Hands On by Kanye West Lyrics Meaning – A Gospel of Rebellion Against Judgment
Lyrics
Hands up high, hands on, hands on
Hands on, hands up
In your face, the reason
Hands on, yeah, hands on
Cut out all the lights, He the light
Got pulled over, see the brights
What you doin’ on the street at night?
Wonder if they’re gonna read your rights
Thirteenth Amendment, three strikes
Made a left when I should’ve made a right
Told God last time on life
Told the devil that I’m going on a strike
Told the devil when I see him, on sight
I’ve been working for you my whole life
Told the devil that I’m going on a strike
I’ve been working for you my whole life
Nothing worse than a hypocrite
Change, he ain’t really different
He ain’t even try to get permission
Ask for advice and they dissed him
Said I’m finna do a gospel album
What have you been hearin’ from the Christians?
They’ll be the first one to judge me
Make it feel like nobody love me
They’ll be the first one to judge me
Feelin’ like nobody love me
Told people God was my mission
What have you been hearin’ from the Christians?
They’ll be the first one to judge me
Make it feel like nobody love me
Make you feel alone in the dark and you’ll never see the light
Man, you’re never seein’ home and you never see the domes
I can feel it when I write, point of livin’ in the right
If they only see the wrongs, never listen to the songs
Just to listen is a fight, but you booked me for the fight
It’s so hard to get along if they only see the slight
From the love of religion
What have you been hearin’ from the Christians?
They’ll be the first one to judge me
Make it seem like nobody love me
I’m not tryna lead you to Visas
But if I try to lead you to Jesus
We get called halfway believers
Only halfway read Ephesians
Only if they knew what I knew, uh
I was never new ’til I knew of
True and living God, Yeshua
The true and living God
(Somebody pray for me)
Hand ’em
Hands up high, hands on, hands on
Hands on, hands up
In your face, the reason
Hands on, yeah, hands on
I deserve all the criticism you got
If that’s all the love you have, that’s all you got
To sing of change, you think I’m joking
To praise His name, you ask what I’m smoking
Yes, I understand your reluctancy, yeah
But I have a request, you see
Don’t throw me up, lay your hands on me
Please, pray for me
Hold myself on death
Hold it down, all fallen down
Somebody pray for me
Hand ’em
Hands up high, hands on, hands on
Hands on, hands up
In your face, the reason
Hands on, yeah, hands on
Kanye West’s track ‘Hands On,’ from his polarizing album ‘Jesus is King,’ is an audacious exploration of faith and the struggle of acceptance within the Christian community. The song delves deep into Kanye’s personal journey towards spirituality and the daunting confrontation with judgment and skepticism.
This isn’t just a track that’s layered with slick production and heartfelt deliveries; it’s a cri de coeur from a man who’s all too familiar with the spotlight and its accompanying shadows. West opens a dialogue on hypocrisy and redemption, questioning a collective that’s quick to cast stones while wrestling with his own public metamorphosis.
Shining Light on Societal Judgments
As West implores listeners to ‘Cut out all the lights, He the light,’ he seems to invite an escape from the harsh glare of public scrutiny to focus on the divine enlightenment. The song’s beginning suggests a run-in with the law, perhaps symbolizing a broader confrontation with societal norms and the judgement that comes with stepping outside of expected bounds.
Referencing the ‘Thirteenth Amendment, three strikes,’ intertwines the personal with the political, evoking the harsh realities of systemic injustice and the personal toll it takes, setting a stage where West sees himself and others as being wrongly judged, not just by law but more tortuously by community.
A Gospel Album’s Controversial Genesis
‘Said I’m finna do a gospel album / What have you been hearin’ from the Christians?’ West’s rhetorical question strikes at the heart of his perceived ostracization from the very community his album seeks to glorify. These lines reveal the skepticism and outright rejection he has faced from fellow believers—judgment from those expected to uphold a principle of unconditional love.
The struggle between his past and his new-found purpose creates a dichotomy within his identity, and by expressing the lack of support, West touches on an age-old dilemma: the tension between traditional religious practice and personal spiritual journeys. The associated pain is palpable as he refrains, ‘Make it feel like nobody love me.’
The Hidden Meaning Behind the Track’s Self-Reflection
Deeper than a cry against judgment, ‘Hands On’ is an introspective pivot where West confesses to past wrongdoings while pleading for understanding: ‘I deserve all the criticism you got.’ Yet, in the same breath, he calls for prayer, not rejection. It becomes clear that this song is a sanctuary for self-reflection as much as it is an indictment of perceived hypocrisy.
By saying, ‘Don’t throw me up, lay your hands on me / Please, pray for me,’ West is asking for an active, compassionate engagement. He is not above criticism; he expects it and encourages it, but seeks the support of the community in his spiritual quest rather than their rebuke.
Memorable Lines That Echo An Artist’s Struggle
‘I’ve been working for you my whole life,’ a revelation of sorts, resonates with anyone who grapples with the notion that their life’s work might be mired by a legacy of mistakes. The poignancy lies in West’s acknowledgment that he has served other masters – be it the devil or public opinion – and his explicit desire to shift allegiance.
‘I’m not tryna lead you to Visas / But if I try to lead you to Jesus,’ suggests West’s attempt to move away from materialism towards a path of spiritual enlightenment. These lines sit with the listener, forcing one to confront our often superficial value systems and the paradox they create for those seeking redemption.
The Soundscape: A Symphony of Redemption
Beyond the lyrics themselves lies a rich tapestry of sound that underscores the thematic heft of the song. The heavy, atmospheric beats paired with the harmonious choir provide a powerful backdrop to West’s message, enveloping the listener in a mix of defiance and vulnerability.
‘Hands On’ isn’t just heard; it’s felt. As the song progresses, the chorus of voices rises to meet West’s pleas, lifting the track from a personal confession to a communal call to action. The song, much like West’s journey, is a complex intersection of faith, identity, and culture, asking not just for our ears, but for our hearts as well.
