I'm in the dark, I'd like to read his mind
but I'm frightened of the things I might find
Oh, there must be something he's thinking of
to tear him away
when I tell him that I'm falling in love
why does he say
hush hush
keep it down now
voices carry
I try so hard not to get upset
because I know all the trouble I'll get
oh, he tells me tears are something to hide
and something to fear
and I try so hard to keep it inside
so no one can hear
hush hush
keep it down now
voices carry
He wants me
but only part of the time
He wants me
if he can keep me in line
hush hush
keep it down now
voices carry
hush hush, darling, she might overhear
oh, no-voices carry
he said shut up he said shut up
oh God can't you keep it down
voices carry
I wish he would let me talk.



Lyrics submitted by numb

Track duration: 04:21


Voices Carry song meanings
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26 Comments

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  • 0
    My Interpretation:I read these lyrics to my husband, who is a song writer and he immediately said " the guy is married and doesn't want anyone to find out about the other girl or he just wants to play around and not get deeply involved" Makes sense to me. I didn't hear any abuse until the other readers suggested it, just the fact that he was keeping her a secret from others.
    Flag virgokennewickon December 18, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:It's a story about what happens all the time. A woman is with a man and wants more from him than he is willing to give. Most women have been in a relationship like that.
    Flag poz52000on August 26, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:its about a abusive relationship, not washing the dirty laundry in public, keeping it quiet
    Flag in2sighton February 02, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:sad. even more sad that i can relate:/ good song, gotta listen to the rest of their songs, since this one's so damn good.
    Flag XxbladeXwagnerxXon October 23, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I remember hearing that this song was about her relationship with Al Jourgenson from Ministry.

    "Mann acquired this unflappable composure over a tumultuous career, which began in Boston’s punk scene (her first band, The Young Snakes, featured college chum Al Jourgenson, with whom Mann briefly played in an early incarnation of Ministry). The Berklee College dropout formed the New Wave outfit ’Til Tuesday in 1983 with then–boyfriend Michael Hausman. The band struck gold two years later with “Voices Carry,” a wrenching account of an oppressive love affair."
    Flag OneFleshon November 25, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:my favorite part:

    hush hush, darling, she might overhear
    oh, no-voices carry
    he said shut up he said shut up
    oh God can't you keep it down

    [what happens when an ex has to be 'just a friend']
    Flag TG127on October 28, 2009   Link
  • 0
    Memory:Umm, well, I saw on wikipedia what it meant and I think its cool either way, its just awesome. I wish I could sing this song out loud in class to this guy who I used to be really, really good friends with but, we just stopped talking. Maybe it's because we weren't in classes together anymore... anyway... I love him. I really, really do and I need to talk to him and talk with him again. I don't even know if he thought our friendship was that awesome or not. well, this song makes me think of him. along with many others 80s songs anyway :)
    Flag amandajoneson September 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Great song
    Flag kmk_natashaon April 02, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I really love this song
    Flag Hoty55on August 11, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I always thought it was about abuse and keep it down was like the neighbors are gonna hear. now tha i know the story of the relationship with the drummer it makes perfect sense. No doubt that's the real motivation. Anyway one of the greatest songs of the 80's. takes me back to my childhood memories of that particular summer. One of the songs high on my list of the soundtrack that is my life
    Flag submarineron July 21, 2008   Link

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