Listen here:
As in, here follows a link to listen to the song, not as in “Listen here you scoundrel, return my pince-nez or there’ll be trouble”.
Hands (shorter): http://jakemorley.lnk.to/hands-single
Available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, YouTube, all sorts really.
Or click that lovely image further up, featuring the illustrative talents of Lynn Hatzius
Wait there’s more:
I’m planned to play this song today (Friday) on Facebook / Instagram live around 10am UK time. Head here or here for that if you want to tune in.
A studio track, huzzah.
One morning whilst lying in bed I felt suddenly, overwhelmingly captivated by hands. The dexterity, the perfection of their design. Their capacity to help or harm. It grew into some questions: What am I doing with mine? Could I use them better? Sounds a bit like I was stoned doesn’t it? But I promise I wasn’t. It definitely was from before I had a kid though. Lying in bed in the morning just thinking about something…. hahah haha ha. Imagine. Hahahaha. Ahaha. Single tear.
Anyway it turned into a song, which is this one, and it’s called Hands. Technically this version is called Hands (shorter) because there’s a longer version on the album with a bigger solo.
Or perhaps I’d already written about Feet, Hearts and Eyes, and figured I may as well continue the series. Who really knows.
Like most of this album it was recorded live as a band with the incredible musicians credited below. Sarah Howells added some backing vocals, and Kevin Pollard sprinkled some of his patented magic dust.
To be totally push-me-up-against-the-wall-by-the-collar honest, if all the tracks on this album crowded round me one night after dinner while I read the newspaper and asked “Papa, do you have favourites? Oh do you?” and Hands said “Oh let it be me” there would be a slightly awkward silence while my eyes lingered too long on one or two others. Because songs mean different things to everyone at different moments. I’m hoping this is one has a shot at reaching beyond our little group which is still important.
Hope you’re able to take a listen, album news very soon and have a splendid weekend.
Obviously, bonus credit, it would be great if you could share this song, post about it on your social media channels, especially you Elon. Tag me in your instagram stories, or leave a comment. Or just listen to it and let that be enough. It’s certainly enough for me.
Credits
Drums, percussion & keys by Mattie Foulds, bass by Kevin McGuire, electric & some acoustic guitars by Neill MacColl, additional keys & percussion by Kevin Pollard, backing vocals by Sarah Howells, Jake Morley acoustic guitar, lead vocals, backing vocals.
Written by Jake Morley. Engineered, Produced and Mixed by Mattie Foulds. Mastered by Stuart Hamilton.
Live Dates
Look! Tickets for my shows! As always, if you really want to come to one but the ticket price is an issue get in touch.
Friday 23rd September - Totnes Barrel House. Tickets.
Friday 30th September - Coatbridge Georgian Hotel. Tickets.
Saturday 1st October - Berwick-upon-Tweed, more info soon.
Sunday 2nd October - North Yorkshire Old School House. Tickets.
Monday 3rd October - Leeds Oporto. Tickets.
Wednesday 12th October - Suffolk Bull Inn. Tickets.
Thursday 13th October - Suffolk Bull Inn. *SOLD OUT*
Sunday 16th October - London Green Note. Last few tickets.
Friday 21st October - Brighton Folklore Rooms. Please someone buy TICKETS 🙏.
Saturday 22nd October - Winchester Railway Inn. Tickets.
Wednesday 26th October - Manchester Rose & Monkey. Tickets.
Thursday 27th October - Nottingham Running Horse. Tickets.
Friday 28th October - Lintrathen Lodge At Lochside. Tickets.
Saturday 29th October - Carnoustie Dibble Tree Theatre. Tickets.
Sunday 30th October - Tayport The Larick Centre. Tickets.
See all dates on a map here: https://share.jakemorley.com/livemap
Lyrics
Hands
You know the ones
End of an arm
Getting all the fun
Hands
Our eyes in the dark
Such potential
For these utensils
Hands
Fourteen phalanges
Made for lending
For breaking and mending
Hands
Hands
These agents for intention
One minute fighting
The next playing
Hands
They’ve got lots to give
Everywhere I look
People do amazing things with
Hands
Can’t someone gimme a sign
I just don’t know what to do with mine
Hands
One either side
Fingertips
One through five
Hands
Quite a design
I wish I knew yours
Like the back of mine
Hands
Moving nimbly
Primate tools
I got mine for free
Hands
Not always clever
The power to hurt
And make things better
One minute waving
The next flailing
Hands
They’ve got lots to wreck
Everywhere I look
People do useless things with
Hands
Can’t someone gimme a sign
I just don’t know
What to do with mine
Hands
They’ve got lots to give
If you wanna do some good
You better use them right
So hands
Can’t someone gimme a sign
I just don’t know what to do with mine
It is,as ever, a very clever and brilliant song. It should get loads of air play (which it won’t) and Jake should be playing larger venues…. Which hopefully one day he will, as he deserves. For now he remains our special friend and (almost) secret. I wish it wasn’t so, but I intend to enjoy the intimacy of his music and him for as long as he records!