Drummer reacts to "Light My Fire" by The Doors

[@shiannesmith6877]

Love me some jim morrison ❤

[@HawklordLI]

One mad poet, one classical pianist, one flamenco guitarist and one jazz drummer=The greatest rock band ever. (Give Spanish Caravan a listen)!

[@PogueMahone1]

The mad part about this song is that, in concert, Ray would do that amazing keyboard solo with his right hand jamming out on a Vox Continental while his left hand was laying down the bass on a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass. The Wrecking Crew's Larry Knechtel overdubbed the bass for the studio/vinyl.

[@rodneygriffin7666]

One of the most impressive debut albums of all time!

[@jeffmartin1026]

"It makes me angry how good they are" - some of the highest praise a reviewer can give to a song/band.

[@gregclifford7368]

This song is perfect. A few glasses of wine and a fire listening to this song is the closest I get to happy. When I die I want to be cremated on a pyre with my ashes going up into the night to this song.

[@michaelhall2709]

The pop single that launched The Doors into the stratosphere. Penned mostly by Robby Kreiger (who also wrote the huge hit “Love Her Madly”), with an assist by Morrison. You’re absolutely correct that the middle section was cut for AM broadcast. A much lower-key, soulful cover was recorded by guitarist Jose Feliciano and became a hit in its own right. In fact, he won a Grammy for it.

[@ronmathews2471]

This song hit no 1 in the summer of 67. After that, Robbie said all hell broke loose.

[@joelliebler5690]

Ray was incredible on this unforgettable tune!

[@carolburnett190]

I was but a mere child when this came out, but even when I was a teenager, it was still played often.

[@jessicaleblanc-nh1yl]

The Doors. Each member carried their own magic. Incredible & intelligent band. Offered through their pieces a little bit of genius. Always will be one of my favorites.

[@sandrapeters6064]

Had the pleasure of seeing The Doors live twice, once with The Who as the opening act in 1968 in Queens, New York and then at the old Felt Forum in Manhattan, NYC. I think you might like Roadhouse Blues, if you have not already reacted to it.

[@alanarakelian5021]

A twofer request from the same era that'll rock this channel -- the Electric Prunes' "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)" from late 1966 and the follow-up "Get Me To The World On Time" from '67.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Yes good request

[@joannparker1977]

Ray Manzarek on keyboards. Killing it.

[@contraryMV]

Listening to this song for 50 years now. It never gets old even if I do. I'll be trippin' on this in the old folks home.

[@dons2318]

I hear ya gram.... I hear ya....peace sister

[@Yanto-Bardic]

What a Voice!. 1967 and this still Grooves!

[@AliasMark69]

"GOD I LOVE THIS FUCKING BAND".... Me Too

[@L33Reacts]

Yeah, they make me angry how good it is sometimes. Furious, even. Such masterful and complex music that is so easy on the ears and let's your mind go all kinds of weird places. That's all I want in a band. Right here.

[@AliasMark69]

@@L33Reacts Imagine being 11 years old, buy this album, with 4 friends listen to it in a Black Light Poster room full of delicious smoke from Mother Natures Finest. Life changing events happened often back then.

[@ddthor]

1st album I ever bought. I was 12. I have been sick and twisted ever since. Just imagine my mom walking into my room while I was playing The End. It was a bit uncomfortable.

[@60sbaby456]

😂😂😂😂❤

[@UFOS4]

This was my introduction to The Doors back in the 60’s and it was pure love after that. Roadhouse Blues and LA woman are two songs that never get enough attention.

[@realcoolbreeze]

As a young man ( then ) Light My Fire was such a great song. Powerful and popular it was played on the radio back then constantly. My friends and I would wait until the middle of the song to see if it were the long version or the short version. We knew when the organ tapped 4 or 5 times in succession that the radio was playing the longer version. ( which we preferred and smiled and slapped hands on. Those were the days my friend. Smh.

[@irmaoksanen6830]

The quality of this recording is amazing.

[@markoliver630]

A true rock classic. No Bass player !

[@sueprator9314]

This was "the" song as a college freshman in Fall 67 at parties. The length of tunes back then made it easier to dance or "trip" even mildly on the dance floor with OR without stimulants. This song is still fkng awesome.

