The Wrong People · 1986 · Stiff Records
Answer the Door
Written by Jim Irvin, Tim Whelan, Hamilton Lee
Published by Copyright Control
What crazy logic has come down To steer me to this spot I'm calm and waiting patiently But don't know if I approve or not It would have been much better If we'd come this way together Maybe we have somehow, maybe we have somehow Answer the door I'm knocking let me in Will we ever understand what we might have been Damn it I am still in love But it doesn't quite ring true You were wild and good, you were perfection What did I ever see in you What I really mean is The good and bad between us Could be the best we'll ever know, best we'll ever know Answer the door I'm pounding to get in Will you ever understand, what we might have been? Or were we wasting our time? You can't describe this mood at all This exhilarating pain You want to stay around, stay forever And you never want to see me again You meet all kinds of strangers Make some great big fancy changes And kiss too much goodbye, you kiss too much goodbye Answer the door I'm anxious to get in And get clear inside my head What we never would have been What we never could have been
Commentary
I recall there being some argument about including this on the record, Dave Robinson suggested leaving it off during the mastering, but producer Mick Glossop held firm. It's not the most elegant song we ever wrote, but it has a rough-hewn charm.
Jim Irvin — Band commentary, 2010 Cherry Red reissue booklet (compiled by Jim, Tim and Hami)