Hip Hop Fan's First Reaction and Analysis of Light My Fire by The Doors

[@konradv7]

Morrison threw out a challenge to the group to write something and Kreiger came up with their first hit.

[@bigneon_glitter]

A mix of Classical, Jazz, & Rock with long instrumental sections, "Light My Fire" could be considered the birth of Progressive Rock. Music & (most of the) lyrics by guitarist Robby Krieger - this is the first song he'd ever written - _in his life._

[@helenespaulding7562]

Well….you might make that claim. But I would give the nod for the beginnings of prog rock to The Moody Blues. And say that The Doors was rather the pinnacle of psychedelic rock.

[@deanjarva1373]

In an interview, Robby Krieger said this song is consistently their most popular song and said, "I guess I saved the best for first."

[@davidbanks736]

Robbie wrote this and the idea was that the long instrumental break would have a jazz vibe like John Coltrane when he did my favourite thing. Most well known song but so many better tracks like peace frog, wishful sinful, when the musics over live at the Hollywood bowl, love her madly, soul kitchen, changeling, soft parade etc. Great reaction channel tho! Keep up the good work.👍

[@davidzimmerli489]

I purchased this album several lifetimes ago, when it was first released. I had no idea who the Doors were or what their music was like, because none of their songs had been played on the radio in my region of the country (Rochester, New York) yet. I bought it because I liked the album cover. In my opinion, it is one of the greatest 1st albums by a rock group. The album was a revelation to my young ears. I had never heard anything like it before. I loved it ..... and I still love it, Regardless of genre, this is just great music, and great music never grows old. (I wish I could say the same for myself ....) I really enjoy your intelligent reviews/reactions to the recordings that you present here.

[@trevorholden7423]

several lifetimes AGO? Like when you were Egyptian?

[@thirdbase6870]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5ikl6yAh5ijqrM

[@dizzle7558]

@@trevorholden7423 She's saying she's old asshole..Don't be a dickhead..

[@beverlyoyarzun3326]

I’m sure it’s been mentioned that their secret weapon, guitarist Robby Krieger wrote “Light My Fire", as well as “Love Me Two Times", "Touch Me", and "Love Her Madly".

[@donfette5301]

Second verse is mostly Jim, as is “set the night on fire” line.

[@donfette5301]

“Wishful, Sinful” is my fav Robby song. I believe Jimbo hated it. His loss 😆!

[@jeremyworkman5104]

@@donfette5301 the really interesting thing about that line is more recently while compiling the Collective Works of Jim Morrison they discovered that Jim had actually written that line way before there was a Doors. If I'm not mistaken it was in a notebook from when he was in high school

[@thelasticonoclast9467]

Not being a Doors super fan, I only recently realized that Ray Manzarek was playing both lead and base on the keyboard solo. Something worth noting.

[@MrDiddyDee]

That's bass, not base, but yeah, Manzarek carried the bass lines when they played live, but in the studio they employed various bass guitarists on their albums, the keyboards didn't have the depth and warmth their producer wanted. Manzarek's Rhodes keyboard bass lines are there apparently, but what you mostly hear on this track is session player Larry Knechtel giving the bass parts some life.

[@mathewfranco3211]

I am 69 years old and I’ve heard this song hundreds of times and your interpretation of this song was awesome I never thought of it like that thank you!

[@BalbazaktheGreat]

Iconic Doors track - makes you wonder what ever happened to the jazz organ in rock 'n' roll. Guess it got replaced by synth as prog rock took over. You hear that organ and it transports you instantly to the sixties... even if you were never there in the first place.

[@helenespaulding7562]

That is absolutely true. That sound is definitively that time.

[@BeeLineEast]

This song is a masterpiece. Perfect blend of all the instruments in the song.

[@miamicool666]

"The End" is a masterpiece.

[@kendalton2115]

I completely agree.

[@sathira_anuk5179]

​@@miamicool666whole album is a masterpiece

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Great reaction. I think the song was written by the Guitarist Robby Krieger. Revolutionary song. Sixties had some of the best songs Thanks

[@steveullrich7737]

The drummer John Densmore deserves much more credit!

