22 Most Popular Songs About Doors Ever Written
Doors are more than just physical barriers—they’re powerful metaphors in music. Whether it’s knocking on heaven’s door, slipping through the back door, or choosing to leave one open, doors represent change, transition, intimacy, secrecy, and possibility.
This handpicked list of 23 popular songs about doors spans rock, soul, blues, country, R&B, and indie, exploring how artists use the image of doors to express heartbreak, transformation, rebellion, and renewal.
From Bob Dylan to Silk Sonic, these songs open up emotional thresholds and invite us to walk through. Whether you’re searching for the best songs with “door” in the lyrics or looking for door-themed classics, this collection has something for every mood.
Here’s a curated list of 23 popular songs with “door” (or its derivatives) in the title—spanning genres, eras, and emotional vibes:
#1 “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan (1973) – Introspective Doorway to Immortality Anthem
Contents
About this song:
- Album: Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid
- Release Date: August 1973
- Artist: Bob Dylan
- Genre: Folk Rock / Gospel
- Key Lyric: “Mama, take this badge off of me”
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan was released in 1973 as part of the soundtrack for the film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid.
Written during a pivotal moment in Dylan’s career, the song reflects a stripped-down folk-rock style that marked a return to his roots.
The lyrics describe a lawman’s final moments, using the image of knocking on a door to heaven to express surrender and mortality. Its minimalist arrangement—just guitar, vocals, and sparse percussion—amplifies the emotional weight. The song became one of Dylan’s most enduring works, widely covered and often cited as a metaphor for life’s final transition.
#2 “I Hear You Knocking” by Fats Domino (1959) – Door-Knocking Boogie Boundaries Hit
About this song:
- Album: They Call Me the Fat Man
- Release Date: 1959
- Artist: Fats Domino
- Genre: Rock & Roll / Boogie-Woogie
- Key Lyric: “I hear you knocking, but you can’t come in”
Released in 1959, Fats Domino’s “I Hear You Knocking” is a rock-and-roll anthem that uses door imagery to assert emotional boundaries.
Known for his New Orleans piano style, Domino delivers this song with infectious boogie-woogie rhythms and a confident vocal tone.
The lyrics confront someone from the past who’s trying to come back into the narrator’s life, only to be firmly shut out. It’s a humorous yet firm message of independence and self-respect. This track cemented Domino’s legacy as a pioneer of early rock and remains a fun, door-themed classic with a universal message about knowing when to say no.
#3 “Door to Door” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1972) – Bluesy Door-to-Door Life Hustle
About this song:
- Album: Mardi Gras
- Release Date: April 11, 1972
- Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Genre: Rock / Swamp Rock
- Key Lyric: “Going door to door, selling my soul”
“Door to Door” by Creedence Clearwater Revival appeared on their 1972 album Mardi Gras, which marked the band’s final studio release.
Written and sung by bassist Stu Cook, the song deviates from CCR’s earlier hits with a gritty, blues-based sound.
The lyrics paint a portrait of a man working the streets, going door to door in search of purpose or opportunity. It echoes themes of weariness, struggle, and economic survival. Although Mardi Gras received mixed reviews, “Door to Door” offers a raw take on American working-class life, making the door metaphor symbolic of both rejection and determination.
#4 “When Doors Close” by Tamia (2004) – R&B Reflection on Life’s Closed Doors
About this song:
- Album: Between Friends
- Release Date: 2004
- Artist: Tamia
- Genre: Contemporary R&B
- Key Lyric: “When one door closes, another one opens”
Tamia’s “When Doors Close,” from her 2004 album Between Friends, is a soulful exploration of resilience through life’s transitions.
Released during a time of artistic independence for the singer, the track highlights her emotional depth and vocal power.
The lyrics reflect on the pain of rejection and the optimism that comes when new paths appear. Produced with smooth, contemporary R&B textures, the song emphasizes that one closed door often leads to something better. Tamia’s message resonates with listeners facing personal change, making this track a standout in her catalog and a relatable anthem about hope through life’s metaphorical doors.
#5 “Open Door” by Genesis (1983) – Progressive Pop on New Beginnings
About this song:
- Album: Genesis (1983) (B-side to “Mama”)
- Release Date: 1983
- Artist: Genesis
- Genre: Pop Rock / Progressive Rock
- Key Lyric: “Walk through the open door into your freedom”
“Open Door” by Genesis was recorded during the sessions for their 1983 self-titled album and later released as a B-side.
Though not one of the band’s chart-toppers, the track stands out for its emotional nuance and elegant songwriting.
Phil Collins’s vocals are warm and introspective, supported by atmospheric keyboards and understated guitar. The lyrics encourage stepping through an open door as a metaphor for freedom, opportunity, and personal growth. Genesis blends their progressive rock roots with accessible pop melodies, making “Open Door” a hidden gem. It’s a reflective track for anyone ready to move forward and embrace change.
