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Dirty Little Secret: Thursday Inspiration

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for Thursday Inspiration #305 –
“What Difference Does It Make”.
 Here’s my inspirational response.

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For this week’s Thursday Inspiration prompt, Jim Adams asks us to respond to the challenge by using the prompt word ‘tide’, referring to the song “What Difference Does It Make” by the Smiths or another one of their songs, or a song that is about being rejected by a close friend after they find out a secret about you, or by anything else we feel fits. Here’s my story:

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Evelyn had always guarded her hidden desires like a locked diary, her secret relationships with both Curtis and Linda woven into the fabric of her quiet life. She confided in her childhood friend, Beth, believing her loyalty was unshakable. But one evening at a party, Beth, fueled by jealousy and alcohol, exposed Evelyn’s affairs to a stunned crowd. “What difference does it make?” Beth slurred, smirking as Evelyn’s world crumbled. The betrayal cut deeper than the scandal; Curtis vanished, Linda turned her back on her, and whispers followed Evelyn like long shadows. Years passed, but the sting of Beth’s words never dulled. Evelyn rebuilt her life in solitude, her heart a fortress, unable to forgive or forget. Even as Beth tried to reach out, Evelyn turned away, haunted by the night her secrets were weaponized. Trust, once broken, was a wound time couldn’t heal, a lesson etched in her soul.

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My musical response to Jim’s challenge is a song called “Dirty Little Secret”  by The All-American Rejects, a rock band from Oklahoma formed in 1999. The band gained mainstream success with hits like “Swing, Swing” from their 2002 self-titled album and “Dirty Little Secret” from their 2005 album, Move Along.

“Dirty Little Secret” explores themes of hidden desires and secret relationships, focusing on the complications and intrigue of keeping secrets from others. The lyrics imply a scandalous, private relationship where both parties are trying to uncover each other’s secrets. Some interpretations suggest the “dirty little secret” is hiding someone from a girlfriend, but overall, the song addresses the broader idea that everyone hides something.

This is “Dirty Little Secret” by The All-American Rejects


LYRICS

Let me know that I’ve done wrong
When I’ve known this all along
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you

Tell me all that you’ve thrown away
Find out games you don’t wanna play
You are the only one
That needs to know

I’ll keep you my dirty little secret (Dirty little secret)
Don’t tell anyone or you’ll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret, who has to know?

When we live such fragile lives
It’s the best way we survive
I go around a time or two
Just to waste my time with you

Tell me all that you’ve thrown away
Find out games you don’t wanna play
You are the only one
That needs to know

I’ll keep you my dirty little secret (Dirty little secret)
Don’t tell anyone or you’ll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret, who has to know?

The way she feels inside (Inside)
Those thoughts I can’t deny (Deny)
These sleeping dogs won’t lie (Won’t lie)
And all I’ve tried to hide
It’s eating me apart
Trace this line back

I’ll keep you my dirty little secret (Dirty little secret)
Don’t tell anyone or you’ll be just another regret
(Just another regret)

I’ll keep you my dirty little secret (Dirty little secret)
Don’t tell anyone or you’ll be just another regret
(Just another regret, hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret, dirty little secret
Dirty little secret, who has to know? Who has to know?

Songwriters: Tyson V Ritter, Nick Don Wheeler

Thursday Inspiration #305 What Difference Does It Make

Many thanks to Jim Adams for this week’s inspiration. Thanks to you all for stopping by for a look and a listen.

That’s all she wrote, kids. See you on the flip side. 😎

NAR©2025

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

24 thoughts on “Dirty Little Secret: Thursday Inspiration”

    1. Ammunition, even in the so-called sanctity of a confessional, as I learned more than 30 years ago.
      Her friend’s betrayal was likely fueled by jealousy and/or revenge. Of course she’s better off without them but the stain of the Judas kiss lasts forever.

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    1. Betrayal …. it’s such an unpleasant word, one that leave a bad taste in the back of your throat. I’ve been betrayed, as many of us have; it’s an awful feeling that never goes away. I’m pleased to know you enjoyed both my story and the song. Thanks, Sis!

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  7. I loved your story and the song you selected; Nancy and they were both perfect for the Thursday Inspiration prompt. I have no idea what happened between Evelyn, Curtis and Linda, but it was their business, and Beth should have kept her trap shut. The All-American Rejects are new to me, but they seem like a band that is worth checking out.

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    1. Good thing this is a work of fiction because I have no idea what happened between those three1 Whatever it was it got deep under Beth’s skin and fed her need for revenge. Betrayal is a bitter pill; I’ve been there, maybe you have, too. It’s a dark and lonely place. Thanks very much, Jim. I’m glad to know you enjoyed both story and song. This was a great topic.

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  9. Ah, the broken trust, Nancy …hurts more than anything else, …🎶listening to the music whilst typing, sort of, …🎶…and of all the secrets on the cards, the only one to stand out was ‘ I pee in the sink’ …Why? …💙

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  10. I didn’t know of that band. I was once part of a popular rock band in the 1960s. We played in all four states: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas. We had two 45s that did well, and were on the verge of signing an album deal with United Artists when we broke apart. Our keyboard player had an epiphany and moved to Northern California to live in a commune with a girl named something unusual. Egos and infighting finished us off. Booze and jealousy, now that is a dangerous cocktail, guaranteed to end friendships. I’ve seen it happen and was once on the receiving end of a tirade from an old friend, who is now an ex-old friend. You certainly pick some zingers, Nancy.

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