Dirty Little Secret
Thievery Corporation 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 illusion
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 sorrows 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
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 illusion
To keep me warm at night
And I've denied in my capacity to love
But I am willing to give up this fight





Oh, I am willing to give up this fight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Thievery Corporation's song "Dirty Little Secret" suggest a deep sense of regret and longing for a lost love. The singer of the song has relied on their own illusions to keep them warm at night, denying their capacity for love. Now, with their love gone, they are left to drown their sorrows in drink, feeling tired of their small town where gossip spreads rapidly. The singer acknowledges that they have not been forthcoming with their feelings and thoughts, but if given the chance, they would not hesitate to speak their truth.


The urge to disclose secrets is a common theme throughout the song, as the singer references friends who are embarrassed to be seen due to their sins. This ties in with the overarching theme of the song, which seems to be about the consequences of keeping secrets and the longing for connection through honesty. The singer seems to be reaching a breaking point and is willing to give up their illusions and fight for love.


Overall, "Dirty Little Secret" is a poignant commentary on the risks of keeping secrets and the importance of being true to oneself and one's emotions.


Line by Line Meaning

If I had the chance love
If I were given an opportunity, my dear


I would not hesitate
I would act promptly


To tell you all things I never said before
To voice my thoughts, previously unspoken


Don't tell me it's too late
Do not inform me that time has ended


'Cause I've relied on my illusion
For I have counted on my deceptive belief


To keep me warm at night
To provide me comfort during night hours


And I've denied in my capacity to love
Furthermore, I have refused to give affection


But I am willing to give up this fight
However, I am now prepared to relinquish my resistance


I've been up all night drinking to drown my sorrows down
I have been awake throughout the night, drinking to suppress my grief


But nothing seems to help me since you went away
Nonetheless, nothing has proven to be effective since your departure


I'm so tired of this town where every tongue is wagging
I am exhausted with this community where everyone engages in gossip


When every back is turned
Whenever people are unwilling to openly communicate


They're telling secrets that should never be revealed
They reveal confidential information that ought to remain private


There's nothing to be gained from this but disaster
The result of this behavior will only be detrimental


Here's a good one
Permit me to share a notable example


Did you hear about my friend
Have you been made aware of my companion's circumstances


He's embarrassed to be seen now
His self-consciousness has increased lately


'Cause we all know his sins
As we are all well-informed of his wrongful acts


Oh, I am willing to give up this fight
Oh, I am willing to surrender this resistance




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SARAH MCLACHLAN, SARAH ANN 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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