[@noneofurbizness5838]

The Doors are one of the few bands that have multiple songs that move through the progressions in such a way it just makes sense to me. Can't even imagine making certain songs better.

[@L33Reacts]

They make complex music easy to listen to. If you really listen to what they are doing it's honestly a lot of stuff under the surface you don't catch unless your really listening. Rays organ while robby solos. John laying it down while rays solo is going on. The fact they cut out the middle for the single is a crime. But I know.... radio.... lol

[@noneofurbizness5838]

I've listened to both the Doors and Pink Floyd since I was in the womb.

[@60sbaby456]

Grew up to this ,now in senior hood, never get tired of it

[@AliasMark69]

Thrown off the Ed Sullivan Show....He told the group they needed to change a line in the song, “Light My Fire,” specifically the lyric, “Girl, we couldn't get much higher.” He explained the word “higher” was inappropriate for a family show on national television because of its association with illegal drug use. During the live performance Jim looked at the camera, smiled and said the lyrics as written. Backstage, the show's producer was furious and told the band “Mr. Sullivan wanted you for six more shows, but you'll never work The Ed Sullivan Show again.” To which Morrison purportedly replied, “Hey, man. We just did the Sullivan show.”

[@kathybwell]

Jim- counter culture king 👑

[@gregsworkshop2]

yup

[@LonghopeBro-ju6jl]

I agree with his sentiment. Appearing on the show was a breakthrough moment to get exposed to a wider audience. From a rock and roll perspective the show was pretty lame. I doubt that they would have wanted to play there again anyway.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Still, it was a kinda juvenile thing to do.

[@AliasMark69]

@@porflepopnecker4376 It was Brilliant Legendary Iconic and Epic all in one.

[@xyloplax]

Jazz musicians and a poet decide to form a rock band. I have heard a lot of live recordings of this song, and absolutely no other performance of this by The Doors can even come close to the studio version. It is absolutely perfect on every level. I don't know how many takes Ray did to get that solo, but it is perfection.

[@mantroid]

This was the radio introduction to everyone, catchy hooks brought them to fame on this one, although most stations played the short version. One of the great debut albums of all time!

[@L33Reacts]

Yeah so far every song has been iconic. I haven't heard it all yet but I've loved it all.

[@kathybwell]

Organ solo like no other!

[@JB-Deadskins]

The long instrumental in the middle of the song was so that Jim could go backstage and get high. He would sometimes be gone for 15 or 20 minutes, so the band just had to jam.

[@firebird7479]

He often used the middle to tell stories and recite some of his poetry.

[@gilshows4660]

Welcome to 1967 ! Tiny transistor radio with single earphone ! You hit motherload with the 7 minute album version ! All the good middle was left off 3 minute radio version. This would be part of what we compare to some of today’s music, when we talk about real music ! Questions ? Lol

[@sueprator9314]

Totally

[@joannerichards1750]

The first three songs on their eponymous debut album - "Break on Through (To the Other Side)", "Soul Kitchen", and "The Crystal Ship". You will hear them as we were introduced to them in 1967.

[@AliasMark69]

I was born April 17th 1954. I grew up with the Greatest Music Ever Created.

[@ericarachel55]

1955 here I agree

[@AliasMark69]

@@ericarachel55 We were so lucky.

[@Richard2003]

1952 and YES we did.

[@gandhialwaysleavesanonion679]

Aww you guys are so old :(

[@AliasMark69]

@@gandhialwaysleavesanonion679 Old is an attitude and age is just a number

[@Linda-y9h]

This is why I quite listening to A.M. radio in the 60's...switched to F.M. so I could always listen to the long version. Thanks Lee, you rock. ❤😊

[@L33Reacts]

I appreciate you thank you so much ❤️

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Exactly and not the wimpy boy crap like China Grove every 10 mins...garbage radio short songs played over and over

[@chitownlee]

The Crystal Ship off this same album.

[@hopeklemann1]

I fell in love with Jim when I was a teenager and I am still mesmerized today.💔

[@scottyhotty1003]

Great great great great great great great pic and classic song..."or our love become a funeral pyre..."❤

[@firebird7479]

Robby wrote it as a folk song. How it was originally meant to sound can be heard in the cover by Jose Feliciano.

