James Boodle It Wiggins - Keep A Knockin'

First performance: 10/07/1983

Coverinfo

Bruce covered the song 6 times: Always off-tour in small bars: 
 
 
2000-11-03 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
During Light of Day
 
 
 
1995-10-21 Nick's Fat City, Pittsburgh, PA
With Joe Grushecky

1989-08-16 Cheers, Long Branch, NJ
With Bobby Bandiera

1988-11-26 Stone (The), San Francisco, CA
With Southside Johnny
 
With Midnight Thunder  

1983-07-10 Stone Pony (The), Asbury Park, NJ
With  Cats on a Smooth Surface
 

Songinfo

The earliest version of "Keep A-Knockin' (But You Can't Come In)" is recorded by James "Boodle It" Wiggins in 1928. It has been recorded by a variety of musicians over the years. The lyrics concern a lover at the door who won't be admitted—in some versions because someone else is already there, but in most others because the knocking lover has behaved badly. Early versions are sometimes credited to Perry Bradford and J. Mayo Williams. Variations were recorded by James "Boodle It" Wiggins in 1928, Lil Johnson in 1935, Milton Brown in 1936 and Louis Jordan in 1939. A similar lyrical theme appears in "Open the Door, Richard" from 1946, but from the viewpoint of the one knocking. In 1957, when Little Richard recorded it as an uptempo rock and roll song "Keep A-Knockin'" reached number two on the U.S. R&B charts and number eight on the U.S. pop charts. His version is usually credited to Penniman (Richard's legal name), Williams, and Mays. Little Richard's version was surely the inspiration for Bruce. 
 
 
 
 
 

Bruce on the artist

Lyrics

Keep a knocking, but you can't come in
Keep a knocking, but you can't come in
Keep a knocking, but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try it again

You said you love me, but you can't come in
You said you love me, but you can't come in, woo!
You said you love me, but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try it again

Keep a knocking, but you can't come in
Keep a knocking, but you can't come in
Keep a knocking, but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try it again

You said you love me, but you can't come in
You said you love me, but you can't come in
You said you love me, but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try it again
You keep a knocking, but you can't come in
Keep a knocking, but you can't, woo!
Keep a knocking, but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try it again

You said you love me, but you can't come in
You said you love me, but you can't come in
You said you love me, but you can't come in
Come back tomorrow night and try it again