Sander L Nelson was born on 1 December 1938 in Santa Monica, California. He attended high school with Jan Berry, Dean Torrence (who together became Jan and Dean), and Kim Fowley. After gaining respect as a session drummer, he played on such well-known songs as "To Know Him Is To Love Him" (Phil Spector's Teddy Bears, 1958), "Alley-Oop" (The Hollywood Argyles, 1960), "A Thousand Stars" (Kathy Young and the Innocents, 1960) and more.
Nelson continued to record into the early 1970s.
I Hear You Knockin'
Sandy Nelson Lyrics
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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 lyrics to Sandy Nelson's song "I Hear You Knocking" can be interpreted as a message to a former lover who abandoned the singer in the past, but is now seeking to reignite their relationship. The singer acknowledges the knocking at their door, but tells the former lover that they cannot come in because their kind of love is not good for them. The singer reminds the former lover that they had warned them since 1952 that they would never go back to them. They understand that the former lover is offering them empty promises and lies, and have the strength to resist their advances.
The song can also be interpreted as a warning against toxic relationships that can ultimately be destructive to one's mental health and well-being. The singer recognizes that their former lover's love is not good for them and that they need to return to their "use to be," where they were perhaps happier and more fulfilled.
Overall, "I Hear You Knocking" is a poignant song that explores the complicated emotions surrounding relationships and the importance of recognizing when a relationship is no longer healthy.
Line by Line Meaning
You went away and left me long time ago
You left me a while ago, and I have moved on with my life since then.
And now you're knockin' on my door
You have now come back into my life and trying to reconcile with me.
I hear you knocking but you can't come in
I am aware that you want to come back into my life, but I am not willing to let you in.
I hear you knocking, go back where you've been
I want you to go away and not bother me anymore.
I begged you not to go, but you said goodbye
I pleaded with you not to leave, but you still chose to leave me anyway.
And now you tell me all your lies
Now, that you have come back, you are trying to convince me with false promises.
You better get back to your use to be
You should go back to your old life and forget about me.
'Cause your kind of love ain't good for me
Your way of loving me is not healthy for me and my well-being.
I told you way back in Fifty Two
I made it clear to you a long time ago.
That I would never go with you
That I would never be with you again.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Pearl King, Dave Bartholomew
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind