Well I've got a secret, I cannot say
Blame modern movement to give it away
You've got somethin', that I understand
Hold it in tightly, call 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 or locked in your room
I never believe them and I never assume
Stuck in belief, there is a lie
Promise is 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 isn't gone
And I'm taking our song 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, dakke, shitimbald

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

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

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The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret song meanings
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63 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment

    hmm i think he might actually be saying "blame modern movement." anyway, i never get tired of this song. it always strikes me as kind of bitter, i mean he compares the person he's singing to to a dog... the message i get is he can't trust anyone but himself. great song, damn catchy.

    glamorous*sunriseon May 18, 2002   Link
  • +6
    General Comment

    At Rock In Rio before they began playing The Lost Art Of Keeping A Secret, Josh stated, "This song is about fucking"

    Nix_649on July 27, 2002   Link
  • +6
    General Comment

    josh says every song is about fucking though lol

    uncletommyon March 31, 2003   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    i love this song! does anybody know when there will be out something new by qotsa? i love them, they are one of my favourite bands.

    but isn't the songtext here wrong? in my opinion it's not "You know the art is gone And I'm taking this all to the grave" but "you know the art ISN'T gone and i'm taking this SONG to the grave" otherwise it wouldn't make any sense for me - for the person in the song this "the art of keeping a secret" is extremely important and he doesn't want to loose this art. he just sings about general facts - other people don't know the importance of this art anymore but he says "you know the art isn't gone (for me) and i'm taking this song to the grave"

    the part "promises promise" might also be "promise is promise"

    semiramison August 12, 2006   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    fuck that....QOTSA are waaay bettr than kyuss, eons better.....

    OwnPersonalDemonon September 29, 2002   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    If you have seen the video it is obvious that this song is about sexual secrets (secret liasons) and other taboo acts.

    Alfaon March 29, 2003   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    3-28-03 Asbury Park, NJ Josh "Now this song is definitely about fucking!"

    The Professoron April 02, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i dunno what it is...but to me these guys are like fear and loathing hittin the 90's

    Degradation Tripon July 08, 2002   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    hmmm lick em

    OwnPersonalDemonon March 22, 2003   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Am I the only one who gets the paedophilic undertones in this song? "Whatever you do, don't tell anyone" and "Nobody can know how we feel"

    Rather creepy song really.

    Denzilon June 12, 2005   Link

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