Over … Read Full Bio ↴Matt Fishel is a London-based singer, songwriter and producer.
Over the years, he has crafted his own unique style of songwriting and production, with themes of sexuality, education, love and lust running through his work. His songs and lyrics deal openly with the joys, pains and experiences of growing up as a gay teenager and young man.
In 2010, in order to do things his own way, Matt launched his own record label, Young Lust Records, which he now runs from his London studio. This creative freedom has enabled him to manage and oversee his own projects and to collaborate with a number of exciting artists from around the globe.
Matt’s debut single - Football Song - was released worldwide by Young Lust Records on 7th June 2010, with beautiful artwork by Italian comic book illustrator Jacopo Camagni. The video for the song features Matt reminiscing about a school crush on the captain of the football team, complete with dancing footballers!
The song was selected by Attitude Magazine as "Our 2010 World Cup Anthem".
His follow-up single - The First Time - was released on 7th November 2011, alongside 2x '80s-inspired club remixes from Amsterdam-based remixer/producer Matt Pop (RuPaul's Drag Race). The video for The First Time was shot in Buenos Aires in Summer 2011 and is a collaboration with award-winning Argentinian movie director Alexis Dos Santos (Glue, Unmade Beds, Random Strangers).
These first two singles and videos gained Matt recognition from around the globe for his pop-rock driven style of music, candid lyrical content and unashamedly open videos.
"Gloriously gay, sweetly romantic, wonderful touching music" - STEPHEN FRY
"One of the most adorable music videos we've seen in a long time" - INSTINCT on The First Time
"An empowering soundtrack...A music video that will make you want to be a teenager all over again" - OUT MAGAZINE on The First Time
"Stunning" - STAR OBSERVER
Matt released two further singles in 2012 - Behind Closed Doors and Testament. The video for Testament was directed by Berlin-based portrait photographer and visual artist, Arno, and is a high-octane journey through tradition, expectation and a celebration of sexuality and freedom.
“How refreshing to hear something that is more rocking and less clubby…a song of empowerment, encourages you to raise freedom flags and celebrates falling in love” - ACCIDENTAL BEAR
In October 2012, Matt won two awards at the celebrated 2012 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards: SONG OF THE YEAR for Behind Closed Doors and BEST VIDEO SO FAR for Football Song.
Matt's latest single Radio-Friendly Pop Song, released in March 2013, comments on his (and others') experiences of the entertainment industry as an out artist. The song is accompanied by an official video created in collaboration with California's TyJens Media.
Matt spent 2012 hard at work in the studio with UK producer Mark Crew (B∆stille), recording his debut solo album, Not Thinking Straight. A blend of heavy guitars, big vocal harmonies and anthemic choruses, the album contains 13 tracks that deal with themes and issues surrounding gay life, relationships and experiences. It was released worldwide by Young Lust Records on 8th April 2013 and is available now as both a digital download on iTunes and Amazon, and as a physical CD.
For the Not Thinking Straight artwork, Matt teamed up with San Diego-based comic book illustrator Joe Phillips (creator of Joe Boys Comics and director/animator of the films Stonewall & Riot and The House Of Morecock). The album art includes 18 stunning original illustrations by Joe, each telling a unique story based on the songs' lyrics. Joe Phillips has also created and directed a brand new animation video for Matt's sixth single from the album - When Boy Meets Boy - which will be released later in the year.
Behind Closed Doors
Matt Fishel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have heard it all before.
Times we say they are a changing, everybody's getting better,
So what's this guy cringing for?
He says "What you do behind closed doors,
Doesn't really bother me at all."
As long as it's not in front of me.
I don't care what you do in the privacy of your home,
As long as I don't have to see.
He says "Please don't say that I'm closedminded, some of my best friends are like you,
And I don't really give a damn."
He says " I am happy that you're happy, you don't have to prove it to me."
And then he turns and kisses the girl on his arm.
And says "What you do behind closed doors,
Doesn't really bother me at all."
I don't care what you do in the privacy of your home,
As long as it's not in front of me.
I don't care what you do in the privacy of your home,
As long as I don't have to see.
We came here for a quiet drink,
We're not trying to prove a point about anything.
We don't thrive on shoving it in your faces,
Shoving it in your faces all the time.
What you do behind closed doors,
Doesn't really bother me at all.
I don't care what you do in the privacy of your home,
As long as it's not in front of me.
I don't care what you do in the privacy of your home,
As long as I don't have to see.