#6 “Open the Door” by James Brown (1967) – Funk-Powered Plea to Let Love In
About this song:
- Album: *Cold Sweat*
- Release Date: August 1967
- Artist: James Brown
- Genre: Funk / Soul
- Key Lyric: “Why don’t you open the door? Let me in!”
James Brown’s “Open the Door” is a mid-tempo groove released in 1967 during his Cold Sweat-era explosion of funk innovation.
The track showcases Brown’s classic syncopated rhythm, call-and-response phrasing, and raw emotional urgency.
It’s a heartfelt request from a man desperate to be let back in—romantically and emotionally.
Backed by The Famous Flames and driven by a tight horn section, Brown transforms the door motif into a metaphor for longing, redemption, and soul.
The song remains a lesser-known but deeply passionate staple of his deep cuts.
#7 “Doors Unlocked and Open” by Death Cab for Cutie (2011) – Indie Rock Metaphor for Change
About this song:
- Album: *Codes and Keys*
- Release Date: May 31, 2011
- Artist: Death Cab for Cutie
- Genre: Indie Rock / Alternative
- Key Lyric: “And doors unlocked and open… all the time.”
“Doors Unlocked and Open” captures Death Cab for Cutie’s sonic shift into ambient textures and minimalism.
Released in 2011, it’s one of the more experimental songs on Codes and Keys, driven by layered synths and looping guitar riffs.
Lyrically, the open door becomes a symbol of vulnerability and possibility.
Frontman Ben Gibbard’s repeated mantra points toward freedom, but also uncertainty—where unlocked doors invite movement but also risk.
The track was praised for its atmosphere and signaled the band’s transition from melancholic indie rock to more abstract pop landscapes.
#8 “Back Door Man” by Howlin’ Wolf (1961) – Blues Classic of Hidden Desire
About this song:
- Album: *Howlin’ Wolf (The Rockin’ Chair Album)*
- Release Date: 1961
- Artist: Howlin’ Wolf
- Genre: Chicago Blues
- Key Lyric: “I am the back door man—the men don’t know, but the little girls understand.”
“Back Door Man,” recorded by blues legend Howlin’ Wolf and written by Willie Dixon, is a landmark in electric Chicago blues.
Released in 1961, the phrase “back door man” refers to a lover who sneaks out the back when the husband comes home—a bold, rebellious theme for its time.
Wolf’s gravelly voice and raw delivery give the song its enduring edge.
It’s been covered by numerous artists including The Doors, who helped introduce the track to rock audiences.
The metaphor of the door is used here as secret passage, subversion, and sexual bravado.
#9 “The Back Door” by Cherish (2006) – Modern R&B Take on Closing Emotional Doors
About this song:
- Album: *Unappreciated*
- Release Date: August 15, 2006
- Artist: Cherish
- Genre: Contemporary R&B
- Key Lyric: “Walked out the back door… I’m gone.”
Cherish’s “The Back Door” is a lesser-known but potent track from their debut album Unappreciated.
With a sleek R&B production, the song portrays a woman quietly leaving a relationship that no longer serves her—through the metaphorical back door.
The song flips the “back door” idea into one of empowerment and independence.
Strong harmonies and silky production underscore the decision to walk away from toxicity, not in confrontation but in self-respect.
It stands out for giving space to female voices in the R&B world using bold metaphors.
#10 “Open Doors” by Josh Garrels (2011) – Spiritual Song of Surrender and Possibility
About this song:
- Album: *Love & War & the Sea in Between*
- Release Date: June 15, 2011
- Artist: Josh Garrels
- Genre: Indie Folk / Christian
- Key Lyric: “There are open doors, and open hands.”
Josh Garrels’s “Open Doors” is a soulful track that blends indie folk and faith-driven lyricism.
Released in 2011 on his critically acclaimed album Love & War & the Sea in Between, it reflects Garrels’s signature acoustic warmth and spiritual depth.
The “open doors” symbolize grace, opportunity, and divine timing.
With poetic lyrics and minimal instrumentation, the song invites listeners into reflection about paths not taken—and the hope that doors still lie ahead.
Garrels’s storytelling ability makes the metaphor of open doors deeply personal and universally uplifting.
#11 “Back Door Man” by The Doors (1967) – Raw Blues Door Anthem
About this song:
- Album: The Doors
- Release Date: January 4, 1967
- Artist: The Doors
- Genre: Blues Rock / Psychedelic Rock
- Key Lyric: “I’m a back door man, a back door man”
“Back Door Man” was first recorded by Willie Dixon in 1961 but truly exploded into the public consciousness when The Doors included their gritty cover on their debut album in 1967.
Jim Morrison’s growling vocals and the band’s raw, bluesy energy imbue the song with a swaggering, almost clandestine vibe. Lyrically, it’s all about secret entrances and hidden personal lives—perfectly aligned with door‑themed symbolism.
