Is The Hands of Man a good place to start with Chris de Burgh?

Yes, The Hands of Man is recommended as a starting point for new Chris de Burgh listeners. A reflective collection woven with gentle melodies and emotive storytelling that captures the essence of personal introspection. By the time 'The Hands of Man' was released in 2014, Chris de Burgh had established himself as a respected artist with a career spanning several decades, known for hits like 'Lady in Red'. This album followed his 2012 release, 'Footsteps 2', and marked his continued exploration of themes around love and life experiences, showcasing his signature narrative style.

Who is The Hands of Man for?

The Hands of Man works well if you're into steady mid-tempo reflective journey, poignant storytelling with melodic arrangements and suitable for thoughtful afternoon listening.

How many songs are on The Hands of Man?

The Hands of Man has 15 tracks, running approximately 55 minutes.

The Hands of Man

Chris de Burgh · 2014

55 min · 15 tracks · rock music

A reflective collection woven with gentle melodies and emotive storytelling that captures the essence of personal introspection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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The Hands of Man Start here — This title track encapsulates the album's central themes of reflection and personal growth, combining poignant lyrics with a memorable melody that exemplifies de Burgh's storytelling prowess.
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Letting Go — In this track, de Burgh explores the difficult process of moving on from past relationships, using vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion to connect with listeners on a personal level.
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The Ghost of Old King Richard — This song creatively intertwines historical narrative with modern emotion, showcasing de Burgh's ability to blend storytelling with rich musical composition.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and craftsmanship but remains within familiar soft rock territory.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of soft acoustic instrumentation, with gentle guitar and piano arrangements throughout.
Many tracks employ a verse-chorus structure, allowing for clear storytelling that unfolds gradually over the course of each song.
Several songs incorporate orchestral elements, adding depth and emotional weight to the overall sound without overwhelming the vocals.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo reflective journey
poignant storytelling with melodic arrangements
suitable for thoughtful afternoon listening
subtle emotional exploration throughout
warm background for quiet moments

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy engagement
prefer short, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Showcases maturity in songwriting, contributing to de Burgh's legacy.
Themes: personal reflection· historical narrative· moving on from love
Moods: Introspective· Melancholy
Career context: By the time 'The Hands of Man' was released in 2014, Chris de Burgh had established himself as a respected artist with a career spanning several decades, known for hits like 'Lady in Red'. This album followed his 2012 release, 'Footsteps 2', and marked his continued exploration of themes around love and life experiences, showcasing his signature narrative style.
Stylistic neighbors: Phil Collins· James Blunt· Elton John