Smiley Lewis
Smiley Lewis (5 July 1913 – 7 October 1966) was a New Orleans rhythm and blues musician.
Lewis was born in DeQuincy, Louisiana, U.S., with the given name of Overton Amos Lemons.
He began to play music in New Orleans, in his mid-teens. Lewis had hit songs in 1952 with "The Bells Are Ringing", and in 1955 with the original recorded version of "I Hear You Knocking" (written by Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King).
Lewis' own song "Blue Monday" was covered by Fats Domino. Read Full BioSmiley Lewis (5 July 1913 – 7 October 1966) was a New Orleans rhythm and blues musician.
Lewis was born in DeQuincy, Louisiana, U.S., with the given name of Overton Amos Lemons.
He began to play music in New Orleans, in his mid-teens. Lewis had hit songs in 1952 with "The Bells Are Ringing", and in 1955 with the original recorded version of "I Hear You Knocking" (written by Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King).
Lewis' own song "Blue Monday" was covered by Fats Domino. Whilst Elvis Presley's cover of the Lewis song "One Night" (altering one risque lyric) was #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #1 on UK Singles Chart.
Dave Edmunds' cover of "I Hear You Knocking" also reached number one in the UK. His version of the song lyric actually name checks Lewis (alongside Chuck Berry and Huey Smith).
Lewis' track "Shame, Shame, Shame" appeared on the soundtrack of the film, Baby Doll in 1956, but failed to find entry to the R&B chart.
Lewis died in the autumn of 1966 from stomach cancer. He was all but forgotten outside of his New Orleans home base.
Lewis was born in DeQuincy, Louisiana, U.S., with the given name of Overton Amos Lemons.
He began to play music in New Orleans, in his mid-teens. Lewis had hit songs in 1952 with "The Bells Are Ringing", and in 1955 with the original recorded version of "I Hear You Knocking" (written by Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King).
Lewis' own song "Blue Monday" was covered by Fats Domino. Read Full BioSmiley Lewis (5 July 1913 – 7 October 1966) was a New Orleans rhythm and blues musician.
Lewis was born in DeQuincy, Louisiana, U.S., with the given name of Overton Amos Lemons.
He began to play music in New Orleans, in his mid-teens. Lewis had hit songs in 1952 with "The Bells Are Ringing", and in 1955 with the original recorded version of "I Hear You Knocking" (written by Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King).
Lewis' own song "Blue Monday" was covered by Fats Domino. Whilst Elvis Presley's cover of the Lewis song "One Night" (altering one risque lyric) was #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #1 on UK Singles Chart.
Dave Edmunds' cover of "I Hear You Knocking" also reached number one in the UK. His version of the song lyric actually name checks Lewis (alongside Chuck Berry and Huey Smith).
Lewis' track "Shame, Shame, Shame" appeared on the soundtrack of the film, Baby Doll in 1956, but failed to find entry to the R&B chart.
Lewis died in the autumn of 1966 from stomach cancer. He was all but forgotten outside of his New Orleans home base.
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I Hear You Knocking
Smiley Lewis Lyrics
You went away and left me long time ago
Now you come back knockin' on my door
I hear you knocking, but you can't come in
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
I begged you not to go, but you said goodbye
Now you come back tellin' all your lies
I hear you knocking, but you can't come in
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
I told way back in '52
I would never go with you
I hear you knocking
But you can't come in
I hear you knocking
Go back where you've been
You'd better get back to your used-to-be
Because your love's no good to me
I hear you knocking
But you can't come in
I hear you knocking
Go back where you've been
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Pearl King, Dave Bartholomew
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Hamer Galil
You went away and left me long time ago
Now you come back knockin' on my door
I hear you knockin'
But you can't come in
I hear you knockin'
Go back where you've been
I begged you not to go but you said goodbye
Now you come back tellin' all those lies
I hear you knockin'
But you can't come in
I hear you knockin'
Go back where you've been
I told you way back in '52
I would never go with you
I hear you knockin'
But you can't come in
I hear you knockin'
Go back where you've been
You better go back to your used-to-be
Because your love's no good to me
I hear you knockin'
But you can't come in
I hear you knockin'
Go back where you've been
Rikki Martinez
I walked into a record store long long time ago and heard him on the speakers. Asked them who it was and they told me Smiley Davis. Only CD they had was playing...I had them get it out so I could buy it. I still have the CD. 20yrs later. Love it!!
Hab Som
That is so cool. Cool that you asked about the song playing and cool that the store agreed to sell the CD and cool that you still have the CD 20yrs later. When some thing moves you musically, you just have to pursue it! 😎👍
Rock Stomper
HEY!! Big Joe Turner Flip Flop Fly
Wesley Cook
Smiley Lewis.
Joe Smith
You’ll be awfully disappointed if you look for this song by smiley Davis...
Kevin Bennett
Smiley Davis?
Alex Faudel
Glad that The Irishman reintroduced this gem to the folks unfortunate enough to not have parents with great music taste
brianw
@Shaun Minahan Yes Dave Edmonds is Welsh, but this was played in the movie ''The Irishman''
cynthia kelly
@MONARI OCHWANGI I never saw the film Irish Man. I just remember the original. Yes, I am that old. It just popped into my head this morning. I just love this song. Maybe I will have to see the film. Best wishes.
The Infiltrator
Also: Dave Edmunds :) - my next-favorite version.