The Doors, When The Music’s Over - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

#thedoors #jimmorrison
When I learned that this song is classified as being Acid Rock, I really didn’t have high expectations because I couldn’t imagine something with that name sounding good. BUT I WAS DEAD WRONG!
Here’s the link to the original song by The Doors:
• When the Music's Over
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
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Credits: Music written and performed by The Doors
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[@CrankErUp]

50 years of listening to this song, and it still gives me goosebumps---EVERY time

[@DJBOOTS378]

I’m right there with you man!

[@PesaoManOG]

indeed !

[@midkingsteve]

I'm very impressed Vlad picked this of all their songs. Lots of people skip this for being drawn out and long, but it is such a powerful piece.

[@llaeeZ]

Music like this really only works when it is this long.

[@midkingsteve]

@@llaeeZ oh yes, the impact wouldn't be there if it was 3 minutes.

[@bagoquarks]

The Doors' Light My Fire, The End, and When The Music's Over were examples of AM Radio getting squeezed and ultimately destroyed by its own business model. The "gotta sell some buckets of fried chicken every 3 minutes" mandate drove listeners away to the emerging FM stations where entire albums were played without interruption.

[@liquidlen2]

I love a good epic. Easily my favorite Doors song.

[@rickandgen]

Absolutely my favorite, the live version is a MUST listen.

[@unusual686]

John Densmore's dynamic drumming is extremely underrated.

[@spybot6697]

A left hander who played right handed, gives him a unique style! 👍

[@diffbreak2366]

Just like Ringo...

[@BrennanYoung]

apart from Phil Collins and Karen Carpenter, he's the best drummer out of the really famous bands

[@diffbreak2366]

A couple of others, like Mick Fleetwood, Charlie Watts, Stewart Copeland, are in the same league as well...

[@jamessutton4726]

Not sure he is

[@richardedenfield5167]

It is not acid rock or psychedelic rock, it is just great timeless music made by a band that is one of the best to ever do it. Just like that. It's moving. Poetic. Incredibly well written. And timely. With superior musicianship. Highly unique. And hasn't aged a second. With vocals to blow you right out of a room.

[@michaelt.b264]

I disagree. Jim, manzarek, and Densmore were all on acid and other drugs during many recording,often playing live, and a lot of us were on acid, listening to them. The very definition of acid rock. Still great rock n roll

[@lazarusdoghouse]

He was the father of Acid rock. More so than the Dead, or airplane

[@tjcassidy2694]

I’ve heard of them called “art rock,” on a par with the Velvet Underground.

[@billhiggins1882]

Totally acid music

[@elemar8209]

Written on acid and meant to be listened to on acid way back when.

[@Jeremy-hx7zj]

Man, jim was really underrated as a singer. His voice had insane amounts of texture

[@kenjordan5750]

Not under-rated by those of us who lived the moment. The Doors are in my top 5 bands with Beatles, P. Floyd, Eagles and... Their music stands the test of time, over half of a century later.

[@Jeremy-hx7zj]

@@kenjordan5750 I'm just saying, even fans of the doors don't give him enough credit for his singing ability

[@jamessutton4726]

Not sure he was

[@nellgwenn]

@@jamessutton4726 He wasn't. If anything he was overrated.

[@jamesderoc6717]

love jim but he was a crooner

[@kdmathesen]

When Amy raises an eyebrow and sways with a subtle smile while listening, go ahead and clear your calendar for the in-depth because you know it’s going to be good!

[@TrianglesAndCircles]

I saw that too. This is going to be interesting. 😊

[@rand0m.u5er]

I wonder where it is.

[@jasonhaynes2952]

Yes. And that reaction always makes me smile. Because I totally understand why it's so intriguing to her

[@jarosawbanaszek5510]

It's important to remember that Morrison and Manzarek studied film directing on UCLA. So they were familiar with art of drama. Hence such precise structure of the song.

[@jaex9617]

Good insight. Thank you!

[@hermanmelville3368]

Dokładnie.

[@kjelleriksson2793]

Krieger studied too at UCLA at the same time, but I don't remember what.

[@terrenceconnolly8858]

The Doors are one of the very few bands that stand alone as trailblazers in the rock pantheon. I would be wary of falling into the trap of labeling them simply "acid rock". That would be short sighted and creating that category was just a short cut for the rock scribes of the time. Trust me, the Doors themselves did not seek to create music that would simply be associated with the drug culture. I am sure their intent was that their music is just an expression of the tumultuous experience of the sixties in total.

