I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Fools on parade cavort and carry on for waiting eyes
That you would rather be beside than in front of
But she's never been the kind to be hollowed by the stares
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
It's better than to get a reputation as a miserable little tyke
At least that's the conclusion she came to in this overture
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
That you would rather be beside than in front of
But she's never been the kind to be hollowed by the stares
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
It's better than to get a reputation as a miserable little tyke
At least that's the conclusion she came to in this overture
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
Lyrics submitted by life_aint_chess, edited by tumblah, prayingmantis84, HatefulSwan
Secret Door Lyrics as written by Alex Turner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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belledujour has the lyrics correct (as they are typed in the lyrics booklet that comes with the album). I agree its most likely about Alexa (what I wouldn't give to be that girl!!), and that the 'fools on parade' are paps. I think the part about "a butler pushing on a bookshelf" is so killer. Especially the line "I who was earlier reluctant was suddenly embarrassed and corrected, how could such a creature survive in such a habitat?" it feels like its probably about the first time that he realized how Alexa dealt with the paparazzi. He assumed she was a certain way, but was embarrassed at his assumption because she was clearly different. In this context I kind of find this song to be almost defensive of Alexa ("you'd be daft to think she'd care") against the paparazzi and what the media writes about her.