[@wadsworthaaron]

Densmore didn't drum with John Bonham's thunder, Nick Mason's wizardry, or Ringo Starr's/Charlie Watts's absolutely swinging precision, but Densmore captured the drama and theatrical elements of music like no other. He was a truly unique and brilliant percussionist.

[@glass2467]

Surely someone has already brought this up, or you may already know this, but just in case - The Doors took their name from the book The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley - famous writer who wrote many ground breaking books, such as Brave New World. Quite a fitting name to the band.

[@options378]

Thanks for that, never knew this.

[@rogeebundy6002]

The doors of perception is a great read by Huxley Of his experience with mescaline

[@cyeamaculture8486]

Huxley asked for..and was given LSD on his deathbed.he died tripping..how strange would that be?

[@muriel2267]

I would love to hear your analysis of their song The End 😅

[@WMalven]

Actually this song was written by guitarist Bobby Krieger after Morrison challenged the band members to write songs. Morrison wrote only the second verse and the chorus, the rest was Krieger's. John Densmore suggested the Latin beat, because the Bossa Nova was popular at that time. They didn't want to just start in on the song without s lead-in, so Manzerak just sat down at the organ and came up with that opening. Not about drugs, it's about sex. Morriison was not a druggy per say (though he used plenty early on), his demon was alcohol

[@TheCodyv1971]

Jim actually wrote the second verse about the funeral pyre...Robby only had one verse written. Robby also repeated the chorus line of "come on baby light my fire" three times. Jim changed it to just two times then added the "try to set the night on fire" line to finish it. Robby introduced it to the band with a more acoustic, folk sound. John's Latin beat definitely was the right call.

[@briankaufman7293]

You need to read Kreiger’s biography. Sounds like Jim did PLENTY of acid…other stuff too. Tho, yes, his main thing was booze.

[@B4NDllKOOT_]

Jim decided to change the last verse to “Tryna set the night on fire” cuz he thought it sounded good after “cmon baby light my fire” but Robbie has all the credit for creating the song from the very start and bring his ideas out to the band in the early days. They were truly a ruly band against the media back in the day

[@michele-33]

@@briankaufman7293 He was allegedly angry with his girlfriend "Pamela Morrison Courson" when he found out she was doing heroin. I've I've always thought his drugs of choice were psychedelics and alcohol - and danger, pulling stunts like hanging out windows of high-rise hotel windows etc. (I don't know if it's true or just Rockstar myths :)

[@36karpatoruski]

Cruising the Strip in LA 1967 in your convertible Corvette and this blasting. Oh yeah!

[@vincentvancraig]

There’s NO one like Ray manzarek, not even johann Sebastian Bach, Ray was just so unique...f’n out there, but so together and coherent at the same time...the repetition and symmetry in his playing and solos is what I’ve always wanted to here from a guitar player, or what I always look/listen for....Robby, of course did a good example of that kind of playing here...damn, they were legends

[@mikesanmiguel2954]

👍🤔✌️

[@vicprovost2561]

This song so added to the vibe of 1967, amazing music coming from every direction, a new classic song weekly. For more great Doors try Waiting for the Sun. Enjoy! 🎵🎹🎤🎸🎶

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Nope one of their worst albums...just a top 40 garbage album....too bad most requesters listen only to top 40 and not the best songs...

[@vicprovost2561]

@@DENVEROUTDOORMAN LOL! What nonsense, Having a bad day are we?

[@aufornvic]

The guitarist, Robbie Krieger , wrote this, it was his first ever song. Jim told him to write a song, and this was it. It was their first big hit.

[@antarcticorb9197]

In the summer of 1967, you couldn't leave the house without hearing this tune. It was a huge hit for them. It would be nice if you could keep the lyrics in time with the singer, otherwise great reaction!

[@RicoBurghFan]

Ray Manzarek was the best rock keyboardist ever, hands down. He and Jim, not to mention Robby Krieger and James Dinsmore, created some of the most unique and groundbreaking music in rock history.

[@ohfour-seven6228]

And don't forget Garth Hudson from The Band.

