The Green Door
Jim Lowe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Midnight, one more night without sleeping
Watching till the morning comes creeping
Green door, what's that secret you're keeping?

There's an old piano
And they play it hot behind the green door
Don't know what they're doing
But they laugh a lot behind the green door

Wish they'd let me in so I could find out
What's behind the green door

Knocked once, tried to tell them I'd been there
Door slammed, hospitality's thin there
Wonder just what's going on in there

Saw an eyeball peeping through a smoky cloud behind the green door
When I said "Joe sent me"
Someone laughed out loud behind the green door
All I want to do is join the happy crowd behind the green door

Midnight, one more night without sleeping
Watching till the morning comes creeping
Green door, what's that secret you're keeping?

Green door, what's that secret you're keeping?
Green door

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in Jim Lowe's song "The Green Door" tell the story of a curious individual who is fascinated by what's behind a green door. The person watching this door in the middle of the night wonders what kind of secret could be hidden behind such an unusual door. As the song progresses, the singer notices that behind the green door is an old piano being played with enthusiasm. Despite the jovial atmosphere that can be heard from behind the door, the singer is denied entry when he knocks on the door. Frustrated and confused, the singer is determined to find out what's behind the green door.

The Green Door can be interpreted in various ways. One possible interpretation is that the green door symbolizes the division between our waking lives and our subconscious. The singer's inability to enter the secret world behind the green door relates to our inability to access our subconscious desires and understand our true nature. The green door becomes a metaphor for the barrier between the conscious and unconscious mind, and our desire to go beyond the conscious mind and access the unconscious.

Line by Line Meaning

Midnight, one more night without sleeping
It's midnight and I am still up without any sleep

Watching till the morning comes creeping
I am waiting until the morning without any sleep

Green door, what's that secret you're keeping?
I am curious about the green door and what it's hiding

There's an old piano
There's an old piano behind the green door

And they play it hot behind the green door
People are playing the piano loudly behind the green door

Don't know what they're doing
I don't know what's happening behind the green door

But they laugh a lot behind the green door
People are laughing a lot behind the green door

Wish they'd let me in so I could find out
I wish I could go behind the green door and find out what's happening

What's behind the green door
I am curious about what's happening behind the green door

Knocked once, tried to tell them I'd been there
I knocked on the green door and told them I was there

Door slammed, hospitality's thin there
The door was slammed shut, and the hospitality there is lacking

Wonder just what's going on in there
I am wondering what's happening behind the green door

Saw an eyeball peeping through a smoky cloud behind the green door
I saw an eyeball peeping through a smoky cloud behind the green door

When I said "Joe sent me"
When I mentioned that Joe sent me

Someone laughed out loud behind the green door
Someone laughed out loud behind the green door

All I want to do is join the happy crowd behind the green door
I want to join the happy crowd behind the green door

Green door, what's that secret you're keeping?
I am still curious about what's behind the green door

Green door, what's that secret you're keeping?
Again, I am curious about what's behind the green door

Green door
The green door

Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB DAVIE, MARVIN MOORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@shelbyself2654

7y↑54

my grandpa passed away in July of last year. we used to play this song loud in his covertable with the top down. i miss you grandpa love you <3

@pamelaremme38

I'm with you sweetie! I'm a 65 yr old grandma myself and my grandpa had a bar in the early 60's and he named his tavern THE GREEN DOOR. This song played all the time. I miss my grandpa. Love you grandpa!

@lauramarie166

2y↑6

My grandpa used to play this song in the car when I was a kid. Thank you grandpa ❤️

@pontiuspilot9301

7y↑7

Born in 48, First thing mum did every morning was turn on the radio. It stayed on all day. This is my earliest memory of music along with Singing the Blues by Guy Mitchell. Thanks for the uploads

@douglaskuentzel1331

1y↑1

Yes! Guy Mitchel. I have the 45.

@jaynawilliams8923

1y↑6

I was a kid and I loved Jim Lowe songs. I played these 45's over and over and over again on my small 45 record player.

@taragriffin449

3y↑51

I grew up on this song as well as other hits from the 1950's-1960's, thanks to my dad instilling and encouraging a love of music 🎶 in me. Thanks Daddy, love you.

