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,
A second, a minute, and hour, a day goes by.
I'm hopin' just to be by your side.
I'm turnin' the handle
It won't open.
Don't make me wait, cause right now I need your smile.
Knock Knock
When life had locked me out, I turned to you
So open the door.
You're all I need right now its true.
Nothin' works like you.
Little louder [Repeat: x3]
Knockin'
Little louder [Repeat: x2]
A warm bath, a good laugh, an old song that you know by heart.
I've tried it but they all leave me cold.
So now I'm here waiting to see you,
My remedy for all that's been hurting me.
Knock Knock
When life had locked me out, I turned to you
So open the door.
You're all I need right now its true.
Nothin' works like you.
You seem to know the way
To turn my frown upside down
You always know what to say
To make me feel like everything?s ok.
Little louder [Repeat: x3]
Knockin' [Repeat: x3]
Little louder [Repeat: x2]
Knock Knock
When life had locked me out, I turned to you
So open the door.
You're all I need right now its true.
Nothin' works like you.
Knock Knock
When life had locked me out, I turned to you
So open the door.
You're all I need right now its true.
Nothin' works like you.
Little louder [Repeat: x3]
Knockin'
Nothin' works like you, oh oh
Little louder [Repeat: x3]
Knockin'
Knock Knock
When life had locked me out, I turned to you
So open the door.
You're all I need right now its true.
Nothin' works like you.
I'm hopin' just to be by your side.
I'm turnin' the handle
It won't open.
Don't make me wait, cause right now I need your smile.
Knock Knock
When life had locked me out, I turned to you
So open the door.
You're all I need right now its true.
Nothin' works like you.
Little louder [Repeat: x3]
Knockin'
Little louder [Repeat: x2]
A warm bath, a good laugh, an old song that you know by heart.
I've tried it but they all leave me cold.
So now I'm here waiting to see you,
My remedy for all that's been hurting me.
Knock Knock
When life had locked me out, I turned to you
So open the door.
You're all I need right now its true.
Nothin' works like you.
You seem to know the way
To turn my frown upside down
You always know what to say
To make me feel like everything?s ok.
Little louder [Repeat: x3]
Knockin' [Repeat: x3]
Little louder [Repeat: x2]
Knock Knock
When life had locked me out, I turned to you
So open the door.
You're all I need right now its true.
Nothin' works like you.
Knock Knock
When life had locked me out, I turned to you
So open the door.
You're all I need right now its true.
Nothin' works like you.
Little louder [Repeat: x3]
Knockin'
Nothin' works like you, oh oh
Little louder [Repeat: x3]
Knockin'
Knock Knock
When life had locked me out, I turned to you
So open the door.
You're all I need right now its true.
Nothin' works like you.
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
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.
this song is so nice, the rhythm, beats and lyrics as well. yeah it's for someone who can cheer you up and comforts you so much in times of trouble, but most of it, it can also be to GOD...
"When life has Locked Me Out I turn to you And you open the door 'Cause you're what I need right now it's true... Nothing works like you"
..coz everything works in Him.