As long as I don't have to see.
The lyrics of Matt Fishel's song "Behind Closed Doors" address the subject of perception and tolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community. The first lines of the song express the artist's exhaustion of being judged and underestimated by ignorant people. However, he believes that times are changing, and that individuals are becoming more accepting and educated. The artist then describes a character who claims to be accepting of him and his community, but only if they keep their activities private and out of his sight. He points out that he does not need to see what they do behind closed doors, and that as long as they don't bring it out into the open, he is fine with it.
The artist highlights the hypocrisy of the character by stating that he claims to be open-minded and has friends within the community, yet he is not accepting of them expressing themselves publicly. The chorus repeats the message that it does not matter what people do in the privacy of their own homes, as long as it does not affect anyone else. The last stanza talks about how the LGBTQ+ people do not feel the need to prove anything or shove anything in people's faces, they just want to exist peacefully without being judged.
Overall, the song presents a nuanced message about tolerance and acceptance versus tolerance with conditions. The artist encourages people to be open-minded and accepting, not just privately, but publicly and in all aspects of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm sick and tired of stupid people, trying to get one over on me,
I have heard it all before.
The singer is fed up with people trying to deceive and manipulate him and has experienced it multiple times before.
Times we say they are a changing, everybody's getting better,
So what's this guy cringing for?
Although society is progressing and becoming more accepting, the singer questions why this particular person is still uncomfortable with certain things.
He says "What you do behind closed doors,
Doesn't really bother me at all."
The person being addressed reassures the singer that they shouldn't be concerned about their private life and activities.
I don't care what you do in the privacy of your home,
As long as it's not in front of me.
I don't care what you do in the privacy of your home,
As long as I don't have to see.
The artist emphasizes that they have no issue with what anyone does in their own home, as long as it doesn't infringe on their own personal space or make them uncomfortable.
He says "Please don't say that I'm closedminded, some of my best friends are like you,
And I don't really give a damn."
He says " I am happy that you're happy, you don't have to prove it to me."
And then he turns and kisses the girl on his arm.
The person being addressed asserts that they are not narrow-minded and have friends from all walks of life. They also express that they are not interested in proof of anything and demonstrate their openness by publicly displaying affection for their partner.
We came here for a quiet drink,
We're not trying to prove a point about anything.
We don't thrive on shoving it in your faces,
Shoving it in your faces all the time.
The singer and their partner didn't come to the venue to make a statement or attract attention to themselves. They do not seek to force their lifestyle or beliefs on anyone else around them.
What you do behind closed doors,
Doesn't really bother me at all.
The singer repeats their statement from earlier, indicating that they truly have no issue with whatever happens behind closed doors.
I don't care what you do in the privacy of your home,
As long as it's not in front of me.
I don't care what you do in the privacy of your home,
As long as I don't have to see.
The artist reiterates their position that they only take issue with things that cross their personal boundaries, and continue to stress that people's private lives are their own business.
As long as I don't have to see.
The artist concludes with a final statement emphasizing their own personal boundaries once again.
Contributed by Bentley F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Yonnie Z
This is really great, I like your music a lot because it's pop and it's fun but it's not cheesy, it's honest in kind of a blunt way almost, and I think that is fantastic. You deserve more recognition in the mainstream, more people should get to hear what you have to say.
HPFangirl71 卌
I haven't stopped listening to your music since I happened across your channel!! Your style is so refreshing with its blunt force honesty!! You are a great role model to so many people who are afraid to just be themselves regardless of sexuality!! I really hope your music gets out there and reaches more of the public cuz your an amazing talent!!
Chris Cornish
Matt keep singing lyrics like this and you will conquer the intolerant people..bloody great song
Underground Gamer
I love ❤ your music it gives a very strong message and it just so awesome to hear
andrewbbrotherto3
There's no reason not to like this, it's beautiful and I thank you sooooo much for making it.
RonHeartsMe
I love this song soooooo much. Keep making music and keep being yourself!
marcia
11 years later, and this song is still relevant as ever
xenateepee
well done, lovely - just played it twice! made me sad and happy all at once! really good.
lastmanonmars
This is adorable! I love it, dude!
Verònica Cañizares Ramos
I believe that the work of this artist is amazing! is an amazing idea from the point musical treat the theme of love gay, I think it's something new and positive speak about this issue so openly for all the world! It is also very beautiful and I love it!! Everyone have the right to be happy, the way we want! I hope all you will be very happy!