"Shaking Hand" is a song by the Canadian indie rock band Women, featured on their self-titled debut album released in 2008 by Jagjaguwar. The track stands out for its experimental approach, blending elements of post-punk, noise rock, and lo-fi indie, which are hallmarks of the band's sound23.
Musical Style
- Atmosphere: The song is noted for its haunting, layered guitar work and unconventional song structure.
- Instrumentation: It features ethereal harmonies, harsh building guitars, and a lo-fi production style that gives it a raw, intimate feel4.
- Mood: The overall mood is introspective and slightly surreal, with a sense of both urgency and melancholy.
Lyrics and Themes
The lyrics of "Shaking Hand" are cryptic and evocative, touching on themes such as:
- Isolation: The opening line—"I saw it, hit the ground, but no one was around"—suggests a feeling of solitude and witnessing something significant in the absence of support.
- Authenticity vs. Conformity: The recurring phrase "Carrying the dummy and always the same as you" is interpreted as a metaphor for the struggle to maintain authenticity in a conformist world.
- Transience and Mortality: Imagery like "ticking bloody watches in our hands" and "letters written on poured soil" evoke the fleeting nature of time and existence.
- Surrealism: References to heart attacks, folding chairs, and wandering through Chinatown add a dreamlike, almost cinematic quality to the lyrics.
Reception and Legacy
- Critical Acclaim: "Shaking Hand" is praised for its inventive sound and emotional depth, often highlighted by fans for its unique atmosphere and the way it builds tension through both melody and noise.
- Influence: The song, along with the rest of the album, helped establish Women as a significant force in the indie and experimental rock scenes of the late 2000s.
Track Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Artist | Women |
| Album | Women (self-titled) |
| Release Date | October 7, 2008 |
| Genre | Indie rock, post-punk, lo-fi |
| Length | 4:43 |
| Label | Jagjaguwar |
Where to Listen
- Streaming: The song is available on platforms like Spotify and Bandcamp.
- Album: It appears on the album Women (2008).
"Shaking Hand" remains a compelling example of Women's distinctive style, combining experimental soundscapes with poetic, enigmatic lyrics that invite repeated listening and interpretation235.