[@richardcummings9932]

"John Densmore"

[@pipepires]

not being a mega fan of The Doors, the main reason i listen to them is for Ray's keyboard playing ....unreal talent

[@pipepires]

Ray Manzarek is the main reason i listen to The Doors, really...what a guy...

[@glennsmith8390]

Don't ever stop the great instrumental by Ray Manzerak-we know it's good-we don't need you telling us how great it is. we can hear it.

[@benhinds2971]

The instrumental break is a take away from "My Favorite Things" -Coltrane. The base line is actually identical, and they modeled it after Trane on purpose.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

No it aint

[@benhinds2971]

@@DENVEROUTDOORMAN The minor progression when McCoy Tyner's solo starts until they go into the major progression at the ending of the solo is used in the solo portion of Light My Fire. Same bassline. Has the same vibe. That's what Ray told me. I lived in Den for 16 yrs. Miss it. Cheers!

[@blackdog9951]

Another classic Doors song written by Robbie Krieger is “Love Me Two Times”, a song he wrote for the US soldiers fighting in Vietnam. The Doors music was very popular with the soldiers over there. Later Apocalypse Now and Forest Gump would use their music in the movies. Check out “The End” sometime. Enjoying watching your reactions very much. 👍

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Love me 2 times not anyways near as good as When The Music's s Over or The End

[@YariAzQuran]

@@DENVEROUTDOORMAN When the Music's Over is one of the greatest songs of all time, IMO. I put Light My Fire and Crystal Ship in that category too.

[@rodneyhearne3405]

Great reaction and breakdown. It is very hard to believe that this recording was made in 1966 and their debut Album was released in January of 1967. This song was a monster hit and is amazingly fresh after all of these years. I was 13 when I saw the Doors in Sacramento in December of the same year. What a concert! Thanks for ride!!

[@huascar66]

Even though this song was released in early 1967, I associate it always with the summer of 1967, which was a most magical time, I must say! So much good music came out in 1967 that it has to be one of the most defining years in rock music.

[@Mr.Thriver]

"The Crystal Ship" .... Beautiful Morrison Voice!!! Thanks!!!

[@slimpickins9124]

When this song hit the airwaves in "67 it became known as the "DJ's friend" as it's 6 minute play time was twice as long as the average tune at the time. It gave DJ's time for a personal break.

[@ed9095]

The sitar was making its rounds in the rock world during this time period and Robby Krieger's solo in this tune always gave me the impression of imitating that particular sound.

[@narlycat]

The Doors of Perception is an autobiographical book written by Aldous Huxley. Published in 1954, it elaborates on his psychedelic experience under the influence of mescaline in May 1953. Huxley recalls the insights he experienced, ranging from the "purely aesthetic" to "sacramental vision", and reflects on their philosophical and psychological implications. William Blake (1757-1827), who inspired the book's title and writing style, was an influential English artist most notable for his paintings and poetry. The "doors of perception" was originally a metaphor written by Blake in his 1790 book, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. The metaphor was used to represent Blake's feelings about mankind's limited perception of the reality around them: If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern.

[@jbellinger99]

The Doors are an interesting band, but rose and fall with the fortunes of Jim Morrison. When he was gone, they were over - Manzarek had a fair solo career, but this is Morrison's band. He was a mesmerizing presence, an uneven poet, and he had a short and meteoric career. Rumors persisted for years that he was still alive - he had a mysterious death in Paris. A lot of people hate it, but i think "American Prayer." an album assembled long after Morrison's death is really cool and interesting. It is too bad that Morrison took so much attention away from a fine band, or perhaps that they could not go on without him. When they worked, they worked well. "The End" may be one of their most iconic songs, besides "Riders on the Storm" which you have already heard. Thanks.

[@jbellinger99]

"the End" was featured predominately and beautifully used in the clasic film "Apocalypse Now".

[@36karpatoruski]

None of the other guys could sing worth a hoo-hah, or had any stage presence whatsoever. That’s why they flamed out. No one could take Morrison’s place!

