've washed your hands clean of this


Lyrics submitted by Lamia

Hands Clean Lyrics as written by Alanis Morissette

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Hands Clean song meanings
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    General Comment

    The first time I heard this song it immediately made me think of my former boss. As I heard it a few more times and listened more attentitively to the words, I thought this song was written straight from my mind. This former boss of mine and I had a very inappropriate relationship- Besides being my boss, he was married with two young children (that I baby sat quite often) and was older than my parents. I swear Alanis took direct quotes from the things he said to me, especially "Let's just keep this to ourselves." I really looke dup to this man, he's a very prominent businessman and accountant in Southern California. I'd always go to him for advice regarding school and guys and he used to say, "One day you'll say you learned everything you know from me."

    I don't think either of us ever told anyone about this, and after I moved away it allowed us both to wash our "hands clean" of the whole ordeal. Every once in awhile I still feel guilty about it because I know how wrong it was, but it was just as wrong (if not MORE wrong) on his part. Even though my hands are clean, my conscience remains dirty. Although I'm not much of a fan of Alanis Morissette, this song really has a special meaning to me and I'm so glad I have something I can relate my experience to.

    watchthefireworkson July 04, 2002   Link

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