1967 was an incredible year for rock n roll, it was the year that 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' was released, debuts by Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin, and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and the debut of the Doors.

I won't get into the history of the band, needless to say this is my favorite band of all time, made up of UCLA film school graduates poet Jim Morrison, jazz and classically trained organist Ray Manzarek, flamingo guitarist Robby Krieger and Jazz drummer John Densmore.

The band managed to create a debut that is both of its time and timeless, and IMO is one of the greatest debuts in rock history. Here is where the Doors first let everyone in and the ceremony began.

Break On Through (To Other Side)-Opens with Densmore laying down a bossa nova percussion with Krieger and Manazerk perfectly complimenting each other. This song also serves as an introduction to the poetry and verse of Jim Morrison. 'You Know the Day Destroys the Night/Night Divides the Day"

Soul Kitchen-Features on of Robby Krieger's cool snaky leads and cool off kilter solo from him. This song is about a place Jim Morrison used to get cheap meals called Olivia's, that served soul food. The lyrical triumph for Morrison using cool, mysterious sounding words to describe a simple human experience:

Cars Crawl Past Stuffed with Eyes/Streets Lights Shed their Hollow Glow/Your Brain seems bruised with Numb surprise.

Fingers weave minarets/Speak in Secret Alphabets/I Light another Cigarette/ Learn to forget

Crystal Ship-This shows that Morrison could maybe had a career as a crooner. This song displays Manzarek's classical piano style and Morrison's gift of melody and again great lyrics.

Twentieth Century Fox-Has a strong pop overtones and the lyrics are about an unattainable woman, a great song that plays on pun of the title.

Alabama Song ( The Whiskey Bar)- From a German Three Penny Opera, that was a favorite band, the worst song on the album but I like it and it reminded in the band set til Morrison's death.

Light My Fire-A classic song which features solos by Manzarek and Krieger that where influenced by John Coltrane's 'My Favorite Thing',.

Back Door Man-An old blues standard that Doors made their own, Morrison especially taking great pleasure in singing the line:

You eat your chicken/eat your pork and beans/I eat more chicken then most men ever seen.

I Looked At You and Take it As It Comes- Good songs, the former song 'Take It As Comes' was influenced by a few lines from the book of Ecclesiastes.

The End of the Night-Jim Morrison was influenced by Celine's book 'Journey to the End of the Night'.

The End-The Doors first epic song, which started life as simple love song that evolved to 11 minute epic that involved middle eastern influenced sounds, involving Oedipal complexes, blue buses and the West, the song is self indulgent and the perfect book end to one of the most influential debuts in rock history.

The Doors debut is one of the greatest albums of all time. It's like psychedelic, neo-classical jazz/blues...in a total league of its own. Not a bad song on it, because I actually really like "Whiskey Bar". The whole thing is just a dirty little pot of death and destruction wrapped up in chicken grease and poetry. Love it.

It is a good album, I just have never been a fan of The Doors. There is no denying their impact on the music world. On a side note, I was very young when I first heard them as my Dad was a big fan of The Doors.

The Doors debut is one of those "almost" perfect albums. The emotion poured into that disc is undeniable.

I'm missing this one from my collection, but otherwise familair with practically all the songs due to a severe case of "classic rock radio burn-out".

Quite a master piece though, especially for a debut.

Okay here's my deal with The Doors.

I was never a fan.

In high school in the early 90s, many of my friends were Doors freaks! I got burnt out just by osmosis. Never liked em.

Then recently I heard one of their songs on the radio - and thought it was quite good really.

So I went down to Hastings and picked up their Greatest Hits double album.

I'm still sitting with it and am not sure what to make of it yet.

Some songs are fantastic ... while sadly, others bore me to tears.

Almost like one of those bands you love and hate at the same time! LOL!

So ... I won't be adding much to this thread, but I'll be checking in it from tme to time.


You might say I'm a 'casual' fan. But that could change drastically - either way ... any minute.

MB as I go through this thread I hope you take time to listen to some of their songs with an open mind, it may not change your mind on the band but I hope you get a greater apprection for the band's music and legacy.

Great debut '67 was a great year for music. I've always thought that the "Jim is a genius" comment was outlandish, I think Krieger was and HE was responsible for one of the greatest tunes of all-time "Light My Fire", that song never gets old and has killer solos. I like how Soul Kitchen has a Motown feel from Krieger. Only two songs I don't care for, The Alabama Song & The End.

Faves: Break On Through (To The Other Side), Back Door Man, Light My Fire & Take It As I Comes. Hmmm think I'll make a playlist of all my Doors faves.