[@heartoftherose]

Bought this album for this cut, and then wow...

[@L33Reacts]

Once the end hits your like wtf did i just listen to. Is this god?

[@LonghopeBro-ju6jl]

This was very popular in the UK before I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1967. We only heard the 3min version there. San Francisco had an FM station that played the full version, and I was excited to brag to my friends that we get to hear the 7min version over here.

[@smffeb58]

This is the song that launched them. Actually written by Robbie Krieger with added lyrics by Jim. IMO the rockingest song they did, even more than LA Woman, is The Changling off the same album. When you react to it, and you will 😉. Thinking there will be agreeable comments

[@L33Reacts]

I've done it already! Fantastic track. I've done a lot of doors tracks already. There's a playlist linked in this video.

[@theeloquentbaby]

I was a little girl when this came out. My mother had heard it on the radio and bought the album. It was better than on the radio. It stirred me up! “Come on baby light my fire!” 😀 Lee, what a song! Try to set the night on fire!!

[@scottyhotty1003]

This song is incredible with Jim Morrison's vocals and poetry and Ray manzarek keyboards totally insane I believe Bobby Krieger wrote this & densmore rocks the constant beat!!❤ #excellentpick💯🎶🔥

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Wow, I can't remember hearing the version with the complete guitar solo. Great reaction. I sure wish someday you would react to "Ptolemy" by Blue Murder.

[@fineasfogg1461]

He was such a good poet. Some were haunting to me. Val Kilmer played him in the movie early 90s, He was such a dead ringer for Morrison. At that time some of the doors music came back to the forefront. Wow I was pre high school when The Doors made this song popular. Ray Manzarek. tried to keep them together but you could just not control Jim Morrison at all.

[@garyspeed8961]

Instrumental MASTERPIECE form any era !

[@tobytanzer]

Fantastic song, and very popular back in the day. Jose Feliciano did an amazing cover - jazzy- that was almost as popular.

[@mimiwiz1]

Love his version, as well!❤

[@mimiwiz1]

Great reaction, thanks!

[@AliasMark69]

Few songs in music history had the perfect combination of Great Lyrics song by Jim Morrison, Epic Keyboards/Bass Keys played by Ray Manzarek, Mesmerizing Guitar from Robby Krieger and Powerful-Tasteful Drumming from John Densmore... Legendary.

[@ralpholson7616]

Shortened for play on AM "top 40" radio. Played in it's entirety on the (then) new format FM rock stations.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Another fun reaction; keep on rolling man. Speaking of Ray Manzarek, are you familiar with the early and highly influential punk band out of Los Angeles named X? John Doe, Exine Cervenka, Billy Zoom, and DJ Bonebreak. Ray Manzarek really fell in love with this early punk band that was just starting to get recognition and become big in LA and elsewhere. So he produced their first album, which is what caused them to explode onto the scene, and he plays keys on at least a couple of them, and his fingerprints are all over it. So it turns out Ray is not only a great keyboardist, but he is a really talented producer as well. This is the first song I ever heard by them, and it was starting to get played a whole lot on college/alternative radio, and then suddenly everybody was buying the album and playing it at parties or when you went over. It's got such an iconic album cover, like Talking Heads Remain In Light, or XTC Drums and Wires. It just really gets to you when you see it everywhere at people's places. And on posters as well in some cases. On the walls. It's called Johnny Hit And Run Pauline: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYfRp3eXe9CXras&pp=ygUceCBqb2hubnkgaGl0IGFuZCBydW4gcGF1bGVuZQ%3D%3D

[@ednieto05]

Dude, you have to hear "Break on Through" and the whole first album. A stone cold, mind-blowing classic! The old saying back then was that "The Beatles are for blowing your mind. The Doors are for after, when your mind is already gone." NOBODY sounds like the frickin' Doors, man!

[@gsaugust]

A rock and roll masterpiece. Thank you sir.

[@hongfang2348]

You made a great choice! Light My Fire was their first hit song, lots of AM radio play. This song is how we first heard of The Doors. AM radio played all the current hits but was limited by air-time. Hits had to be about 3 minutes long. So they eliminated all that delicious instrumental section for AM radio. That version is available on youtube. Thankfully, you chose the vinyl (original) version. This is my 2nd favorite Doors song behind Riders on the Storm.

