Back Of My Hand

Album: Forever Endeavour (2013)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Several of the songs on Forever Endeavour, including this one, were inspired by a health scare Sexsmith had in 2011 when doctors discovered a lump in his throat. As a result when penning the songs for the album mortality was top of mind. "As you get older and more of these things happen, you realize that it's always coming for us and that one day the news won't be good news," he told Spinner. "It's funny - I had already snuck in some songs about death."
  • Sexsmith told the story of the song to CBC Music. "I wrote this initially as a really slow waltz, and I just thought I have too many slow songs on this record, and I wanted it to be more lighthearted," he explained, "so I turned it into the song you hear now. It's mainly about the feeling of déjà vu. I'm walking around and everything felt like I'd been there before, and I kept running into people that had been on my mind, and they would come up and say something really nice to me. I thought, 'Why is everyone being so nice to me, is this what dying feels like?' It was just an odd sensation I had, so I wrote this and turned it into a Beatles-y record."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.