In addition, Garvey had a monthly column in the now defunct Manchester edition of Time Out magazine and is a patron of MAG (the Mines Advisory Group), the Manchester based charity responsible for clearing war zones of mines and munitions world wide. Amongst other work Garvey also produced and recorded the I Am Kloot album Natural History. Garvey and Elbow keyboard player Craig Potter have produced I Am Kloot's upcoming album, to be released in 2010. He also appears on the Massive Attack record Heligoland
As well as vocal duties Garvey has also played a wide variety of instruments live including guitar, various forms of percussion and most recently drums.
Guy Garvey’s Irish roots go back a long way and he pronounced himself delighted to be in Ireland for St Patrick’s Day in recent years. “My great-great grandfather left Cork in 1822 and the Garveys have been in Manchester ever since. ” Garvey told The Irish Times.
He is a huge fan of Melvyn Bragg's Radio 4 programme In Our Time.
Open the Door
Guy Garvey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
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.
@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.