Dirty Little Secret
Sarah McLachlan Lyrics


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If I had the chance, love
I would not hesitate
To tell you all things I never said before
Don't tell me it's too late
'Cause I've relied on my illusions
To keep me warm at night
And I've denied in my capacity to love
But I am willing to give up this fight

I've been up all night drinking
To drown my sorrow down
But nothing seems to help me since you went away
I'm so tired of this town
Where every tongue is wagging
When every back is turned
They're telling secrets that should never be revealed
There's nothing to be gained from this but disaster

Here's a good one
Did you hear about my friend?
He's embarrassed to be seen now
'Cause we all know his sins

If I had the chance, love
You know I would not hesitate
To tell you all the things I'd never said before
Don't tell me it's too late
'Cause I've relied on my illusions
To keep me warm at night
I denied in my capacity to love
I am willing to give up this fight





Oh, I am willing to give up this fight

Overall Meaning

Sarah McLachlan's Dirty Little Secret speaks to the human struggle with vulnerability and the fear of being judged or rejected by others. The song's narrator expresses regret for not speaking up sooner, instead relying on false pretenses and illusions to avoid facing love's uncertainties. In the chorus, the singer emphasizes the desire to finally let go of these illusions and fears by sharing all of the secrets and feelings they have suppressed.


The second verse highlights the struggle of being in a small town where everyone knows each other's business. The singer expresses frustration with the town's gossip and reveals the fear of their own secrets being revealed. The line "there's nothing to be gained from this but disaster" reinforces that keeping secrets and spreading rumors can only lead to negative consequences.


Overall, Dirty Little Secret delivers a powerful message about the importance of being honest and vulnerable in relationships. Hiding behind illusions and secrets only creates more pain and loneliness. The song encourages us to take the risk of sharing our true feelings with others instead of holding them in and regretting it later on.


Line by Line Meaning

If I had the chance, love
Expressing the desire to have an opportunity to share something important


I would not hesitate
Eager to speak up with no second thoughts


To tell you all things I never said before
To communicate the unspoken words left unsaid


Don't tell me it's too late
Do not say it's beyond a reasonable time


'Cause I've relied on my illusions
Depending on imaginary ideas that aren't factual


To keep me warm at night
To comfort me through the dark, cold times


And I've denied in my capacity to love
Not acknowledging the ability to love


But I am willing to give up this fight
Ready to abandon the internal struggle


I've been up all night drinking
Passing time by consuming alcohol to avoid facing reality


To drown my sorrow down
Suppressing sadness by numbing emotions


But nothing seems to help me since you went away
Without you, finding peace appears impossible


I'm so tired of this town
Lamenting the hopelessness of an unsatisfying location


Where every tongue is wagging
Gossip is abundant


When every back is turned
Rumours spread behind people's backs


They're telling secrets that should never be revealed
Holding back concealed information


There's nothing to be gained from this but disaster
Sharing secrets leads to negative consequences


Here's a good one
Introducing a piece of gossip


Did you hear about my friend?
Asking if someone knows about an acquaintance's story


He's embarrassed to be seen now
Feeling shame from the exposed information


'Cause we all know his sins
The secrets that were revealed were morally wrong


If I had the chance, love
Reiterating the desire to communicate openly


You know I would not hesitate
Conveying that time isn't an issue


To tell you all the things I'd never said before
Voicing never expressed feelings


Don't tell me it's too late
Requesting to not be told it is too tardy to discuss


'Cause I've relied on my illusions
Acknowledging finally that relying on imagination is unsafe


To keep me warm at night
No longer bearable without conversion


I denied in my capacity to love
Consistently insufficient with not accepting compassion


I am willing to give up this fight
Ceasing to oppose accepting affection


Oh, I am willing to give up this fight
Confirming readiness to stop resisting receiving love




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Sarah McLachlan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Artaudo Non

"Dirty Little Secret"

If I had the chance, love
I would not hesitate
To tell you all the things I never said before
Don't tell me it's too late

[Chorus:]
Cause I've relied on my illusions
To keep me warm at night
But I denied in my capacity to love
I am willing, to give up this fight

I've been up all night drinking
To drown my sorrow down
Nothing seems to help me since you went away
I'm so tired of this town
Where every tongue is wagging
When every back is turned
Their telling secrets that should never be revealed
There's nothing to be gained from this
But disaster..
Here's a good one..
Did you hear about my friend
He's embarrassed to be seen now
because we all know his sins

If I had the chance love
You know, I would not hesitate
To tell you all the things I never said before
Don't tell me it's too late

[Chorus:]
Cause I've relied on my illusions
To keep me warm at night
But I denied in my capacity to love
I am willing, to give up this fight
Oh, I am willing to give up this fight..



All comments from YouTube:

Ananaki

this song touches the soul.....provides passage to melancholy

Melissa Duffy

Her voice like honey pours out so rich, sexy and expressive...IT .really doesn't matter what words she sings. She just shares her essence each time she sings.

Keith Miller

very well done.......her voice is fantastic!

Artaudo Non

"Dirty Little Secret"

If I had the chance, love
I would not hesitate
To tell you all the things I never said before
Don't tell me it's too late

[Chorus:]
Cause I've relied on my illusions
To keep me warm at night
But I denied in my capacity to love
I am willing, to give up this fight

I've been up all night drinking
To drown my sorrow down
Nothing seems to help me since you went away
I'm so tired of this town
Where every tongue is wagging
When every back is turned
Their telling secrets that should never be revealed
There's nothing to be gained from this
But disaster..
Here's a good one..
Did you hear about my friend
He's embarrassed to be seen now
because we all know his sins

If I had the chance love
You know, I would not hesitate
To tell you all the things I never said before
Don't tell me it's too late

[Chorus:]
Cause I've relied on my illusions
To keep me warm at night
But I denied in my capacity to love
I am willing, to give up this fight
Oh, I am willing to give up this fight..

Trisha Rasky

Sarah's haunting voice coupled with Thieverys haunting grooves got me! Just wow❤

kosmas kalentiriadis

Πόσες φορές μπορεί να το έχω ακούσει. Πόσες φορές μπορεί να το εχω προτείνει σε κόσμο. Είναι ένα ταξίδι κάθε φορά που το ακούς. Κι όταν το συνδιάζεις και με την εικόνα της , γίνετε μαγικό...!!!

Slavko Cosic

Her voice and this melody fascinate...Light & Love...

Seija Kaarto

Really beautiful voice and lovely song.. 💞

Mike Beeton

Very hypnotic, leading into the next lyric,feeling the rhythm, feeling the hope, drawn back to the beat

Enrique TOPO Rodriguez

Such a wonderful wondrous voice. I will never get sick or tired of listening to Sarah McL. An absolute pleasure to all my senses. Big thank you to Sarah's mum and dad and her hard and intelligent work. Enrique

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