Silver Hands
Backstory
Silver Hands was written shortly after 'late-night shopping' on Thursdays started in Australia in the early 80s - a whole new consumer experience - with big supermarkets. Like a resurgence of the 50's - rows and rows of canned food, dodging trolleys and avoiding isles with screaming babies. The forest of shelves drew upon all our primitive instincts for hunting and gathering. More colours and flavours. Tang was developed by NASA for space travel! More and more the food stopped resembling - food.
Lyrics
"Yes folks it's Thursday night shopping time again! The night we all go hunting for food at the supermarket. Whizzing down the isle ways with our trolleys... running over babies. Ever watchful for those elusive specials on the top shelf!" I went to the market to get my tea Trying to find a meal for my hungry man All I saw staring back at me Were photos of food on the front of a can (front of a can) Tasty, easy, quick to prepare There's nothing you chew that you can exclude Ontrays, main course, more if you dare All coloured and flavoured 'til it looks like food! One day humans might find a way To open tins with their fingernail Silver hands to grip the cans Of processed food that won't go stale. "That's because it's full of goodness. Like stabilizers . MSG Starch. Emulsifiers. Antioxidant. Beef extract. Gluten. Preservatives. Coloring?" Towering shelves of carrots and beans Sweet and sour sauce and of course the Spam I can't read labels to see what that means But it must be OK if it comes from a can (it comes from a can!) Decision, decision what will I eat Something in here must suit my mood The quality now is hard to beat Providing you weren't expecting food! One day humans might find a way To open tins with their fingernail Silver hands to grip the cans Of processed food that won't go stale. It won't go... [Pause] stale It won't go... [Pause] stale It won't go... [Pause] stale
Words and music by Jay Moxham © Copyright 1983
Arranged and produced by Jay Moxham © & ℗ Copyright & Publishing 2026