[@jbellinger99]

@@36karpatoruski he ended up being his own worst enemy. If he had straightened out, or at least survived, who knows? Probably too old for a comeback now. I can't see him doing Vegas, 2 shows a night, three on weekends.

[@jbellinger99]

@@36karpatoruski They are questionable heroes. Ray Manzarek was the real deal, or they would have been little more than a great bar band with an awesome front man who took drank a little too much. A lot of weak material, but when they clicked, they clicked good.

[@cdronk]

Not my favorite Doors song, but. it was the one that introduced the Doors to the general public. It was a massive hit. I think the drummer never gets enough credit. There is so much subtly and flavor is his drumming. Particularly with his cymbal work.

[@steveullrich7737]

Exactly his drumming was fantastic and added as much to the song as the others.

[@paulkane7771]

*cymbal. But hey, you got 4 of the 6 letters right!

[@cdronk]

@@paulkane7771 Thanks for the free spell check nobody asked for. I'm sure you're a lot of fun at parties.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Actually one of the groups songs

[@helenespaulding7562]

“The End” is a song by them that you should definitely review.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Yes not enough requesters ask for it...cause they only listen and like short wimpy top 40 crap

[@michellezaleske-estrada40]

I was a little girl and I would wait, wait and wait, for this to come on the radio! I love Jim's voice to this day!

[@ronaldstokes4841]

Ed Sullivan said they'd never do his show again. They didn' want them to sing, "...we couldn' get much higher." They balked but Jim said OK, when they came on live, he sung the original. As for the 'Instrumental Break' ...probably one of the best long songs that radio stations would edit.

[@michele-33]

Jim allegedly took the bands name from the book *The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley*.

[@ziggymarlowe5654]

My father had a melt down when we played this in the house. He thought it was all about a guy trying to talk young innocent girls down the garden path. He was not a proponent of make love, not war.

[@prairieschooner2595]

That base line is hypnotic. Doesn't vary this is what I always focused on. It just put me in a trance

[@ungenerationed9022]

Nicely done young man. Once again.

[@LClark-ry9to]

When this came out it was on the AM radio constantly, fantastic. Age 66 lol , great channel.

[@alanstrom2221]

Aldous Huxley wrote a famous book called THE DOORS of PERCEPTION. This is where they got the Band's name.

[@ThePittsburghToddy]

New subscriber here. You really did a great analysis of this classic Doors track! 👌🏼🖖🏼

[@randallpetersen9164]

Dude, you're overthinking it, he just wants to get into their pants. So so so many guys used this song for that purpose in those years. :)

[@greggeller450]

All of us who grew up with this music really like your appreciative reviews. Yeah, Ray is amazing (...they all are, here). His keyboard playing is, to me, reminiscent of David Gilmore's (Pink Floyd) guitar work: always perfect note choice, with a predominant focus on melody, not brute "shredding". Like Gilmore, you get the impression that this other genius could also go on for hours more or less improvising. This is what timeless brilliance looks like.

[@Alewifes_Husband]

My older sister was a HUGE Doors fan -- still is 55 years later -- and I became one listening to her listen to their records in the late 60's and early 70's. Is it just me, commenters, or does this playback seem JUST A HAIR faster than usual?

[@sonofrobert]

Check out their song: When the musics over. Amazing!

[@davidgagne3569]

I hope this isn't a double post. Robby Krieger actually wrote most of the song. This was his first song to write. Morrison actually gave him creative direction though. Jim brought in the second verse. At first Robby didn't care for it., "Why does it always have to be about death Jim?" The name of the band comes from the Aldous Huxley book "The Doors Of Perception". It's about Huxley's experience taking mescaline in 1953. The extended jam was inspired by the jams of John Coltrane - the jazz shaman.

[@bomberfox8360]

"a little bit of an instrumental break"

[@helenespaulding7562]

That very particular sound from an organ, that you hear in the Music of The Doors, was one of the defining sounds of psychedelic music at that time. I remember….I was in college at this time…in LA. This song was all over the radio at that time. MAJOR hit.

