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The Meaning of Wilco’s “Handshake Drugs”
Published: December 1, 2024

“Handshake Drugs” is a standout track among Wilco’s expansive discography, appearing on their 2004 album, A Ghost Is Born. The track captures the chaos and alienation of addiction with haunting precision, making it a timeless staple of the indie rock genre.

A Ghost is Born was notably released during the worst period of songwriter Jeff Tweedy’s painkiller addiction, which he documented in great detail in his memoir, Let’s Go (So We Can Get Back).

Lyrically, “Handshake Drugs” offers a window into Jeff Tweedy’s life during the depths of his addiction, showcasing an existential cycle as he goes to pick up drugs downtown. The narrative takes place in Wilco’s hometown of Chicago, and the lyrics include imagery that helps to ground the song in this setting.

This has always been one of my favorite Wilco songs, because of its unique combination of raw storytelling and sonic experimentation. Today, I’ll take a closer look at the lyrics and their meaning. Let’s dive in!

Wilco – “Handshake Drugs” (2004)

“Handshake Drugs” Lyrics Meaning

The lyrics to “Handshake Drugs” are a series of snapshots from throughout a day in the narrator’s life. As is Jeff Tweedy’s signature style, the story is not entirely clear, and there is an ominous air about the whole thing.

Verse 1

I was chewing gum for something to do
The blinds were being pulled down on the dew
Inside, out of love, what a laugh
I was looking for you

Pictured in his dark apartment, Tweedy chews gum to pass the time. He laughs at the circumstances of his life, with no love to be found, and overall in a sad state. The “you” he’s looking for has a double meaning: both a lover, and his next fix.

This verse introduces a juxtaposition between the mundane experience of chewing gum, and the profound sense of despair that is woven throughout.

Verse 2

Saxophones started blowing me down
I was buried in sound
Taxicabs were driving me around
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown
To the handshake drugs I bought downtown

Now, he’s in bustling downtown Chicago, where street musicians play saxophones so loud that it consumes him completely. Hailing a cab, he’s en route to meet the dealer.

Verse 3

They were translating poorly, I felt like a clown
I looked like someone I used to know
I felt alright
And if I ever was myself, I wasn’t that night

It appears he and the dealer have a language barrier, and they have trouble communicating. Tweedy admits that he isn’t acting like himself, but he feels okay because now he’s got the drugs.

Chorus

Oh, it’s okay for you to say what you want from me
I believe that’s the only way for me to be
Exactly what do you want me to be?

The chorus expresses confusion, and Tweedy’s subtle desires to change his situation. He shifts the responsibility to another person, suggesting that if they told him how to be, then he would know how he should be. This can be interpreted as a severe lack of self-esteem and existential dread, where the self cannot be counted on.

Use of Repetition

After the first chorus, the same lyrics repeat again. Tweedy’s use of repetition symbolizes the vicious cycle that addicts often find themselves wrapped up in, where their entire life revolves around the next time they’re able to buy drugs.

This is further enforced by the looping nature of the song’s melody, which features a repetitive riff that drives the song forward. Sonic elements appear and disappear to decorate the track, with shifts in tone, volume, or texture creating dissonance.

It’s as if the instruments are mimicking the mental haze and confusion that Tweedy describes in the lyrics. The steady, unchanging rhythm section reinforces the feeling of being trapped, unable to break free from the endless loop.

Closing Thoughts

Even two decades later, ‘Handshake Drugs’ remains a touchstone for its unflinching portrayal of addiction and the search for self amidst chaos. Its influence can be traced in countless indie acts who have adopted Wilco’s blend of confessional lyrics and experimental soundscapes, making it a timeless entry in the band’s catalog and a beacon for those navigating their own cycles of struggle and renewal.

Wilco – “Handshake Drugs” (Live 11/13/03)

As part of the 20th anniversary celebration for A Ghost is Born, Wilco released a live version of “Handshake Drugs” performed in NYC in 2003. It’s quite good, and I’ll leave you with it. Enjoy!