Knockin' On Heaven's Door
C. J. Johnson Lyrics
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Ever since I made up my mind
I been countin' all my chickens
Even though I ain't got a hen
I been tryin' to go across the road
Like a big ol' horny toad
I been knockin' on your back door
Won't you come and let me in?
Well, I used to have an old dog
But he wasn't much to look at
He only had 3 legs and big alcoholic eyes
I been wishin' I could see him
Cause he's like my next of kin
I been wishin' I could have a bunch
Of sweet potato fries
I been hangin' at the laundromat
Cause I hear that's where it's at
I been gettin my news from
The voices in the wind
I been wishin' I was president
So I could run the government
I been knockin on your back door
Won't you come and let me in?
Now I'm pickin on my guitar
Cause I wanna be a big star
But I don't wanna leave home
If I can't take my gin
I been writing you a letter
Sayin I'm a feelin better
I been knockin on your back door
Won't you come and let me in?
C.J. Johnson's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" is a whimsical song that seems to be about a person's desire for entry into another person's life. The lyrics are full of humorous and odd references that make it difficult to parse a true meaning beneath them. The first stanza implies that the singer has been thinking for a long time about getting into someone else's life, and he has been preparing for this possibility even though he hasn't yet been given a chance. He compares himself to a "big ol' horny toad" that is trying to cross the road, which may indicate that he feels vulnerable or unskilled at this endeavor. The final line of this stanza, "I been knockin' on your back door/Won't you come and let me in?" directly asks for entry, but it's unclear who the singer is speaking to.
In the second stanza, the singer shifts to talking about his old dog and the memory of him. He describes the dog's physical imperfections and then notes that he wishes he could see him again. This could be read as a metaphor for the singer's own imperfections and his desire to be seen as valuable by someone else. He also wishes for some "sweet potato fries," which seems like a random and playful inclusion. The third stanza continues with odd references, including the laundromat as a cool hangout spot and "the voices in the wind" as his source of news. He expresses a desire to be the president and run the government, which could be interpreted as a comment on the singer's feeling of powerlessness in his own life. The final line of this stanza repeats the earlier refrain, once again asking for entry into someone else's domain. The final stanza is where the singer reveals that he is a musician and wants to be a star, but he doesn't want to leave home without his "gin." He also says that he is feeling better and repeats the refrain for a final time.
Line by Line Meaning
I been thinkin' for long time
I have been contemplating or meditating for an extended period.
Ever since I made up my mind
Since I reached a decision or conclusion.
I been countin' all my chickens
I have been carefully planning or calculating my moves.
Even though I ain't got a hen
Although I do not have any resources or backup in place.
I been tryin' to go across the road
I have been attempting to achieve a goal or reach somewhere.
Like a big ol' horny toad
As eagerly or urgently as possible.
I been knockin' on your back door
I have been seeking help or support from someone, probably a loved one or friend.
Won't you come and let me in?
Can you please offer me your guidance or assistance to solve my problems?
Well, I used to have an old dog
In the past, I owned a pet.
But he wasn't much to look at
However, he wasn't very impressive or attractive.
He only had 3 legs and big alcoholic eyes
The dog had only three legs and appeared to have symptoms of alcohol usage, probably indicating an illness or weak health.
I been wishin' I could see him
I desire to relive a particular moment or go back to the past.
Cause he's like my next of kin
Because the dog was more than a pet to me, he was like family.
I been wishin' I could have a bunch
I desire to possess or do something but can't currently achieve it.
Of sweet potato fries
In this case, it refers to a particular treat or something delicious.
I been hangin' at the laundromat
I have been passing time somewhere unusual, in this case, a laundromat.
Cause I hear that's where it's at
I heard good things or interesting occurrences happen there.
I been gettin my news from
I have been receiving information or updates from unconventional sources.
The voices in the wind
This implies the source provides inexplicable advice or guidance.
I been wishin' I was president
I desire power or influence to make significant decisions or changes.
So I could run the government
To have control or authority over a particular institution, in this case, the government.
Now I'm pickin on my guitar
I am playing my guitar at the moment.
Cause I wanna be a big star
I aspire to have fame or success.
But I don't wanna leave home
However, I do not want to abandon my comfort zone or familiar surroundings.
If I can't take my gin
If I am not allowed to do what I want or take something important to me.
I been writing you a letter
I have been communicating or expressing myself in writing.
Sayin I'm a feelin better
I am informing the recipient of the letter that I am getting better or improved in a particular aspect.
I been knockin' on your back door
I have been seeking help or support from someone, probably a loved one or friend.
Won't you come and let me in?
Can you please offer me your guidance or assistance to solve my problems?
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Woodrow Thomas
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gérard Gaudot
Super ! J’adore 🤩
C. J. Johnson
Hallo Gérard Gaudot, ich freue mich sehr, dass ihnen meine Version dieses Klassikers gefällt! Danke für ihren Kommentar!☮️☮️☮️🌞🌞👍👍🌻🌻🕊🙏🙏🙏
Glocken Fan Elias Scheiber
Hi Jürgen cooler Kanal klasse Song ich lasse dir mal ein Abo da
C. J. Johnson
Dankeschön Elias!☮️😎😎🌞😁🐇🤗🤗😁
Gitarrenschule Westfalen
klopf, klopf, klopf! Da sag ich klasse!
C. J. Johnson
Dankedankedanke! Freut mich! 😎🍀🍀🍂🧑🎄🧑🎄🎅🏻🎅🏻