Heaven is a Secret
Spandau Ballet
The Elusive Nature of Love in 'Heaven is a Secret'
Spandau Ballet's song 'Heaven is a Secret' delves into the complexities and hidden facets of love and relationships. The lyrics paint a picture of a romantic scenario that is both idealized and fraught with challenges. The recurring phrase 'Heaven is a secret' suggests that true love or perfect happiness is something elusive, almost unattainable, and shrouded in mystery. This idea is reinforced by the imagery of 'scripted pleasures made forever,' indicating that while love can be planned and idealized, the reality is often much more complicated.
The song also references 'West-Side' boys and a 'West-Side' song, which could be an allusion to the musical 'West Side Story,' a tale of love and conflict. This reference adds a layer of cultural context, suggesting that the love story in the song is similarly dramatic and fraught with obstacles. The mention of 'fighting on the scaffold of love' further emphasizes the struggles and battles that come with romantic relationships. The lyrics 'easier said than done together' highlight the difficulty of maintaining a relationship, even when the intentions are good.
Another significant aspect of the song is the notion of 'facts are awful shame' and 'the shadow of a doubtful affair,' which suggests that the reality of the relationship may not live up to its idealized version. The song's narrative seems to follow a script, much like a play or a film, where Act One is predictable, but the unfolding drama reveals deeper, more troubling truths. The line 'you can't believe that the secret's out' implies a revelation or a moment of truth that disrupts the idealized vision of love. Ultimately, 'Heaven is a Secret' captures the tension between romantic ideals and the often harsh realities of love.