Don't Let Me In
Walter Becker & Donald Fagen Lyrics
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Well if I try to take you back again
If I decide to make amends
Don't let me in
You know, I'd like to be inside
But don't you listen when you hear me cry
Not even just to say goodbye
Don't let me in
Don't let me in
I say no no no no, oh no
Don't let me in
Don't let me in
I never wanna do you harm
Don't pay no head to all my false alarm
If I should come with pleading arms
Don't let me in
You hear it knocking on your door
You pound another heart you can't ignore
But soon it isn't there no more
[Chorus]
[Solo]
[Chorus (3x)]
In the song "Don't Let Me In," Walter Becker and Donald Fagen sing about a relationship that has ended, and the singer's plea to be welcomed back into the life of their former partner. However, the singer also acknowledges that they have hurt their partner in the past, and may do so again. Hence, they are pleading with them to keep their distance, despite their own desire to be with them. The repetition of the phrase "Don't let me in" becomes more desperate with each stanza, conveying the singer's emotional turmoil at being shut out.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling with a fear of rejection and abandonment, as well as a lack of control over their feelings. They recognize that they have hurt their partner in the past, but also acknowledge the overwhelming desire to be close to them. The lyric "I'd like to be inside, but don't you listen when you hear me cry" suggests that the singer feels vulnerable and exposed, longing to be close to their partner, but at the same time, they feel that they are not being heard. The use of the word "alarm" in the line "Don't pay no head to all my false alarm" suggests that the singer recognizes that they are prone to creating dramas where there is none, further complicating their desire to reconnect with their partner.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear you found a brand new friend
I have heard that you have made a new friend.
Well if I try to take you back again
In case I decide to get back with you,
If I decide to make amends
If I try to resolve our issues and make peace with you,
Don't let me in
Do not let me be a part of your life again.
You know, I'd like to be inside
I still have feelings for you and want to be with you again.
But don't you listen when you hear me cry
Please do not fall for my emotional manipulation and ignore my pleas.
Not even just to say goodbye
I do not even deserve a good-bye from you.
I say no no no no, oh no
I am warning myself to not give in to the temptation of going back to you.
Don't let me in
I am asking you to keep me out of your life.
I never wanna do you harm
I do not want to hurt you in any way.
Don't pay no head to all my false alarm
Please do not fall for my tricks and false alarms.
If I should come with pleading arms
In the event that I approach you with pleading and begging,
Don't let me in
Please keep me out of your life.
You hear it knocking on your door
You may feel a temptation to let me back into your life.
You pound another heart you can't ignore
You find love and happiness with someone else and this new relationship is too important to ignore for me.
But soon it isn't there no more
But that relationship may not last forever, and if it doesn't you hope that I won't come back and cause problems.
I say no no no no, oh no
I remind myself not to give into the temptation of trying to win you back even when you are alone again.
Don't let me in
Please keep me out of your life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DONALD JAY FAGEN, WALTER CARL BECKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind