What is "hand to mouth"

adv. with barely enough money for immediate needs; "they lived form hand to mouth"

Hand to Mouth may refer to:

• Hand to Mouth (album), 1986 album by General Public
• "Hand to Mouth" (song), 1987 song by George Michael
• "Hand to Mouth" (Grotus song), 1995 song by the Experimental band Grotus
• Hand to Mouth: Living in Bootstrap America, a 2014 book by Linda Tirado
• Paul Auster's 1997 autobiography Hand to Mouth

"Hand to Mouth" is a song written by George Michael that was recorded for his 1987 debut solo album Faith. It was the B-side of single " Faith", which was the best-selling single of the year 1988 in the USA.

The song is known for its political motivation and Michael's gratitude to America. The mood of the song is low-key throughout, except for brief moments of solace in the beginning of each chorus.

"Hand to Mouth" soberly tells two stories of lives denied the American Dream: one who finally blows his top and shoots at people, the other a woman who has no one to turn to and becomes a prostitute. The criticism of Reaganite America is strong here:

"I believe in the gods of America.
I believe in the land of the free.
But no one told me
that the gods believe in nothing,
so with empty hands I pray."

This track features one of Michael's highest vocals; he said in his autobiography that the song was meant to be a single replacing his biggest hit "Faith" but due to negative publicity of his friends, he gave up the idea.

It was later covered by the American folk singer and songwriter Joan Baez on her album Speaking of Dreams.

Hand to Mouth is the second album by General Public, released in 1986 (see 1986 in music).