This is my private life
I have no friends to fear
I've got no problems no cross to bear
If you can find me
Come and get me out of here

This is my private life
This is my private life
This is my private life

These are my private things
There they are against the wall
The dirty pictures, religious objects
These are my private things
Come and get them out of here

This is my private bed
This is where I lie at night
Staring at a light bulb hanging on the ceiling
Waiting for a dream to
Come and get me out of here

Here in my humble room at night
I often wonder what goes on out there
What makes them runs o scared
I often stare at the people passing by
But they can't see me through my window shades
Just like I'm not even there

This is my private life
This is my private life
This is my private life
There's something dangerous I like

This is my private life
I know my problems aren't your fault
What I really want to know
Has it always been this way

This is my private life
This is my private life
This is my private life
Come and get me out of here

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Lyrics submitted by r0cketbabyd0ll, edited by Shadowbrook

Private Life Lyrics as written by Danny Elfman

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Private Life song meanings

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14 Comments

+4
My Interpretation
This song obviously has a very, very depressing tone. The man singing the song (not necessarily the character of Danny Elfman or Leon Schneiderman) obviously has some social issues. He can't really connect to the world. He seems to have achieved something he always wanted to do: isolation from people, isolation from anxiety, in peace. However, that has taken a toll on him. He simply wants some friends or someone who cares for him. It seems he has no true friends, nor does he have anyone who seems to care for him. This can be told by his constant cries to "get me (him) out of here". Basically, he wants someone to get him out of his shell before his unhealthy lifestyle leads to a severe toll on him.

This song obviously has a very, very depressing tone. The man singing the song (not necessarily the character of Danny Elfman or Leon Schneiderman) obviously has some social issues. He can't really connect to the world. He seems to have achieved something he always wanted to do: isolation from people, isolation from anxiety, in peace. However, that has taken a toll on him. He simply wants some friends or someone who cares for him. It seems he has no true friends, nor does he have anyone who seems to care for him. This can be told by his constant cries to "get me (him) out of here". Basically, he wants someone to get him out of his shell before his unhealthy lifestyle leads to a severe toll on him.

Reason:

ZeeManDogon June 18, 2012 Link
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@ZeeManDog
+2
General Comment
this one's, like "On the Outside", only he seems bitter about his situation, and wants an escape. Yet, he also seems proud of what he has, it's like he is also looking for validation. All "Check me out, I am normal, and all set to become a /normal/ member of society!".

this one's, like "On the Outside", only he seems bitter about his situation, and wants an escape. Yet, he also seems proud of what he has, it's like he is also looking for validation. All "Check me out, I am normal, and all set to become a /normal/ member of society!".

Reason:

Polecaton November 22, 2004 Link
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@Polecat
+1
General Comment
There is some claustrophobic atmosphere in this song. It's like this loneliness slowly smothers you and you can't espace on your won - you need help from somebody else. And after all you get secluded and can hardly return into the world. You want to get in contact but you can't.

There is some claustrophobic atmosphere in this song. It's like this loneliness slowly smothers you and you can't espace on your won - you need help from somebody else. And after all you get secluded and can hardly return into the world. You want to get in contact but you can't.

Reason:

Gloveryon November 04, 2005 Link
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@Glovery
+1
General Comment
On the Outside is more about being an outsider (natch) in society; this song sounds like an agoraphobic's cry for help. He's gotten everything straightened up and organized and has entirely locked the outside world out - now he's lonely and frustrated.

On the Outside is more about being an outsider (natch) in society; this song sounds like an agoraphobic's cry for help. He's gotten everything straightened up and organized and has entirely locked the outside world out - now he's lonely and frustrated.

Reason:

Dubious Meriton March 07, 2006 Link
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@Dubious Merit
+1
My Interpretation
I interpret this to be about introverts. It's from the mind of an introvert (not necessarily Danny, but perhaps the narrative character of the song) who is half-happy with his lifestyle and half-depressed. Though he loves his privacy, how everything is orderly, how all secrets are stashed away, and whatnot, he feels trapped. There is a part of himself that wants to know what goes on outside of his comfortable bubble, but has a fear of just being as invisible outside of his room as he is to the world when he's inside of it. I relate to this song on many levels

I interpret this to be about introverts. It's from the mind of an introvert (not necessarily Danny, but perhaps the narrative character of the song) who is half-happy with his lifestyle and half-depressed. Though he loves his privacy, how everything is orderly, how all secrets are stashed away, and whatnot, he feels trapped. There is a part of himself that wants to know what goes on outside of his comfortable bubble, but has a fear of just being as invisible outside of his room as he is to the world when he's inside of it. I relate to this song on many levels

Reason:

Geekellaon March 11, 2010 Link
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@Geekella
0
General Comment
deeply depressing. the loneliness of privacy caused, essentially, by fear.

deeply depressing. the loneliness of privacy caused, essentially, by fear.

Reason:

enuma elishon March 19, 2008 Link
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@enuma elish
0
General Comment
This song is mostly about how we alienate ourselves from people to protect ourselves from being hurt. It also is how we then replace the basic need of human interaction with obsessive behaviors of religion porn and materialistic things. We are so ashamed to show our real self's (THE SKELETONS ARE HIDDEN IN THE CLOSET) but yet we all crave and beg others to get us out of our self built cage. but yet when some one "knocks" on our door we tell them to "leave me alone this is my private life" at least that is how I always interpreted this song.

This song is mostly about how we alienate ourselves from people to protect ourselves from being hurt. It also is how we then replace the basic need of human interaction with obsessive behaviors of religion porn and materialistic things. We are so ashamed to show our real self's (THE SKELETONS ARE HIDDEN IN THE CLOSET) but yet we all crave and beg others to get us out of our self built cage. but yet when some one "knocks" on our door we tell them to "leave me alone this is my private life" at least that is how I always interpreted this song.

Reason:

pentagontraileron October 17, 2008 Link
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@pentagontrailer
0
My Interpretation
Considering that this song is on the "Nothing to Fear" album, I'm going to assume it's a song depicting an agoraphobe's general anxiety. Just like "Insects" depicts insectophobia.

Considering that this song is on the "Nothing to Fear" album, I'm going to assume it's a song depicting an agoraphobe's general anxiety. Just like "Insects" depicts insectophobia.

Reason:

Jkduzzon August 16, 2010 Link
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@Jkduzz
0
Lyric Correction
Sorry, Entomophobia*, not insectophobia.

Sorry, Entomophobia*, not insectophobia.

Reason:

Jkduzzon August 16, 2010 Link
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@Jkduzz
0
General Comment
Here's the video: dailymotion.com/video/… Unlike today, this was when music came before image. All hail Oingo Boingo!

Here's the video: <a rel="nofollow" href="http://http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1vtvh_oingo-boingo-private-life_music">dailymotion.com/video/…</a> Unlike today, this was when music came before image. All hail Oingo Boingo!

Reason:

monster36604on October 26, 2010 Link
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@monster36604