I was born in the back seat
Of a travellin' hurricane
I came up in the back streets
The city with no name

I was raised on trouble
Rock when I should roll
I never could control it
And I can't be controlled

I am what I am
I am the back door slam

When I walk down the streets
The streetlights go out
When I drive through your town
The dogs start to howl

And I stand in the shadows
Sparks are in my hair
When I open up my mouth
My voice fills the air

I am what I am
I am the back door slam

People say
I'm charming
People say
I'm alarming

People can feel
The disturbance around me
I don't care
What they say they see

I'm the dust in your broom
100 proof ever clear
I'm the crack in your ceilin'
Thump you think you hear

I'm a 3 a.m. phone call
Tank of gasoline
I'm a siren stoppin'
At the end of your street

I am what I am
I am the back door slam

People say
Strange
People say
I'm dangerous

People can feel
That a deal was struck
Save my soul
And make my own luck

I was born in the city
A city with no shame
And when I play guitar
They all know my name

I am what I am
I am the back door slam

I am what I am
I am the back door slam




Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings

Back Door Slam Lyrics as written by Kevin Robert Hayes Bonnie M. Hayes

Lyrics © BOB-A-LEW SONGS

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Back Door Slam song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

0 Comments

sort form View by:
  • No Comments

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

Album art
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
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.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Album art
Page
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.