Its swagger and subtext about forbidden passages and hidden desires make it an iconic track for exploring music about doors.
#12 “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970) – Whimsical Door‑Centered Country‑Rock Pop
About this song:
- Album: Cosmo’s Factory
- Release Date: July 1970
- Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
- Genre: Country Rock
- Key Lyric: “Lookin’ out my back door, there’s a big ol’ purple dinosaur”
John Fogerty’s lyrics are bursting with playful, surreal imagery, conjuring a colorful parade of characters at his back door—from dinosaurs to catfish singing tubas.
The upbeat tempo and catchy guitar riffs make it CCR’s most whimsical take on door‑centric storytelling.
It invites listeners to peer through their own metaphorical doors into a wondrous world, capturing the magic of what lies beyond.
#13 “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) (2021) – Smooth Soul‑Pop Invitation
About this song:
- Album: An Evening with Silk Sonic
- Release Date: March 5, 2021
- Artist: Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
- Genre: R&B / Soul
- Key Lyric: “I’ma leave the door open, girl”
This silky, Grammy‑winning soul jam channels the spirit of ’70s R&B with lush harmonies and polite seduction. Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak promise tenderness and vulnerability when they say they’ll “leave the door open” emotionally and literally.
The smooth instrumentation, featuring warm keys and crisp percussion, underscores a romantic invitation steeped in gracious sentiment and old‑school charm.
It’s a door song about emotional availability and romantic openness.
#14 “Behind Closed Doors” by Charlie Rich (1973) – Intimate Country‑Pop Door Story
About this song:
- Album: Behind Closed Doors
- Release Date: January 17, 1973
- Artist: Charlie Rich
- Genre: Country Pop
- Key Lyric: “Behind closed doors, everything’s safe and sound”
This classic country‑pop crossover, written by Kenny O’Dell and produced by Billy Sherrill, celebrates the hidden tenderness and intimacy of private life.
Rich’s smooth baritone delivers the message that true freedom and love happen behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny.
The song struck a chord, earning Grammy™ awards and platinum status, all while delivering one of the most iconic door references in music history.
#15 “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak) (2021) – Smooth Soul‑Door‑Opening R&B Hit
About this song:
- Album: An Evening with Silk Sonic
- Release Date: March 5, 2021
- Artist: Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
- Genre: Philadelphia soul / R&B / pop
- Key Lyric: “I’ma leave the door open, girl / I’ma leave the door open, hopin’”
Leave the Door Open is a silky soul song by Silk Sonic, the collaborative duo of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, released March 5, 2021.
It invites romance and emotional openness, the titular “door” serving as both literal and metaphorical gateway to intimacy and vulnerability.
With lush strings, retro drums, and soul‑storm grooves, the track evokes 1970s Philly soul but with crisp modern production.
Writing and performing in harmony, Mars and .Paak craft an irresistible slow jam.
At the core, its message is that love—and communication—begin by simply leaving the door open. open.spotify.com+11en.wikipedia.org+11pitchfork.com+11youtube.com+7pitchfork.com+7pitchfork.com+7pitchfork.com
#16 “The Door” by George Jones (1974) – Heart‑Closing Country Ballad About Emotional Doors Slamming
About this song:
- Album: Anniversary – 10 Years of Hits
- Release Date: 1974
- Artist: George Jones
- Genre: Country / Countrypolitan
- Key Lyric: “Than that lonely sound / The closing of the door”
George Jones’s 1974 classic “The Door” uses the metaphor of a closing door to express post-war heartbreak and abandonment.
It blends mournful steel guitars, sweeping strings, and Jones’s tortured vocals to dramatize emotional loss.
The lyrics focus on the moment a love closes behind you—louder and more poignant than any explosion or artillery.
Marking a pivotal entry in Jones’s countrypolitan phase, it topped charts and became a radio staple.
This song reveals how a door can symbolize both an ending and an unforgettable emotional impact. doors-game.fandom.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2forums.stevehoffman.tv+2
#17 “Back Door Man” by The Doors (1967) – Bluesy Door‑Slamming Underground Rock Song
About this song:
- Album: The Doors
- Release Date: January 4, 1967
- Artist: The Doors
- Genre: Blues rock / Psychedelic rock
- Key Lyric: “I’m a back-door man”
From their 1967 debut, The Doors flip the door metaphor with Back Door Man, a gritty blues‑rock exploration of hidden encounters.
Jim Morrison’s smoky vocals and Robby Krieger’s slide guitar evoke speakeasy back entrances and secretive liaisons.
The track’s raw rhythm and suggestive lyrics made it a centerpiece of the band’s live performances.
It explores doors as passages to subcultures, desire, and taboo.
