Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino (born February 26, 1928 in New Orleans, Lou… Read Full Bio ↴Antoine Dominique "Fats" Domino (born February 26, 1928 in New Orleans, Louisiana, died October 24, 2017), was a classic R&B and rock and roll singer, songwriter and pianist. He was the best-selling African-American singer of the 1950s and early 1960s whose congenial, non threatening personality allowed him to succeed despite a period of deep-seated racial segregation. Domino is also a pianist with an individualistic bluesy style showing stride and boogie-woogie influences.

In 1986, he was among the first batch to get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. "Ain't That A Shame" and "Blueberry Hill" were named part of The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll. In 2004, "Blueberry Hill" was named #81 and "Ain't That A Shame" was named #431 on Rolling Stone's Top 500 Songs Of All Time. In 2004, he was named #25 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time.

In the wake of Domino's rescue from his 9th ward home during 2005's Hurricane Katrina, the Tipitina's Foundation organized a tribute album to the elder artist featuring Robert Plant, Norah Jones, Paul McCartney and numerous other acts that owe a creative debt to this seminal rock n roll pianist.

I Hear You Knockin'
Fats Domino Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You went away and left me long time ago
And now you're knockin' on my door

I hear you knocking but you can't come in
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
I begged you not to go, but you said goodbye
And now you tell me all your lies
I hear you knocking, but you can't come in

I hear you knocking, go back where you've been

You better get back to your use to be
'Cause your kind of love ain't good for me

I hear you knocking, but you can't come in
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
I told you way back in Fifty Two
That I would never go with you

I hear you knocking, but you can't come in
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "I Hear You Knocking" by Fats Domino is essentially about a lover who has long left and now shows up knocking at the door to come back into the singer's life. The song describes that the singer hears their knock, but they're unwelcome to enter. The singer sings, "I hear you knocking, but you can't come in/ I hear you knocking, go back where you've been." They had begged the person not to leave earlier, but their requests went unheard. Now that they are finally back, the singer has realized how toxic their love has been. Thus, they ask the person to go back to whom they belonged and leave the singer's life.

The lyrics show that the singer has moved on from the bad phases of this relationship and is looking forward to a new life. The line, "You better get back to your used to be/ 'Cause your kind of love ain't good for me" shows the singer liberating themselves from the past and moving on.

"I Hear You Knocking" is an upbeat song, but the lyrics suggest heartbreak and disillusionment. The song emphasizes that the singer has learned to be strong enough to say no to toxic relationships, and they have become more independent.

Line by Line Meaning

You went away and left me long time ago
You ended our relationship and left me a long time ago.

And now you're knockin' on my door
You have returned and are physically at my doorstep.

I hear you knocking but you can't come in
I am aware of your presence, but I am not willing to let you back into my life.

I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
I am telling you to leave as you are not welcome in my life anymore.

I begged you not to go, but you said goodbye
I pleaded with you to stay, but you decided to leave me regardless.

And now you tell me all your lies
You are attempting to deceive me with falsehoods even in light of the decision that caused our separation.

You better get back to your use to be
It is best that you return to your previous lifestyle and not try to enter into a relationship with me again.

'Cause your kind of love ain't good for me
I have recognized that your style of love is not healthy for me or beneficial to me in any way.

I told you way back in Fifty Two
I informed you in the past (1952) that I would not have any further dealings with you.

That I would never go with you
I made it clear that I would never entertain any advances or relationship with you again.

I hear you knocking, but you can't come in
I acknowledge that you are still present and trying to enter into my life, but my mind is already made up and you cannot change it.

I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
I am reiterating for you to leave as you are not welcome in my life anymore.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Pearl King, Dave Bartholomew

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS