This article will teach you about the lyrics and meaning of one of the most popular songs in recent history. It’s called “I hear the secrets that you keep when you’re talking in your sleep” by Taylor Swift, and it has been a smash hit with millions of fans worldwide!
It’s not a new song, as it was released in 2014 by Taylor Swift. The track is about someone who can’t find the words to tell their loved one how they feel and decides that speaking while sleeping will work instead – perhaps because sleepers are less guarded than when awake.
In this case, though, it doesn’t seem like what you say in your sleep is good news for the person listening! There’s some level of disappointment with feelings being ignored (or at least unacknowledged) before things get worse and secrets start spilling out. And then there’s something more dangerous stemming from those secrets…a situation has been created where if either party were to confront each other over what happened, there would be “no turning back.”
That’s a lot of weight to carry on someone who knows they’re not the only one in your life. And yet, when things are unclear and communication is difficult, it can be tempting to want to find any way possible to get some clarity…even if you have no idea what will happen next.
Those who have secrets they’re not ready to share will find it difficult, and often impossible, to feel comfortable with the other person. The agony of that is compounded by the knowledge that you can’t be honest about what’s going on in your mind
That leaves a lot of room for hurt feelings…and even more opportunity for things to go wrong or get worse before anything gets better.
The secret: I’m not the only one in your life.
Fear of rejection or abandonment, and the fear of being alone are some reasons why people keep secrets. But there’s a much more insidious reason for holding on to them that no one likes to talk about–a deep-seated self-loathing that is so strong it overwhelms any desire to be close with anyone else.”
“You’re afraid you’ll lose control,” says Dr. Cohen “so you don’t let anyone get too close.”
It can lead to intense feelings of isolation and loneliness…and despair over feeling trapped by secrets they feel like they have no way out from under.” It makes sense then that those who’ve been keeping their secrets for long periods of time (or all their lives) might be more likely to suffer from depression or chronic anxiety.
Behind the tender, heartfelt lyrics of “I Hear The Secrets That You Keep When You’re Talking In Your Sleep” is a true tragedy. Shortly after starting his nationwide tour in support of his 2006 album, I Am A Bird Now, Antony Hegarty spent some time living in New York City and was mugged twice on the same corner by thieves who stole all but a single dollar from him–not only that day but also two weeks earlier when he left for work at six AM. Defeated, he returned home to Ireland to live with his family until it healed. His dad bought him an old guitar which became his companion over those dark months away. After playing music every night for hours, he started hearing melodies that weren’t his own.
The song “I Hear The Secrets That You Keep When You’re Talking In Your Sleep” came to him–unfinished lyrics and all–and has since become a staple of Antony’s repertoire, appearing on both Bird Now and 2010’s sweeping double album Swanlights. I’m not sure who the thief was or why they were stealing from me, but when I found out what happened it really helped with my recovery,” Hegarty says in an interview about being mugged after living in New York City for six months while touring for 2006’s I Am A Bird Now.
