Her debut, “Nice To Meet You”, was released on September 27th. A 10-track autobiographical album that brings the listener into McManus’ head and heart. Her first single, “Say It Again”, sums up that butterfly-jitters-falling in love feeling perfectly.
She began singing by the age of 13, when her father gifted her with various instruments. She taught herself how to play, picked up on songwriting and began working with other burgeoning musicians.
With breathy vocals over pop hooks and folk-style melodies, she has a tone similar to Demi Lovato, the mellow coffeehouse vibe of Angel Taylor and the storytelling ability of Taylor Swift. And she shares the typical teenage angst of love and heartbreak in songs like “Shame On You”, while the powerful lyrics of “Unarmed” were featured alongside McDreamy and McSteamy on Grey’s Anatomy in 2010.
Secrets
Mariah McManus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ask me your questions.
Give me a reason for everything you've done.
And tell me this one thing,
Did you ever believe in me?
Was it ever a question that you're the one I want?
So could you honestly tell me,
That you meant every word you said?
So if you come knocking at my door,
Spent many nights waiting for you to
Come back around, come back to this town.
Don't tell me you love me then walk out the door,
Spent too many night waiting for you to
Come back around, come back to this town.
And I know you were broken,
And I know that you were giving up
And I know that you were scared
To fall in love, cause you know all my secrets
And you've asked all your questions
You've given every reason
For all the things you've done.
So could you honestly tell me,
That you're still sorry,
Or I meant every word I said
But I'll never say them again.
So if you come knocking at my door,
Spent too many nights waiting for you to
Come back around, come back to this town.
Don't tell me you love me then walk out the door,
Spent too many nights waiting for you to
Come back around, come back to this town.
Ohhhh, ohhhhhhh, ohhhhhhhhh
Ohhhh, ohhhhhhh, ohhhhhhhhh
So if you come knocking at my door,
Spent too many nights waiting for you to
Come back around, come back to this town.
Don't tell me you love me then walk out the door,
Spent too many nights waiting for you to
Come back around, come back to this town.
The lyrics to "Secrets" by Mariah McManus speak to a complicated relationship where one person is seeking answers and closure from the other. The opening lines "Tell me your secrets. Ask me your questions." suggests a desire for transparency and honesty from the other person, but the following lines "Give me a reason for everything you've done. And tell me this one thing, did you ever believe in me?" hint at a possible betrayal or lack of faith in the relationship.
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Spent too many nights waiting for you to come back around, come back to this town" indicating a longing for a past lover to return despite any pain they may have caused. The final verse acknowledges the other person's struggles and fears, but questions their sincerity and ability to truly apologize and change.
Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of vulnerability and desperation for answers and closure in a past relationship that may be too fractured to salvage.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me your secrets.
I want to know everything about you, I want you to open up to me and share your secrets.
Ask me your questions.
I am here for you to ask me anything you want, I am open to answering all of your questions.
Give me a reason for everything you've done.
I want to understand your motivations for your actions and behavior, give me a reason to see things from your perspective.
And tell me this one thing,
There is a specific question I need to ask you, please answer it honestly.
Did you ever believe in me?
I need to know if you truly had faith and confidence in me, or if you were uncertain of my abilities.
Was it ever a question that you're the one I want?
I want to know if you ever had any doubts that I am the one you want and need in your life.
So could you honestly tell me,
I need you to be truthful with me, I need to hear your honest answer.
That you're actually sorry,
I need to know if you truly feel remorseful for your actions and how they affected me.
That you meant every word you said?
I need to know if the words you said were genuine and heartfelt, or if they were just empty promises.
So if you come knocking at my door,
If you come back into my life and want to try again, there are conditions that need to be met.
Spent many nights waiting for you to
I have waited for you for a long time, and I need to know that you are serious this time.
Come back around, come back to this town.
I need to know that you are committing to being a part of my life again and that you are not just passing through for a brief moment.
Don't tell me you love me then walk out the door,
I have been hurt before, and I don't want to hear empty declarations of love just to be abandoned again.
Spent too many night waiting for you to
I have spent too much time and energy waiting for you to come back, only to be left disappointed.
And I know you were broken,
I understand that you were going through a difficult time and were not in the best place emotionally.
And I know that you were giving up
I know that you were on the verge of giving up on us and our relationship.
And I know that you were scared
I recognize that fear played a role in your behavior and decision-making.
To fall in love, cause you know all my secrets
You were hesitant to fully commit to our relationship because you were aware of how much I had shared with you, and that vulnerability made you nervous.
And you've asked all your questions
You have been curious and inquisitive about me, and I appreciate that you have taken the time to get to know me better.
You've given every reason
You have explained your actions and motivations, and I understand where you are coming from now.
For all the things you've done.
You have provided me with a complete understanding of your behavior and actions, and I appreciate you being open and honest with me.
Or I meant every word I said
I need to know if you still feel the same way you did before or if you have changed your mind.
But I'll never say them again.
Even if you do still have feelings for me, I don't want to hear them if you are not ready to commit to us fully.
Ohhhh, ohhhhhhh, ohhhhhhhhh
This is a musical interlude and does not have a specific meaning.
Contributed by Scarlett L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.