The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Sweet Lucy was a dancer
But none of us would chance her
Because she was a samurai
She made electric shadows
Beyond our fingertips
And none of us could reach that high
She came on like a teaser
I had to touch and please her
Enjoy a little paradise
The lock was in my pocket
When Lucy met the rocket
She never knew the reason why
I can't deny it
With that smile on her face
Oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
It's knocking at the door
You know it's no good running
It's not against the law
The point of no return
And now you know the score
And now you're learning
What's knockin' at your back door
Sweet Nancy was so fancy
To get into her pants we
Had to be the aristocracy
The members that she toyed with
At her city club were something in diplomacy
So we put her on the hit list
Of a common cunning linguist
A master of many tongues
And now she eases gently
From her Austin to her Bentley
Suddenly she feels so young
I can't deny it
With that smile on her face
Oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
It's knocking at the door
You know it's no good running
No, it's not against the law
The point of no return
Now how you know the score
And now you're learning, aha
What's knockin' at your back door
Sweet Lucy was a dancer
But none of us would chance her
Because she was a samurai
She made electric shadows
Beyond our fingertips
And one of us could reach that high
I can't deny it
With that smile on my face
Oh oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
Knocking at your door
You know it's no good running
Now it's knocking at your door
Ah ha, knockin' at your back door
But none of us would chance her
Because she was a samurai
She made electric shadows
Beyond our fingertips
And none of us could reach that high
She came on like a teaser
I had to touch and please her
Enjoy a little paradise
The lock was in my pocket
When Lucy met the rocket
She never knew the reason why
I can't deny it
With that smile on her face
Oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
It's knocking at the door
You know it's no good running
It's not against the law
The point of no return
And now you know the score
And now you're learning
What's knockin' at your back door
Sweet Nancy was so fancy
To get into her pants we
Had to be the aristocracy
The members that she toyed with
At her city club were something in diplomacy
So we put her on the hit list
Of a common cunning linguist
A master of many tongues
And now she eases gently
From her Austin to her Bentley
Suddenly she feels so young
I can't deny it
With that smile on her face
Oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
It's knocking at the door
You know it's no good running
No, it's not against the law
The point of no return
Now how you know the score
And now you're learning, aha
What's knockin' at your back door
Sweet Lucy was a dancer
But none of us would chance her
Because she was a samurai
She made electric shadows
Beyond our fingertips
And one of us could reach that high
I can't deny it
With that smile on my face
Oh oh, it's not the kill
It's the thrill of the chase
Feel it coming
Knocking at your door
You know it's no good running
Now it's knocking at your door
Ah ha, knockin' at your back door
Lyrics submitted by rsvpdiddy, edited by ShadeBlade, chefgroovy, LeeLee1498, michaelt8j
Knocking At Your Back Door Lyrics as written by Ritchie Blackmore Ian Gillan
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Unison Rights S.L., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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it is not: "To get into her pantry had to be the aristocracy"
it is "To get into her pants we had to be the aristocracy"
And some of you dudes have some pretty sick ideas about what these lyrics mean. There is nothing about conquering, dominating, pounding or any kind of aggressive and violent sexual activity where the woman does not have as much fun as the man. You think Coverdale wrote these lyrics?
And Longwoodgator, if it said that it would not be a good pun!
~
It's definitely "pantry," and I can't believe I'm listening to this song 30 years later. It has held up well, especially if you enjoy fits of laughter with your listening. The intro and outro are kinda epic.
When he repeats the first verse at the end of the song, he says "one of us could reach her" and then "I can't deny with that smile on MY face".
I love that line "We put her on the hitlist of a common cunning linguist," with the double meaning of a master of "cunnilingus." Great lyrics!
@MusicalManiac1 I noticed that play on words too
According to the greatest hits liner notes they wrote the song as a joke and never expected it to get any airplay.
This is such an awesome song!
This song is so full of sexual references regarding anal and oral sex. Cool tune.
Song is kind of funny somehow... tho it does kick ass.. But highway star is their best.
i got a log in MY pocket, but do i get any? no
Yeah,Kinda weird but its an awesome song,especially the opening riff.
When DP played this song in concert about 15 years ago, Ian Gillan did a "jerkoff" motion with his hand while singing the line "the log was in my pocket". Classic.
Also, I always though the lyrics were a "common cunnilinguist" rather than a "common cunning linguist".
It IS "common cunnilinguist". This site had it wrong. With the song's subject matter, what else could it be?
It is absolutely "cunning linguist." It's a pun. And it sets up the next line with the "master of many tongues."<br /> <br /> The wordplay makes it clever. And radio-friendly.<br /> <br /> Now if someone can explain the references to the Austin and the Bentley, besides the fact that they're cars that would be driven by someone in the aristocracy. (Which makes it a little unlikely that this would take place in a strip club.)
I don't think the make of the cars are as important as much as when he refers that "now she eases gently"......meaning that her ass could be tender when sitting, and she very may feel refreshed and "young" after a good shagging.<br /> Obviously the two cars are well known in British aristocracy as you mentioned.<br /> cheers