Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: emo
Song Meaning of “Clever Hands” by Prawn
“Clever Hands” by Prawn paints a picture of the heart-wrenching experience of being hopelessly in love, as the protagonist tries to grasp onto the ever-evasive object of their affections, all the while coming to terms with the fact that they may never get that chance.
The protagonist opens the song with a forlorn yet resigned outlook on their affair, noting that they “want you but you don’t understand me”. This evokes a feeling of bitter longing, and emphasizes the powerlessness that the protagonist feels in the face of a seemingly one-sided relationship.
The next lines portray the idea of a sort of night-time rendezvous, one in which the protagonist can finally find solace in just being near to the object of their affections, even if only for a fleeting moment: “When the moonlight glows, I’ll hold you close,” Time is of the essence here, as the fear of the relationship’s inevitable end lurks in the background.
The chorus serves as a climax to the earlier melancholy, as the protagonist finally reaches out in an all-or-nothing plea for love, making clear the consequences of being abandoned in their quest: “Give me your clever hands, or give me nothing at all, I’m not asking for forever, but for something not to feel so small.”
The song ends on an open note, leaving the listener to ponder the ultimate outcome of the crisis. “Clever Hands” serves as a reminder of the sharp poignancy of prospective love, and encourages us to make the most of our opportunities before time runs out.