In 1998, the band Santana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Carlos Santana, José "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.
Can't 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
The lyrics to Santana's song "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" are full of ambiguity and mystery, making it difficult to pin down a precise meaning. The song's imagery is vivid, painting a picture of someone who is desperate for attention from another person. The first few lines suggest that the person being addressed is wealthy and indulgent, with expensive shoes and drug habits. The singer is trying to get the attention of this person, knocking on their door and begging for help.
As the song progresses, the desperation of the singer becomes clearer. They continue to plead with the person, asking if they can hear the knocking and imploring them for help. The lyrics become more intense and frenzied, as the singer starts to growl and howl. The repetition of the phrase "Can't you hear me knocking" underscores the singer's desperation and frustration.
Overall, the song seems to be about a person who is in a dark and troubled place, looking for salvation from someone else. While there are certainly many interpretations of the lyrics, the emotion and energy behind them are undeniable.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, you got satin shoes
You have luxury possessions to flaunt and prove your status
Yeah, you got plastic boots
You have not-so-luxury possessions to hide your real identity
Y'all got cocaine eyes
Your eyes are reflecting the addiction of cocaine and other drugs
Yeah, you got speed-freak jive
Your behavior and talk reflect the influence of speed, a widely used stimulant drug
Can't you hear me knockin' on your window
I'm trying to get your attention through your window
Can't you hear me knockin' on your door
I'm trying to get your attention through your door
Can't you hear me knockin' down your dirty street, yeah
I'm trying to get your attention on your street, which is not in a good condition
Can't you hear me knockin'
I'm trying to get your attention, but you seem oblivious to my presence
Help me baby, ain't no stranger
I need your assistance, as I'm not a stranger to you
Can't you hear me knockin', are you safe asleep?
I'm still trying to get your attention, even if you're asleep and I hope you're safe
Can't you hear me knockin', down the gas light street, now
I'm trying to get your attention even on an ill-reputed street
Can't you hear me knockin', throw me down the keys
I need the keys to get to you so that I can gain your attention
Alright now
I'm trying to rejoice and getting you to join me
Hear me ringing big bell tolls
I want you to listen to the ringing sound produced by a big bell
Hear me singing soft and low
I want you to hear me singing softly and lowering my voice modulations
I've been begging on my knees
I'm asking for your help with complete submission and desperation
I've been kickin', help me please
I've tried everything and still couldn't get your attention, please help me
Hear me prowlin'
I'm moving around stealthily to get your attention
I'm gonna take you down
I'm ready to get you to engage with me
Hear me growlin'
I'm trying to intimidate you with my loud growls
Yeah, I've got flatted feet now, now, now, now
I'm tired and have been constantly trying to get your attention
Hear me howlin'
I'm trying to get you to acknowledge my presence by producing loud, long wailing sounds
And all, all around your street now
I'm trying to get your attention all around your street
Hear me knockin'
I'm still trying to get your attention
And all, all around your town
I'm trying to get your attention all around your town
Lyrics © 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 “Sticky Fingers” is “Moonlight Mile”
@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...