@brendakrieger7000

44w↑2

So did I

@USCG.Brennan

25w

Me too.....

@holysmokes1985

1y↑8

I loved seeing Rick Dalton of Bounty Law cover this on tv as a kid in the late 60's.

@carolsmith5571

2y↑2

I just bought the 45. My grandma's favorite song when I was growing up. Generations of music

@philgrey14

7y↑176

RIP Jim Lowe, 1923-2016. Jim died Monday Dec. 12. Hopefully he'll get to find out what's on the other side of the Green Door.

@siggesaltens2663

5y↑7

well he knew allright, that's why he wrote these lyrics.

@ryanhunter130

4y↑3

A swingers sex club, illuminati blood sacrifices....Hillary Clinton cackling, and Jeffrey Epstein.

@PaulybiGGballZ0820

3y↑3

Leo already found it...

@joedavis4150

2y↑6

... Yes!... for sure they're going to let him in this time!

@joedavis4150

2y↑3

... :-)... doobies everywhere!

@whiplash1934

3y↑23

One of my favorites. In my old age I make dioramas & one is a stairway leading up to a green door, when people ask what the significance of it is, my reply" If you don't know ,you wouldn't understand".

@NReese-if1nm

1y↑2

Oh, I love that! What a great way to pay tribute to a song that you loved! Bravo!

@tweenbean9911

1y↑2

That’s AMAZING!! I’m naming my coffee & tea house after this song ❤️

@Alfajor1018

5y↑110

"Don't cry in front of the mexicans"

@ezziboo

4y↑3

“Take me home, Cliff.”

@Vikash_Art

4y↑7

You always play the bad guy on these shows?

@dkbaker

10y↑33

I was born in '54 and was just a toddler when this came out. My mom said I loved this song and used to dance when it came on,lol. So I decided to look it up and listen to it.... don't remember the words except "green door" but I do recognize the melody,lol

@rickharris4513

1y↑2

Played it for my toddler to listen to recently, she loved it!

@lakehousefor2

5y↑5

I was 9 years old when this song was released. This was my brother's (r.i.p.) and sister's generation. Mine was the sixties but I loved this music.

@dannyparis2942

3y↑9

Green door by Jim Lowe from 1956 excellent song extraordinary vocals percussions and bass stylish rhythm and blues with a touch of rock and roll Jim Lowe excellent showmanship touch.
Often imitated but never duplicated the original version

@thecourtjester2324

7y↑8

LOVE his Green Door, I was a kid than and it made me smile whenever I heard it.May he R.I.P. and my condolences to his family and friends!!!

@pamelaremme38

2y↑3

Memories!!!! My grandpa named his tavern the green door and this song would play all the time.

@dannyparis2942

3y↑5

Excellent song by Jim Lowe. extraordinary music showman excellent vocals concussion Bass stylish rhythm and blues with just a touch of rock and roll music.A music track way ahead of his time.. often imitated but never duplicated the original version🎹🎹🎹🎹

@dieterroth2172

23w

Cool für immer ein Hit meiner Jugend und Gegenwart....

@davidfyre2963

8y↑17

Let,s see. 1956. I was a Nine year old boy growing up in Little Italy in Washington, D.C. Well my Daddy ( God rest his Soul) being the old timer that he was liked this song a lot. And I have heard my fair share many times. And I like this song a lot myself. Beautiful memories of better days gone by.

@cashboxmag

7y↑56

RIP Jim. One of the greatest songs of the 50's

@byellisjohnson

2y↑3

A good one I agree!

@hamletsmill258

It's trash.

@TechTwerpII

8y↑57

First heard this on the radio in a passenger compartment of the San Francisco Chief, November 1956, overnight train
trip from Amarillo to Chicago. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe priced the round trip fare at $62. per head ( about half that
to ride in a chair car) Domed glass topped observation car had a full-time bar tender and cocktail waitress. We lived
our lives at a slower tempo back then and enjoyed each day more than now in my opinion.

@danielcruz8347

Super Chief.....A#,1

@crazymotherdance7317

My family & I liked this song there were 5 of us kids & even my mom & dad liked it. We grew up in the 40s & 50s. My dad loved country & western hated rock and roll but when he heard this song he couldn't get enough of it. When it came on we had to let him know.