With its edgy, swampy groove, “Back Door Man” remains one of The Doors’ most rebellious and evocative entries. m.youtube.com+15forums.stevehoffman.tv+15en.wikipedia.org+15reddit.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4tiktok.com+4pitchfork.com+1youtube.com+1reddit.com+1reddit.com+1
#18 “Touch Me” by The Doors (1968) – Brass‑Fueled Doorway Into Symphonic Rock
About this song:
- Album: The Soft Parade
- Release Date: December 1968
- Artist: The Doors
- Genre: Soul / Symphonic rock
- Key Lyric: “C’mon baby, hit me one more time”
The Doors’ 1968 hit “Touch Me” opens the door to experimental rock, featuring saxophone solos, strings, and bold, flirtatious lyrics.
Written by guitarist Robby Krieger, it blends soul, pop, and psychedelic motifs in an innovative arrangement.
It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the band’s biggest commercial successes.
The lyric “hit me” — later clarified by Morrison — signals both romantic invitation and immersive experience.
Its fusion of genres demonstrates how opening new musical doors can lead to creative breakthroughs. pitchfork.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2forums.stevehoffman.tv+2
#19 “Soul Kitchen” by The Doors (1967) – Door to Emotional Refuge Through Blues‑Rock
About this song:
- Album: The Doors
- Release Date: January 4, 1967
- Artist: The Doors
- Genre: Blues rock / Hard rock
- Key Lyric: “Let me sleep all night in your soul kitchen”
“Soul Kitchen,” from their debut album, treats a door as access to comfort and emotional sustenance.
Jim Morrison penned it after late nights at Olivia’s restaurant, transforming a physical space into a metaphorical sanctuary.
Keyboards and blues‑rock riffs by Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger simulate warmth and entry.
Critics acclaim its “stomping rock” and soulful groove—it represents finding refuge behind a welcoming door.
The song reminds listeners that doors can open to community and emotional nourishment.
#20 “Open Doors” by Josh Garrels (2011) – Faith-Filled Folk Song About Divine Doorways
About this song:
- Album: Love & War & The Sea In Between
- Release Date: June 15, 2011
- Artist: Josh Garrels
- Genre: Indie Folk / Christian
- Key Lyric: “There are open doors, and open hands / And you never know who might walk in”
Josh Garrels’ “Open Doors” is a spiritually rich and introspective indie folk track, released in 2011 on his critically praised album Love & War & The Sea In Between.
In this song, the concept of an “open door” becomes a symbol of grace, surrender, and unexpected opportunities granted through faith. With acoustic textures and poetic lyrics, Garrels explores vulnerability and divine timing, encouraging listeners to trust the process of what’s to come.
His authentic vocal delivery and narrative lyricism give the metaphor of open doors a grounding in both everyday struggle and hopeful surrender.
#21 “The Door” by Silverchair (1997) – Grunge Anthem About Crashing Through Barriers
About this song:
- Album: Freak Show
- Release Date: February 4, 1997
- Artist: Silverchair
- Genre: Grunge / Alternative Rock
- Key Lyric: “I’m knocking at the door again, can’t you see I’m breaking in?”
Released during the peak of Australia’s grunge wave, Silverchair’s “The Door” is a fierce, distortion-heavy track from their 1997 album Freak Show.
Inspired by classic hard rock like Led Zeppelin, it captures Daniel Johns’ inner turmoil and need to escape expectations. The lyrics and instrumentation portray a protagonist trying to break through walls—literal and emotional.
The door becomes a dynamic symbol of rebellion, angst, and self-assertion.
It’s one of the band’s most aggressive, theatrical tracks, signaling their move away from teen grunge into more mature musical themes.
#22 “Let My Love Open the Door” by Pete Townshend (1980) – Classic Rock Doorway to Redemption
About this song:
- Album: Empty Glass
- Release Date: April 1980
- Artist: Pete Townshend
- Genre: New Wave / Rock
- Key Lyric: “Let my love open the door to your heart”
“Let My Love Open the Door” marked Pete Townshend’s first major solo hit outside of The Who, and became an international success in 1980.
The synth-driven track delivers an uplifting message of emotional rescue through love. The “door” here symbolizes the heart—and the act of opening it allows healing and connection.
Townshend’s voice is bright and earnest, supported by clean production and pop-rock instrumentation that feels both timeless and fresh.
It’s a door song in the most literal sense: love breaking through isolation and unlocking inner peace.
Conclusion
As these songs show, doors in music are never just wood and hinges—they’re emotional gateways. Whether they open to healing, close on heartbreak, or swing on mystery, the best songs about doors help us reflect on life’s passages.
From country ballads about closed doors to rock anthems about breaking in, these tracks remind us that every threshold offers a choice—do we knock, walk through, or slam it shut?
So the next time you hear a song about a door, listen closely. It might just be opening something in you, too.
