Open the Door to Your Heart

"Open the Door to Your Heart"
Single by Darrell Banks
B-side	Our Love (Is in the Pocket)
Released	1966
Format	7-inch single
Genre	Soul
Length	2:37
Label	Revilot
Writer(s)	Donnie Elbert, Darrell Banks

"Open the Door to Your Heart" is a song and single by American soul singer, Darrell Banks. Written by Banks and Donnie Elbert, it was first released in 1966. It has been described as "one of the finest non-Motown releases to emerge from Detroit".

Released in the US in 1966 on the Revilot label, the song made number two on the R&B charts and number 27 on the Billboard charts in 1966 and was Banks' biggest hit. Based on chart positions throughout the year, it ranked 14th in a list of top R&B singles for 1966. Although written by Banks' friend, Donnie Elbert, and called "Baby, Walk Right In" as a working title, Banks completed the recording and changed its name, while Elbert was on tour. When released, writing credits were given to Banks on the record label. Having checking with Broadcast Music, Inc., a performing rights organization, Elbert discovered that a song clearance form submitted by Banks had him listed as the sole writer which would entitle him to 100% of performance income. Elbert sought legal action and although initial releases of the vinyl 45rpm single list only Banks' name as songwriter, later released CDs credit both Banks and Elbert. Never content with the ruling, Elbert claimed that for a 50% share of writing credits Banks' contribution was to slightly speed up the tempo. Not considered to be a songwriter, "Open the Door to Your Heart" is the only song which Banks wrote but as Elbert claimed, he played no part in the writing. The B side was "Our Love (Is in the Pocket)" written by George Clinton, Joanne Jackson and Rose Marie McCoy. This was another favourite of the northern soul scene when covered by J. J. Barnes.

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