The Green Door

Album: Hits From The '50s (1956)
Charted: 8 1
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Songfacts®:

  • Bob Davie wrote this and played the honky-tonk piano. It was inspired by a popular music club in Dallas, Texas where the kids who weren't allowed in hung around outside a yellow door. Presumably "green door" sounded better.
  • Jim Lowe was a DJ and country singer who recorded this in an apartment in Greenwich Village. Backing vocals were by The High Fives.
  • In the UK, Frankie Vaughan's cover version reached #2.
  • In 1981, the '50s revivalist Shakin' Stevens covered this and took this song to the top of the UK charts.

Comments: 10

  • William from Lee StreetGreat stuff!!! Do you have any of the original Jimmy Rogers music?
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 18, 1956, "Green Door" by Jim Lowe peaked at #1 {for 3 weeks} on Billboard's Top 100 chart...
    He was preceded and then succeeded at #1 by Elvis, "Don't Be Cruel" had been at #1 for seven weeks before being replaced by "Green Door" and then after "Green Door" held the top spot for three weeks, "Love Me Tender" became #1 for three weeks*...
    * Actually the last week that "Green Door" was at #1, it was tied at that position with "Love Me Tender".
  • John Michaelson from East United StatesRick Dees was also a working DJ when he released "Disco Duck" - along with Jim Lowe and The Big Bopper.
  • Dan from Saint Louis, MoAnother piece of folklore on this song was that it was about a "gay bar" which were very underground at the time and often "private clubs". The speakeasy type of tiny viewing doors were still very much in use through the 70's in many gay bars.
  • Rich from Tampa, FlRather than a speakeasy, I believe the Green Door is a door in a metaphorical sense, as in Huxley's "Doors of Perception." Behind the green door,there is laughter,a hot piano and happy people who laugh at his "Joe sent me" line. No, not a speakeasy, just a few folks partying inside a smoky cloud. What's that secret you're keepin'?

    "Eere."
  • Maria from Akron, OhI love this song! I danced to my parent's 45 of "The Green Door" many times as a child. I have an original copy, signed by Jim Lowe himself. I know it is authentic as I watched him sign it. I worked for him during the last 8 years of his life. I am selling it. Anybody interested? DeezineDeeva@aol.com
  • Steve from Cleveland, OhThis song was obviously inspired by a young man trying to get into a Prohibition-era speakeasy. The line, "When I said Joe sent me..." is unambiguous. Here are the lyrics:

    Midnight, one more night without sleepin'
    Watchin' till the mornin' comes creepin'
    Green door, what's that secret you're keepin?

    There's an old piano and they play it hot behind the green door
    Don't know what they're doin'
    But they laugh a lot behind the green door
    Wish they'd let me in
    So I could find out what's behind the green door

    Knocked once, tried to tell them I'd been there
    Door slammed, hospitality's thin there
    Wonder just what's goin' on in there

    Saw an eyeball peepin'
    Through a smoky cloud behind the green door
    When I said "Joe sent me"
    Someone laughed out loud behind the green door
    All I want to do is join the happy crowd behind the green door

    Midnight, one more night without sleepin'
    Watchin' till the mornin' comes creepin'
    Green door, what's that secret you're keepin?
    Green door, what's that secret you're keepin?
  • Rob from Muscatine, IaChantilly Lace was also #1 and The Big Bopper was a working DJ.

    Gandalfiii
  • Frank from Valley Stream, NyI think that this song is important because
    it's the only # 1 song recorded by a working
    disc jockey.

  • Sallie from San Antonio, TxI came here looking for the lyrics to "The Green Door," most of which I recall, but I'm not entirely sure I know them all.
    Wish I could have found them here....
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