[@kylben]

" the tumultuous experience of the sixties in total." Yes, that is important in hearing and analyzing the Doors. Their music is timeless, but it was also very much about and from their times.

[@noother964]

Amen and well said!

[@peterhughes8699]

Yes agree - I've played/gigged/recorded many Doors songs. At base they were mostly a blues band

[@kovie9162]

Way, way, way more than trippy music to listen to while on acid. It was called psychedelic only because some people chose to call it that and it stuck. There was of course music that consciously tried to sound "psychedelic" to capitalize on the trend, but not the Doors. At their core I'd say that they were what many if not most great rock bands were, blues-based. The trippy stuff is more about the group's members having eclectic tastes and experiences and it being reflected in their music, and their deliberately not wanting to be overtly commercial and trendy. They were being themselves, basically, which all great artists are. I hope she listens to some more of their music. So much to choose from. There was a lot of dreck back then just as now, but the Doors were not that, at all.

[@lunadyana3330]

@@kylbenfive and one, baby, one in five, no one here gets, out alive. Sounds like the tumultuous sixties course through that set of lyrics at the very least

[@trentc7329]

I always liked "When the Music's Over" way better than "The End". Love the Hollywood Bowl version.

[@ArtofFreeSpeech]

Same... much prefer WtMO over The End.

[@Sadpotatoirl2010]

I thought this record was supposed to rivaled "The end". I agree if this song was better. But in some way, 'The end' eeriness and an epic storytelling still unmatched.

[@truthseekerdanny]

agreed

[@DanielSnyder-bz8kp]

I always liked the version of WTMO from the Absolutely Live album as my favorite live version

[@kjelleriksson2793]

At least both songs end with the words "the end".😀😀

[@mjwaldrep]

I’m a big Doors fan and this is my favorite Doors song, thank you for reacting to it. I hope you listen to more Doors music, I think you’ll like most of it, at least.

[@trappenweisseguy27]

My favourite band of all time. I’ve always dug the military style drumming /circus music influences in their sounds.

[@nickp.2432]

3 awesome musicians and an American poet for vocals. Ahead of their time, totally unique. 🇺🇸

[@nickp.2432]

The doors pbs special. Great performance. Build me a woman is my favorite track..👍👍🇺🇸

[@philduoos2961]

I recall hearing that Morrison considered himself a poet, and didn't like the idea that he had to be a singer to get his poetry out to an audience.

[@TheDevilsBusiness]

The Doors were right on time, just time tends to forget

[@spacecowboy6099]

​@@philduoos2961 he published at least two books of poetry

[@actuariallurker9650]

A band that can adopt Bertolt Brecht into rock as the Doors did with Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar) shows that these were well-educated artists and poets and not the "drugged-out" hippies as people thought of them at the time

[@kovie9162]

Yep, what do Bobby Darin and the Doors have in common... Although, Brecht was the lyricist and Kurt Weill was the composer.

[@raleighsmalls4653]

That's right. Jim stayed far away from drugs and alcohol.

[@kovie9162]

@@raleighsmalls4653 I think the point was that they weren't JUST drugged-out hippies pretending to be deep or different.

[@raleighsmalls4653]

@@kovie9162 Actually his wife was the real self-destructive fireball. News at eleven.

[@MichaelSerby]

Not alcohol he fell victim ​@@raleighsmalls4653

[@RJ-oy7cq]

Applause to Vlad for his great taste in picking this Door's track! A fantastic song and bit of a deeper cut--one of their greatest.

[@mikeb3365]

Jim, the man of many voices. Like Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, Mamma Cass, and many others, all like a meteor in the sky, light that shone briefly and are gone way to soon.

[@kylben]

the "27 club"

[@soldtobediers]

ITISSO !!! ''Those One's Who'll Continue'' ''There are artists who'll wrest us up & place us into themselves & into their works. These are (Those One's Who'll Continue) wresting us up long after their appointed rests in peace. Seek out these (One's Who'll Continue) but seek even more the very Author of them all.'' ~Gilpin 62223

[@Deyan_B_Travels]

I'm glad you can appreciate this music! The Doors are amazing and worthy of exploring! I'm sure you'll enjoy this journey through their art.

