Mickey "Guitar" Baker was a music instructor, and Sylvia Robinson was one of his pupils. His guitar stylings, especially the insane soloing on "Love Is Strange", inspired a plethora of guitarists, including Sterling Morrison of the Velvet Underground.
Mickey & Sylvia had a hit with "Love Is Strange" in 1957. They continued to record together until 1965. After that, Mickey had a successful career as a studio musician. Sylvia had a huge hit (#1 R&B, #3 Pop) in 1973 with the song "Pillow Talk", and later assisted in the formation of the Sugar Hill rap label.
"Love Is Strange" appeared on the soundtrack to Dirty Dancing.
I Hear You Knocking
Mickey & Sylvia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The song "I Hear You Knocking" by Mickey & Sylvia is about a person who has been left by their lover, who has now returned after a long time. The person is telling their former lover that they hear them knocking on their door, but they cannot come in because their kind of love is not good for them. The person tries to remind their former lover that they had already told them back in '52 that they would never go back to them, and now they are not willing to entertain their lies anymore.
The song conveys the message that sometimes, people need to move on from unhealthy relationships and not give in to temptation, no matter how charming or persuasive the other person may be. It is a message of self-respect and self-love.
The lyrics are straightforward, and the song's upbeat rhythm and catchy melody were a hit in the '50s. It has been covered by many artists over the years, including Dave Edmunds, who had a number one hit with his version in the UK in 1970.
Line by Line Meaning
You went away and left me long time ago
You left me a while back, and it was a long time ago.
And now you're knockin' on my door
Now you're trying to come back into my life.
I hear you knocking but you can't come in
I hear you trying to come back, but you're not welcome here anymore.
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
Leave and go back to wherever you came from.
I begged you not to go, but you said goodbye
I pleaded with you not to leave, but you still said goodbye.
And now you tell me all your lies
Now you're trying to come back with even more lies.
You better get back to your use to be
Go back to the person you used to be, because you've changed too much.
'Cause your kind of love ain't good for me
Your love isn't good for me anymore.
I told you way back in Fifty Two
I warned you a long time ago, in 1952.
That I would never go with you
That I would never be with you again.
I hear you knocking, but you can't come in
I hear you trying to come back, but you're not welcome here anymore.
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
Leave and go back to wherever you came from.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Pearl King, Dave Bartholomew
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheOldiefreak
It is on the album "Love is strange" double CD from Bear Famili Records
@emb1st
once again: another great version. the song is just too damn good. :)
@muemmermaloley
They were God sent.
@allenkracalik6345
Yes, Fats Domino's version was released in '61, but the original by Smiley Lewis was #2 on the r & b charts in '55. Vincent Santo was close with his guess at '54.
@emb1st
I’m going to release this on a single.
@beaumontsonny
Smiley Lewis did the original I think in 1954
@emb1st
Great song and all the versions are awesome, but Gale Storm got the gold.