I Keep Mine Hidden Lyrics

Lyric discussion by starletmusic 

Cover art for I Keep Mine Hidden lyrics by Smiths, The

Why is the central, first person figure a »twenty-digit combination to unlock«?

Perhaps because being gay, in a not too distant past, was considered a mental disease.

Yes, I'm figuring that the »to be ›touched‹« part is a one digit combination code for engaging in amorous activities with a same-sex partner. And the combination of being considered »mental« and also a criminal, since homosexuality was also illegal—now, THAT'S insane—is why it's kept hidden.

@starletmusic In certain English patois 'to be touched' was a slang term for 'mental'. He might be referring to homosexual being mental. That does seems quite logical.

@exobscura Ah, thanks for the insight!