[@toddmoore9841]

Amy, I'd love to hear your analysis of "The Soft Parade". It is probably the most experimental and avant-garde of their songs. This song "When the Music's Over" is the best (IMO) song on the album "Strange Days", possibly their strongest album. It's a fantastic capstone for the experience, and it's easy to imagine a person playing the album for the first time and then turning out the lights and simply existing in silence for an hour. In regards to The Doors as a band, Morrison gets most of the attention, but they were all amazing talents. Ray Manzarak, the keyboardist, was a musical genius.

[@leaflee2066]

As a massive Doors fan I was always surprised how often The Soft Parade album was written off as their worst album but I always loved it and the song Soft Parade is amazing, a walk through the different stages of life, This is the best part of the trip, this is the trip, the best part I really like!

[@bert0522]

Just like The End off their first. Jim

[@peterworth9403]

I was downright giddy when I saw that she was doing this as her first ever Doors song. It is one hell of a good choice as and opening salvo.

[@thekaratekidpartii2169]

@@leaflee2066What’d he say?

[@toddmoore9841]

​@@leaflee2066I agree. I don't understand the disdain for the album. Personally, my early exposure to The Doors was through the radio and the double-CD "Best of The Doors" compilation from '85. All great tunes, but all of their more "safe" content. It's only within the last year that I've delved into the back catalog and bought all of the albums produced while Morrison lived. I think the reason The Soft Parade (the album) is disparaged is because it diverges the farthest from their usual sound, but that's what I love about it.

[@LuddyVonBeat]

Well said Amy. The Doors music is very direct and personal, Jim's voice is unmatched as is the synergy within the group. Would love to hear you listen to more Doors.

[@mrmojo1636]

I think Amy would enjoy listening to 'Light my Fire' and 'Riders on the Storm' both beautifully crafted.

[@summercoat]

Amy, I can’t stress enough, as much as I love Morrison, this music is very much a product of The Doors; all four of them are equally important.

[@johnpress]

What an excellent selection by Vlad! Amy, your lyrical analysis is a strong suit. Beyond explaining how they manage to create so many dynamics with often repetitive, 56 bar + sections, I greatly look forward to your taking a stab at Morrison's lyrics. Thanks to you and Vlad for reminding us of this great song.

[@slm60uk]

The Doors named themselves after the "The Doors of Perception" by Aldous Huxley, which was an autobiographic book about his experience on Mescaline (similar to LSD) and hence the term Acid!

[@clarenceworley3714]

It can be argued that it came from William Blake: When the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.

[@baudelaire2169]

@@clarenceworley3714Not really, Huxley referenced Blake in his title and Jim admired them both

[@almahperditae]

More than 50 years later, and The Doors are still THE band every generation "discover" and still blow the mind of everyone. Classic, never dated, just on a time that they made and no one can replicate

[@richardedenfield5167]

And I quote from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction speech 1993: The Doors are somewhat of an anomaly in the rock pan­theon.They weren’t part of the peace and love Airplane-Dead-Quicksilver acid-rock movement of San Francisco. They had nothing to do with the English invasion, or even conventional pop music for that matter. Even in their hometown of Los Angeles they were considered a world apart from the predominantly folk-rock peerage of the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and Mamas and Papas.

[@christophermoebs5514]

Unlike most of the west coast scene the Doors were mor blues influenced but still you are correct they are one of a kind

[@oceanfrog]

You've come under the spell of the Doors! Congrats! A trio of musicians who had a strong command of their instruments (the keyboardist and drummer had jazz in their background, and the guitarist had mastery of a variety of styles) with Jim Morrison, who you said sounded like a master storyteller, who has been likened to a shaman in his performances. Their control of dynamics and tension was legendary. Enjoy!

[@rfdarsie]

They were actually a quartet.

[@oceanfrog]

@@rfdarsie read the whole comment next time.

[@johnstorton]

"He's not a showman. He's a shaman." - Ray Manzerek

[@rfdarsie]

@@oceanfrog You are right. Sorry.

[@axandio]

Acid (LSD) admittedly had a PROFOUND effect on ALL music after it hit the scene. One thing people do not realize is it was an experimental psychology tool and perfectly legal in the USA until late 1966. The hippies were NOT "criminals" until the laws caught up with them. Many of the bands in the 1960's (jazz included) experimented with the LSD while it was still legal or were well into exploring it while still legal. LSD had different effects for different mindsets. Intellectuals found it especially interesting and many of them were musicians.

[@scottzappa9314]

Thank you, this is info I did not know regarding the legality of acid. I'd say it tends to remove barriers from the mind that get in the way of creativity.

