In My Secret Life

Album: Pictures (2007)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a cover of a Leonard Cohen song, which originally appeared on the Canadian singer-songwriter's 2001 10 New Songs album.
  • Katie Melua told I Like Music that this was the track she most enjoyed laying down when recording the Pictures album: "I really enjoyed singing 'In My Secret Life' because weirdly enough I thought Leonard Cohen managed to put into words what I'd never been able to with that song."
  • Melua also told Metro France October 2, 2007 why she decided to cover this song: "I have to stay my strongest point as a writer is my music, so I tend to rely on others for lyrics. I mean, I will guide people lyrically, but it's not my strong point. And in that song Leonard Cohen put into words what I haven't been able to and I just absolutely love them. You know how you spend most of your teens being idealist and quite naive and wanting to change the world and be different and not conform and not live in a money-based society. But everyone does, everyone sells out and lives in a very money-based society. And that's what the song is about to me: you buy what you're told - It's frustrating but it's nice to be able to admit to it."

Comments: 1

  • Madison from Norway, MeIt took me a while to warm up to this song of Leonard's when I first heard it. Never heard the cover version.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Art Alexakis of Everclear

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.