"Behind Closed Doors" is a "driving pop-rock song" that deals lyrically with themes of homophobia, hypocrisy and faux-tolerance. Fishel is openly gay and the song was inspired by his real-life experiences. 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 " hypocrisy that you often hear from certain people, when 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 labelYoung 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.
"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.
RightOutTV Music & Video Awards
Personnel
According to the albumsleeve 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.
