Clinton Fearon was the former bass player for 'The Gladiators' and now is s… Read Full Bio ↴Clinton Fearon was the former bass player for 'The Gladiators' and now is solo.

From his website:

If you know reggae music, you know Clinton 'Basie' Fearon. Clinton Fearon is counted among Jamaica's most talented musicians by peers and professionals in the Reggae music industry. His infectious bass riffs, guitar licks, percussion accents and powerful vocals make Bassie a living legend amongst reggae musicians and fans.

As a youth, Bassie went to Kingston to eventually become the well-known bassist, vocalist and lyricist for The Gladiators as well as a house musician for Coxsonne Dodd’s Studio One and Lee “Scratch” Perry’s Black Ark Studio. Fearon recorded many of Perry's best known songs, including Roast Fish and Cornbread which features one of Fearon's most famous bass lines. He also composed some everlasting basslines for Yabby You, Jimmy Riley, Max Romeo, Junior Byles and many many others.

Love's Knockin'
Clinton Fearon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What I have is what I give
What I give is what I have
What you see is what you get
The little that I have I'll share with you

Love's knockin' on your door
Don't turn it away
Love's knockin' on your door

Don't turn it away instead

Check it out if ever you are in doubt
Before you turn it away
Check it out see what it's all about
Before you turn it away want you to know

Love will make you laugh
Love will make you cry
Love will make you do things without even try
It will take you by the hands
It will make you sing and dance all night

Love will make you jump for joy
Love will sometimes play you like a toy

It will warm your very soul
It will make you sing and dance all night

Overall Meaning

These lyrics are a heartfelt plea to not turn away from love when it comes knocking at your door. The first verse emphasizes the idea of reciprocity in love - what is given is what is received, and what is seen is what is offered. The singer acknowledges their own limitations, but promises to share what they have with the object of their affection.

The chorus urges the listener to not turn away from love, but to embrace it instead. The lyrics suggest that there may be times when one is afraid of the vulnerability that love requires, but the advice is to investigate it thoroughly before making that decision.

The second verse explores some of the different facets of love - from its ability to bring joy and laughter, to its power to cause tears and difficult choices. The song acknowledges that love can be unpredictable, but assures the listener that it will ultimately be worth it for the soul-warming, joyful moments that it brings.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of urgency - that love is knocking, and it is important to not let fear or hesitation prevent us from embracing it fully.

Line by Line Meaning

What I have is what I give
I only have what I can give to you

What I give is what I have
Giving what I have is something I can do

What you see is what you get
I'm transparent, what you see is truly what you get

The little that I have I'll share with you
Even with a little, I'll give all to you

Love's knockin' on your door
Love has come to you

Don't turn it away
Don't refuse it

Love's knockin' on your door
Love has come to you

Don't turn it away instead
Instead, welcome it with open arms

Check it out if ever you are in doubt
If you're unsure, have a closer look

Before you turn it away
Before you reject it

Check it out see what it's all about
Take the time to fully comprehend it