Meaning of Can't You Hear Me Knocking by The Rolling Stones

The song Can’t You Hear Me Knocking from the album Sticky Fingers lasts over seven minutes, which is not typical for The Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger’s vocal ends by the end of the third minute. An instrumental jam follows with saxophone parts, some guitars and conga drums, culminating in a lengthy Mick Taylor solo.

History of Can’t You Hear Me Knocking

In numerous interviews, the band members talked about the history of the creation of Can’t You Hear Me Knocking, shared their impressions of the studio work on the composition and recalled how the final improvisation came into being.

Mick Taylor:

Can’t You Hear Me Knocking…one of my favorites… [Джем в конце] happened by accident. It was not originally planned. Toward the end of the song, I felt that I needed to play further. Everyone put down their instruments, but the tape was spinning and it sounded good, so the others quickly picked up their instruments and continued to play. It just happened and it was a one-take thing. A lot of people seem to really like this part.

1979

Keith Richards:

The song just put my fingers in the right place and I learned a couple of new things about that tuning that I didn’t know before. I think I realized it just at the moment of recording the track.

2002

Can’t You Hear Me Knocking turned out to be a rally. I just got the tuning and the riff and then I started swinging and Charlie picked it up and we were like, ‘Hey, that’s a groove. Everyone around broke into smiles.

Life, 2010

Mick Jagger:

We recorded it at the Olympic and the idea of a final jam came towards the end. It consists of two parts: this rock song and the jam to it. She is a bit like Carlos Santana. It seems to me that Mick Taylor plays a little in his style … I remember very well how it all happened. It’s too high for me, and I said, “Oh, it’s not my key, but I’ll try.” I took a good look at the harmonies, trying to hide the fact that I didn’t hit the notes perfectly in the chorus.

Spotify Landmark, 2015

Meaning of Can’t You Hear Me Knocking

Recalling the history of the track’s recording, The Rolling Stones willingly share memories of the jam, but do not tell what the song Can’t You Hear Me Knocking is about.

In the circles of the group’s fans, two versions of the interpretation are common: an appeal to a girl and an attempt to contact a drug dealer.

Release and achievements

The song was the fourth track on the album Sticky Fingers, released in April 1971. It was not released as a single.

Music critics note the influence of Carlos Santana on Can’t You Hear Me Knocking. The legendary virtuoso guitarist recorded his own version of the composition, inviting Scott Weiland as the vocalist.

Clip Can’t You Hear Me Knocking – The Rolling Stones

Let’s watch the online music video Can’t You Hear Me Knocking from the concert of the rock band The Rolling Stones.

Interesting Facts

The solo for Can’t You Hear Me Knocking was recorded by Mick Taylor on a Gibson ES-345 guitar.
Rolling Stone listed Can’t You Hear Me Knocking as one of the 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time.
Can’t You Hear Me Knocking is featured in the feature films Casino (1995), Three in a Canoe (2004), Fighter (2010), and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017).

Can’t You Hear Me Knocking – The Rolling Stones Lyrics

Yeah, you got satin shoes
Yeah, you got plastic boots
Y’all got cocaine eyes
Yeah, you got speed freak jive now

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
All right now

Help me baby
I ain’t no stranger
Help me baby
I ain’t no stranger

Can’t you hear me knockin’
Are you safe asleep
Can’t you hear me knockin’
down your gaslight street
Can’t you hear me knockin’
Throw me down the keys

Hear me ringin’
Big bell toll
Hear me singin’
Soft and low
I’ve been beggin’
On my knees
I’ve been kickin’
Help me please

Hear me howlin’
I wanna take you down
Hear me growlin’
Yeah, I got flatted feet now now now
Hear me throughlin’
All around your street
Hear me knockin’
All around your town

Can’t You Hear Me Knocking – The Rolling Stones Lyrics

Yes, you have satin shoes
Yes, you have plastic shoes
And your eyes are cocaine
Yeah, now you’re on amphetamines

Can’t you hear me knock
To your window?
Can’t you hear me knock
At your door?
Can’t you hear me knock
On your dirty street
Right now?

Help me baby
I’m not a stranger to you
Help me baby
I’m not a stranger to you

Can’t you hear me knocking
While you’re fast asleep?
Can’t you hear me knock
In the light of gas lamps on the street?
Can’t you hear me knock?
Throw me the keys

Hear me calling
To the big bell
Hear me sing
Quiet and gentle
I begged you
On the knees
I kicked the door
Please help me

Hear me howl
I will get to you
Hear me roar
Yes, I already have flat feet.
Hear me creep
down your street
Hear me knock
To all the doors of your city

Mick Jagger claimed he didn’t write the line. It was misheard on the recording by members of The Rolling Stone crew who recorded the lyrics.