[@johncarpenter3751]

Listing to the doors always makes me wanna dance, and I don’t dance. It’s really the keys 🎹 in this band. They just make you wanna dance

[@kikovazquez7277]

This was the killer song of I guess it was the summer of '67 which was also the "Summer of Love" in San Francisco. Quite a time in the music universe. We couldn't get enough of it. Almost all the time we heard it was on AM radio with the extended instrumental cut out to meet the time standards. Young ears still were not acclimated to long form compositions that the bands were playing with some frequency as the decade grinded towards the 70's. The pioneering FM rock stations distinguished themselves by playing these long form songs uncut. Speaking of long form, I think you could be in critical condition after getting your mind blown by the Doors avant garde long compositions "The End" and "When the Music's Over". Music and dark beat style poetry with Jim Morrison on the far edge - it was more performance art certainly than anything aimed for the hit parade. "The End" was used to great haunting effect in Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now".

[@mikesanmiguel2954]

You gave me a flashback 👍✌️

[@marklerner8963]

Transcendant Love.....the fire of love, going higher and higher, is to dive into the funeral pyre. Death-Love....dying into rebirth, a higher plane of consciousness together. Sexual passion as transcendance. Love as a kind of ego annihilation. 🔥

[@thomasdreher8221]

Note that Robbie Kreiger actually wrote the bulk of the song. Morrison added the more and pyre lines. Morrison was annoyed one day when they were trying to come up with more original material and he challenged everyone to write a song. Kreiger wrote this as a folk song. Morrison change the singing melody then Manzarek and Densmore added a "latin beat" to it. Krieger actually wrote some of the bigger hits. Morrison's lyrics and subject matter were usually to deep and disturbing for tje general public. Kreiger wrote Light my Fire, Love me Two Times, Love Her Madly and one or two more. Light my Fire is supposed to be a musical version of sex. That's why it starts slow, builds to intense crescendo, then returns and settles in to the same as the beginning. Listening carefully to the instrumental. The pounding beat, the repetitive guitar riff, keys going higher and higher, fasterband faster until it all comes together in a pounding finale to the instrumental

[@huguettesebastianutti5304]

La Fille d’Inpanema Rio Brésil…bossa nova .

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

It was the guitarist who wrote this song. Robbie Kreiger. He wrote many songs in the band !

[@emeraldcity_]

What’s under appreciated is Manzereck playing both the keys and the baseline at the same time

[@narlycat]

What's funny about The Doors is that all of their psychedelics and over the top / out of this world poetry type lyrics was written by Jim Morrison but the one hit song from each of their six studio albums was actually written by their guitarist Robby Krieger. Robby Krieger wrote Light My Fire, Love Me Two Times, Hello I Love You, Touch Me, and Love Her Madly. Each of these Top 10 hit songs were from album #1,2,3,4,and 6 respectively. But all the songs except for their 4th album were attributed solely to the band as a whole and not to any individual member. Robby Krieger was once asked did he mind if Doors fans didn't know that he wrote Light My Fire, he replied that he didn't care, just as long as they know the song wasn't written by Jose Feliciano. 【Jose Feliciano plays Spanish guitar and had a Top 10 hit with Light My Fire the next year 1968. He's the same guy who sang the Christmas song: Feliz Navidad and who was mentioned as a joke in the movie Fargo. (because only a 2 hit wonder from 1968 like Jose Feliciano could they get to play concert in a hotel lounge in Fargo, North Dakota in the middle of winter)

[@huascar66]

Jose Feliciano might have been a "two-hit wonder", but he was a highly respected musician and an incredibly gifted guitarist.

[@narlycat]

@huascar66 I agree but they still used him as an inside joke in the movie Fargo. Apparently Fargo North Dakota is such a low population and out of the way place that they could only get a 30 year old act, they couldn't attract a newer act. That's what they meant in the movie. Personally I would take Jose Feliciano over any new musical act since the 1970s. Modern music sucks unfortunately. Why is modern music such lifeless carbon copies?

[@jtj909]

These guys could PLAY!

[@ricellisfrost620]

You're so into the Doors, great stuff Syed!

[@827dusty]

Ray Manzarek, was the classically trained piano/organist for The Doors. He and Jim Morrison enjoyed their LSD trips together and creating these great songs. Morrison always considered himself a poet, more than a Rock Band front man.