[@riphopfer5816]

@@scottzappa9314This is a good way to describe it; it can also help put us in touch with buried feelings that require ‘integrating’ into your conscious life, and making art, literature, and music can be incredibly good ways to help with that integration.

[@richardj9016]

I don’t tend to care whether it is “legal” or not. In York, in England it is “legal” to kill a Scotsman if he is carrying a bow and arrow, but not on Sundays.

[@axandio]

Not an endorsement of drugs. Just facts. It was a tool that enhanced many and destroyed many. A hammer can build or demolish. Doesn't make it "good or bad".

[@mirandak3273]

Acid Rock is the element of Psychedelic Rock that is heavier, serious, and filled with distortion as compared to the more whimsical version that you find with songs like “Lucy In The Sky with Diamonds” or “Itchycoo Park.” The term ‘acid’ refers to LSD, LySergic ACID Diethylamide. It was popularized when Ken Kessey promoted its use with the pun ‘Acid Tests’ as LSD is an Acid and in chemistry an Acid Test is a procedure to see if a substance includes gold. Other Acid Rock artists would include Jimi Hendrix, Big Brother & the Holding Company (with Janis Joplin,) Iron Butterfly, Steppenwolf, 1st lineup of Deep Purple, Norman Greenbalm, & Vanilla Fudge. Other Psychedelic Rock artists like The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd, etc. may be considered Acid Rock by some too. (Which makes me wonder if you’ve reacted to “Careful With That Axe, Eugene” by Pink Floyd yet.)

[@9750939]

That double-tracked guitar solo at 11:50 slays me every time. No guitarist used sustain like that in 1967.

[@41Forethought]

I was the lead singer in a high school garage band from '65 to '69. We did a LOT of Doors covers because Jim Morrison and I had almost identical vocal ranges, quite surprising when I was 14 or 15 years old! Your point about using no more than is absolutely necessary is, along with Morrison's voice, The Doors greatest strength. 🥰

[@anonymousowl72]

I remember being 9 or 10 years old and became fascinated with the Doors from my parents vinyl collection…I went back and forth between the first and second albums but was particularly fond of When The Music’s Over…one time I had a family friend’s son spend the night and I put on the Doors Strange Days…and when When The Music’s Over came on he got spooked out and weirded out and made my mom call his mom and come pick him up. People are strange.

[@jimlechuga3193]

People are strange….. lol. Nice.

[@rickpearlstein6421]

Yeah, Strange Days is my favorite Doors album. People are strange indeed. LOL

[@AndrewBlacker-wr2ve]

"People are strange, when you're a stranger," is the whole line. If the lad only knew flaccid and soulless music, the Doors could be difficult to comprehend.

[@wallacegrommet9343]

He needed some Donnie and Marie Osmond to restore banality

[@jenniferfoster1692]

Even in the 80s, when I was in high school & college, and long after Jim had died, the Doors and Jim Morrison were extremely famous. Newer front men were always compared to Morrison, we had posters on our walls & he and the band were often referenced in pop culture. Just icons, period. Of course The Doors movie with Val Kilmer was huge, too. Their music still holds up.

[@TC-ee9rz]

I bought a doors 45 when I was in the 5th grade. Mid-to-late 60's. This...never gets old ❤

[@markhenderson6389]

An interesting and worthy choice for an introduction to the Doors. Exceptional use of dynamics to build energy and tension throughout. Think this song exemplifies the band's original name: The Doors of Perception. A true original in rock music.

[@ilanavraham1518]

Amazing band! It is a shame and appalling to label the Doors musically. There was nothing like the Doors, and I don't know if it would ever be. The musicians who came from diverse musical training (Classical, Jazz and Latin, Flamenco) were influenced by Blues, Rock and the music of the time, creating a great setting for the poet. Their music is so unique and capturing. You are on the right track. Jim wanted to take you on a journey, make you observe and wonder. He was a serious poet (who wrote several books), philosopher and artist. Unfortunately, his reputation, pop culture and the stupid movie took away the attention rather than looking and giving respect to the fantastic performer, singer and writer he was. All of The Doors' music is worth a deep dive into, and I'm excited and precipitated for your in-depth. Thank you!

[@garylagstrom3864]

The Doors are fantastic! Love their music and vibe! As a drummer John Densmore is exquisite and criminally underrated! Enjoy their music!

[@VictorLewis-nd4ld]

Yep. He's great and definitely underrated.

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

I've heard this song numberless time and had always thought it was pretentious, yet I have warmed to it.