[@tonetone7572]

song is a masterpiece. I remember when it first came out it was on radio constantly..(the short version unless you were listening to FM ) the 60's had plenty of kick ass groups and the Doors were one of them.

[@TheCybertiger9]

Rocker from the 60's and Light My Fire still hits hard, still in my top 3 songs if not #1 from that era. Damn you Morrison... why did you have to die so young

[@keithwright1621]

well you've got to hear "Roadhouse Blues". You won't believe that it's the Doors. They were sooo damn talented.

[@chitownlee]

This was the song that made them famous. Grace Slick said it was the closest thing to sex on the radio.

[@dons2318]

Man 1967, I was 26 and had the world by the balls, Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll all the while listening to the number one hit of the summer Light My Fire. And i can relate to what Frampton sang "woke up this mornin', with a wine glass in my hand. whose wine, what wine, when the hell did I dine. COME ON LET'S DO IT AGAIN."

[@shemanic1]

Such a Great tune. I play the 45 as often as I am able, that Crackle is always a big part of the magic of vinyl.

[@rosshartley5807]

This had dang well better be the long album version, or you're gonna hear some screaming from us!!!

[@L33Reacts]

Were you satisfied with your experience, Ross?

[@AliasMark69]

The first time I ever smoked a Doobie it was to the first time this song was played on the radio in L.A.... and three or four times per day since... Thanks DOORS

[@PogueMahone1]

Two addictions for the price of one!...WOW!, what a deal!!

[@acehays]

Robbie wrote this song and it was the first Doors songs to hit the airwaves and make these guys famous. I still remember as a teen sitting across from an old friend at his parents kitchen table and playing this album on a little portable turntable I had and being amazed when it first came out. I can't tell you a Doors song I don't like but my favorites top of my head are Five to One, Morrison Hotel, Peace Frog & LA Woman. Not to mention all of their other hits of course, every album was a trip in itself.

[@FaceBat]

An edited version of this song became their second single & their first #1. They initially weren't going to put it out as a single because of the length, but then a radio DJ edited it & played it on the air & it became hugely popular, so Elektra Records released it as a single with the bulk of the instrumental break edited out. Robbie wrote the song mostly (Jim contributed the line about "funeral pyre") & Ray composed the organ intro.

[@scottyhotty1003]

I used to get drunk back in the day and bolt this out and karaoke and bring down the house LOL❤

[@jamesm.3967]

Morrison died of drug overdose in Paris July 3 1971. He was a shell of himself by then. A member of the 27 club. 😢

[@markoliver630]

One of the best first albums ever. I saw Jim’s Boy Scout shirt at the rock n roll hall of fame . That tripped me out.

[@thescrewfly]

"Official" Vinyl Video. So watching an LP turn is now a special treat...

[@L33Reacts]

Ain't that a bitch? They will monetize anything lol

[@rghilino6734]

Summer of 1967 on the boardwalk in Wildwood NJ, Light My Fire played continuously on the Himalaya ride. Fell in love with it then and that keyboard intro hooks me every time.

[@AirDOGGe]

This is most likely the first Doors song I ever heard and became familiar with. I heard the song many times as a kid before I ever learned the band's name or heard of Jim Morrison. Poor Jim passed away of an accidental heroin overdose according to reported witnesses. So young.

[@MartinLindnerDigital]

"it makes me angry how good they are" is brilliant. (i just heard this on the radio mostly, back then, and loving it, but never listening to it really close, because i didn't own the album. teens didn't have enough money back then ... i did have a music cassette home tape of the live album "Absolutely Live" which i had listened to a lot. the very few good reaction channels are fine to really listen to music that you know but never really appreciated the details.)

[@craigreid7178]

This was the first Doors song I ever heard on the radio. I think it was their very first hit, if I'm not mistaken. A great first song that really caught on with people.

[@JC-wr7mu]

Always loved the way this song starts with the crack of the snare, then Ray's iconic intro.

[@ed9095]

I've always thought that many of the guitarists during this period emulated the sound of a sitar. Ravi Shankar was around at the time and had some jaw dropping performances that influenced many in the rock world.

