Knockin' on Your Door

Background

"Knockin' on Your Door" is a track on Eye of the Zombie, the fourth solo album of John Fogerty. Like all songs on the LP, "Knockin' on Your Door" was recorded at The Lighthouse in North Hollywood, California, and engineered by Jeffrey Norman. The album came out in September 1986 and reached #26 in the USA. 

Between Centerfield and Eye of the Zombie, Fogerty moved from Bay Area to Los Angeles. His office at Warner Brothers was downstairs in the basement, where he wrote in the evening and nights. He also wanted to be more current and increase the use of drum machines and synths on the album. Fogerty had a guitar and a couple of synthesizers in his office (John Fogerty, Fortunate Son, 2015). 

As a modern reincarnation of the Stax/Memphis sound, "Knockin' on Your Door" strays from the dark mood of the album. It's a catchy, upbeat pop tune where the flood of keyboards is delivered by session man Alan Pasqua. 

Personnel

Lead guitar, vocals, keyboards: John Fogerty

Drums, percussion: John Robinson

Bass: Neil Stubenhaus

Keyboards: Alan Pasqua

Eye of the Zombie was the first album during his solo career when Fogerty didn't play everything by himself. 

Collector's notes

"Knockin' on Your Door" was released as a promotional 12" maxi-single (WB PRO-A-2637) in the USA in December 1986. It has no cover photo. The version on the A-side is 19 seconds shorter than the album take. An acetate pressing of the promotional "Knockin' on Your Door" single, released on November 13th, 1986, also exists. It has no cover sleeve and the length is the same as on the maxi-single (Peter Koers, Green River: An Illustrated Discography, 1999). 

Live versions

John Fogerty played "Knockin' on Your Door" live on Rockin' All Over the World Tour in autumn 1986 in the USA and Canada. The world premiere took place in Memphis, Tennessee, on August 27th, 1986. Like all numbers off Eye of the Zombie, except "Change in the Weather",  "Knockin' on Your Door" disappeared from the programming of John Fogerty for good after the tour was over.  

Critical reception

"Fogerty's at his most engaging on "Knockin' on Your Door," a gritty jolt of Stax-Volt R&B ---."  -Anthony DeCurtis, The Rolling Stone, November 20th, 1986. 

"Fogerty's voice turns slightly gentler for this upbeat, enjoyable tune. The rhythm is addictive, and I can't help but move to it! The exemplary use of synthesizers highlight the tune, which didn't always succeed in previous songs." -Matt Loewen.

"This song while having some synth-pop elements does kind of take me back to CCR days. While there is an infusion of keyboards on this song, I do think its Fogerty's guitar and vocals that make this a pretty good song." -L.A. Scene, October 17th, 2004.

Fans' views

"Sarcastic love song and captivating."

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