Hands

## Singles Chronology

"**Hands**" is a charity single recorded by various artists as tribute to victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting. It was written by Justin Tranter, Julia Michaels, and BloodPop, and produced by the latter and Mark Ronson. All of the song's proceeds benefited the families affected during the shooting, and helped cover medical costs and counseling efforts. The song was written a day after the mass shooting occurred.

Approximately 27 artists assisted in the making of "Hands", which was released for digital download on July 6, 2016. Interscope Records handled the release, allowing artists to use the studios most convenient to them. In addition to Tranter and Interscope, GLAAD also helped with the single. Proceeds from the song were donated to the Equality Florida Pulse Victims Fund, the GLBT Community Center of Central Florida and GLAAD.

## Background

"Hands" was conceived by Tranter the following day after the Orlando nightclub shooting occurred. In an interview with Billboard, Tranter stated that each musician was "assigned [...] what we thought would be the best part for their voice". Eventually, over two dozen artists assisted in the making of "Hands", which was released as a digital download on July 6, 2016. Interscope Records handled the release, with assistance from GLAAD.

## Artists involved

* Julia Michaels
* Imagine Dragons
* BloodPop
* Britney Spears
* Selena Gomez
* Mark Ronson
* Jennifer Lopez
* Gwen Stefani
* Jason Derulo
* Meghan Trainor
* Juanes
* P!nk
* Mary J. Blige
* Halsey
* Troye Sivan
* Ty Herndon
* Trans Chorus of Los Angeles
* MNEK
* Alex Newell
* Mary Lambert
* Prince Royce
* Jussie Smollett
* Nate Ruess
* RuPaul

## Lyrics

[Verse 1: Britney Spears + Gwen Stefani]

Can hold a gun

And hold your heart

Can put out fires

And make 'em start

Skin and bones

And flesh and blood

With all this nerve

How did we get this numb

[Pre-Chorus: Meghan Trainor + Troye Sivan]

'Cause they can hurt

Or they can heal

They can give back

Or they can steal

They can break the world

Or they can change it too

[Chorus: All Together]

Ooh hands

Hands

Woooo hands

Oh hands

Cause they can love

Or they can take

They can fight up

Until they save

They can break the world

They can change it too

Ooh hands

[Verse 2: Selena Gomez + Kacey Musgraves]

Doesn't matter

Who you love

All that matters

Is your love

I've been watching news

And seeing all this hate

Tell me is it wrong

To want a little change

[Pre-Chorus: Mary J. Blige]

They can hurt

Or they can heal

They can give back

Or they can steal

They can break the world

Or they can change it too

[Chorus: All Together led by Jason Derulo]

Ooh hands

Hands

Woooo hands

Oh hands

Cause they can love

Or they can take

They can fight up

Until they save

They can break the world

They can change it too

Ooh hands

[Post-Chorus: Led by Imagine Dragons]

If a million hands can build a wall

A million hands can break it down

If a million hands can build a wall

A million hands can break it down

Ooooh

[Bridge: Jennifer Lopez + Britney Spears]

Can hold a gun

And hold your heart

Can put out fires

And make 'em start

I've been watching news

And seeing all this hate

Tell me is it wrong

To want a little change

[Chorus: Adam Lambert & Tyler Glenn + P!NK & MNEK]

Ooh hands

Hands

Woooo hands

Oh hands

Cause they can love

Or they can take

They can fight up

Until they save

They can break the world

They can change it too

Ooh hands

[Post-Chorus: Led by Imagine Dragons]

If a million hands can build a wall

A million hands can break it down

If a million hands can build a wall

A million hands can break it down

Ooooh

[Outro: RuPaul + (Mary Lambert) + Nate Ruess + Together]

Just take my hand baby

Everybody say love

(All that matters is your love)

(Change it or break it)

(They can love or they can take it, take it all)

If a million hands can build a wall

A million hands can break it down

If a million hands can build a wall

A million hands can break it down

Ooooh

## References

1. ↑ *Billboard* - "Britney Spears, Pink, Selena Gomez Join 'Hands' for Orlando: How the All-Star Song Came to Life"
2. ↑ *Glaad* - "GLAAD and music superstars release single "Hands" to benefit victims and families of Orlando massacre"
3. ↑ *Rolling Stone* - "Britney Spears, Selena Gomez in Orlando Tribute Song 'Hands'"