The Doors’ Most Psychedelic Rock Songs

The Doors were one of the most influential and controversial American rock bands of the 1960s. They were known for their unique blend of blues-influenced rock and psychedelic rock. This list includes some of their most psychedelic rock songs.

The Doors – “The End”

“The End” is a song by American rock band the Doors. It is the last track on their self-titled debut album and was also released as its second single. It reached #2 in the United States and #6 in the United Kingdom.

Written by guitarist Robby Krieger, “The End” is a almost eleven-minute-long song that features extended jamming and multiple solos from each member of the band. The song is divided into three sections, each with its own distinctive sound. The first section is a slow, bluesy number that features lead singer Jim Morrison’s deep, spoken word vocals. The second section is an up-tempo, psychedelic rock section led by Krieger’s guitar playing. The final section is a return to the slow pace of the first section, with Morrison’s vocals becoming increasingly erratic and paranoid as the song comes to an end.

The lyrics of “The End” are written from the perspective of a person who has lost everything and is about to commit suicide. Morrison reportedly came up with the idea for the lyrics after watching his then-girlfriend Pam Courson shoot herself in the head while they were arguing. He later said that he felt like he was “standing on the edge of an abyss.”

Although it is one of the most famous songs in their repertoire, “The End” was actually one of the last songs written for The Doors’ debut album. The band had originally planned to end the album with another song, “Break On Through (To The Other Side),” but producer Paul Rothchild convinced them that “The End” would be a more fitting finale.

The Doors – “When the Music’s Over”

“When the Music’s Over” is a song by The Doors. It was released as the second single from their fourth studio album, Strange Days, in October 1967.

Written by Doors frontman Jim Morrison, “When the Music’s Over” is one of the band’s most well-known and popular songs. It is a psychedelic rock song that features a lengthy, improvised section in which Morrison chanting, wailing, and moaning over a heavy rock backing.

The song is widely considered to be one of The Doors’ best and most representative of their unique sound. It has been covered by many other artists, including Nine Inch Nails, who released their own version as a single in 1995.

The Doors – “Light My Fire”

“Light My Fire” is a song by the American rock band the Doors. It was released in 1967 as a single from their self-titled debut album on Elektra Records and was later included on the 1970 compilation album, 13. It reached number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Cash Box Top 100 chart.

The song initially peaked at number four in the United Kingdom when released as a single, but re-entered the UK chart and peaked at number two in 1968 following airplay on BBC Radio 1. Despite being omitted from some radio station playlists due to its length of more than seven minutes, it quickly became one of the band’s most popular songs and is widely considered one of the greatest pop songs of all time.

The Doors – “People Are Strange”

“People Are Strange” is a song by American rock band the Doors, released as a single in September 1967 from their second album Strange Days, which was also released that month. It peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song was written by guitarist Robby Krieger, and its iconic opening riff was conceived while he was under the influence of LSD. The Doors recorded the song with producer Bruce Botnick at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood, California on August 10, 1967.

The song features a distinctive arpeggiated guitar riff played by Krieger during the verse, which is complemented by Ray Manzarek’s electric piano playing during the chorus and bridge sections. On the original recording, John Densmore used a Hitler Youth drumming technique called flam tap to create an unsettling effect during the bridge section. The song’s lyrics are about alienation and paranoia, which were recurrent themes in much of the Doors’ work.

In 1968, “People Are Strange” was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The song has been covered by several artists over the years, including Echo & the Bunnymen, who had a UK hit with their version in 1987.”

The Doors – “Riders on the Storm”

The Doors were one of the most successful and controversial American rock bands of the 1960s. With their unorthodox blend of blues, jazz, classical, and pop music, they produced a string of hits that included “Light My Fire,” “Break On Through (To the Other Side),” and “Touch Me.” They also caused quite a stir with their scandalous on-stage antics and dark lyrical themes, which culminated in the death of frontman Jim Morrison in 1971.

Despite their brief career, The Doors left a lasting impression on the world of rock music. They were one of the first bands to experiment with psychedelic drugs and incorporate them into their music, which can be heard on tracks like “Riders on the Storm.” This song was released as the lead single from The Doors’ final studio album, L.A. Woman, in 1971. It features a slow, simmering groove punctuated by Ray Manzarek’s atmospheric keyboards and Robby Krieger’s ethereal slide guitar work. Morrison’s lyrics paint a picture of a bleak and apocalyptic landscape, which is fitting given that it was released shortly after the news of his death broke.