By the late 40s the girls were singing with Perry Como on his radio show, followed him to TV and sang on many of his records from 1949 through 1953, many of which were monster hits. The Fontane's were also signed to an artist's contract with RCA which was Perry's label.
At least 4 of their recordings landed on the Billboard Top 30 charts.
In 1954 the Fontanes left RCA and signed with Randy Wood's Dot Records. Their first single for the label was a remake of an early 20th century hit HAPPY DAYS AND LONELY NIGHTS. The record charted at number 18 in Billboard and their hit string began. One of their follow up releases, HEARTS OF STONE, not only established them as recording stars, but also topped the Billboard charts. By the end of their chart career in 1959, the Fontanes had placed 24 singles on the Billboard Pop charts. A number of others were also listed on the Cashbox charts at a time when they ran to 40 or 50 places while Billboard charts had between 20 and 30 positions.
Let Me In
The Fontane Sisters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me in, open up the door
Let me in, I hear music (tra-la)
I don't wanna weep no more
Please open the door to a stranger
Who's weary of trouble and strife
I'll ring you a song on my banjo
Let me in, I hear laughter (ha-ha)
Let me in, open up the door
Let me in, I hear music (tra-la)
I don't wanna weep no more
He had made dear friends in St. Louis
And many dear friends in St. Paul
As soon as their sheriff forgives him
He hopes to be back with them all
Let me in, I hear laughter (ha-ha)
Let me in, open up the door
Let me in, I hear music (tra-la)
I don't wanna weep no more
I wooed three young maids through the valley
Up mountains and 'round every tree
But I never tasted their kisses
'Cause they could run faster than me
Let me in, I hear laughter (ha-ha)
Let me in, open up the door
Let me in, I hear music (tra-la)
I don't wanna weep no more
Oh mother, how you tried to warn me
Oh, mother, you said not to roam
How true are the words that you told me
Oh, mother, I'm longin' for home
Let me in, I hear laughter (ha-ha)
Let me in, open up the door
Let me in, I hear music (tra-la)
I don't wanna weep no more
I don't wanna weep no more
The Fontane Sisters’ song Let Me In is about a tired and lonely traveler who simply wants to be let inside a stranger’s home. He hears the sound of laughter and music inside, and he doesn’t want to feel sad anymore. He sings about hoping to bring joy to those inside with his banjo, recounting his travels and experiences. He mentions the dear friends he’s made in the past and the women he’s wooed along the way, but he ultimately longs for the comfort and familiarity of home, recalling the words of his mother who warned him about wandering.
The song can be interpreted in different ways, but one possible interpretation is that it reflects the human desire for connection and belonging. The traveler represents someone who is searching for a place where they can feel welcomed and accepted, despite being a stranger. The sound of laughter and music inside the house symbolizes the happiness and warmth of a home where people can share their lives together. The banjo that the traveler plays can be seen as a way to bridge the gap between his world and the world inside the house, bringing them together through music.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me in, I hear laughter (ha-ha)
Please allow me to enter as I hear joyous sounds of amusement and excitement.
Let me in, open up the door
Please unlock and open the door so that I may come in.
Let me in, I hear music (tra-la)
Please welcome me inside as I hear harmonious and pleasant sounds of melody.
I don't wanna weep no more
I don't want to cry anymore and I hope that being inside will give me relief.
Please open the door to a stranger
I am a stranger, but I request you to open the door and let me in.
Who's weary of trouble and strife
I am tired of the struggles and hardships that I have faced in life.
I'll ring you a song on my banjo
I will play a heartfelt tune on my banjo to express my emotions.
And tell you the tears of my life
I will share my story with you and the struggles that have made me cry.
He had made dear friends in St. Louis
I have made many close companions in St. Louis.
And many dear friends in St. Paul
Furthermore, I also have many cherished friends in St. Paul.
As soon as their sheriff forgives him
I am waiting for the sheriff of these towns to pardon me for my past wrongdoings.
He hopes to be back with them all
My ultimate goal is to reunite with all my friends in both of these cities.
I wooed three young maids through the valley
I tried to woo three young women by traveling through the valley and around every tree.
Up mountains and 'round every tree
I went through mountains and every possible path to find these young women.
But I never tasted their kisses
Unfortunately, I was not successful in gaining the affections of any of these women.
'Cause they could run faster than me
My attempts were unsuccessful as the women I wooed had the ability to outrun me and rejected me.
Oh mother, how you tried to warn me
My mother tried to caution me regarding my actions and the consequences that would follow.
Oh, mother, you said not to roam
My mother advised me to stay at home instead of traveling and exploring new destinations.
How true are the words that you told me
Now I realize the truth in the words that my mother spoke to me in the past.
Oh, mother, I'm longin' for home
I am feeling homesick and missing my home and the comfort it brings.
Contributed by Sophia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.