Well I've got a secret, I cannot say
Blame all the movement to give it away
You've got somethin', I understand
Holding it tightly, caught on command
Leap of faith, do you doubt?
Cut you in, I just cut you out

Whatever you do
Don't tell anyone
Whatever you do
Don't tell anyone

Look for reflections, in your face
Canine devotion, time can't erase
Out on the corner, locked in your room
I never believe them and I never assume
Still can't believe there is a lie
Promises promise, an eye for an eye
We've got something to reveal
No one can know how we feel

Whatever you do
Don't tell anyone
Whatever you do
Don't tell anyone

Whatever you do
Don't tell anyone
Whatever you do
Don't tell

I think you already know
How far I'd go not to say
You know the art is gone
And I'm taking this all to the grave

Whatever you do
Don't tell anyone
Whatever you do
Don't tell anyone

Whatever you do
Don't tell anyone
Whatever you do
Don't tell



Lyrics submitted by OwnPersonalDemon, edited by TheBronze

Track duration: 03:36

"The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" as written by Josh Homme, Nick Oliveri

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret song meanings
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66 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:doesnt anyone else think that this song could be about illuminati and corporate controlers?
    this song couldn'nt be about fucking----then how could it be a secret he can't say, if he told you(the secret must be something he can't openly reveal)

    "I think you already know
    How far I'd go not to say
    You know the art isn't gone
    And I'm taking this all to the grave"

    other bands and people(the art isn't gone) have also tried to reveal these secrets without openly saying
    ........................................................................................
    there are big dangers in revealing the secret, so he says:
    "Whatever you do
    Don't tell anyone
    Whatever you do
    Don't tell anyone
    Flag grungeboyon September 24, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This song is in reference to the big secret that the Masons, and many many people throughout history and many groups that are around today. I figured this out on my own, then found so many cultural references to it I have to assume many, many people before me and currently know this secret. And for some reason, nobody is all out revealing themselves. I believe this song specifically tells people like me NOT to tell anyone, because they will just think we are all crazy. But the more of us that figure out the secret, the merrier.

    "I think you already know
    How far I'd go not to say
    You know the art is gone
    And I'm taking this all to the grave"
    -This is trying to lament us with how much it kills us not just out and say everything. The part about "taking it to the grave" I believe may be ironic in that hes singing a song about it, or it could be literal, since he doesnt just come out and say it.

    There is little time. There are dozens of songs Ive heard that are referring to this in some way, figure it out for yourself, you will never believe me if I just tell you: QOTSA songs: Better Living Through Chemistry, Into the Fade, and Auto-Pilot. Semisonic - Closing Time.

    Lol, just watched the music video for Go With the Flow. They are hitting you over the head with it if you know what youre looking for... The sperm, the flowers... a huge nuclear like explosion in the background.
    Anyways, if this makes you agitated or afraid, and you dont feel curious, then dont look into it. Proof from the song Auto-Pilot: "I never seen you before. But now that I have, I don't wanna see you no more" This is how I felt... although I dont regret it now.
    Flag DuncanIdahoTPFon August 27, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I remember a concert after the release of songs for the deaf. At the roskilde festival in Denmark. Josh started this song with saying "This next song is about something everyone should be doing. Anal."

    So yeah, it's about sex, and about something taboo, but not about underage sex.
    Flag AtCloud9on April 03, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I remember a concert after the release of songs for the deaf. At the roskilde festival in Denmark. Josh started this song with saying "This next song is about something everyone should be doing. Anal."

    So yeah, it's about sex, and about something taboo, but not about underage sex.
    Flag AtCloud9on April 03, 2011   Link
  • -1
    My Interpretation:Closet homosexuals.
    Flag otheroneson April 18, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:this song is about fucking,,
    the title "lost art fo keeping a secret" is because nowdays people fuck and tell everyone about it in details and everything..when it says "blame modern movemen"t its saying that sex has become such a common thing now.
    Flag maribeldsxon December 24, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It sounds really obvious, but i think its about trying to find people you can trust and the bitterness of trusting someone and them not repaying that trust
    Flag ewing9593on May 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I like the idea that it is about mistrust and all that, but it does seem, in fact, to be about fuckin'.
    Flag Mealy Ducardon December 01, 2008   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:Sorry. "Queens" having to do with the fact that in some of the illuminati's sub groups such as Bohemian Club there is a lot of homosexual things going on (no offense to gays just stating the relationship.) Even in the symbol of the Shriner's hats and in all of the architecture there are blatant sexual references, and that is where you are all getting confused about the supposed fucking references. The protractor is mounting the chalice with the G or the dong (huh, huh, huh) in the middle. If you look it is even in D.C. with all of the domes (breast) and obelisks (phallus). Sorry for the re-posting I'm not trying to be like old dude and be all confusing I just forgot some main points in explaining my theory of where Josh and the band got their mythology, and the fact that it is in reference to mysticism, and it's secrets, and "secret society's" (that claim to not be secret anymore, they are "society's with secrets" I don't see a difference) and if you research you will come to the same conclusion if you can see the whole picture. Once again not accusing the band of any fraternal relationship, or conspiracy with the orders, just saying it makes great songwriting. Zeppelin used mysticism, and mythology in their music too, one of the first in fact to incorporate it on such a level.
    Flag pumpkinsmash_79on September 07, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Sorry, By the way it is "modern Movement" Anti-Zionist Activism like Alex Jones (A Scanner Darkley, infowars.com, prisonplanet.com). Also just to point out "the art isn't gone" because even though it is an ancient order, freemasonry is still around, utilizing their "art" of compartmentalized knowlege, secret keeping and other forms of secrecy like things hidden in plain sight, and since when can't a song have several meanings both to us and to it's creators? It is called the art of songwriting, and mythology has always played a great part in it, so has using metaphors to invoke understanding on many different levels. Sounds like the many levels of masonry to me.
    Flag pumpkinsmash_79on September 07, 2008   Link

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