The Doors 13 (Best Songs)
Between 1967 and 1971, The Doors were one of the most popular bands in the U.S. They produced six studio albums with lead singer Jim Morrison (and two without him). After recording the L.A. Woman” album Morrison went to Paris with soulmate/wife Pam Courson. Morrison was only in Paris for two-and-a-half months before he died under mysterious circumstances.
However, a decade later there was a Doors resurgence. Since this was the MTV era The Doors needed promotional videos. Aside from scattered TV appearance and clips for selected songs there wasn’t much in the archives. So, concert and other footage was cobbled together to create ‘new’ Doors video clips. A handful appear below.
“The Doors 13” was the title of the band’s first compilation.
#13. Soul Kitchen
Singer Jim Morrison wrote the lyrics as a tribute to the soul food restaurant Olivia’s in Venice Beach, CA. He often stayed too late and the staff had to kick him out, hence the line “let me sleep all night, in your soul kitchen.”
#12. Hello I Love You
Released in 1968, the song was written and first recorded in 1965. The lyrics were inspired by a young black girl whom Morrison saw at Venice Beach.
#11. People Are Strange
The song was written by Morrison and guitarist Robby Krieger, although all of the band are credited on the liner notes. It reached #12 on the Billboard hot 100.
#10. Unknown Soldier
It is Morrison’s reaction to the Vietnam War and the way the conflict was portrayed in American media at the time.
#9. Riders On The Storm
It is known for being the last song that Jim Morrison recorded.
#8. Peace Frog
According to guitarist Robby Krieger the music was written and recorded first, with the lyrics coming from Morrison’s poems.
#7. L.A. Woman
The title track for the band’s sixth album was named the all-time best song written about the city of Los Angeles by L.A. Weekly in 2014.
#6. Touch Me
Written by Krieger the song was released as a single in December 1968 and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
#5, Love Me Two Times
The song was considered to be somewhat risqué for radio airplay, being banned in New Haven for being “too controversial.”
#4. Break On Through (To The Other Side)
Elektra Records issued the song as the group’s first single.
#3. Strange Days
The title track from The Doors second studio effort features one of the first uses of a Mood synthesizer (on Morrison’s vocals).
#2, Roadhouse Blues
The Doors sound engineer Bruce Botnick has said it’s “the all-time American bar band song,”[
Former Lovin’s Spoonful frontman, John Sebastian, contributed harmonica (listed as “G. Puglese” for contractual reasons).
#1, Light My Fire
The Doors first #1 was principally written by Krieger, But organist Ray Manzarek composed the song’s memorizing intro.
The Doors:
Jim Morrison – Vocals
Ray Manzarek – Keyboards
Robby Krieger- Guitar
John Densmore – Drums
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