[@gerarddonohoe5806]

Wow!... I never thought I would get emotional watching someone's 1st experience of The doors.. Perhaps if you do listen to some more?..then I would recommend Riders on the storm, LA Woman, The changeling & of course.. The end.

[@Breondan]

When the music's over you become the light.... turn out the light .... dance on fire like it intends

[@coreywiley3981]

This song gives me chills.

[@36karpatoruski]

SCREAMS 1960’s rock power in the very best way. Also clearly illustrates the difference between rock and roll and rock. This is ROCK.

[@LeeKennison]

Love the Doors, so glad you were able to experience and appreciate them. One of the great American bands from the late 1960s with a very unique sound. Great reaction. I can see that you noticed that there is something special with Jim Morrison and the band itself. I look forward to your In-Depth.

[@gkenjil]

I play in a Doors Tribute (keyboardist) and just want to say thank you for sharing your impressions. I love how you analyze it without getting too technical, and convey a sense of discovery like an astute listener naturally would. It's not easy to describe this music, but you put into words how I felt only vaguely first hearing this music long ago, as a teenager in the '90s. This band blew my mind, and 27 years later, nothing else has quite made that impact.

[@P.Galore]

If that vocal really was one take, that is extraordinary - the feeling, the timing, the range.

[@79derik]

Jim Morrison was known to improve on songs so the band learned to improvise to go along with him.

[@samsnead1824]

Actually, the song was recorded with the background music in one take because Morrison was a no show. Then Morrison’s vocals were recorded in two takes ultimately using one half take from the first round and splicing in the second half from vocal take number two.

[@antonioduverge3558]

I like The Doors so much that I feel like you are talking about my cousin, almost 30 years ago I heard The Doors for the very first time, I remember the impact “Break on through “ had on my years in college and I can see myself in you when I discovered this amazing band.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

A youth rebellion anthem of the sixties. The Doors had a unique sound with dramatic singer. Doors fans should check out “Forever Changes” by Love. This was an interesting listen and I enjoyed your commentary and impressions. Thanks Virgin Rock

[@johnshannon9656]

RK is a vastly underrated guitarist. Great playing.

[@VirginRock]

Let’s see if we can hit 100k SUBSCRIBERS before August 3rd, when we will celebrate together 1 year of Virgin Rock experiences! And, if you have any questions, please post them here. But, QUESTIONS ONLY, please! Thank you!

[@bunkosquad2000]

So happy a classical artist sees the beauty of this piece. Always my favorite song of that period. Raw energy and raw emotion. I loved her comment about silence. The Doors were a perfectly melded. “Change one note and there’s dimishment…change one phrase and the structure falls.”

[@gretschviking]

What a wild song as your introduction to the music of the Doors! There are plenty of more mainstream songs by this band which could've been showcased but you got the full Morrison! I knew, straight up, there would be a bunch of times where that eyebrow movement you have would occur! I love that! Excellent analysis and excellent video! Keep 'em comin'!!!!! 🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@PecosHank]

Your enthusiasm & interpretations pull us in. Would love to hear you discuss and breakdown your personal favorite classical pieces.

[@mojorider8455]

there are a few Doors tunes that I think would be interesting for analysis: Light My Fire (that interesting chord progression to start the song), LA Woman (the imagery and metaphors), for example.

[@kenjordan5750]

Don't forget to recommend Peace Frog, too.

[@Sadpotatoirl2010]

I wish we got more of The doors. Thank you 😻 My top 5 songs: -The end -Light my fire -Crystal ship -Not to touch the earth -When the music's over

[@ThisTrainIsLost]

Back when I wasn't old in Toronto, the Doors played the city. I've never forgotten what the music critic for the city's largest newspaper wrote. He described Jim as "a devil with the voice of an angel." Yeah!

[@dennismason3740]

Rock, rock and roll, call it what you will, never "died", not while I'm around.

[@markcole8698]

LA Woman is one of my favorites, definitely worth a listen! Enjoy the trip with Jim and the Doors 👍

[@ChristianRThomas]

Yup. I still haven't tired of L.A.Woman in the 47 years since I first heard it. And it may well be my favourite guitar solo of the lot. Beats Freebird, Felder and Walsh, Layla's best part is the piano, and a lot of others that have been my faves in one era or another.

[@elwray3506]

The whole album is fire!

[@rossjohnmclean]

As evocative and atmospheric as much of The Doors’ catalogue is, there’s something extra special about L.A. Woman - “I see your hair is burning…” is one of Rock music’s high water marks, period. I used to play this in my band decades ago - it always got the crowd revved up. Amy is clearly taken by Jim and the boys 😊 and rightly so!

