Door Number Three
‘Door Number Three’ is a song written for Jenna in Waitress, that was not used in the final musical, but was performed during its run at the American Repertory Theater. Sara Bareilles‘s version of the song was originally released on her album, ‘What’s Inside: Songs From Waitress‘, and the demo version was included in the 2019 EP, ‘What’s Not Inside: The Lost Songs From Waitress‘.
Jenna is inspired by the TV show “Let’s Make A Deal,” which Earl is watching before she sings the song; in the show, contestants have to choose between three numbered doors to reveal their prize or cash bonus. She hears the host ask, ‘door number two or door number three?’ before the song starts.
The song was replaced by ‘What Baking Can Do‘ in the final score, and has similar lyrical content, introducing the metaphor of baking a door for Jenna to get through the challenges in her life; in ‘Door Number Three’ she says she has already walked through “door number two,” whilst in ‘What Baking Can Do’ she says “I’ll bake me a door to help me get through” and “Every door we ever made, we never once walked out.”
The show’s performances at ART, where the song was featured, include different lyrics to the versions included on What’s Inside: Songs From Waitress‘ and ‘What’s Not Inside: The Lost Songs From Waitress‘.
Lyrics
Album Version
Door number two
It’s for you, little lady
Is it all that you dreamed of?
How, if I knew, would’ve been there waiting
I’d have screamed out and jumped up
Now here I am
With my feet on the sand
And a body that won’t move
The tide’s coming in
And I’m bound for a swim
In a pair of cement shoes
He takes what he can, what he wants
Doesn’t matter if it’s ever been given
I took the bait and a chance on a man
Sold by the boy that he lived in
And I was wrong to believe that strength makes you strong
And I had hope in a change I would see in us both
And now I’m heavy
And he lifts me, but never once carried
Door number two I’ve already walked through
Ask me the question
Who coulda guessed I’d be here at this crossroad?
Plain to be seen that it’s all up to me
I’m no longer alone, though
Nothing’s changed
And I see it more every day
Nothing moves
It’s a game to be played and to lose
And now I’m heavy, unsteady
But maybe I’m getting ready
And this might catch fire and char this ground
I might lift this up
To only be the one who’s gonna get let down
Will I be enough to get this on its way to find some higher ground?
Before the waters rush
I’ve got to make a change or else I know I’ll drown
Baby, look around
Door number two I’ve already walked through
I wanna see what’s behind door number three
ART Version
Door number two
It’s for you, little lady
Is that all that you dreamed of?
Oh if I knew, what’dve been there waiting
I’d have locked that damn door shut
I stepped inside at the wrong way arrived
At exactly the right time
Too young to know that being alone
Was something I could have survived
He takes what he can, what he wants
Doesn’t matter if it’s ever been given
I took the bait and a chance on a man
Sold by the boy that he lived in
And I was wrong to believe his strength made him strong
I had hope in a change I would see in us both
And now I’m heavy
And he lifts me, but never once carried
Door number two I’ve already walked through
Ask me the question
What happens next now I’m here at this crossroad?
Plain to be seen that it’s all up to me
But I’m choosing for two now
Here we are
In all my choices so far
No trophy, no prize, no blue car
Just a man who has made me so small
So could I set fire and char this ground?
Could I lift this up
Even if I’m only gonna get let down?
Let’s see if I’m enough to get this on its way to find some higher ground?
Before the waters rush
I’ve got to try and change or else I know I’ll drown
Baby, look around
Door number two I’ve already walked through
I wanna see what’s behind door number three
