"The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" is a song by the American rock band Queens of the Stone Age. It was released on August 7, 2000, as the first single from the band's second studio album, Rated R, through Interscope Records.
Background and Release
The single was released in Europe as a standard physical single and in the United States as a promotional single only. It was written by band members Josh Homme and Nick Oliveri, and produced by Homme and Chris Goss. The song runs for 3 minutes and 36 seconds and is classified stylistically as alternative rock and hard rock.
Chart Performance
"The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" was the only single from Rated R to chart. It reached number 21 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, number 36 on the US Alternative Airplay chart, and number 31 on the UK Singles Chart. In Scotland, it peaked at number 35, and on the UK Rock & Metal chart, it reached number 2.
Music Video and Media Appearances
The song's music video received moderate airplay on music television. The track has been featured in several films and television series, including Sound City, Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball, Numbers, Nip/Tuck, Entourage, and Daria. It also appeared in the video games Tony Hawk: Ride, Driver: San Francisco, and Gran Turismo 5.
Critical Reception
The song is widely regarded as one of Queens of the Stone Age's best works. In 2016, Louder Sound ranked it number three on its list of the 10 greatest Queens of the Stone Age songs. In 2021, Kerrang ranked it number one on its list of the 20 greatest Queens of the Stone Age songs.
Track Listings
The European 7-inch and CD single included:
- "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" – 3:36
- "Ode to Clarissa" – 2:40
The UK CD 1 release included a re-recorded version of "Born to Hula" (5:52) and the CD-ROM video for the title track. The UK CD 2 release included "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret," "Ode to Clarissa," and a live version of "Monsters in the Parasol" recorded in Seattle.
Personnel
- Josh Homme – lead vocals, guitar
- Nick Oliveri – bass, backing vocals
- Nick Lucero – drums
- Pete Stahl – backing vocals
- Dave Catching – electric piano
- Barrett Martin – vibes
- Scott Mayo – baritone saxophone
- Chris Goss – "noise" piano
Certification
In the United Kingdom, the single received a Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), denoting 200,000 certified units in sales and streaming.
