The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Sweet Lucy was a dancer
But none of us would chance her
Because she was a samurai
She made electric shadows
Beyond our fingertips
And none of us could reach that high
She came on like a teaser
I had to touch and please her
Enjoy a little paradise
The lock was in my pocket
When Lucy met the rocket
She never knew the reason why
I can't deny it
With that smile on her face
Oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
It's knocking at the door
You know it's no good running
It's not against the law
The point of no return
And now you know the score
And now you're learning
What's knockin' at your back door
Sweet Nancy was so fancy
To get into her pants we
Had to be the aristocracy
The members that she toyed with
At her city club were something in diplomacy
So we put her on the hit list
Of a common cunning linguist
A master of many tongues
And now she eases gently
From her Austin to her Bentley
Suddenly she feels so young
I can't deny it
With that smile on her face
Oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
It's knocking at the door
You know it's no good running
No, it's not against the law
The point of no return
Now how you know the score
And now you're learning, aha
What's knockin' at your back door
Sweet Lucy was a dancer
But none of us would chance her
Because she was a samurai
She made electric shadows
Beyond our fingertips
And one of us could reach that high
I can't deny it
With that smile on my face
Oh oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
Knocking at your door
You know it's no good running
Now it's knocking at your door
Ah ha, knockin' at your back door
But none of us would chance her
Because she was a samurai
She made electric shadows
Beyond our fingertips
And none of us could reach that high
She came on like a teaser
I had to touch and please her
Enjoy a little paradise
The lock was in my pocket
When Lucy met the rocket
She never knew the reason why
I can't deny it
With that smile on her face
Oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
It's knocking at the door
You know it's no good running
It's not against the law
The point of no return
And now you know the score
And now you're learning
What's knockin' at your back door
Sweet Nancy was so fancy
To get into her pants we
Had to be the aristocracy
The members that she toyed with
At her city club were something in diplomacy
So we put her on the hit list
Of a common cunning linguist
A master of many tongues
And now she eases gently
From her Austin to her Bentley
Suddenly she feels so young
I can't deny it
With that smile on her face
Oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
It's knocking at the door
You know it's no good running
No, it's not against the law
The point of no return
Now how you know the score
And now you're learning, aha
What's knockin' at your back door
Sweet Lucy was a dancer
But none of us would chance her
Because she was a samurai
She made electric shadows
Beyond our fingertips
And one of us could reach that high
I can't deny it
With that smile on my face
Oh oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
Knocking at your door
You know it's no good running
Now it's knocking at your door
Ah ha, knockin' at your back door
Lyrics submitted by rsvpdiddy, edited by ShadeBlade, chefgroovy, LeeLee1498, michaelt8j
Knocking At Your Back Door Lyrics as written by Ritchie Blackmore Ian Gillan
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Unison Rights S.L., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
When DP played this song in concert about 15 years ago, Ian Gillan did a "jerkoff" motion with his hand while singing the line "the log was in my pocket". Classic.
Also, I always though the lyrics were a "common cunnilinguist" rather than a "common cunning linguist".
It IS "common cunnilinguist". This site had it wrong. With the song's subject matter, what else could it be?
It is absolutely "cunning linguist." It's a pun. And it sets up the next line with the "master of many tongues."<br /> <br /> The wordplay makes it clever. And radio-friendly.<br /> <br /> Now if someone can explain the references to the Austin and the Bentley, besides the fact that they're cars that would be driven by someone in the aristocracy. (Which makes it a little unlikely that this would take place in a strip club.)
I don't think the make of the cars are as important as much as when he refers that "now she eases gently"......meaning that her ass could be tender when sitting, and she very may feel refreshed and "young" after a good shagging.<br /> Obviously the two cars are well known in British aristocracy as you mentioned.<br /> cheers