After several months gigging around their hometown, the band began playing clubs and pubs around Ireland, playing sets mixing original material with rhythm and blues covers. Their set of fast-paced, gritty, garage rock "speed blues", which mixed the powerful approach of Dr. Feelgood with the intense rave-up format of The Yardbirds, quickly became well received by crowds across Ireland and their reputation as a live act grew.
After their North America tour they persued film acting and ultimately on 14 November 2018 the band announced they were splitting up.
Discography:
Snapshot (2013)
Little Victories (2015)
Spitting Image (2017)
Behind Closed Doors
The Strypes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your dependence on vices
I'm amazed at your resilience
To laugh at the other drunken millions
When the clothes you wore to work today
Are speckled with sick and Beaujolais
There′s only one thing that's left to do
Put your plans on the long finger
Leave your wife, promise the kids you'll see them
But they know that′s just feeble optimism
You′d like to think you'd have kept in touch
Some consideration for someone you loved
But you were never very into altruism
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors
Became disenchanted and get yor own place
Maudlin in private, the tears fall with grace
On damp sheets that smell of dual pack Lenore
And the cigarette ash from the night before
A threadbare sofa out in the street
The Crumlin bus station couldn′t be more bleak
An old man and his dog just sit and talk
You have to wonder who's talking who for the walk
Put your plans on the long finger
Leave your wife, promise the kids you′ll see them
But they know that's just feeble optimism
You′d like to think you'd have kept in touch
Some consideration for someone you loved
But you were never very into altruism
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors
There's no recourse to be taken here
The ignored phone calls have made it clear
They′re better off without you in every way
You pass in the street but there′s nothing to say
There comes a time when you have to decide
Do you put your family before your pride
You'd rather see them happy in their own way
Than miserable with you for another day and
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors, you never know what goes on
The lyrics of The Strypes's song "Behind Closed Doors" delve into themes of personal struggles, destructive habits, and the consequences of choices made in secret. The song portrays a character who is trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behavior, seeking solace in vices and disregarding their responsibilities to their family.
The "national crisis" mentioned in the first verse signifies the prevalence of dependence on vices within society. The singer is astonished by their own resilience in finding humor in the intoxication and recklessness that millions of others engage in. The lyrics describe how the consequences of these habits become evident when the singer's work clothes are stained with vomit and red wine.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is contemplating leaving their current life behind. They consider putting their plans on hold and abandoning their spouse and children, with the hope of reconnecting later. However, the lyrics imply that this decision is mere "feeble optimism" and that the singer has never been inclined towards selflessness or considering the feelings of their loved ones.
The second verse further explores the consequences of this potential decision. The singer envisions a life of melancholy and isolation, with tears shed in private and the scent of cigarette ash lingering on damp sheets. The mention of a threadbare sofa and a bleak bus station presents a picture of desperation and loneliness. The lyrics also hint at the possibility of lost connections and fractured relationships, as an old man and his dog engage in a dialogue where the intentions of each party remain unclear.
Ultimately, the song suggests that there is no easy resolution to the internal conflicts faced by the singer. The ignored phone calls and the lack of communication convey that the family may be better off without them, leading to a dilemma between personal pride and the well-being of loved ones. The lyrics imply that the singer realizes it is better to see their family happy in their own way, even if it means being miserable themselves, rather than trying to prolong an unhappy situation.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a national crisis
The situation is a major problem that affects the whole nation
Your dependence on vices
Your reliance on addictive behaviors
I'm amazed at your resilience
I'm surprised by your ability to endure
To laugh at the other drunken millions
To find amusement in the drunkenness of many others
When the clothes you wore to work today
When the garments you wore for your job
Are speckled with sick and Beaujolais
Have stains of vomit and a type of wine
Hit with the hammer of hard home truths
Confronted with harsh realities
There's only one thing that's left to do
There's only one remaining option
Put your plans on the long finger
Delay your plans indefinitely
Leave your wife, promise the kids you'll see them
Abandon your spouse, but give false hope to your children
But they know that's just feeble optimism
But they understand it's merely frail hope
You'd like to think you'd have kept in touch
You wish you had maintained contact
Some consideration for someone you loved
A little thought for someone you cared about
But you were never very into altruism
But you never had much interest in selflessness
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Secret decisions are made in private
Became disenchanted and get your own place
Became disillusioned and find a separate home
Maudlin in private, the tears fall with grace
Emotionally sentimental in solitude, tears flow gracefully
On damp sheets that smell of dual pack Lenore
On moist beddings with a scent of a particular brand