I'm a casual listener of the Doors, I've always preferred Jefferson Airplane over them and a lot of the other late 60's Cali psych bands.

I'll more than likeley check out their albums again, though. It's been a looong while.

I like Jefferson Airplane too. And Starship.

I'll keep an eye on this thread. Never heard much of The Doors, so I'm afraid I can't really contribute here.

I love this album. Need to listen to it again.

IMO the only thing the Doors-S/T suffers from is a lot of repetition vocally.

Liked them alot as a pup. Now I rarely listen to this album. Of course, I will comment on later lps which I enjoy more.

One of my all time favorite bands. And IMO Morrison, as well as the entire band were genius and keystone figures in the history and developement of all rock music. This album is timeless. It doesn't sound dated all these years later. Just as fresh and relevant as it was in '67.

One of the best rock albums of all time. I love The Doors. I have a Jim morrison tat on my left arm. They have been one of my favs of all time.

"Let me tell you about a Texas radio with big beat" great great song as is Maggie MaGill!

Wargod51

I had friends also that were huge Doors freaks so even though I only have a greatest hits i've heard most of those songs. Even went to see Val Kilmer in the movie. I realize I like a lot of those songs and after not hearing them for a long time they seem less stale. May have to buy an album or two.

The Doors second album released just months after their debut was equally as impressive. The band still had stockpile of tunes from earlier live gigs and dusted them off, with the help of producer Paul Rothchild the band was able to give this songs a live feel.


The album opens with the title track 'Strange Days' with its distorted vocal and featured some of Morrison's songwriting. The poet shines on this song about strange hours filled in strange rooms, where no matter where you go, no matter how crowded you still linger alone. Morrison is not only one that shines on this track, Densmore is particularly showcased with his song as is Manzarek who drives this song with the bassline played thru his Hammond Organ.

You're Lost Little Girl-This song is amused to be written by Morrison but was actually written by Krieger and based on Morrison's on and off again girlfriend Pam Courson. Featuring a great jazzy solo and one of Morrison's best vocal performances. When Krieger asked Jim to help him with the lyrics, Morrison stated the lyrics are perfect and they remained unchanged from the original version that Krieger penned.

Love Me Two Times- This song was also written by Krieger after Jim Morrison heard Manzarek use this chord progression during a practice session, Krieger humored his frontman and wrote this song. The song is about a guy who is about shipped to Vietnam so he asks his lady to simply love him two times, one for tomorrow, and one just for today.

Unhappy Girl-Written by Morrison, a great song but the most dated on the album due to the psychedelic touches that Manzarek's playing adds to the track. A great song but not a live favorite that was quickly dropped from the set lists.

Horse Latitudes- Taken from one Jim Morrison's poems, this song or in reality spoken word performance is about the so called horse latitudes of when sailors after a bad storm would have to dump the horses out of their ships. The creatures would swim for miles, moaning, til they finally would get too tired to follow the ships and drown in a location known as the horse latitudes.

Moonlight Drive-Was the first song Jim Morrison ever wrote and was improved greatly when Krieger came in and joined the band. Morrison was so amazed by Krieger's slide guitar playing he for awhile wanted to incorporate in every song he wrote!!! The lyrics are IMO some of the greatest in rock history, pure 100% poetry, the man was an artists.

People Are Strange-Written by Morrison at the Venice Beach House that served as both a practice place and the home of Manzarek. These simple lyrics contain the idea which must people can relate to.

My Eyes Have Seen You- The most underrated Doors track, this track was written when Jim Morrison was living on a rooftop in Venice Beach and help explains the lyrics of television skies, watches who turns and stares and fixes their hair, one of the best songs ever written about voyeurism.

I Can't See Your Face In My Mind- Krieger was the perfect songwriting partner for Jim Morrison. He could convey musically what Morrison's lyrics where speaking about, it is a break up song, where in the song Jim Morrison is trying to create the perfect lie so he can be free.


When the Music's Over -Is my favorite Doors song of all time. It features some of Jim Morrison's best poetry and imagery with the bands must inspired composition. This song shows the strengths as a band as whole.

The lyrics to the song alternatively soothed, seethed, and at times it was a mournful warning and at points in the song a bitter indictment. Through out the song he reminds the listener that music is your only friend, unit til the end.

A perfect ending to IMO a perfect album. One of my personal favorite albums of all time, my writing did not do this album the justice it deserves.

Same as the first album: perfection.

I'm a big fan of classic rock and a big fan of 60's music but Ive never been a fan of the Doors. I like the music but Jim Morrison creeps me out and I really dont see why everyone thinks he's some kind of legendary vocalist and poet.