Voices Carry

The Voices Carry Songfacts says: The haunting, captivating tone of this song hit like a sledgehammer in 1985, when all else seemed to be twang and bubblegum. Notice the intense bass playing under the husky vocal declaring each line like an entry in a diary. There are very dark undertones in the song, hinting at an abusive relationship - "I try so hard not to get upset, because I know all the trouble I'll get." And while at first the guy is simply telling her to hush, later in the song this is elevated to "shut up!"

I'm in the dark, I'd like to read his mind But I'm frightened of the things I might find Oh, there must be something he's thinking of To tear him away-a-ay When I tell him that I'm falling in love Why does he say-a-ay Hush, hush, keep it down now, voices carry Hush, hush, keep it down now, voices carry Uh-ah I try so hard not to get upset Because I know all the trouble I'll get Oh, he tells me tears are something to hide And something to fear-eh-eh And I try so hard to keep it inside So no one can hear Hush, hush, keep it down now, voices carry Hush, hush, keep it down now, voices carry Hush, hush, keep it down now, voices carry Uh-ah Oh! He wants me, but only part of the time He wants me, if he can keep me in line Hush, hush, keep it down now, voices carry Hush, hush, keep it down now, voices carry Hush, hush, shut up now, voices carry Hush, hush, keep it down now, voices carry Hush, hush, darling, she might overhear Hush, hush - voices carry He said shut up - he said shut up Oh God can't you keep it down Voices carry Hush, hush, voices carry I wish he would let me talk