Walter Becker (b. February 20, 1950) formed a musical partnership with Dona… Read Full Bio ↴Walter Becker (b. February 20, 1950) formed a musical partnership with Donald Fagen (b. January 10, 1948) when both were students at Bard College in the 1960s. They were members of a late edition of Jay & the Americans in 1969 and were sponsored by Kenny Vance of that group, writing and recording the soundtrack to a low-budget film called You Gotta Walk It Like You Talk It (Or You'll Lose That Beat) in 1970. Moving to ABC Records as staff writers in 1971, they formed the group Steely Dan, one of the most popular groups of the 1970s. In 1981, Fagen went solo and Becker went into production, both part-time. They reunited when Becker produced Fagen's second album, Kamakiriad, in 1993, and toured as Steely Dan in the summers of 1993 and 1994. Becker released his debut solo album, Eleven Tracks of Whack, in 1994.

Don't Let Me In
Becker & Fagen Lyrics

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I hear you found a brand new friend
Well if I try to take you back again
If I decide to make amends
Don't let me in
You know, I'd like to be inside
But don't you listen when you hear me cry
Not even just to say goodbye
Don't let me in

I say no no no no, oh no
Don't let me in
I say no no no no, oh no
Don't let me in
Don't let me in
I never want to do you harm
Don't pay no head to all my false alarm
If I should come with pleading arms
Don't let me in
You hear it knocking on your door
You pound another heart you can't ignore
But soon it isn't there no more
Don't let me in
I say no no no no, oh no
Don't let me in
I say no no no no, oh no

Don't let me in
Don't let me in

Overall Meaning

In "Don't Let Me In," Becker & Fagen are expressing their desire to reconcile with someone they've parted ways with, but they also recognize that their return could potentially lead to further harm. They acknowledge that they've caused harm in the past with their "false alarms," and recognize that if they come back with "pleading arms," it may not be genuine or sustainable. Hence, they leave it up to the other person to make the call if they should be let in or not.

The lyrics also convey a sense of desperation and longing to be back in the other person's life, as evidenced by the repetition of the phrase "Don't let me in." This phrase serves as a plea and a warning not to let the singer back in because they know that they may cause more harm than good. The song essentially captures the bittersweet feeling of wanting something that you know isn't good for you.

Line by Line Meaning

I hear you found a brand new friend
I heard that you moved on and have a new friend.

Well if I try to take you back again
If I try to get back with you again.

If I decide to make amends
If I decide to apologize to you.

Don't let me in
Don't allow me to come back into your life.

You know, I'd like to be inside
I would like to be a part of your life again.

But don't you listen when you hear me cry
But don't pay attention to my sorrowful cries.

Not even just to say goodbye
Not even to say a final farewell.

I say no no no no, oh no
I am pleading with you not to let me in.

I never want to do you harm
I never intended to harm you.

Don't pay no head to all my false alarm
Don't pay any attention to my unnecessary warnings.

If I should come with pleading arms
If I come to you begging for forgiveness.