Behind Closed Doors (Matt Fishel song) explained

Behind Closed Doors
Cover:Matt_Fishel_Behind_Closed_Doors_Single_Cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Matt Fishel
Album:Not Thinking Straight
Released:9 April 2012
Recorded:2012
Genre:Pop rock
Length:3:30
Label:Young Lust
Producer:Matt Fishel, Mark Crew
Chronology:Matt Fishel
Prev Title:The First Time
Prev Year:2011
Next Title:Testament
Next Year:2012

"Behind Closed Doors" is a song written and performed by British recording artist Matt Fishel. The song was released as a single on 9 April 2012[1] and appears on Fishel's 2013 debut album Not Thinking Straight.[2]

Style and lyrics

"Behind Closed Doors" is a "driving pop-rock song"[3] that deals lyrically with themes of homophobia, hypocrisy and faux-tolerance. Fishel is openly gay[4] and the song was inspired by his real-life experiences.[5] When discussing the song's lyrics in an interview with Nick Bond of Australia's Sydney Star Observer, Fishel said: “...whether you're gay or belong to any minority group, you often encounter people who like to profess their worldly views and open-mindedness, and then follow up with one of those classic lines like ‘As long as it’s not in front of me’.” In an interview with JD Doyle of Queer Music Heritage, Fishel said "Behind Closed Doors" was about "[that] hypocrisy that you often hear from certain people, when [they] go, 'I'm cool that you're gay, I just don't want to see it.' And that drives me mad."

Release and B-sides

"Behind Closed Doors" was released on 9 April 2012 as Fishel's third single, taken from his debut album Not Thinking Straight. The single was released worldwide on Fishel's own record label Young Lust Records as a three-track digital download, including the original album version of "Behind Closed Doors", a remix by J Stax and an a cappella reworking of the song.

Music video

Whilst no official music video for "Behind Closed Doors" has been released, a simple promo video for the song showcasing the single's artwork was released on Fishel's YouTube channel on 5 April 2012, four days before the single's official release.[6]

Awards and nominations

"Behind Closed Doors" won the 2012 "Song Of The Year" award at the 2012 RightOutTV Music & Video Awards. It was also nominated for Best Pop/Rock/Adult Contemporary Song.[7] [8]

RightOutTV Music & Video Awards

|-|rowspan="2"| 2012 || rowspan=2| "Behind Closed Doors" || Song Of The Year || |-| Best Pop / Rock / Adult Contemporary Song ||

Personnel

According to the album sleeve notes, "Behind Closed Doors" was written and arranged by Matt Fishel, produced and engineered by Fishel and Mark Crew at both Superfishel Studios and Unit 24, London UK and mixed by Crew. Fishel performs all lead and background vocals, piano, guitar, synths and programming on the song, with additional guitars and bass by Jonas Jalhay, additional programming by Crew and additional background vocals by Siri Steinmo.

Track listing

  1. "Behind Closed Doors" – 3:30
  2. "Behind Closed Doors (J Stax Remix)" – 4:36
  3. "Behind Closed Doors (Acapella Version)" – 3:29

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Matt Fishel Behind Closed Doors Single . 2012 . iTunes . March 23, 2021.
  2. Web site: Matt Fishel Not Thinking Straight . 2013 . iTunes . March 23, 2021.
  3. Web site: Bond . Nick . Fishel opening musical doors . . May 2, 2012 . March 23, 2021.
  4. Web site: Matt Fishel is Not Thinking Straight . Right Out TV . March 23, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004434/http://www.rightouttv.com/Matt-Fishel-New-CD-2013.html . 2013-12-03.
  5. Web site: JD Doyle Interviews Matt Fishel April 2013 The Script . Queer Music Heritage . 2013 . March 23, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130512140449/http://www.queermusicheritage.us/outapr13s.html . May 12, 2013.
  6. Web site: Matt Fishel - Behind Closed Doors . YouTube . 5 April 2012 . March 23, 2021.
  7. Web site: RightOutTV 2012 WINNERS Video Presentation . RightoutTV. https://web.archive.org/web/20131031232221/http://www.rightouttvawards.com/Previous-Winners.html . October 31, 2013.
  8. Web site: RightOutTV Music & Video Awards 2012 Nominees . https://web.archive.org/web/20131212131310/http://www.rightouttvawards.com/2012Nominees.html . December 12, 2013 . March 23, 2021.