Who Can It Be Now?

Album: Business As Usual (1982)
Charted: 45 1
Play Video
  • Who can it be knocking at my door?
    Go 'way, don't come 'round here no more
    Can't you see that it's late at night?
    I'm very tired, and I'm not feeling right
    All I wish is to be alone
    Stay away, don't you invade my home
    Best off if you hang outside
    Don't come in, I'll only run and hide

    Who can it be now?
    Who can it be now?
    Who can it be now?
    Who can it be now?

    Who can it be knocking at my door?
    Make no sound, tip-toe across the floor
    If he hears, he'll knock all day
    I'll be trapped, and here I'll have to stay
    I've done no harm, I keep to myself
    There's nothing wrong with my state of mental health
    I like it here with my childhood friend
    Here they come, those feelings again

    Who can it be now?
    Who can it be now?
    Who can it be now?
    Who can it be now?

    Is it the man come to take me away?
    Why do they follow me?
    It's not the future that I can see
    It's just my fantasy

    Yeah

    Who? Who? Who?
    Who can it be now?
    Who can it be now?
    Who can it be now?
    Who can it be now?

    Oh, oh, oh
    Who can it be now?
    Oh we oh
    Who can it, who can it
    Oh, who can it be now?
    Oh, we, oh
    Yeah, yeah, yeah Writer/s: Colin James Hay
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 15

  • Seventhmist from 7th HeavenGood point about the release date. Prectically everything from late 1982 to late 1983 was eclipsed by "Thriller."
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 18th 1982, Men at Work performed "Who Can It Be Now" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Two months earlier on July 4th, 1982 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #83; and on October 24th, 1982 it peaked at #1 {for 1 week} and spent over a half-year on the Top 100 {27 weeks}...
    The song did better in the U.S.A. than in the group's native Australia, where it reached #2...
    Was track one of side one on the quintet's debut album, 'Business As Usual', and on November 7th, 1982 it peaked at #1 {for 15 weeks} on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart {it would take Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' album to bump it out of the top spot, and it stayed at #1 for 37 non-consecutive weeks}...
    The 'Business As Usual' album would also produce one other Top 100 record, "Down Under", and that record would also reached #1 {for 4 weeks}.
  • Markantney from Biloxi, MsJuly 2014, I'm from that era (in my 40s), so I remember the song quite well. It was right when MTV came out and though the song was popular, their unique videos (I believe) brought personality to their music.

    The last few lines (the way Colin is Riffing the lyrics), the background vocals, and that MAD Sax playing towards the end of this song is what separates it from most.
  • Bruce from San Jose, CaColin Hay's CREEPY Wandering Eye in the video....really is the "icing on the cake" for this surreal song! When I first saw the music video, I thought it was a special effect of some kind, but later I learned that's his REAL EYE doing the wandering! YIKES! Creepy, and memorable!
  • Esskayess from Dallas, TxSort of an Aussie version of "They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Ha.'
  • Tessa from Washingtonville, PaMy father & I have a thing for the 80's and older songs, so when he played me this one, I thought it was pretty sweet.
    ( If the band actually reads my comment, ummm... my dad really likes you, I think your alright, sing more songs!)
  • Rob from Sidney, AustraliaThis one is good. I have not heard the K-Mart ad.
    This is the first song off the Business As Usual album. Please excuse the typos I've been drinking all day(Actually all week, five day weekened). The song deals with paranoia which is something I can relate to. I have to take Xanax four times a day or I go totally batty. I forgot to take it once on a trip from Sidney to Darwin and it freaked me out. Scared my girlfriend something awful.
  • Kateri from Albany, Nygood song!
  • Bender from East West Virginia, VaWhen I was growing up my parents didnt have alot of money and when the gas man or the garbage man would knock on the door for his check we would all hudle in a corner at the other end of our house. This song always makes me think of that. I make a decent living, but, I still cringe when I hear a knock on my door.
  • Dave from Coal Valley, IlThis was a awesome album and still is. I had the cassette tape in my Camaro and wore it out!
  • Sarah Floyd from Bloomingdale, Ilthis sounds like a scary song. and i saw this one show and this devil had high power and the only way they will go i guess is you have to deal with it. and there were three ghosts and it was scary dont ask.
  • Dee from Indianapolis, InAnother MTV band that broke up before their time. Their songs were not the typical party & rock n' roll sterotype that MTV seemed to like. Collin Hay has put out some solo stuff that isn't bad, but Men at Work will always be his true connection to the music world.
  • Aj from Cleveland, GaThis song sounds like there's a stalker out there.
  • Louie from Staten Island, NyOne of my favorite bands.
  • Alex from New Orleans, LaK-Mart used this in advertising Halloween costume discounts as "Who Will You Be Now?"
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.