[@123Goldhunter11]

Song starts with the finest scream in the history of rock. A combination of rage and woe. Or am I getting too existential. That combo distorted organ/guitar lead is historic.

[@mattyman5dodge101]

This song and The End define the Doors. No one else did this kind of almost Performance Art music.

[@gregblake876]

I saw the Doors in 1969 at the Forum and it changed my life in a great way ✌🏻♥️

[@melliehobson8299]

The Doors had no bass guitar in the band, which I think is what gives their music a carnival flair.

[@betsyduane3461]

A bass player plays on 7 of the 10 songs on this album, but not on tis song.

[@axejokertv5336]

they did use a bass player in the studio when recording

[@stedevo3812]

The Bass you hear is a keyboard, Ray manzerack played the conventional keyboard and bass keyboard in unison which is a gift all on its own.

[@dennismason3740]

Riders of the Storm, Soul Kitchen, Light My Fire. Just flip a three-sided coin.

[@jokermtb]

when I was a kid, I regularly sneaked a radio under my blanket at night to listen to a late night music show. One night I heard The Doors song 'The Soft Parade' and it literally took me on a ride outside of the real world - storytelling! It was a stunning moment for sure.....realms within the imagination were everywhere

[@827dusty]

Jim Morrison always thought of himself first, as a poet, and second the front man for a world-famous Classic Rock Band. To call Morrison "quirky" would be an understatement. The Doors were right there with The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix. You can throw Janis Joplin in there as well. Of course, they (Morrison, Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix) were the three members of the infamous "27 Club." All three were famous in the same era of Rock, and all three died at age 27, of drug and/or alcohol overdoses. All three of them were superstars together in the years between 1967 and 1971. Very short, but meteoric stars for about 3 years and then they were gone. Thankfully, we still have audio and video of their great contributions to Rock and Roll. Thanks

[@rickygarza2005]

this song gives me the goosebumbs

[@dlbdlb3919]

The pieces were all disjointed and yet they were all so woven together.with near perfection.. The other thing that struck me is what great control each musician had.

[@markldavis1]

i was 12 January 1967 when this song came out, the whole album it was the first experience with any rock music. Played it hundreds of times. it is still in my head after all these years as I knew every note and verse before it was played. very strange in away but I was 12 again

[@bagoquarks]

For contrast, especially regarding use of 'empty space', consider "Touch Me" from the "Soft Parade" album. On that later record they used a studio orchestra with a bold brass horn section. Instead of pauses for dramatic effect, emphasis is created by a wall of sound. IMO, "Strange Days" is their best album and is the one that concludes with "When The Music's Over." I graduated from high school in Southern California in 1968 and have great memories of driving across the Mojave Desert at night listening to "Strange Days" on a 8-track cassette tape. The Doors were the only artist where I made a point of buying ALL of their studio albums. *TRIVIA* - their song "Waiting For The Sun" did NOT appear on their album titled "Waiting For The Sun." Rather, it was on "Morrison Hotel."

[@jon-nolanacousticsingerson9920]

Thank you for your review. I feel your thoughts and appreciation.

[@thetriumphofthethrill2457]

Relistening to this classic is a revelation in reinforcing what I've always known on the quality and profound influence the great band has. One can argue that The Doors invented mood Rock / atmospheric Rock. Listening to "When the Music's Over" shows the band laid the blueprint for Post - Punk, New Wave, Post Rock and other genres that create ambience with their sound. Such an awesome and breathtaking track that gets even better with time. It's great you go out of your way to feature your videos and opinions on these pinnacles of artistic sound, Amy. With music long dead it's a great service on your part in reminding old timers and introducing to the younger generation that music can actually be great and life - changing.

[@johnlamere2189]

The face in the mirror won't stop - The girl in the window won't drop - A feast of friends- Alive she cried - Waitin' for me - Outside!

[@5891jonathan]

This is perhaps The Doors’ most self-indulgent recording. And that’s saying a lot.

[@filco755]

I saw Chris Cornell perform this song at a Soundgarden concert in the mid -late nineties, its a fantastic song

[@peterhughes8699]

Great choice Amy - The Doors are true rock classics/legends. Far more influential than any of the bands Karl forced on you :) There are so many great Doors pieces and suggest you explore all their albums

[@petersattler22]

The band had no bass player. The keyboard player picked-up the bass part, except in the studio where I understand they used a session player instead.

