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,
I'm walkin' through the summer nights
The jukebox playing low
Yesterday everything was goin' too fast
Today it's movin' too slow
I got no place left to turn
I got nothin' left to burn
Don't know if I saw you if I would kiss you or kill you
It probably wouldn't matter to you anyhow
You left me standing in the doorway cryin'
I got nothin' to go back to now
The light in this place is so bad
Makin' me sick in the head
All the laughter is just makin' me sad
The stars have turned cherry red
I'm strummin' on my gay guitar
Smokin' a cheap cigar
The ghost of our old love has not gone away
Don't look it like it will anytime soon
You left me standin' in the doorway cryin'
Under the midnight moon
Maybe they'll get me and maybe they won't
But not tonight and it won't be here
There are things I could say, but I don't
I know the mercy of God must be near
I been ridin a midnight train
Got ice water in my veins
I would be crazy if I took you back
It would go up against every rule
You left me standin' in the doorway cryin'
Sufferin' like a fool
When the last rays of daylight go down
Buddy, you're old no more
I can hear the church bells ringin' in the yard
I wonder who they're ringin' for?
I know I can't win
But my heart just won't give in
Last night I danced with a stranger
But she just reminded me you were the one
You left me standin' in the doorway cryin'
In the dark land of the sun
I eat when I'm hungry, drink when I'm dry
And live my life on the square
And even if the flesh falls off of my face
I know someone will be there to care
It always means so much
Even the softest touch
I see nothing to be gained by any explanation
There's no words that need to be said
You left me standin' in the doorway cryin'
Blues wrapped around my head
The jukebox playing low
Yesterday everything was goin' too fast
Today it's movin' too slow
I got no place left to turn
I got nothin' left to burn
Don't know if I saw you if I would kiss you or kill you
It probably wouldn't matter to you anyhow
You left me standing in the doorway cryin'
I got nothin' to go back to now
The light in this place is so bad
Makin' me sick in the head
All the laughter is just makin' me sad
The stars have turned cherry red
I'm strummin' on my gay guitar
Smokin' a cheap cigar
The ghost of our old love has not gone away
Don't look it like it will anytime soon
You left me standin' in the doorway cryin'
Under the midnight moon
Maybe they'll get me and maybe they won't
But not tonight and it won't be here
There are things I could say, but I don't
I know the mercy of God must be near
I been ridin a midnight train
Got ice water in my veins
I would be crazy if I took you back
It would go up against every rule
You left me standin' in the doorway cryin'
Sufferin' like a fool
When the last rays of daylight go down
Buddy, you're old no more
I can hear the church bells ringin' in the yard
I wonder who they're ringin' for?
I know I can't win
But my heart just won't give in
Last night I danced with a stranger
But she just reminded me you were the one
You left me standin' in the doorway cryin'
In the dark land of the sun
I eat when I'm hungry, drink when I'm dry
And live my life on the square
And even if the flesh falls off of my face
I know someone will be there to care
It always means so much
Even the softest touch
I see nothing to be gained by any explanation
There's no words that need to be said
You left me standin' in the doorway cryin'
Blues wrapped around my head
Lyrics submitted by caitsith01, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Standing in the Doorway Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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no one?
Yesterday everything was going too fast Today, it's moving too slow I got no place left to turn I got nothing left to burn Don't know if I saw you, if I would kiss you or kill you It probably wouldn't matter to you anyhow
No one? I can't believe it The best song of Time Out Of Mind No one? Really?
It's a damn good song, but i guess the meaning's pretty obvious. You did pick the best lyric of the whole thing though! (I had the last 2 lines set as my MSN name before i even came on here!)
I've been listening to this song for about 2 days straight now, and I can't stop, and it's just ridiculously good. I think I'll continue to listen to it.
i'm exactly on the same track that you are. i can't stop listening to Dylan or Blind Melon
Blind Melon and Bob Dylan in the same sentence? FAIL
I actually sought this site out just now solely to see if tehre was any menaing on this song. There's not but I was so shocked to see that other poeple love this song as much as me that I signed up.
What a gloriously excellent song. i agree with whoever said was the highlight of Time Out Of Mind. I'm not really what you'd call a Dylan fan (I just like about a quarter of his stuff) but when he's good he's bloody great! And this, for me anyway, is his finest moment. (Of what I've heard so far by him anyway)
A simply amazing song. Probably my favorite Dylan song also, although I'm moving through his stuff slowly, so i can fully absorb it all. I havent heard everything yet (theres so much, haha)
"Don't know if I saw you, if I would kiss you or kill you It probably wouldn't matter to you anyhow." Honestly, anyone who has ever broken up with someone should understand that line.
And the song paints a picture too, as it goes along, such great imagery of a depressed man moving from a bars to home, trying to find happiness. and with no luck.
Ah, gotta love Dylan.
this song reminds me of a relationship that i just got out of that was too complicated. one second we'd be in love and the other we'd be totally pissed. now..post break-up, the dust hasn't quite settled.
"Don't know if I saw you, if I would kiss you or kill you It probably wouldn't matter to you anyhow."
this song is amazing
I love the line "the dark land of the sun" I'm not going to say it's a brilliant line Because as far as Dylan goes it's ordinary compared To some of his better lines, but I just love it. The Dark Land of the Sun Awesome.
Standing in the doorway, another great Dylan title/metaphor. There's no one that comes up with song titles and song hooks, better than Bob Dylan.
Here he is obviously, in the throes of a love gone bad, a theme that seems to run throughout his song career. It seems as though songwriting is his therapy to deal with the painful difficult situations or predicaments he finds himself in. And sharing it is just as important to him too.
"i see nothing to be gained from any explanation" amen. i think not dark yet is the best song of toom but i like this one just fiiiiine :)