Secrets

Album: Waking Up (2009)
Charted: 77 21
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This ballad is the lead single in Germany from Coloradan quintet OneRepublic's second studio album, Waking Up. The song was chosen due to the fact that it was used as the title song in a German movie called Zweiohrküken, the sequel to Keinohrhasen, which used their song "Apologize" as the title song. In all other territories this served as the official second single, "All the Right Moves" having been the previous release.
  • Since the band's debut release in 2007, the band's frontman Ryan Tedder has achieved international success penning hit songs for artists such as Leona Lewis, Kelly Clarkson and Beyoncé. On this song Tedder looks at the pressure of topping previous songwriting successes. He explained to iProng Magazine: "The whole idea is the person, the 'artist' saying I don't really trust my own flow, I don't trust my own delivery in writing, so tell me what you want to hear. This song is basically asking the audience, what do you want me to do? It's kind of an interesting song. The song slips back and forth between insecurity and total confidence, insecurity, total confidence, which is to me the life of the artist."
  • An instrumental version of this song was featured in advertising to launch Apple's iPhone 4.
  • The song featured in a 2010 global ad campaign for the launch of Ralph Lauren's men's fragrance, The Big Pony Collection.
  • Welsh classical crossover artist Katherine Jenkins recorded an Italian language version re-titled "Segreti" for her 2014 Home Sweet Home album. The idea for the cover came when Jenkins heard The Piano Guys performing an instrumental version of the song at a BAFTA ceremony.

Comments: 2

  • Martin from Fresno CaI think he is asking for support from all his friends and family. I think he is tired of keeping things from others and feels confident to share them with others. A great song.
  • Jenn from Norwalk, CtThis song is incredible. I *love* when artists meld strings with other music. They did it so beautifully. The song lyrics are also beautiful. I hope the younger generation can appreciate and respect such art in a land of terrible music.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Yacht Rock!

Yacht Rock!Song Writing

A scholarly analysis of yacht rock favorites ("Steal Away," "Baker Street"...) with a member of the leading YR cover band.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.

Song Cities

Song CitiesMusic Quiz

Nirvana, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen are among those who wrote songs with cities that show up in this quiz.

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in Songs

Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear: Teddy Bears and Teddy Boys in SongsSong Writing

Elvis, Little Richard and Cheryl Cole have all sung about Teddy Bears, but there is also a terrifying Teddy song from 1932 and a touching trucker Teddy tune from 1976.

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.