Hands Down

Album: So Impossible (2001)
Charted: 60
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a love song about giving your heart to someone so they can choose what they wish to do with it: "My heart is yours to fill or burst to break or bury or wear as jewelry whichever you prefer."

    It also alludes to a sexual encounter: "Stay quiet stay near stay close they can't hear so we can get some." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Anita - Pelham, NY
  • The song describes a very memorable and passionate date. Dashboard Confessional leader Chris Carrabba, who wrote this song, has described it on the group's MTV Unplugged appearance as being about "the best date I ever had."
  • This song picked up steam after it was used in the pilot episode of the TV series One Tree Hill in 2003. The next season, it was used in the episode "Lifetime Piling Up."
  • The video, which shows stylized footage of the band performing the song, was directed by Nzingha Stewart, whose credits include the "Got Your Money" video for Ol' Dirty Bastard and an episode of the TV series Pretty Little Liars.
  • "Hands Down" first appeared as an acoustic track on the 2001 Dashboard Confessional EP So Impossible. An electric version was included on the band's 2003 album A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar.
  • Chris Carrabba wrote many melancholy songs for the 2000 Dashboard Confessional album The Swiss Army Romance and its 2001 follow-up, The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, making him an exemplar of emo moodiness. This hopeful track bucked that trend, which was his goal, as he felt he was being unfairly branded.

Comments: 4

  • Shayna from Richmond, VaI love this song Im seeing them live in december and cant wait!
  • James from Manila, Philippineshris carrabba is one the most brilliant songwriter in the world i love the way he deliver his words and music..... i wonder why the other songwriters don't care about the fact of the song they just did and sometimes it sucks...... i prefer Dashboard's album "the places that you've come to fear the most" -Joses Mark Patapat Cavite, Phil
  • Mary from Dublin, Irelandhe also announced before playing this that it is about the best night of his whole life
  • Azizah from Cape Town , South AfricaOn MTV unplugged, Chris said that this song is about the best date he ever had
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.