Let's Shake Hands – English Lyrics

• By: The White Stripes
• Album: Greatest Hits

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the raw energy and straightforward message of The White Stripes' debut single, "Let's Shake Hands." Its simple yet impactful lyrics offer an excellent entry point for English learners, demonstrating how powerful emotions and clear intentions can be conveyed with direct language. The song's unpolished garage rock sound, coupled with its themes of connection and a fresh start, makes it a compelling and accessible piece for understanding authentic, unadorned expression in English.

[English]

Yeah

...

Oh, let's shake hands

...

Oh, baby, let's shake hands

Well, there's something here in the air

Jump up and let me know when you're there

Baby, let's shake hands

...

Oh, let's be friends

Oh, baby let's be friends

I can't come up with a better plan

Put your fingers in my hand

Baby let's be friends

Yeah

...

Oh, say my name

Oh, baby say my name

Well, you can do what you want to do

Throw it in the garbage can but just say my name

Yeah

...

Yeah

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
shake /ʃeɪk/ A2	verb - to move back and forth or up and down quickly verb - to greet someone by grasping and moving their hand
hands /hændz/ A1	noun - the parts of the body at the end of the arms
air /ɛər/ A2	noun - the invisible gaseous substance surrounding the earth
jump /dʒʌmp/ A1	verb - to push oneself off a surface and into the air by using the muscles in one's legs and feet
friends /frɛndz/ A1	noun - a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection
plan /plæn/ B1	noun - a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something
fingers /ˈfɪŋɡərz/ A1	noun - each of the slender members of the hand, including the thumb
name /neɪm/ A1	noun - a word or symbol used to identify a person, place, or thing
do /duː/ A1	verb - to perform an action
garbage /ˈɡɑːrbɪdʒ/ A2	noun - waste material; rubbish
can /kæn/ A1	verb - to be able to noun - a metal container for holding rubbish

Key Grammar Structures

• Oh, let's shake hands

  ➔ Present Continuous with 'let's'

  ➔ 'Let's' is a contraction of 'let us', used to make suggestions. Here, it suggests an action in the present.

• Well, there's something here in the air

  ➔ Present Simple with 'there is/are'

  ➔ 'There's' is a contraction of 'there is', used to indicate existence. It’s in the present simple to state a fact.

• Jump up and let me know when you're there

  ➔ Present Subjunctive with 'let'

  ➔ 'Let me know' uses the subjunctive mood to express a request or suggestion. 'When you're there' is a dependent clause.

• I can't come up with a better plan

  ➔ Modal Verb 'can't' for inability

  ➔ 'Can't' is used to express inability or impossibility. Here, it indicates the speaker cannot think of a better plan.

• Throw it in the garbage can but just say my name

  ➔ Imperative Mood with 'just'

  ➔ The imperative mood is used for commands or requests. 'Just' emphasizes the simplicity or directness of the action.