And the cigarette ash from the night before
And the remnants of cigarette ash from the previous night
A threadbare sofa out in the street
A worn-out couch on the sidewalk
The Crumlin bus station couldn't be more bleak
The bus station in Crumlin is extremely dreary
An old man and his dog just sit and talk
An elderly man and his dog simply sit and have a conversation
You have to wonder who's talking who for the walk
You have to question who is guiding whom in their stroll
There's no recourse to be taken here
There are no actions to be taken in this situation
The ignored phone calls have made it clear
The disregarded phone calls have made the situation evident
They're better off without you in every way
They are better in every aspect without your presence
You pass in the street but there's nothing to say
You encounter each other in the street, but there's no conversation
There comes a time when you have to decide
There comes a moment when you must make a choice
Do you put your family before your pride
Do you prioritize your family over your ego
You'd rather see them happy in their own way
You prefer to witness their happiness in their chosen manner
Than miserable with you for another day and
Rather than being miserable with you any longer, and
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Secret decisions are made in private
Behind closed doors
In the secrecy of private spaces
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Secret decisions are made in private
Behind closed doors, you never know what goes on
In private places, you never know what happens
Writer(s): Joshua Simpson Mcclorey, Ross Aaron Farrelly, Evan Niall Walsh, Peter James O'hanlon
Contributed by Thomas A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Chloé Touchard
Lyrics
It's a national crisis
Your dependence on vices
I'm amazed at your resilience
To laugh at the other drunken millions
When the clothes you wore to work today
Are speckled with sick and Beaujolais
Hit with the hammer of hard home truths
There's only one thing that's left to do
Put your plans on the long finger
Leave your wife, promise the kids you'll see them
But they know that's just feeble optimism
You'd like to think you'd have kept in touch
Some consideration for someone you loved
But you were never very into altruism
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors
Became disenchanted and get your own place
Maudlin in private, the tears fall with grace
On damp sheets that smell of dual pack Lenore
And the cigarette ash from the night before
A threadbare sofa out in the street
The Crumlin bus station couldn't be more bleak
An old man and his dog just sit and talk
You have to wonder who's taking who for the walk
Put your plans on the long finger
Leave your wife, promise the kids you'll see them
But they know that's just feeble optimism
You'd like to think you'd have kept in touch
Some consideration for someone you loved
But you were never very into altruism
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors
There's no recourse to be taken here
The ignored phone calls have made it clear
They're better off without you in every way
You pass in the street but there's nothing to say
There comes a time when you have to decide
Do you put your family before your pride
You'd rather see them happy in their own way
Than miserable with you for another day and
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors, you never know what goes on
19 dias
Sounds masive guys!!! you're amazing, come to México please !!!!
Ben Ackley
Such a difference from the debut album. They've definitely strayed from the blues, but I'm still into this!
akhmad alfan
still there's a soul in it, like a mash of The Jam and Buzzcocks
silmara soarees
Aquela banda que ganha um espaço no seu coração.
Ian Labelle
This sounds a lot like a lost Kinks song. This is a good band. Keep it up.
Rica Chu
I can't tell whether some of the band members got replaced or whether they just went through puberty?? Man time flies fast.
robbiesilverwolf
Rica Chu yeah look at the cover of their snapshot album they all got haircuts lol
Peter Adrec
Rica Chu they were too young, so maybe puberty... i think they still being the same guys
14th James
Another great song by a great band!!!
Chloé Touchard
Lyrics
It's a national crisis
Your dependence on vices
I'm amazed at your resilience
To laugh at the other drunken millions
When the clothes you wore to work today
Are speckled with sick and Beaujolais
Hit with the hammer of hard home truths
There's only one thing that's left to do
Put your plans on the long finger
Leave your wife, promise the kids you'll see them
But they know that's just feeble optimism
You'd like to think you'd have kept in touch
Some consideration for someone you loved
But you were never very into altruism
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors
Became disenchanted and get your own place
Maudlin in private, the tears fall with grace
On damp sheets that smell of dual pack Lenore
And the cigarette ash from the night before
A threadbare sofa out in the street
The Crumlin bus station couldn't be more bleak
An old man and his dog just sit and talk
You have to wonder who's taking who for the walk
Put your plans on the long finger
Leave your wife, promise the kids you'll see them
But they know that's just feeble optimism
You'd like to think you'd have kept in touch
Some consideration for someone you loved
But you were never very into altruism
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors
There's no recourse to be taken here
The ignored phone calls have made it clear
They're better off without you in every way
You pass in the street but there's nothing to say
There comes a time when you have to decide
Do you put your family before your pride
You'd rather see them happy in their own way
Than miserable with you for another day and
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors
Behind closed doors, decisions are made
Behind closed doors, you never know what goes on