If You Close The Door

The Velvet Underground's song "If You Close The Door" is a melancholic yet hopeful exploration of escapism and the desire to avoid the harsh realities of life. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a world where the night, a metaphor for comfort and solace, can last forever if one simply closes the door. This act of closing the door symbolizes shutting out the daylight, which represents the harshness and mundanity of everyday life. The night, in contrast, is a time of fun, dancing, and a sense of belonging that the narrator yearns for but feels excluded from.

The recurring theme of wishing for the night to last forever underscores a deep-seated desire to escape from the loneliness and disarray of the day. The narrator dreams of a time when someone special will look into their eyes and bring meaning to their life, but until then, they prefer the darkness where they don't have to face the reality of their solitude. The imagery of dark, cloudy bars and shiny Cadillac cars juxtaposed with grey, disarrayed people in subways and trains further emphasizes the contrast between the vibrant nightlife and the dreary daytime existence.

The song's repetitive structure and simple yet poignant lyrics create a hypnotic effect, drawing the listener into the narrator's world of longing and escape. The Velvet Underground, known for their avant-garde style and exploration of unconventional themes, use this song to delve into the human psyche's darker corners. The desire to avoid pain and seek comfort in the night is a universal theme, making the song relatable to anyone who has ever felt the weight of the world and wished for a moment of reprieve.