Keep A Knockin'
Little Richard and His Band Lyrics
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Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try it again
You said you love me and you can't come in
You said you love me and you can't come in (wooooo)
You said you love me and you can't come in
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try it again
You said you love me and you can't come in
You said you love me and you can't come in (woooo)
You said you love me and you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try it again (woow)
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in (wooo)
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try it again
You said you love me and you can't come in
You said you love me and you can't come in
You said you love me and you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try it again (woow)
Little Richard's iconic song "Keep A Knockin'" is a ferocious rock and roll hit that was released in 1957. The song's lyrics are relatively simple, but it's the energy and attitude behind them that make them so impactful. The central theme of the song is perseverance and the idea that no matter how hard someone tries to keep you out, you can always come back stronger.
The repeated refrain "Keep a knockin' but you can't come in" is a clear message to the person on the other side of the door that they may have temporarily succeeded in keeping the singer out, but they won't succeed forever. The use of "knockin'" as opposed to "knocking" is a nod to African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and adds to the song's distinctive style.
The verses of the song are directed at someone specific who claims to love the singer but won't let them in. The lyrics "You said you love me and you can't come in" are delivered with a mixture of frustration and defiance. The phrase "Come back tomorrow night and try it again" suggests that the singer will keep fighting until they succeed.
Overall, "Keep A Knockin'" is a classic rock and roll song that embodies the genre's rebellious spirit and determination to succeed against all odds.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep a knockin' but you can't come in
I know you're trying to get in, but I'm not ready to let you back into my life yet.
Come back tomorrow night and try it again
I need more time to think about whether I want you back in my life or not, so try again another day.
You said you love me and you can't come in
You may say you love me, but actions speak louder than words, and I need to see more from you before I let you back in.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Richard W. Penniman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rob Jones
Little Richard RIP.
This track is rock'n'roll at its' most unhinged. No Beatles, James Brown, Prince
Jimi etc without him. At the very peak of his powers, he was utterly unbeatable.
gary austin
Rock & Roll intro Led Zeppelin
Elissa Schornstein
Absolutely they all copied him.
I don't think he was ever truly appreciated at the time.
He was the beginning of Rock n' Roll.
Love you Mr. Richard Penniman. 💕💕💕
Bruce Miller
This was the song played whan christien was made on a possessed 5 axis cnc mill making a 666 CID billet v8 2 stroke crankcase scavenged, her M50 tool steel crankshafts was heat treated in a induction furnace from hell, and this gave birth to the 850 ETEC haunyted 2 stroke, longh live chistiens 666 ETEC 2 stroke, loike caldwell racing makes a 3.5 asnd 4l v6 2 stroke mercury outboard jerry lee lewis 2 stroke! Lighnbting is a 2 stroke and is a creepy reminder of the 850 etec and cristiens 666 CID cnc v8 DFI 2 stroke! brapp my 8v92 2 stroke loves amsoil interceptor!
Boy Naguna
@Bruce Miller you
Al Greaves
@Bruce Miller Um ..... This is the drummer's room. Engineering/mechanics is down the hall; last door on the right.
Dexter Richardson
I love the energy in the song from Little Richard's singing to the musicians letting loose. So powerful! Little Richard is one of my all-time favorite entertainers and singers.
Darrian Mitchell
Story is that was hastily recorded at a Washington, DC radio station
Stargazer26
My all time favorite Little Richard song. It is so wild and raw and primal. Incredible stuff.
John Wilson
I must have been 6 years old when I played this many times. It was on a 78 rpm record. Seeing the record spin so fast added to the excitement. 😀