Secret Door | Arctic Monkeys Lyrics, Meaning & Videos

Secret Door
Arctic Monkeys Lyrics

She swam out of tonight's phantasm
Grabbed my hand and made it very clear
There's absolutely nothing for us here
It's a magnolia celebration to be attempted on a Wednesday night

And the secret door swings behind us
She's saying nothing, she's just giggling along

Her arms were folded most indignant
Not looking like she was soon to leave
I had to squint in order to believe
And then like a butler pushing on a bookshelf
I'm unveiling the unexpected
I, who was earlier reluctant
Was suddenly embarrassed and corrected
How could such a creature survive in such a habitat?

And the secret door swings behind us
She's saying nothing, she's just giggling along
Even if they were to find us
I wouldn't notice, I'm completely occupied

As all the fools on parade cavort and carry on for waiting eyes
Ones you would rather be beside than in front of
But she's never been the kind to be hollowed by the stares
Fools on parade frolic and fuck about to make her gaze
Turn to a scribble on a page by a picture that holds her absence
But you're daft to think she'd care

Fools on parade
Fools on parade

Fools on parade
Conduct a sing-along

The opening lines of Arctic Monkeys' "Secret Door" paint a picture of a scene where people are putting on a show for others' entertainment, while the person singing the song would rather not be in the spotlight. The focus is on a female figure who is strong enough to resist being affected by the stares of onlookers. She takes the singer's hand and leads him out of the place where the “fools on parade” are cavorting and puts forward that there is “absolutely nothing for us here” and that they should seek some other form of celebration.

As the two of them move away from the crowd, a sudden transition takes place. The line “And the secret door swings behind us” marks a turning point in the song. It is a metaphor for venturing into the unknown, embracing uncertainty, and stepping into something new. The female character's arms folded in defiance suggest that she is comfortable in the present and is hesitant to move forward. Yet, the singer pulls a metaphorical lever like a butler pushing on a bookshelf to introduce her to something unexpected. The singer feels embarrassed, recognizing that he was reluctant earlier. The last stanza reiterates the point made earlier about fools on parade, emphasizing how they are making an exhibition of themselves to get attention from someone who doesn't care.

The song takes the listener on a journey of self-discovery and finding one’s rhythm in unconventional ways. Arctic Monkeys’ “Secret Door” speaks to our desire for new experiences and exploration while also highlighting the importance of forging one’s path in life. The song encourages its listeners to take a step back from the limelight, indulge in introspection, and dance if you must, but do not “frolic and f*ck about to make her gaze.”

Fools on parade cavort and carry on for waiting eyes
People are putting on a show for anyone who is looking, despite it not being genuine.

That you would rather be beside than in front of
The people putting on the show are doing it to impress others, not those close to them.

But she's never been the kind to be hollowed by the stares
The woman mentioned is not one to be affected by people trying to show off for her.

She swam out of tonight's phantasm
The woman is leaving behind the fake personas and shows to pursue something real.

Grabbed my hand and made it very clear
She is taking the artist with her on this journey.

There's absolutely nothing for us here
The current situation and environment is not what they're looking for.

It's a magnolia celebration to be attempted on a Wednesday night
They are looking for something simple and pure to celebrate on an ordinary night.

It's better than to get a reputation as a miserable little tyke
They'd rather be happy and genuine than fake and miserable.

At least that's the conclusion she came to in this overture
The woman has decided that this is the best course of action.

And the secret door swings behind us
They are leaving behind the fake world and entering a new one.

She's saying nothing, she's just giggling along
The woman is content and happy with the current situation.

Her arms were folded most indignant
At first, the woman was skeptical and unimpressed with the artist.

Not looking like she was soon to leave
Despite her initial skepticism, the woman decides to stay with the singer.

I had to squint in order to believe
The singer is surprised and amazed by the woman's change of heart.

And then like a butler pushing on a bookshelf
The singer is revealing something unexpected, like a secret door opening.

I, who was earlier reluctant
The artist was hesitant and unsure at first.

Was suddenly embarrassed and corrected
The artist realizes they were wrong and is now embarrassed.

How could such a creature survive in such a habitat?
The singer is amazed that such a genuine person can exist in a fake world.

Even if they were to find us
They're not concerned with others finding them.

I wouldn't notice, I'm completely occupied
They are completely focused on the present, not worried about anything else.

Fools on parade frolic and fuck about to make her gaze
Others are trying to impress the woman by acting foolishly and inappropriately.

Turn to a scribble on a page by a picture that holds her absence
The woman will not be moved by fake shows of affection or attention.

But you're daft to think she'd care
The woman is not affected by the fake personas and shows of others, and will not be impressed by them.

Fools on parade
The people putting on a show for others.

Fools on parade
The people putting on a show for others.

Fools on parade
The people putting on a show for others.

Conduct a sing-along
They're not concerned with the fake shows of others and are content with their own genuine celebration.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Turner

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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