What does the phrase "dirty second hands" from the Switchfoot song mean?

Question

I love Switchfoot. They are my faves 4 many reasons, one of em being I love that they're lyrics are so deep. I've never had a problem figuring out what their songs mean. But I can't figure out what they'e talking about in their new song "Dirty Second Hands." Here are the lyrics :Please don't be so naive
You know you're not fooling anyoneYou're not as tough as you thinkWith dirty second hands,The dirty second handsCan't get nothing for freeIt becomes so predictableYou start fighting to breatheThe dirty second hands,Your dirty second hands
Here's the face of everything that breaks you down Now you face the face of everything that breaks you downWith an army of meWe invent our own enemiesMan verses machineAnd the dirty second hands In the land of the freeAnd the home of the remedyThe old clock is a thiefWith dirty second hands
Are you really as tough as you thinkYou blink and you're over the brinkYou bleebut you're blood runs pinkWith dirty second hands. MORE BUT THEY DONT FIT.

Answer 1

Well I admit - I don't think I've heard a song by Switchfoot; but, if this sample of their lyrics represents their work : then I'll be looking for their Cd's.

The phrase: "dirty second hands" refers to the dirty hand me downs clothes that some people wore growing up.

I don't mean "Previously owned" but more previously worn-out! Of course I had my grandmother; whom insisted I put on a clean set each day - So I surmise that Switchfoot's writer not only calling the tough guys/girls poor but also with out anyone that gives a d___ about them!

The lyricist so right that the tough image many project (even in their own self concepts) forms a defense against evil enemies that have more in common with our thoughts than reality: note - man vs.machine is standard plot in writing followed by: man vs. society and man vs. self.

The America's concept of freedom = equality precipitates a cure for our illnesses. When we realize that we can make our own opportunities and not get caught in the not so tough concept of taking the cowards way of trying to take what we didn't make like Communism, people used to call that concept being "pink" as it certainly wasn't part of a "red blooded America's" thinking!

. . . Oh yeah, I will look for the Cds.

Answer 2

I think, on the basest level, it's about time... the dirty second hands are on the clock, and the clock face is the "face of everything that breaks you down." "The old clock is a thief" because it steals our lives away from us. " "Please don't be so naive No, you're not fooling anyone You're not as tough as you think The dirty second hands The dirty second hands Can't get nothing for free It becomes so predictable You start fighting to breathe" I think this means "Don't pretend you'll never grow old. don't be so arrogant to think that one day you won't be about to die." "You blink and you're over the brink" means that time flies and before you know it your life has gone by. I don't really get the rest of the lyrics, but oh well. This is an amazing song. : )

Answer 3

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RE:

What does the phrase "dirty second hands" from the Switchfoot song mean?

I love Switchfoot. They are my faves 4 many reasons, one of em being I love that they're lyrics are so deep. I've never had a problem figuring out what their songs mean. But I can't figure out what they'e talking about in their new song "Dirty Second Hands." Here are...

Answer 4

Dirty second hands, refer to the hands on the clock. About the song Jon Foreman has said that it is a rant against technology, that ends up pointing the finger at ourselves rather then our techy toys. This is the whole "Man vs Machine", and "The old clock is a thief" parts to the song...

Answer 5

Jon Foreman sings of the dehumanization that comes with technology