Open the Door
Eels Lyrics


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Everything is good these days but
All of my friends are dying
Davy may and Lisa may but
Nobody else really wants to stay
Nobody else really wants to stay

I said now open the door
Open the door I can't stay here anymore
Open the door
Open the door

Candle light the streets at night
Thinking you're wrong but you know you're right
Thinking you're wrong but you know you're right

I said now open the door
Open the door I can't stay here anymore
Open the door
Open the door

Everything is good these days but
All of my friends are dying
Careful when you say goodbye
Careful stays and careless dies
But careless is and careful tries

I said now open the door
Open the door I can't stay here anymore




Open the door
Open the door

Overall Meaning

The Eels's song "Open the Door" is a powerful exploration of life, death, and the struggle to find meaning in a world marked by loss and uncertainty. The opening lines of the song, "Everything is good these days but / All of my friends are dying," set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer reflects sadly on the passing of Davy May and Lisa May, two friends who have passed away, and the fact that despite everything seeming fine on the surface, death and loss continue to be an ever-present reality in his life. The lyrics speak to the struggle to reconcile feelings of grief and sorrow with the need to keep moving forward.


As the song progresses, the singer becomes increasingly insistent, repeating the refrain "Open the door" over and over again. The repeated pleas for someone to "open the door" feel like a desperate cry for help, a plea for someone to intervene and provide comfort or guidance. The line "Candle light the streets at night / Thinking you're wrong but you know you're right" further emphasizes this idea of searching for meaning and direction in the face of overwhelming grief and uncertainty.


Overall, "Open the Door" is a deeply moving song that speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with death and loss. The raw emotion and vulnerability of the lyrics are matched by the haunting melody and stripped-down instrumentation, creating a powerful and memorable musical experience.


Line by Line Meaning

Everything is good these days but
Despite having a pleasant life, the singer is still grappling with issues.


All of my friends are dying
The singer's friends are passing away one by one, leading to a sense of loneliness and loss.


Davy may and Lisa may but
Even the singer's closest acquaintances have perished, adding to the feeling of isolation.


Nobody else really wants to stay
The artist feels as though they have no one left to rely on or connect with, causing a desire to escape from their current situation.


I said now open the door
The artist is requesting someone to let them out of their current situation, implying an urgency to leave.


Open the door I can't stay here anymore
The singer has grown weary of their current circumstances and is pleading with someone to give them a way out.


Candle light the streets at night
Despite the darkness of the night, the singer is seeing the small glimpses of light that offer hope, even if they are few and far between.


Thinking you're wrong but you know you're right
The artist is struggling with their own beliefs or values that may be conflicting with others, but they know they must stay true to themselves.


Careful when you say goodbye
The artist is warning against being flippant with farewells, as they understand firsthand the weight that comes with them.


Careful stays and careless dies
Those who take caution in life will have a better chance of survival, while those who act recklessly may meet their end.


But careless is and careful tries
Even though it is important to take care, sometimes taking risks and thinking outside the box can lead to success and growth.




Contributed by Kaelyn E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@ianloeb1672

i can really relate to this all my childhood friends are gone and dead most of them killed themselves

@koookeee

I am truly afraid of the day when I will hear this song for the first time when one of my beloved ones has died.

@eyehategumbo

nice cover still like the original better magnapop does rule though

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