Open the Door
Guy Garvey Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Called my brother he's cleverer than me
Such an appetite for torture on my TV
He said: "Don't shake me way too hard
I've got woman and comfort in Piccolo Bambino"
Some of the parts well my heart's missing a beat and I'm
Throwing my arms around any kind of tragedy
And I feel myself doing it
Find a crack and I'll tease till I ruin it
In pursuit of love's disappearing tail
Reaching for love's disappearing tail

Open the door

She crashes cars just walking on the street
The Lebanese boys on the corner lose the power of speech
Talks like an angel, moves like tango
A vision in flung racks, hair like a bag of rats
While leaving a trail of holy smoke
Something a smile betrays a mind obscene
And I'm Ganymede to a heart the size of Jupiter
To be with her I quit stuff and I'd shoot with her
Or brew with her
For love's disappearing tail
Following love's disappearing tail

Open the door
Open the door

Come on love let me in
Now that the tide is rising
Open the door
To love when it takes your breath
When it's half to death
Come on love let me in
Now that the tide is rising
Open the door
To love when it takes your breath
When it's half to death
Come on love let me in
Now that the tide is rising
Open the door
To love when it takes your breath
When it's half to death
Come on love let me in
Now that the tide is rising
Open the door
To love when it takes your breath
When it's half to death
Come on love let me in
Now that the tide is rising
Open the door
To love when it takes your breath
When it's half to death
Come on love let me in
Now that the tide is rising
Open the door




To love when it takes your breath
When it's half to death

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Guy Garvey's "Open The Door" are about the pursuit of love and the lengths one goes to achieve it. The song is seemingly about a woman who is both desirable yet dangerous, with the singer confessing his willingness to follow her, no matter the risk. The first verse begins with the singer calling his brother for advice, admitting that he is not as clever as him. He admits to watching violent images on his TV but is warned against getting too involved in them. The singer then speaks about throwing his arms around any kind of tragedy, essentially taking on other people's problems as if they were his own. He's so desperate for love that he teases any chance he gets but ultimately ends up chasing a disappearing tail.


The second verse delves deeper into the woman he desires. She's described as crashing cars just by walking on the street, leaving the Lebanese boys on the corner speechless. She moves like tango and talks like an angel, but there's something dark brewing underneath. The singer is willing to leave everything behind for her and take on risky behavior to be with her, even though she could be a destructive force. The repetition of "open the door" emphasizes his desperation for love and his willingness to take whatever comes with it, even if he will be left breathless or half-dead.


Overall, "Open The Door" is a song about risking it all for love, even if it means getting hurt or sacrificing everything.


Line by Line Meaning

Called my brother he's cleverer than me
I reached out to my brother because he's smarter than me


Such an appetite for torture on my TV
I watch disturbing things on TV


He said: "Don't shake me way too hard
My brother warned me not to be too overwhelming


I've got woman and comfort in Piccolo Bambino"
He has a significant other and solace in a restaurant called Piccolo Bambino


Some of the parts well my heart's missing a beat and I'm
I'm feeling off because my heart is racing and skipping beats


Throwing my arms around any kind of tragedy
I'm drawn to people and situations that are in a state of crisis or disarray


And I feel myself doing it
I'm aware of my behavior, but I can't seem to stop myself


Find a crack and I'll tease till I ruin it
I take pleasure in finding vulnerabilities and exploiting them, even if it leads to destruction


In pursuit of love's disappearing tail
I'm chasing after something elusive and fleeting, like the tail of a disappearing animal


Reaching for love's disappearing tail
I'm still trying to catch the fleeting love that's slipping away


Open the door
I'm calling out to someone to give me a chance, to let me in


She crashes cars just walking on the street
She's so captivating and distracting that people can't help but take notice, even causing accidents


The Lebanese boys on the corner lose the power of speech
Even the confident boys on the corner become speechless when she's around


Talks like an angel, moves like tango
She speaks sweetly and dances with grace


A vision in flung racks, hair like a bag of rats
She looks stunning in her messy clothes and unruly hair


While leaving a trail of holy smoke
She leaves an alluring aura behind her that others can sense


Something a smile betrays a mind obscene
Her smile reveals that she has a dirty mind


And I'm Ganymede to a heart the size of Jupiter
I'm willing to do anything to be with her, even take on a subservient role


To be with her I quit stuff and I'd shoot with her
I'll let go of anything in my life to be with her, even do drugs


Or brew with her
I'd rather spend time with her, even if it means brewing tea instead of doing something more exciting


For love's disappearing tail
I'm chasing after a love that's hard to catch and doesn't stay for long


Following love's disappearing tail
I'm still chasing after love, even though it's fleeting and difficult to grasp


Come on love let me in
I'm begging for love to give me a chance


Now that the tide is rising
Things are getting more urgent, the situation is getting critical


To love when it takes your breath
I'm willing to risk everything for love, even if it's overwhelming


When it's half to death
Even when love is dangerous or risky, I'm still willing to pursue it




Contributed by Elena G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@CosmicBos

Mr. Garvey you really know how to make a tune that's for sure

@TheWendable

Reminds me of Dave Matthews but without the unnecessary OTT frills. Sounds effortless and natural. Love this.

@jffpviana

This song is so insane. So epic, so beautiful.

@niallmurray9725

Love the jazzy trumpet.. Twinkle toes!

@gifthorse9779

Reeeeeeeeves!!!!! The new drummer

@monicaspector2388

This is pure excellence. A musical genius. MANY thanks, Mr. Garvey.

@Dagger33

"I'm Ganymede to a heart the size of Jupiter." Any astronomy geek should love that line.

@lysah

love this so much! keeps me dancing all day long :)

@robertvangelderen5187

wow that's sounds so good thanks Mr Guy Garvey and band love it 🙂

@afay8807

Loving the brass.

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