[@neilt9858]

Still so many good ones to react to bud. Break on through, wild child, Texas radio and loads more

[@richardjacobs7632]

Great tune to catch a buzz to in the 60’s! Thanks

[@dougj7295]

I cant remember a song played so much and so popular when it came out in the summer other than Lovin Spoonfuls Summer in the City and Chicago's Saturday in the Park.

[@Lwize]

One of my Hot Wheels from the first batch (1969) was named by Mattel: "Light My Firebird".

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

Need the 1st 2 albums

[@JohnLedger-g4i]

That’s music !!!!

[@stannelson8306]

Garth Hudson, another excellent player!

[@JimFlickinger]

I was witness to the Ed Sullivan show. You are right..... great request L33!!!

[@MaureenSiska]

Always thought Jim Morrison had the sexiest voice. Love this song. Great pick Lee!

[@davelouis4004]

They still are one of my favourite bands , so much great music in the 60’s , the Door’ s stood out as there was no one like them !

[@mattleppard1970]

Fantastic, Lee ❤

[@samuelmregister]

pretty out there song for 1967- and a #1 single no less!

[@alrivers2297]

I was born in April of 67, so I was too young to remember it when it first came out. But in 1980 a greatest hits album of theirs was released and this song was played a lot on the radio again. That's when I became a huge Doors fan. This was the song that really put them on the map. They have such a unique sound. I put them in my top 3 unique sounding bands along with Steely Dan and The Police. All 6 albums they did with Jim are fire. All killer no filler. But try Crystal Ship, Spanish Caravan, Strange Days or The End of the Night

[@dawntucker5052]

You were so funny in this video ❤ i love the doors so much❤

[@johnathanstruble1064]

John Denzore, drummer was trained in Jazz, John was a huge influence in fusion Jazz rhythms into Rock and blues

[@edwardjacklewis]

“I hope it’s a good one”!

[@davelouis4004]

Glad you like the Doors , such a great band !

[@arizrich]

Yeah! Good request Lee!

[@JosephCampos-g9j]

The doors are everything

[@AliasMark69]

The Bass is a 32 Key Fender Bass Electric Piano Ray plays with his left hand. The Doors had no Bass Guitar/player... although... Ray Manzarek, explaining the bass-overdubs, said: ... on some of the songs we brought in an actual bass player, one of the Los Angeles cats, Larry Knechtel, who played the same bass line that I played on "Light My Fire." He doubled my bass line.

[@deadwood75]

Happy memories of Light My Fire playing on the AM radio in our '65 Dodge Polara with the windows down on a summer evening. It sounded so good. In those days, a newly released LP record was a nice gift for a girl that you liked.

[@billhawkins1236]

Not sure how many copies of this album I've worn out. My 1st album purchase, saw them for my 16th birthday, they continue to be my favorite band all these years later. They were the perfect mix of 4 souls on a musical journey. * And they took us with them *🤠

[@izzonj]

There is a nice video on YT of Ray describing how this came together, starting with Robby's lyrics and a bosa nova guitar, to Ray describing how he used Mozart and the circle of fifths to come up with the organ intro. It's really worth a listen to get inside their creative process as a group. Yes it was a radio hit with a cut down edit. They played it on the Ed Sullivan TV show and got in trouble because they didn't change the lyrics to suit the network censors (they objected to "girl we couldn't get much higher" as a drug reference)

[@NancyMoran-r3b]

This song was a big hit. Jose Feliciano had a great version of this song. He’s a blind singer, guitarist. Jose has very moving interpretation of songs. He’s famous for singing Feliz Navidad.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

His version was terrible...wimpy and Las Vegas barf style...he ruined it

[@jasonralph4286]

Lee Michaels had the best howling scream in Tell me How would you Feel. Or Stormy Monday. Can't remember for sure but both great songs

[@gigatoob]

Loved seeing the record play in the video. This is how those of my gen experienced this music. Enjoyed your vid.

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

DANG MISSED IT AGAIN!!! 🤘

[@L33Reacts]

Gotta be quicker than that! If I wait around for everyone, I'll look like rip van Winkle by the time you all show up. 😆👍

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

@@L33Reacts my mornings are hectic.. LOL

[@johnathanstruble1064]

❤... never before, never again.

[@jasonralph4286]

Good memories