How To Shake Hands

Album: Book Of Bad Decisions (2018)
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Songfacts®:

  • This fast-paced song came about when Clutch tried to cover Ry Cooder's "John Lee Hooker For President." In that track, Ry Cooder impersonates the blues singer giving a stump speech on what will happen when he becomes president. Vocalist Neil Fallon explained to Kerrang they "weren't doing it justice, but we really liked the absurdity of the lyrics," so instead he put his own words in the style of Ry Cooder/John Lee Hooker.
  • Handshaking goes back as far as the 5th century B.C. in Greece, where it was a symbol of peace. By shaking another person’s hand, you showed that neither was carrying a weapon.

    For a long time now, a politician's campaign appearance has started and ended with concentrated handshaking sessions with as many potential voters as possible. However, George Washington preferred not to shake the hands of visitors. He would bow instead.

    Theodore Roosevelt holds the record for most handshakes by a head of state: The US President shook hands with 8,513 people on New Year's Day, 1907.

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