[@tonstwo3266]

When Jim Morrison shouts... the chills!

[@jeremyevans8374]

Yes, that song is a masterpiece both instrumentally and lyrically. I mean what a great rock 'n' roll sentence: "when the music's over, turn out the lights. " simple and direct yet rolls right off the tongue and full of deeper implications. The Doors are so good, nobody of note has ever tried to copy them. There are singers who tried to copy Jim's look and physicality on stage, but it's hard to name a famous rock band that anyone ever accused of aping their sound.

[@kid5Media]

The drums actually carry this song from beginning to end, something I only realized decades later.

[@hackingultra]

I just got this. You are right.

[@DENVEROUTDOORMAN]

No it didnt

[@mikeconway9849]

Great reaction! Glad to see you expanding into all these different directions.

[@steveh7108]

I've never been a huge Doors fan. But one thing I could say for sure, is that I don't recall ever hearing another band like them. They were very unique back then and they still are today.

[@flavoredwallpaper]

I didn't get what all the fuss was about until listening to the album Strange Days. Great stuff.

[@Roddy1965]

Truly an epic aural experience. Pure genius.

[@peterglynn2128]

Thank you for your analysis. The Doors were incredible !! 55 years later. Nobody has come anywhere near matching their sheer genius ! Jim and Ray. R.I.P.

[@HellenKillerProject]

Another of this style is "Celebration of the Lizard". They recorded many takes in the studio to get three minutes that was released. Jim was on the way to the stage and told the band that they were doing that song. "Absolutely Live" is a great version and my girlfriend was there for all three shows as her mother was the promoter. Being 14 her mom put her working one of the overhead spotlights since she was too young to go in the front door. She had a lot of stuff from the Doors and many other acts that were in that area of the globe. Celebration was another song that grew and evolved, giving Jim a chance to stretch out on stage.

[@kraftwerk974]

This is so exceptionally good. Their music is totally mesmerising.

[@alexanderdegothia]

Beautifully said you made me shed a tear...

[@peterworth9403]

Next up..."The Crystal Ship." That one will suck you in just as bad. It's not nearly as long, but, oh man. It's a great one.

[@3DJapan]

I am by no means a musician but I dabble and I do like adding layers and layers but then bringing it back down to something simple for a while before moving on.

[@sprezzatura8755]

For me this song epitomizes what the sixties were all about. The Doors are in a league of their own. It takes just two things to be a successful frontman: 1. Really wanting to do it. 2. Lots of people really wanting you to do it. Everything else is variable.

[@PortCharmers]

Number 2 seems to be the tricky bit.

[@themercer4972]

Some music can tell a story, but not many songs can take you on a trip. Acid rock is the kind of music that often aims to take you on a trip, to emerge you into the song in exactly the way you described. Although many people dont think of Genesis as acid rock, a lot of their early stuff very much of this kind. I would suggest Burning Rope as an example.

[@eigenstatezero]

Acid-rock is a moniker that should not be taken to serious; I mean, Jim was an alcoholic, maybe we should call it bourbon-rock. The competent blend of genres is what made The Doors what they are, not the drugs. They have so many beautiful songs, you are in for a treat. Awesome!

[@selflessself]

You do know that Mr. Morrison was a fan of other drugs other than alcohol, right? The Doors of Perception by Aldous Huxley might be a good clarifying read for you on this subject, or ask Ray Manzarek (or anyone else who knew him) if Jim only drank and wasn't a fan of other drugs or that these psychological states produced by these drug experiences didn't influence Jim Morrison or the Doors in general. I am not saying that drugs are the only or primary influence, but to say 60s drug culture didn't influence the sound of the Doors to me is just bonkers.

[@BrennanYoung]

so very true. Doors' "psychedelic" credentials are woefully oversold. They were essentially a prog-blues band with a touch of jazz. Exactly the same may be said of... Pink Floyd.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

Great choice ! ❤

[@RMForbes505]

In the spring of 1967 I was just 15 and the very first concert I attended was the Doors. It was a life changing experience and this song mostly stuck in my memory from that show.

[@marysweeney7370]

I/d call this psychedelic rock Was that some Beatnik inspired spoken word section to the song, I don't know that I've heard this before. But I enjoyed Jim's performance. I'm not surprised that she liked it. '

[@lupcokotevski2907]

Morrison's favourite singer was the Bronx prodigy Laura Nyro, the pop master of space, dynamics, emotional intensity and songwriting surprises. Her December's Boudoir (1968) is a good example, including the approximately 40 chords ending on a majorminor.

