Hand Me Down

The Wallflowers

Whatever I know too much
You won't be anyone
Now tell me what you are thinking of
How could think you'd be enough
It's not that you've stayed too long
It's not that you've done something wrong
It's not your fault
But you embarrass yourself

Hand me down
It's better when you're not around
You feel good
And you look like you should
But you will never make us proud

You've been used by a army of cues
You've been touched by the lips of a queen
Now we've all made good use of you
But you won't be needed again
So don't you move and let someone else in
Make some room for a new harlequin
It's never enough
So don't disappoint us again

Hand me down
It's better when you're not around
You feel good
And you look like you should
But you won't ever make us proud

Hand me down
It's better when you're not around
You feel good
And you look like you should
But you could never make us proud
Hand me down

So look at you with your worn out shoes
Livin' proof evolution's through
We're stuck with you
This revolution's due

Hand me down
It's better when you're not around
You feel good
And you look like you should
But you could never make us proud

Hand me down
It's better when you're not around
You feel good
And you look like you should
But you won't ever make us proud


Lyrics submitted by CrzyGmOfPkr19, edited by DJacques75

Hand Me Down Lyrics as written by Jakob Dylan

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Hand Me Down song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • 0
    General CommentThis song is awesome. I know so many people who feel like this at times.
    allenegirlon May 24, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThe song probably alludes to Jakob Dylan's strained relationship with is father; he appeared to confirm this in Rolling Stone in 2000. The lyrics as give though are a bit off. The following is a more accurate rendering:

    You won't ever amount to much
    You won't be anyone
    Now tell me what you are thinking of
    How could think you would be enough
    It's not that you have stayed too long
    It's not that you've done something wrong
    It's not your fault
    But you embarrass us all

    You're a hand me down
    It's better when you're not around
    You feel good
    And you look like you should
    But you will never make us proud

    You've been used by a army of kings
    You've been touched by the lips of a queen
    Now we've all made good use of you
    But you won't be needed again
    So why don't you move and let someone else in
    Make some room for a new harlequin
    'Cause you never know when
    You'll disappoint us again

    Hand me down
    It's better when you're not around
    You feel good
    And you look like you should
    But you won't ever make us proud

    Hand me down
    It's better when you're not around
    You feel good
    And you look like you should
    But you could never make us proud
    Hand me down

    So look at you with your worn out shoes
    Livin' proof evolution's through
    We're stuck with you
    This revolution's due

    Hand me down
    It's better when you're not around
    You feel good
    And you look like you should
    But you could never make us proud

    Hand me down
    It's better when you're not around
    You feel good
    And you look like you should
    But you won't ever make us proud
    DJacques75on May 24, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI believe it's actually "this revolution's doomed" but yeah, the set of lyrics posted by DJacques are more accurate. Definitely a song about his father. I saw them perform this at Nashville River Stages in 2001, the night before Bob Dylan was performing at the same place. It was pretty amusing, and awesome live.
    sein514on October 23, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis is the most perfect song to listen to when you've had one of those days. It definitely sums up feelings of self-loathing and a strained parent-child relationship. Jakob Dylan is definitely up there with his dad and Kurt Cobain as one of the greatest songwriters.
    trapperjohnon August 06, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentWow I had no idea it was about that... so it's from the POV of Bob Dylan? I was just amused by the pretty intense burns, such as "Look at you... living proof that evolution's throught"
    straight_upon June 02, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentAbout feeling or being told that you're second best. Good song.
    xmakesherflyxon April 29, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThe song could be from the point of view of some people who were fans of Bob Dylan. I think it's about Jakob being inferior to his dad from their perspective.
    dodgethebulleton August 26, 2010   Link
  • -1
    General CommentThis sounds like it was written just for Bush.

    He does, in fact, embarrass us all, even if there are those who aren't embarrassed by him (even more embarrassing as a country).

    The reference to being a hand me down is fitting for the Bush family, even though his father wasn't very successful, nor was his father who's funds supported the Nazis before and during the war.

    "You feel good and you look like you should" suggests the obvious. Bush thinks in his own world that he's an ace, a sure shot. Everyone else knows differently.
    ncc74656mon August 01, 2008   Link

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