In Private
Dusty Springfield Lyrics
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Where you lie
I realize
That we've been found out this time
We should stay together
If we can
But what you've planned
What you're gonna say
In private
You still want my love
We're in this together
And what you're gonna do
In public
Say you were never in love
That you can remember
So discreet
I never tried to meet
Your friends or interfere
I took a back seat between
And what you gonna say
In private?
You still want my love
We're in this together
And what you're gonna do
In public
Say you were never in love
That you can remember
What you gonna say, ay
When you run back to your wife?
I guess it's just the story of my life
What you gonna say?
So take your time
And tell me
Where did you learn
Oh, I may publicize
That there's a difference between
What you're gonna say
In private?
You still want my love
We're in this together
And what you're gonna do
In public
Say you were never in love
That you can remember
Tell me what you gonna say
In private?, Ooh, ooh, ooh
What you gonna say?
What you gonna do?
Baby, what you gonna say?
The lyrics of Dusty Springfield's "In Private" reflect a clandestine relationship between two people. The song's protagonist is aware of the fact that their relationship has been discovered by others, and they are now faced with the decision of whether to stay together or not. The first verse lays out the situation with the singer acknowledging the fact that they have been caught out.
The chorus of the song is where the real meaning lies. The singer is asking their partner what they will say and do both in private and in public. In private, their partner still wants their love, and they are in this together, but in public, they will deny ever being in love. This highlights the secrecy of their relationship and the fear of being caught out. The singer is concerned about what their partner will say in front of others, will they pretend that their relationship never existed?
The second verse continues this theme, with the singer being discreet and not interfering in their partner's life. They are now asking their partner what they will say when they return to their wife, hinting at the fact that their partner is married. The song ends with the singer asking their partner to be honest with them and themselves about their feelings.
Overall, the lyrics of "In Private" are insightful and emotive, touching on the themes of secrecy, fear, and honesty.
Line by Line Meaning
Take your time and tell me
Please explain yourself and let me know the truth.
Where you lie
What are you hiding or not telling me?
I realize
I am aware of what is happening.
That we've been found out this time
Our secret is no longer a secret and has been discovered.
We should stay together
We should continue our relationship.
If we can
If it is possible to do so.
But what you've planned
What are your intentions?
Means there's a difference between
Your actions and words are not aligned.
What you're gonna say
The words you will speak.
In private
When we are alone and no one can hear us.
You still want my love
Despite your plans, you still have feelings for me.
We're in this together
We are both involved in this situation.
And what you're gonna do
Your actions in public.
Say you were never in love
Deny that you ever had feelings for me.
That you can remember
Implying that maybe you don't recall how you really felt.
So discreet
Our relationship was kept private and hidden from others.
I never tried to meet
I didn't push to know your friends or family.
Your friends or interfere
I didn't get involved in your personal life or try to change it.
I took a back seat between
I stayed out of the way and let things happen without getting too involved.
What you gonna say
Your words.
When you run back to your wife?
What will you tell your spouse?
I guess it's just the story of my life
This is a repeating pattern for me.
Where did you learn
What made you think it's okay to act this way?
Oh, I may publicize
I could reveal our relationship to the public.
Tell me what you gonna say
Please tell me what you plan to say.
Baby, what you gonna say?
What words will you use to deceive me and your spouse?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Christopher Lowe, Neil Tennant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@neilburns8869
All they really did was to give her the sort of platform that she had been looking for.
Dusty had always wanted to do this kind of music but never really had the opportunity until as you so rightly said Neil & Chris gave her that foundation. Chris is such a whiz when it comes to the synthesizers he really knows what he's doing.
The sad thing was that we lost Dusty Springfield when she was still only 59, not particularly old at all but she died of breast cancer.
However I am glad that she had the chance to do the album with the PSB.
RIP Dusty Springfield.
We love you.
@DiscountCard100
Dusty Springfield - In Private
Take your time and tell me
Where you lie
I realize
That we've been found out this time
We should stay together
If we can
But what you've planned
Means there's a difference between
[Chorus]
What you're gonna say
In private
You still want my love
We're in this together
And what you're gonna do
In public
Say you were never in love
That you can remember
So discreet
I never tried to meet
Your friends or interfere
I took a back seat between
[Chorus]
What you gonna say, eh
When you run back to your wife?
I guess it's just the story of my life
What you gonna say?
So take your time
And tell me
Where did you learn
Oh, I may publicize
That there's a difference between
[Chorus]
Tell me what you gonna say
In private?, oh, oh, oh
What you gonna say?
What you gonna do?
Baby, what you gonna say?
@blueknight07
Her music is absolutely timeless. She was still able to make good music right up to the end! We don't get musicians like that anymore.
@katierear8113
An amazing blue eyed soul singer. The most beautiful woman ever who's voice flowed like silk.and she didn't believe any of this. I wish I could have an opportunity to see her sing in concert! Guess the tabloids were more interested in her private life than her singing! So sad she couldn't be left alone to enjoy her life instead of hounded by the press.amazing lady. With a voice out of this world! We love you Mary obrien!!
@Vitalii_Libertas
Топовый трек🎉
@georgecoles7988
One of the most distinctive and soulful voices ever
@birdie1162
Amazing voice just so incredibly talented. What a kind woman. She is terribly missed gone way too soon.
@Cosford869
I have always recognised the similarity between the 60s and the 80s. Both decades were unique. Both decades had an energy that wasn't present in other decades.
Both decades were extraordinary.
Another aspect to the 80s is that it featured so many 60s icons who were still delivering class music like this particularly special song from beautiful Dusty.
For people like myself, born just after the 60s had ended, it was awesome to live through the 80s and get to experience some of what made the 60s so special.
@Dead-Ball-Situation
The main difference with 80's music was that music technology became more advanced. Thumpier and faster baselines, distinctive sax with piano. Add that to a 60's style song and you're probably right.
@NorthSea_1981
What a great song!!! R.I.P. Dusty Springfield.
Pet Shop Boys did a great job reviving her career in the late 80s. The songs they wrote for her are amazing- they fit her voice so well!
@thomaslaursen6540
Great song !💥💥💥
@alanellaway5489
I LOVE Dusty's performance in this video. She looks better than all the silly posturing models half her age. She really has grasped video by the scruff and made it her own...Gorgeous and Glamorous and Just SENSATIONAL! THE WORLD IS MISSING HER!