In 1998, the band Santana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Carlos Santana, JosƩ "Chepito" Areas, David Brown, Gregg Rolie, Mike Carabello, and Michael Shrieve The band has earned nine Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, the latter all in 2000. Carlos Santana won a Grammy Award as a solo artist in 1988. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling groups of all time. In 2013, Santana announced a reunion of the classic line-up for a new album, Santana IV, which was released in April 2016. They are tied for having the most won Grammy Awards in one night.
Canāt You Hear Me Knocking
Santana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, you got plastic boots
Y'all got cocaine eyes
Yeah, you got speed-freak jive
Can't you hear me knockin' on your window
Can't you hear me knockin' on your door
Can't you hear me knockin' down your dirty street, yeah
Help me baby, ain't no stranger
Help me baby, ain't no stranger
Help me baby, ain't no stranger
Can't you hear me knockin', are you safe asleep?
Can't you hear me knockin', down the gas light street, now
Can't you hear me knockin', throw me down the keys
Can't you hear me knockin'
Alright now
Hear me ringing big bell tolls
Hear me singing soft and low
I've been begging on my knees
I've been kickin', help me please
Hear me prowlin'
I'm gonna take you down
Hear me growlin'
Yeah, I've got flatted feet now, now, now, now
Hear me howlin'
And all, all around your street now
Hear me knockin'
And all, all around your town
Santana's song Canāt You Hear Me Knocking is a rock and roll classic from their 1971 album Sticky Fingers. The lyrics describe an urgent desire to be heard and recognized by someone, with a distinctly bluesy and raw tone. The first stanza speaks to the dual nature of the person being addressed, with both satin shoes and plastic boots as well as cocaine and speed addiction. The second stanza directly addresses the person being spoken to, begging for them to acknowledge the singer's presence and needs. The third stanza takes on a more aggressive tone with the singer claiming that they will take down the person being addressed and expressing a sense of possession by growling and howling.
The chorus, "Can't you hear me knockin'?" is repeated throughout the song and acts as a plea for acknowledgement and response. The song's fast-paced instrumentals, impressive Santana guitar solos, and pounding rhythm section add to the urgency of the lyrics and create a sense of tension throughout the song. Santana's use of the blues scale and incorporation of Latin percussion also add to the unique sound of the song.
Overall, the song is a classic rock and roll anthem that speaks directly to a basic human desire to be seen and heard by others, even when it is uncomfortable or difficult to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, you got satin shoes
You are living a luxurious life.
Yeah, you got plastic boots
You are pretending to be someone you are not.
Y'all got cocaine eyes
You are addicted to drugs.
Yeah, you got speed-freak jive
You are constantly on the move and high on drugs.
Can't you hear me knockin' on your window
I am trying to get your attention from outside your house.
Can't you hear me knockin' on your door
I am trying to get your attention from outside your house.
Can't you hear me knockin' down your dirty street, yeah
I am moving towards your location with an intention.
Can't you hear me knockin'
I am urgently trying to reach you.
Help me baby, ain't no stranger
I need your help as someone you know.
Can't you hear me knockin', are you safe asleep?
I am aware that you are sleeping, but I need you to listen to me.
Can't you hear me knockin', down the gas light street, now
I am closing in on you from the gas light street.
Can't you hear me knockin', throw me down the keys
I need you to give me access to something.
Alright now
I am giving the signal to proceed.
Hear me ringing big bell tolls
I am making noise to call attention to myself and my needs.
Hear me singing soft and low
I am trying to reach you through song.
I've been begging on my knees
I have been asking for your help in a very desperate way.
I've been kickin', help me please
I have been trying to get your attention through any means necessary.
Hear me prowlin'
I am moving carefully and quietly towards my objective.
I'm gonna take you down
I am going to confront you and get what I am after.
Hear me growlin'
I am showing my aggression and determination to get what I want.
Yeah, I've got flatted feet now, now, now, now
I am moving quickly and with urgency.
Hear me howlin'
I am making a loud noise to attract attention to myself.
And all, all around your street now
I am making my presence known in your neighborhood.
Hear me knockin'
I am at your door and need you to let me in.
And all, all around your town
I am making my presence known throughout your entire town.
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DarshanIyengar
Scott Weiland and Santana hit this out of the park!! RIP Scott.
@russellbranch5993
It's a crime that Scott Weiland didn't get his flowers while he was here... One of the best voices ever
@colettelavoie7259
Holy crap!this is just as good as the stones!man can Scott do the greatest vocals ever!
@diegohernangonzalez3222
The best version of this song. Absolutely amazing!
@samschlenner6582
The chorus rises into the stratosphere on this one.
@SuperRudy1956
I have to say that I was looking forward to Carlos Santana's interpretation maybe my favorite Stones songs, but was totally caught off guard by Scott Weiland's vocals. Wow.
@ciscodiablo
Me too. Amazing.
@shspurs1342
My favourite song from the album āSticky Fingersā is āMoonlight Mileā
@bryanmarsh6329
Weiland is a monster singer/writer. Listen to the Stone Temple Pilots non hits on their last couple albums. His vocal lines are very beautiful. Check out the song Sour Girl and Heaven and Hotrods. Great variety!
@Timmy7221
Probably the best remake of a great song I've ever heard...