@brinbrie

51w↑1

even in 1959 the all seeing eye is there.

@NReese-if1nm

1y↑3

This is one of my favorite songs from early childhood. I loved the plinking piano and the "click-clack click-clack" of the claves. A fun song-- and it's true that "they don't make 'em like that anymore."

@SuperGTRman

5y↑4

I was in Korea..1956...such a long ago...miss the 1950..s...and the music.

@steveember8972

9y↑18

Thanks for posting this golden memory from the '50s!
Listening to it again also sparked vivid memories of listening to Jim Lowe - one of the finest music personalities ever - on the iconic WNEW 1130 in New York. Jim was as good as they came!

@calima3921

3y↑5

My mother listened to WNEW and as I got older, it became a favorite of mine. Too bad it's not the same now.

@807radioman

3y↑4

Always thought it was a reflection back to the prohibition days of the 1920's.

@HueyRocks23

2y↑1

Came here from the Married...with Children episode where Al is trying to find the name of a song they played on the radio. He goes to the record store where people stand in line, scat the song, and he tells them what it is.

@goreds03

12y↑6

im 27 and this is real music

@1965PJO

11y↑6

You never hear this great lost hit anywhere anymore. I remember Jim on the radio a sure New York area great personality on WNEW-AM and then when that went defunct, he had a syndicated show. Along with all the bad news, alas, some happier note, he is safe and retired in South Hampton, NY. Thanx YT for this 1956 pop/R&B release.

@peekee186

7y↑4

was born in 1952 and I remember many nights going to sleep by this song {and many others of that era}, this was one of my faves, cuz I knew the old man liked it...my parents would stack a bunch of 45's on the record player and let 'er rip...that was high tech back then, in the "good ol days"...this one was also in every juke box on the planet back then, it seemed

@pamelaremme38

My grandpa named his tavern the green door. This song played all the time. I miss my grandpa.

@paulnick177

6y↑17

Love this song. Can't stop listening. Glad to learn the history behind it.

@josephkane2148

6y↑14

Another Timeless Classic Hit Single by Jim Lowe as it was Called Green Door One of the Best selling hit singles of 1956 one of the Top tunes of 1956

@stevie5443

3y↑7

Green Door 🚪 hit #1 in 1956 and had amazing longevity on the HOT 100. Billboard Magazine ranks it at a respectful #17 of the Biggest songs of the 1950's decade 💚🤍🖤.

@brendakrieger7000

44w↑1

Such a fun song! Loved listening to this with my mom growing up 🎶🎤🎹

@deborahsnell8453

10w

Love this song! ❤

@AMCguy

18w↑1

I remember traveling with my Ka-tet and when we reached the green door of the "Crimson King" this song came to mind. Any other followers of the beam in here?

@JohnShinn1960

10w↑1

Hello, low man in yellow coat here.

@AMCguy

10w↑1

@@JohnShinn1960 I wot i may have seen yer before. many a many-a do ya ken?

@oranmcclintock302

5y↑252

Here before all the Once Upon A Time in Hollywood fans

@orioleadams

5y↑21

LOL....I was singing along with "Rick Dalton" in the theater!

@notchuckproductions5029

5y↑23

I hope they Had Leo sing the whole thing for the DVD. I never knew I needed Leonardo DiCaprio awkwardly singing 50s bubblegum pop,but I do now,and i need more

@truthaboutcabbage

4y↑4

@@notchuckproductions5029 calling from the future: your wish was granted!

@notchuckproductions5029

@@truthaboutcabbage is it on the dvd?

@notchuckproductions5029

4y↑1

@@truthaboutcabbage Cool it's on the dvd! now all we need is a single of it and my wish is complete

9 More Replies...

@USCG.Brennan

25w

I remember this song when I was just a little guy. My dad loved to have the radio on when he was working and alot of these old
songs bring back great memories of yesteryear! Thanks for posting!!

@dick1047

10y↑42

Nothing like the oldies from the 50's. This one will always have a place in my memories!

@raymondmalcuit8361

7y↑2

This Song Went To Number 1 On The Billboard Top 100 Chart In 1956.

@rdo1231

12y↑18

YES!!!! This IS real music!!!!!

@dragoness1053

4y↑4

100%❣❣🎶🎶🎶

@hamletsmill258

2y↑1

😂

@oldermusiclover

29w

totally LOVE LOVE the piano on this song

@brianpotter2800

2y↑1

My dad was always singing this song.

@79tazman

5y↑4

I heard this song as a kid my dad had a 8 track hits of the 50's and 60's and this song was on it and since then I enjoyed this song

@kenadams591

8y↑5

Just got this LP of The Door Of Fame, Found my way here :) Spinning it now and 1st time I've ever heard Jim Lowe...Wow!
Heading for side 2 and digging it, Gotta love records...Peace all...

@pagescoslet

8y↑5

I'm not much for 50s music; probably couldn't name 20 songs from the decade that I really like. But, this would be one of them, one of my all time favs.

@asdf85581

4y↑4

This is the first hit recording that I can remember. I was between 6 and 7 years old

@preese43

8y↑2

This was very popular when I as a kid--very popular.

@bobbender2922

3y↑5

Great recording, MR. Lowe and the Piano Player Mr. Bob Davie being its home.

@sanderoabrahams1722

5y↑52

Once upon a time in Hollywood brought me here before seeing the movie

@reded1905

19w

Always loved this song. Can't hear it enough.

@rayjsu70

10y↑18

Thanks for posting! I was 10 years old in 1956 and I've grown as Rock and Roll has grown, at least through the late 70's and early 80's.

@drewfetcho985

7y↑2

Jim Lowe
May 7, 1927- December 12, 2016
Rest in Peace

@massagetherapyforinjuriesf8197

7y↑3

i love both version ... Shaking Stevens ans Jim Lowe... Real world song... come on people!!

@vkshiremath

5y↑11

My favorite song of the movie once upon a Time

@ramoshka667

2y↑2

thank you Tarantino <3

@tommyhooks7767

3y↑3

this is the first song I learned to play on the piano, on my own ...

@loisraymcinnis6006

4y↑1

CUTE SONG.

@josephkane8103

5y↑10

Another Timeless Classic Hit Single from Jim Lowe as it is Called Green Door from 1956

@barbnahoumi65

3y↑1

Probably a Speak Easy. This was my favorite song in 1956.

@jennifursun3303

6y↑7

found out the piano player was a man named Bob Davis. loved the piano and that is why i like this song

@johnknottenbelt2502

10y↑10

Liked this number when it first came out & still do today ! Thx for posting on You Tube !

@n40tom

I remember this well but I didn't realize it was 1956 , thought more like 62 .. fun song. . Thanks

@kermeey

8y↑5

great song from awesome times

@mylesmeyers7568

4y↑5

I listened to this when my worked an old bar down by the train station, the same bar Kenny Roger's sung about in the song Lucille , I had control of the jukebox n all the old timers would get a kick outta the kid playin this old shit singing along , anyways , haven't heard that song since I was 11 but , Once upon a time in Hollywood brought back memories of that song

@themanfromaspen7073

10y↑18

wow have not listened to this song in ages thanks for posting

@qtpysusie459

7y↑2

Thanks, and rest in musical peace - with the Lord, of course.

@Johnnralph

7y↑27

Rip : Jim Lowe (May 7 1923 – December 12 2016)

@lemorab1

1y↑1

This song was a harbinger of all the drug friendly songs that would begin to be heard on pop music radio about 9 years later. "Green Door" was about jazz musicians and the Beats.

@pagescoslet

7y↑4

RIP Jim Lowe.

@lbjlbj1

10y↑8

In 1956, the TV Show "Your Hit Parade" performers did a skit with some new surprise "behind the green door" each week with "The Green Door" playing in the background. Stayed number 1 several weeks. Only 4 at the time, so can barely remember any more details.

@bfcowden

3y↑1

I wondered if anyone else remembered that. I was 9 in 56

@shirleyjennings5787

8y↑5

Brings back memories.

@zaheerkhan9728

13w

Vao what a green entry in music world

@davidpar2

9y↑4

This on Dot was one of the first 45s I ever listened to. I was no older than 5

@prairiehills416

8y↑1

+davidpar2 The First record I bought, age 12 at Carrier Drug Store, Bethesda, MD - 1956. I still have in my Oldies But Goodies 45 Collection.

