Jim Lowe “Green Door” / “Talkin’ to the Blues”
/This 45 is a 1979 reissue of the 1956 hit single “The Green Door” sung by Jim Lowe and written by Bob “Hutch” Davie and Marvin J. Moore (good lyrics: “Saw an eyeball peeping through a smokey cloud…”). It’s on the goofy-looking “Gusto” label (four yellow horns and a bird with a green?pod). The beloved recording was repeatedly released (and covered) here and there over the years. I bought this record, inspired by the excellent version that closes the Cramps’ great 1981 Psychedelic Jungle album—I learned it and played it myself (never to a captive audience). The B-side is similarly corny and fun. I could regurgi-wiki the many theories on the song’s origins and meanings, but I’m more interested in my own ideas about the mysterious green door’s long lineage. There’s a 1940 children’s book, Behind the Green Door, part of the 17-book Penny Parker series. I read it (nothing to worry about, kids) and it’s good, and it’s directly related to this song—as is the 1972 Marilyn Chambers movie. Behind the Green Door—which is the only (non-parody) instance I’m aware of, of a direct connection of a children’s series book to porn! It’s all in good fun, of course, but given the number of appearances in culture of the “Green Door,” I’m guessing there is something deep and disturbing behind the reference—most likely going back to the turn of the Century (the 1899 to 1900 one) when the world was going even more crazy than it is now. I can’t say for sure, or where, but I’m guessing that what went on was a little more sinister than these milquetoast sagas. Let’s say… unwilling, restrained, victims with the top of their skulls removed and members of a Satanic death cult dining on the still living brains. I’m not saying that happened, necessarily, but given all the green door theories, I’m just addin’ my two cents here!
11.29.24