Behind That Locked Door

This is a song that is scarcely appreciated because it is overshadowed by the other tracks on All Things Must Pass. When I bought the album, I listened to this song and really identified with the lyrics. It was so beautiful and i'll always remember crying myself to sleep that night.

I'm pretty sure he says "let me take them from you" (forth line)

"All Things Must Pass" was my Musical Bible for years. It's still my favorite album!! Somehow I remember that "Behind That Locked Door" was written with a few other songs when George was visiting Bob Dylan. That meeting produced "I'd Have You Anytime" and "If Not For You!!" I thought "Behind That Locked Door" may have been written for Bob Dylan by George!!.

Great Song! I didn't pay much attention for years to this song since one of many great songs on album this is from, but recently I've come to really appreciate the beautiful lyrics and heartfelt singing from George on it. Yes, it was written for Bob Dylan by George (read an article about how George wrote it to encourage his friend Bob Dylan to perform at upcoming concert in 1969 (Isle of Wight which was huge concert) and Bob had apparently been shy about playing live again), BUT I think its more than just a song about friendship ad goes much deeper. I cry when I sing along with this song, which is not something I usually do except for a few songs that seem to touch me emotionally.

The lyrics start off deeply emotional with opening lines:

"Why are you still crying?"

But then goes into the first of the many lines about encouragement :

"Your pain is now through Please forget those teardrops Let me take them from you"

I think line 4 is "take them from you" (as someone noted earlier) Maybe its because I've been in recovery for drug addiction for years that I find the lines so comforting about offering hope and wanting to help others in their journeys to find peace and happiness. I know A LOT of people are really hurting inside ("crying" inside) and the steel guitar seems appropriate with the softly, powerful singing.

"Behind that locked door" is a great metaphor for something deeply troubling and causing sorrow or other strong emotions (maybe hiding secrets or feeling shame with an addiction or regrets about past actions ending relationships, etc) The song seems to be talking about more than just encouraging a rock star to get over stage fright!

To me, the final verses don't quite fit as well as other verses. The line: "If I'm rich or I'm poor" reminds me think of song Que Sera Sera (lines: "Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?"), and then the lines in same song:
"Whatever will be, will be" sounds similar to what George sings :

"And if ever my love goes"

Still unlike Que Sera Sera (which is lovely but kind of passive or lacking in emotions), the emotions in George's song seem more heartfelt and addressing someone personally. I got to hear a demo or early version of song, and the final lines which come at end of song are not there! I think addition is very nice but somehow not quite as beginning and middle of song. I Love It though and hope more people can relate to the hope it brings or can bring to broken spirits. It certainly lifts me up like another GREAT George song : Blow Away