@flugplatz21

8y↑1

+davidpar2 My dad had it Dot. I was the same age, still love all those old songs.

@davidpar2

+flugplatz21 It was my dad's 45, too. Class of '59

@flugplatz21

Dad was class of '57, and had a white '57 Bel Air hardtop. He had a very narrow streak of coolness, but this, I treasure.

@scaryeyeball

6y↑44

green door, what's that secret you're keepin'? ... GREEN DOOR!

@user-dt1bs7hs7l

37w

Thank you so much for posting this song ...the first one I remember hearing!!!!!

@emilianoortega-guerrero2925

5y↑2

the soundtrack our lives... rock n roll yeah

@emilianoortega-guerrero2925

ROCK N ROLL AWESOME

@user-vm4gv3xv6e

2y↑1

View 409,075... Thank you for the song.

@lenibalaban3632

12y↑1

The hottest piano I have heard in five decades!!!

@jennifursun3303

Larry K on Rocking Punmonia and Boogie Woogie Flu by Johnny Rivers

@vintagesavoiur

Besides jerry lee, yes

@raymondmalcuit8361

7y↑2

Jim Lowe-RIP.

@TheLogcrawler

9y↑7

My brother had this one on 45. I was about 7 or 8 when I first heard it. Freaked out about the "eyeball peeking"... LOL

@flugplatz21

8y↑2

+Logan Tyler My dad had it. The eyeball peeking is my favorite part! My girl has pugs, so we play "Little Man From Chinatown" for them.

@jennifursun3303

6y↑2

for some reason that line reminds me of an old Scooby Doo cartoon

@johannafriedt6362

51w

I remember doing The Continental dance when I went to high school - that dance was taught to us in a gym by a phys Ed teacher. Had 2 lines and it was wonderful

@josephkane8103

5y↑5

Jim Lowe Took this version to The Top Of Billboard Singles Chart and also to No 8 on The UK Singles chart

@drvigg9083

Thank you for the memory. Anyone else make it on Jim's Trivia Wall of Fame?

@user-ic2tx6yu5e

19w

Jim Lowe died in 2016. He was a one hit wonder this song was #1.

@alma3884052

2y↑1

Safe travels, Dr. Banner

@wmcquade4

4y↑1

During Prohibition speakeasies had green doors. that is the origin of this classic 40's record.

@user-hm9gs2im7e

One of my favourite 💖

@parrishinvestigations952

My parent's married in 1951, i guess this was one of their songs? Lol cute..

@matthewgottlieb2718

9y↑3

Great song. First heard it on KRTH 101 in Los Angeles in late 70s.

@michaelfuria4257

5y↑1

superb piano playing

@realtallshorty

3y↑2

who's listening in 2021?

@Overstuffed1

7y↑38

RIP, Jim. Hope you know what's behind the green door now...

@paulasievert391

Gambling, drinking, women. I can't imagination.

@johntapp1411

4y↑1

The great land of I don’t know.

@musicom67

3y↑1

It's an old lesbian bar in England.....for real. Note: "Someone"...

@davidhumphreys1422

9y↑3

1st rock and roll song I ever heard

@reginaldforthright805

2y↑1

This reminds me of the time I was wandering through Kansas with a racoon dog, an old cowboy, a kid, a black woman in a wheelchair, and a wisecracking junkie and we came upon a strange palace made of green glass.

@TheAloweWolf

5y↑5

Nice! A Really Good Friend of mine mentioned this song to me! :)

@scottyrobins5923

Is he /she still your good friend?

@Vettel2011

7y↑5

RIP. At least he turned very old, just a pity he didn't turn 100

@unklewink

7y↑3

This song was always on the juke box at a west side Cleveland bar I used to frequent. By the way, I was just 4 years old at the time. (Don't ask)

@NovaZiggyStardust

5y↑18

The Immortal Hulk brought me here, sorry Quentin.

@moxiebbwnc

40w

I hate to say this, my siblings and I grew up with the original 45. We played the B-side, little man in Chinatown and love that better than we like the Green Door

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