Secret

Album: Crisis / Secret / Set Me Free (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, Joshua Bassett sings about discovering a former girlfriend's lies. At the time they were dating he was aware she had a crush on another guy, but ignored his friends' advice to "run for the hills." Bassett gave her the benefit of the doubt, but a year after their relationship ended, he discovered her secret: she'd been two-timing him.
  • Bassett recorded "Secret" for his EP Crisis/Secret/Set Me Free, a trilogy of songs believed to be addressing his High School Musical co-star and ex-girlfriend Olivia Rodrigo. When the teenage actress blamed him for the split on "Drivers License," Bassett felt deeply hurt. Here, he responds by portraying himself as the victim after being double crossed by her. Yes, it's possible the singer is alluding to a separate relationship, or even a fictional one, but he seemingly sprinkles several clues it is Rodrigo he is dissing.

    Bassett starts of the song by singing:

    Pulled into your driveway again
    We kissed, but it felt different


    Is this an allusion to "Drivers License"?

    He begins his second verse with:

    I really hope you had your fun, good for you foolin' everyone
    You had me tricked for 16 months


    Here, Bassett is possibly referring to Rodrigo's "Good 4 U" hit single. That song found her singing of an ex moving on with a new girlfriend, leaving Rodrigo heartbroken. Many fans believe the former boyfriend to be Bassett, so is he suggesting her portrayal of him and their relationship is "fooling everyone?"

    On the bridge, Bassett says that when the truth comes out, his ex's reputation will take a hit:

    When "Woe is me" stops working
    I bet your songs won't sound the same


    Clearly, Bassett is addressing a singer here. This ostensibly fits in with the rumored narrative of Rodrigo of "Drivers License" and "Good 4 U": that she launched her career with songs based on her heartbreak after he moved on too quickly following their breakup.
  • Bassett wrote the song with:

    Singer-songwriter and actress Katelyn Tarver (Cheryl Cole's "Crazy Stupid Love," Lost King's "You").

    The song's producer, Davis Naish. As well as being Katelyn Tarver's frequent collaborator, Naish also co-wrote Eric Church's "Stick That In Your Country Song."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-Outs

Goodbye, Hello: Ten Farewell Tour Fake-OutsSong Writing

The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

The End Of The Rock Era

The End Of The Rock EraSong Writing

There are no more rock stars - the last one died in 1994.