Three album were released between 1983 and 1989.
Brian Armstrong (aka Brian Wylde): vocals, guitar
Terry Armstrong (aka Terry Tornado, Terry Blitzkrieg, Terry Apocalypse): bass, vocals
Blister: drums (left in 1980)
Alan Armstrong: drums (replaced Blister)
Mike Adams (aka Animal): rhythm guitar, keyboards (joined 1981, left 1988)
Secrets
Dog Detachment Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You have secrets
I know you do… have secrets
...and what about you?
Oh ... Secrets
blow 'em away
with a birdshot shotgun
but its all ok
Time will come and tell the tale.
What you gonna say?
Turn around.
Look at what you've done
Oh... you have secrets
I know you do
have secrets.
And what about you
Oh . Secrets.
Blow 'em away,
in a smoking township.
But it's all ok
What you gonna do?
Time will come and tell the tale.
What you gonna say?
Turn around,
look at what you've done
The lyrics in Dog Detachment's song "Secrets" explore the idea of hidden truths and undisclosed information. The repeated phrase "Oh...you have secrets" emphasizes the fact that everyone has something they keep hidden from others. The line "blow 'em away with a birdshot shotgun" could be interpreted as wanting to get rid of those secrets in a violent way, but then the following line "but it's all ok" suggests that even though secrets can be messy and painful, it's ultimately going to be okay in the end.
The final lines "What you gonna do? Time will come and tell the tale. What you gonna say? Turn around, look at what you've done" could be interpreted as a call to action - a challenge to face the consequences of revealing or keeping secrets. It's an invitation to reflect on the choices made and accept the implications of those choices. The song challenges listeners to be honest with themselves and others, rather than continuing to hide behind secrets.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh ...
The singer is expressing a thoughtful, reflective tone and sets the stage for the theme of the song.
You have secrets
The singer is acknowledging that the intended recipient of the song has private information that they have not shared.
I know you do… have secrets
The singer is indicating that they have some knowledge or evidence of the receiver's secrets.
...and what about you?
The artist is questioning the receiver's knowledge of the artist's own secrets.
Oh ... Secrets
The artist reiterates the topic of the song and intensifies their tone.
blow 'em away with a birdshot shotgun
The singer is suggesting using violence to rid oneself of secrets.
but its all ok
The singer is trying to calm down any anxiousness or questions that may arise from sharing information. The singer insists that no harm will come from revealing secrets.
What you gonna do?
The artist is asking the receiver to take action in revealing their secrets.
Time will come and tell the tale.
The artist believes that the truth will ultimately come out and this statement also contains a warning that keeping secrets may have long-term consequences.
What you gonna say?
The artist is questioning what words the receiver will choose to confess their secrets.
Turn around.
The singer is asking the receiver to stop and think before acting on their confessions.
Look at what you've done
The artist is asking the receiver to take responsibility for the actions related to their secrets.
Oh... you have secrets
The singer repeats this phrase to emphasize the song's theme again.
I know you do
The singer reiterates that they have knowledge of the receiver's secrets.
have secrets.
The singer ends the song by repeating the theme and leaving it open-ended.
And what about you
The artist is making a final statement that leaves the receiver to ponder if they know their secrets as well.
Blow 'em away, in a smoking township.
The artist is suggesting that the receiver should reveal their secrets through more destructive means, such as an explosive event.
Contributed by Addison H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.