[@garyspeed8961]

not a battle.. a magical dance of lovers, keyboard and guitar

[@IZR17]

The first verse was written by the guitarist Robby Krieger and the second by Jim. :)

[@jons3808]

Great reaction! Such a powerful song lyrically and musically.

[@b3u3g3g3y]

You might not believe me, but my uncle Robbie wrote this song. It's really cool to see you react to it. Be careful not to over-intellectualize the lyrics and music; Robbie will tell you that they were pretty much just trying to make it all sound trippy, and that's about it lol.

[@becksullivan4796]

This song was soooo hot and Morrison was even more so. You just sat back and listened to this song over and over. A great time to be a teenager.

[@helenespaulding7562]

EXCELLENT review and analysis, Syed! SO glad the algorithm brought me to your channel! 😁✌️

[@craigplatel813]

Talk about opening doors! They were named for Aldous Huxley's The Doors of Perception.. so much if their music plays on perception of reality points if view etc...

[@mikeross14]

He only contributed No time to wallow in the mire!' Robbie Kreiger wrote tune!

[@wiltchamberlain9920]

Love the Doors. Love hearing your commentary on it. Light My Fire and LA Woman go back and forth as my personal favorite Doors song. Still hoping you'll do some Meshuggah someday. Preferably Bleed. Probably not yet. You're not ready. When you do it, make sure you watch the Drum Cam version.

[@marklerner8963]

Manzarek's organ jam-fill is to me like a New Cosmic Mass.

[@brucegresham6200]

Aldous Huxley, The Doors of Perception. Where they got their name w.

[@827dusty]

There was simply no other Band like "The Doors" in the world from 1967 to Jim Morrison's Death in 1970, They produced a music catalogue that screamed, "You can't Pidgeon hole us!" Of course, he was (Jim Morrison) a member of the infamous "27 club," along with Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. All three were superstars from the same era in the late 1960s, and all three died from drug, and or alcohol overdoses in their sleep., at the age of 27. They were in many ways, the poster children of the 1960s "Classic Rock/Blues culture. They are as well-known and popular today, as they were in 1967. These were top shelf artists, the best of the best. Thanks

[@rileytinny5946]

The best!! 😎🤘

[@Airbaja]

Robby wrote it, the very first song he ever wrote for the Doors, they were a true band, not the vehicle for Jim some suspect. Love the channel.

[@ricellisfrost620]

Search for Ray Manzarek and NPR and you will find An Archival Interview With Ray Manzarek explaining, at a piano, how he came up with the arrangement for this song

[@jackbackband7733]

Keep up the great job my man!

[@theoeklund2840]

You should react to Roadhouse Blues, Break on through (to the other side), The end, Love me two times, People are strange, Love her madly, Soul Kitchen or just anything

[@I_Am_Become_Life]

Pucking brilliant on so many levels!

[@tooluser]

I've always said that Jim Morrison could grill himself a ham & cheese sandwich during that keyboard and guitar solo.

[@KevinRCarr]

Probably repeating many others in this. Robbie Krieger actual wrote this, with some lyrical touches added by JM, onto lyrics and music RK had mostly finished.

[@jsutter52]

The ultimate making love ❤️ song from the '60s ... It's way , way Iconic ! Signature song of a generation ...

[@Amelas_One_1953]

If this is the 45 Single flip it over and play "The Crystal Ship". It's a great tune of the times in 67 as I recall! Amelas One

[@stratfanstl]

I don't see anyone chiming in with this trivia so here goes... There is no bass guitar in most Doors material. Morrison only sang so Manzarek played bass lines on a Fender Rhodes piano bass - like a regular Fender Rhodes but it only had two and a half octaves of keys. Made the bass lines more precise and fluid in the mix. On a few later songs, a guitarist named Lonnie Mack overdubbed a real bass atop the lines Manzarek composed but, live, it was only the three instrumental players.

[@terenzo50]

Morrison was a film student at UCLA.

[@stephanieu.]

My favorite song by The Doors 🎸.

