music
“I didn’t understand what Gaz was singing. It’s about needing a hug”: how Reef made Place Your Hands
“We were swept up in the moment and full of testosterone. The 90s wasn’t a time when men were encouraged to be sensitive”
TL;DR
- Bassist Jack Bessant found the riff for "Place Your Hands" on a 1960s Fender Jazz bass at Abbey Road.
- Vocalist Gary Stringer's lyrics were inspired by the death of his grandfather and a metaphor for needing a hug.
- The band's youthful mindset and the cultural norms of the 90s meant they didn't fully grasp the song's emotional depth at the time.
- The song's distinctive guitar riff was created by Kenwyn House after tuning his guitar's E string down to D.
- Chris Evans heavily supported the song on Radio 1, and its similarity in syllable count to "It's Your Letters" led to its weekly use on TFI Friday.
- The music video for "Place Your Hands" was expensive to produce, costing approximately £250,000.
- The song has been a unifying force for the band through lineup changes and remains a popular, energetic track.