[@nellgwenn]

I thought his favorite singer was Frank Sinatra.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

@@nellgwenn Female singer, oops.

[@apostolostvable]

​@@nellgwennFrank and Elvis

[@nellgwenn]

@@apostolostvable When Elvis's bass player recorded with them they were over the moon. They loved him.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

The Rockstar Poet, who loathed being a Rockstar.

[@-RalphSpencer-]

My BEST BAND ever. I literally wore out 2 LPs of The Soft Parade. Jim was angst personified.

[@WindmillChef]

Amy, your comment about what can be done with "non-sound" is very well placed. It's been said by others before and there are plenty of other pieces of music that incorporate the less is more concept but this song certainly demonstrates how an almost absence of song can capture a listeners focus. Acid Rock is simply music that is made for and by LSD users. I am not sure that there's a clear definition of music elements it includes for it to be acid rock but there are general characteristics that get one to start qualifying a piece of music as acid rock. the music facilitates you putting yourself in a trans, a mood, a zone, in which you are calm, at piece and through the experience uncumbered by the pressures and challenges of daily life/responsibilities. I say all this as a person who has never even tried using any drugs, but I know of a special emotional place that music can put me in, including some pieces of classical music. Last week you said of the Grateful Dead song (definitely acid music) that it had a certain easy going, casual feel to it. Songs tend to draw out in time lapse and instrumentally and vocally noodle on and out into different directions, sections to keep on facilitating a dream state that you're in. 2 buts!! But Jim Morrison could often be very very intense and also preacher like with his message(s), border line aggressive and wild, not characteristic of acid rock but within the context of the whole band, it fitted and fitted within the space of acid rock. The band, as an instrument arrangement, was very simple and unchanged. The Doors never expanded with session and/or additional musicians in their performances. The second but is that Jim Morrison, as time went on, started using more and more alcohol as his drug of choice which creates a different kind of "high" or influence. In New York a fervent Jazz music fan once got close up in my face and explained that you know Jazz music is good when listening to it makes your chest ache in pain. And this is the effect that Jim Morrison could have, draw you in with his intensity that you start feeling the pain in your chest. Sadly, For Jim Morrison, besides insane levels of passion it was all a painful experience for him, I believe that life was painful for him, just emotionally too vulnerable.

[@kelvinkloud]

Sharp analysis… agree, she nailed the use of silence and minimalism. Wh/ may seeen ironic since the song is king. But considering what the song is saying, it is indeed very lean, yet pocketed w/ much depth both lyrically and thru silence and space musically. What would happen if the music was over?… the pregnant pause hints strongly…. Doors b/c of all the distractions and hype around them still to this day get short changed in re to how far ahead of the curve they were from ‘66 thru ‘68. Morrison had a lotta innovative talent. But he also loved indulgence and could be his own worse enemy. Inconsistent. But on his A a giant of his era.

[@davidschecter5247]

Great take on this fascinating song. The song is hypnotic, varying itself just enough to maintain your interest. Of course, Morrison's presence has a lot to do with that. He knew when to stand back and let the music play along without him. Lots of fabulous songs by this incredible group. The best bands were unique, something that definitely applies to The Doors. I don't consider this "acid rock." It's "Doors music."

[@adamfindlay7091]

The drums earthy vibrations below, guitar washes over, keys are your raft, vox, your capitain just pushed over that bend...

[@eyelidmovies2905]

Jim was a metaphysical poet on a par with William Blake or Rimbaud, it's reflected in his lyrics and indeed his whole life.

[@billmaier9314]

I was hoping you would get to the Doors sooner than later, one of my all time favorite bands. You should check out “the crystal ship” as you said you found his voice interesting, he had a bit of a Frank Sinatra crooner in him from time to time. Also “Hyacinth house” you will notice they pilfer a bit of chopin.

[@wesmiddaugh230]

Saw them twice in San Diego in a 3500 seat auditorium wonderful music my favorite group. Chambers Brothers opened the first concert and brought down the house great band.

[@nickvandervyver6179]

You are a little older than I am, but not too much. I wonder whether you considered the Doors to be ‘Acid Rock’? In these comments it seems to go without saying, but personally I never considered the Doors to be Acid Rock and do not think they encapsulate the sound. What do you think? Are people being misled?

[@dantredogborsa7048]

Still waiting the Yes "Close To The Edge" in-depth analysis 🙏🙏🙏