[@robertjohnson5796]

You are so much more intelligent than we were.

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

Please also do Roadhouse Blues by the Doors. Jim Morrison was a poet before he got into music.

[@Leo_vr_fr]

This was written by the guitarist, Robbie Krieger.

[@CalumCarlyle]

2:00 nope! The lyrics of this number were actually written by guitarist Robbie Krieger. They are top quality though right enough.

[@elijahbaley1720]

I love your interpretation of this song. I think you nailed it.

[@mojorider8455]

Syded, what's amazing about Ray killing the keyboards is that he played the bass with his left hand on a piano bass keyboard for the band! They didn't have a bassist and then Ray had to continue using his right hand to play the chord progressions and other musical lines.

[@MrDiddyDee]

Live , yes, studio, no, what you mostly hear were session bass guitar players on their albums.

[@phillipharrison7283]

Syed please listen to the version of Light my fire by Jose Feliciano. It was released as a single before the Doors and was extremely popular. The Doors released the single some weeks later and didn't get as big a response. I quite like both versions equally as they give off different vibes. Jose's is about half the speed and has no huge instrumental interlude. The Doors are brilliant no doubt. All four had significant input. Robbie is still in my top 10 guitarists of all time.

[@kevinhumphreys1016]

I remember hearing the Jose Feliciano version after the Doors version, at least here in Australia way back then

[@36karpatoruski]

Uh, NO. The song was written by Robbie Krieger, the Doors guitarist. Not a chance Feliciano recorded it first, or had any clue it was even written yet until the Doors made it a massive #1 hit.

[@phillipharrison7283]

@@36karpatoruski But the record company and management wanted to cash in on selling rights. They decided afterwards to release as a single.

[@36karpatoruski]

@@phillipharrison7283 Nice try. The Doors original was released in April 1967. Feliciano cover released in July 1968. If you heard the Feliciano version first you slept through the most important year of rock in history.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Fuck No.....he butchered the crap out of this song...that version wasnt even good on top 40 garbage radio....How dare you

[@LoveBandit1000]

That organ solo is almost trance-inducing....

[@helenespaulding7562]

Yeah…on purpose. Made to go with being stoned……

[@LoveBandit1000]

@@helenespaulding7562 Yeah, pretty much...🤔

[@stephenqualtrough7322]

I think the buzz phrase was "opening the DOORS to PERCEPTION" at the time of the 60s

[@damonhines8187]

Two brilliant solos performed back-to-back form the molten center of this jazz-rock gem. Add the Bach-ish bookends, Morrison's perfectly cresting vocals and you have something unlike anything we'd heard before. Whew. Or wow, indeed. The prize on a treasured album.

[@cartercarter645]

Yo u r soooo right - Ray is the glue - holds it all together. And if you listen to an interview, he is very intellectual

[@dynjarren8355]

And please checkout Jose Felicianos great version of this song. Robbie Krieger said it’s his favorite cover of his song.

[@benhinds2971]

HYPER DRIVE RECORDING. Could just be in my head, but that recording sounded a little fast. I know on YT sometimes recordings are sped up or slowed down. Just through the process of changing format.

[@izzonj]

I think Robbie Krieger actually wrote these lyrics for a change. It's really rare that a band's biggest popular hit is also one of their most musically creative and not just pop tripe

[@michellezaleske-estrada40]

You totally have to listen to THE END. Which, when I was a kid, made no sense. Going on 58 soon. Makes sense now.

[@stephanieu.]

You should check out Love Her Madly , Five To One by The Doors.

[@kathyrams]

Robby Krieger, the guitarist wrote this one.

[@Alewifes_Husband]

You can't really ignore John Densmore's drumming in that long instrumental break. He stays in the pocket but he's getting the crash cymbal on the accent beats while the intensity builds, then backs off when it cools down again -- and he's following the chords in staccato where it adds power to form the climax. Densmore is a very smart drummer, always supplying the right beat without overstepping its role in the songs. Along with Ringo and Charlie Watts, a terrific pocket-drummer.

[@chrisbanks5925]

Awesome .. nice reaction.