The singer cannot get any sleep each evening, due to the sound of the music coming from a private club, or possibly the singer is a
G-man attempting to infiltrate the club. He tries to gain entry by knocking once on the green door, telling the person behind the door that he has been there before, only to have the door slammed immediately ("hospitality's thin there"). Then, through the keyhole, he says the possible secret password, "Joe sent me" (the password for
Hernando's Hideaway), which only results in laughter as he is again denied admission to the club.
Possible inspirations After the
Great Chicago Fire, the
Green Door Tavern opened in the city. During the
Prohibition era in the United States, it was a popular place to get illicit libations. Because the door of the tavern was green, the color became a symbol for a
speakeasy. During Prohibition, many restaurants painted their doors green to indicate the presence of a speakeasy. Another suggestion about the song's origins is that it was inspired by an
afterhours club in
Dallas, Texas, to which lyricist Moore had been refused entry because he did not know the correct password. At the time of the song's initial popularity in the 1950s, many believed it was inspired by a green-doored restaurant and bar called The Shack in
Columbia, Missouri, where singer Jim Lowe had attended
university. However long-time Shack owner Joe Franke doubts that theory. An oft-repeated
urban legend has developed, claiming that the song refers to London's first lesbian club,
Gateways (1930–1985), which was in
Bramerton Street,
Chelsea. It had a green door and was featured in the film
The Killing of Sister George. But aside from that there is no substantive connection between the 1950s American song and the British club. ==Shakin' Stevens version==