The song is the first release by Polachek under her own name, having previously released music under Ramona Lisa, CEP and as part of the band Chairlift.
Door
Caroline Polachek Lyrics
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I'm just another girl in a sweater
Perpetual novice
Signature on a check made out to you
Took ten laps 'round the planet
To prove what I wasn't
And the door slams hard behind you
Been waiting for regret to hit me
Some kind of reckoning
I waited for the drop, 'cause lately
The yang comes with yin
Back in the city
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Perpetual novice
Signature on a check made out to you
Now there's the sunset
Salt in the wound, yeah
Sometimes I don't know who I'm singing to
Who is the you who I sing to
When the house is empty?
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
And we're waking up sore and dizzy
From a ten year concussion
And the rainfall makes you miss me
Even though you say it doesn't
Back in the city
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Back in the city
Everything's different
When we're not together
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
Running, running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running, running
Back in the city
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Perpetual novice
Signature on a check made out to you
Now there's the sunset
Salt in the wound, yeah
Sometimes I don't know who I'm singing to
Who is the you who I sing to
When the house is empty?
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
Running, running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running, running
Oh, ooh, ooh, oh
Oh, ooh, ooh, oh
(Door, door, door)
Running, running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running, running
In "Door," Caroline Polachek sings about the challenges of being a permanent outsider in unfamiliar surroundings. The song opens with "Back in the city, I'm just another girl in a sweater," referring to her feeling of anonymity in the fast-paced, impersonal city. The line "Perpetual novice, signature on a check made out to you" reflects her sense of being constantly out-of-place, as she is constantly learning and adapting to new environments while still being financially dependent on others.
The chorus of "Door" revolves around the metaphor of doors leading to other doors, symbolizing the complex, circuitous nature of navigating through life. Polachek sings, "You open the door, to another door, to another door," representing the constant challenges that arise as she searches for a sense of belonging. She insists that she is "running through to you," indicating that no matter how many obstacles she faces, she is determined to find her way.
The final verse of "Door" illustrates the frustration and nostalgia surrounding life choices. The line "And the rainfall makes you miss me, even though you say it doesn't" suggests a longing for moments and people that are difficult or impossible to recapture. Polachek's use of rain imagery is also telling, as rain is often associated with tears or washing away the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in the city
Returning to the fast pace of city life after being elsewhere
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Feeling insignificant and blending in with others
Perpetual novice
Feeling inexperienced and always learning
Signature on a check made out to you
Referencing a financial transaction where she signs over money to someone else
Took ten laps 'round the planet
Travelled extensively
To prove what I wasn't
The travel didn't help her find herself
And the door slams hard behind you
Leaving a situation and feeling a sense of finality
When you leave the house of judgment
A metaphor for the end of a difficult situation that she had to struggle through
Been waiting for regret to hit me
Expecting to feel regret for her actions
Some kind of reckoning
A day of judgement or facing consequences for actions taken
I waited for the drop, 'cause lately
Anticipating a negative outcome recently
The yang comes with yin
Balance in life
Now there's the sunset
Ending of a day
Salt in the wound, yeah
A painful reminder of something
Sometimes I don't know who I'm singing to
Questioning the audience and purpose of her music
Who is the you who I sing to
Wondering who she is directing her art towards
When the house is empty?
When there's nobody around to listen
You open the door
A metaphor for a change in life or mindset
To another door, to another door
One change after another
And I'm running through to you
Striving for something better
And we're waking up sore and dizzy
Feeling the after-effects of a difficult journey
From a ten year concussion
A prolonged period of being dazed and confused
And the rainfall makes you miss me
A natural phenomenon that brings back memories
Even though you say it doesn't
Denial of feelings or trying to suppress them
Everything's different
Everything has changed
When we're not together
The absence of someone significant
Running, running, running, running, running
Continuously moving forward
Oh, ooh, ooh, oh
Vocalizations for emphasis
(Door, door, door)
Repeating 'door' as a motif
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Caroline Polachek, Daniel Harle, Daniel Nigro, James Stack
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@damie4640
Back in the city
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Perpetual novice
Signature on a check made out to you
Took ten laps 'round the planet
To prove what I wasn't
And the door slams hard behind you
When you leave the house of judgment
Been waiting for regret to hit me
Some kind of reckoning
I waited for the drop, 'cause lately
The yang comes with yin
Back in the city
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Perpetual novice
Signature on a check made out to you
Now there's the sunset
Salt in the wound, yeah
Sometimes I don't know who I'm singing to
Who is the you who I sing to
When the house is empty?
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
And we're waking up sore and dizzy
From a ten year concussion
And the rainfall makes you miss me
Even though you say it doesn't
Back in the city
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Back in the city
Everything's different
When we're not together
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
Running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running
Back in the city
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Perpetual novice
Signature on a check made out to you
Now there's the sunset
Salt in the wound, yeah
Sometimes I don't know who I'm singing to
Who is the you who I sing to
When the house is empty?
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
Running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running
@NebraskaMenify
[Intro]
Back in the city
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Perpetual novice
Signature on a check made out to you
[Verse 1]
Took ten laps 'round the planet
To prove what I wasn't
And the door slams hard behind you
When you leave the house of judgment
[Verse 2]
Been waiting for regret to hit me
Some kind of reckoning
I waited for the drop, 'cause lately
The yang comes with yin
[Pre-Chorus]
Back in the city
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Perpetual novice
Signature on a check made out to you
Now there's the sunset
Salt in the wound, yeah
Sometimes I don't know who I'm singing to
Who is the you who I sing to
When the house is empty?
[Chorus]
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
[Verse 3]
And we're waking up sore and dizzy
From a ten year concussion
And the rainfall makes you miss me
Even though you say it doesn't
[Pre-Chorus]
Back in the city
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Back in the city
Everything's different
When we're not together
[Chorus]
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
[Bridge]
Running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running
[Pre-Chorus]
Back in the city
I'm just another girl in a sweater
Perpetual novice
Signature on a check made out to you
Now there's the sunset
Salt in the wound, yeah
Sometimes I don't know who I'm singing to
Who is the you who I sing to
When the house is empty?
[Chorus]
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
You open the door
To another door, to another door
To another door, to another door
And I'm running through to you
[Outro]
Running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running
Running, running, running, running
Ooh, oh-oh, ooh, ooh-oh
@ianharvey9136
Great music video. Feels like it was made in a decade that never happened.
@wholahaybrown
I love this description.
@tobinjordan8533
hopefully it's a decade that is happening now
@deegpoes4058
Yet*
@bartomiejstefanowicz3109
accurate
@jaredjamesimages
Ian Harvey Wow, exactly what I couldn’t put words to. Thanks
@ztube2011
Can't believe she invented doors. So cool.
@anyaj5171
CEO of doors
@StevesRightJay
Jim Morrison named his band after Caroline's creation.. cool huh?
@rnbwsmtl
@@anyaj5171 CEP*