What Makes This Song Great? "Touch Me" The Doors

[@HawklordLI]

One mad poet+One jazz drummer+one flamenco guitarist+one classical pianist=The greatest rock n' roll band ever.

[@mikepatrick5909]

When I think of LA rock bands the Beach Boys and the Doors are my first thought...

[@jonasrmb01]

great? yes. the greatest? no.

[@musiciansnight]

Morrison’s pitch was beyond incredible.

[@HabAnagarek]

Ah, but Manzarek was also into boogie and rag pie-anny, too.

[@brianjacob8728]

@@jonasrmb01 Gotta be producing music for way more than 4-5 years to even enter that discussion....

[@marvinshenk]

At 25, Jim Morrison looked and sang like a 40 year old. The Doors were the oddest band out of all their contemporaries for sure. They are one of the most unique bands ever.

[@Gottenhimfella]

Doug Ingles' vocal on "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" also sounds one or two decades older than his 23 years. As for his compositional ideas, and his keyboard executions of some of those ideas, they're off the charts

[@robertshirley3422]

When The debut album was released in Jan '67, Morrison was Hollywood's new sex symbol. Living in LA as I was, he was considered rock's new sex symbol, with the leather pants and flowing mane. He had classic actor looks..it was the substance abuse; the aalcohol and hard drugs that started an almost immediate downward spiral, not being able to handle the fame and adulation. As you probably know, he was one of the early members of The 27 Club.

[@midnight.blue42]

Sure, he sounded kinda older than he was but he definitely didn't look like a 40 year old 😂

[@mutt3135]

Just love seeing how Rick's face lights up when he's excited about listening back to an isolated track.

[@thekeywitness]

He's really digging that orchestra. LOL

[@martynspooner5822]

mutt3135 A man who loves his music and understands every nuance so love all his work.

[@johnqualmann]

Yeah, at around 9:05 , simple unadorned joy.

[@JackK867]

It's also his eyebrow keeps going up a little with this bemused wonderment as if he can't believe how weird this is a rock song but how great it is

[@rebellucy5610]

Oh yes. I really love seeing him 'feel' the music. What a gift Rick's channel is to music lovers. Thank you RICK!!

[@vincenzoa2929]

What I love the most about The Doors is that they had their own unique and original sound. They didn’t sound like anyone else and nobody sounded like them. That’s where their genius resides.

[@michaelparker3709]

Not an easy band to get into. The majority hear Riders, or Hello, and think "Great song, must check these out." Alabama Song comes on and... wtf? Soft Parade... The End... They out the door and down the road. 😂

[@bgierat]

Jim’s isolated vocals showcases his incredible voice.

[@scottharrison9083]

Greatest rock singer and lyricist ever.

[@sbdowling]

Incredible. The Doors are so original...nobody sounds like them. Manzarek is unreal on keyboards..

[@SirCamsmorethanalot]

They are all unreal = synergistic awesomeness!

[@daveholly9005]

Weird, I think this song sounds a LOT like Love

[@Mark-ix4zt]

Amen. And nobody will ever sound like them. R.I.P Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek

[@moniack]

@@Mark-ix4zt Weird Al got him to play the keyboard on "Craigslist" before his death. There is or was a video on KZbin.

[@chrisb1953]

Manzarek's keyboard on "Riders on the Storm" was sublime. His keyboard note runs set the mood and perfectly replicated the sound of rain.

[@grggsctt]

Jim's vocal track isolated here is one of the best things on the Internet!

[@jacekekawa4498]

You could train your vocals with it. :)

[@loganirvine3700]

Beato and his channel is the primary reason i still have a smart phone lol i don't do much in the way of social media, but his channel has kept me sane at work for the last 2 years now

[@Westerdd]

@Charles White yeah I think this guy is very well connected in the music industry. He gets sent a copy of the tracks . Quite amazing to get that access.

[@MurrayPung]

A recent interview with Densmore and Krieger mentioned that Morrison was a Frank Sinatra fan. It totally comes across in Touch Me.

[@fredalwatkins4506]

Deep, raspy, soulful and sexy

[@endoffate5475]

In my opinion, The doors was the best band of the 60s..Crazy the amount of great material they put out in like 5-6 years.

[@FernandoSoalheiro]

The Soft Parade is an almost criminally underrated Doors album. These four guys together were absolutely brilliant and even after 40 years of listening to this group I am still finding gems in their arrangements...... and Rick still managed to show me even more than I had noticed before.... great break down.

[@fredgrave2153]

my favorite album of theirs

[@johncollins5552]

What blows my mind is how a bunch of nineteen year olds recorded a debut with such maturity and understanding of the blues, it hasn't really been topped since 50 years ago!

[@dymmalowitz5465]

By the time debut album was released, only Robbie was 19, if memory serves. Others were about 22-23, which is still pretty impressive, right?

[@georgehartman3189]

@@dymmalowitz5465 Ray was 30 when this was released-nowhere near 19, lol.

[@jack-uv6mt]

theyre not talking about soft parade@@georgehartman3189

[@PeterNash99]

@@georgehartman3189 he's born in 1939 so late 20s to be more precise

[@ldchappell1]

The Doors were way ahead of their time. We still haven't caught up to that time.

[@saginawdan]

And we never will.

[@cutl00senc]

Daniel Skorich took the words right outta my mind

[@Sam-qc6sz]

What do you mean?

[@ldchappell1]

@@Sam-qc6sz I mean The Doors were so ahead of their time we haven't reached that point yet. They're more like a 2040 band than a 1968 band.

[@Sam-qc6sz]

@@ldchappell1 I know I know, I meant to ask what makes them a band we haven't caught up to yet

[@chrislingre9175]

the Morrison baritone; The Manzarek wurlitzer; The Krieger bottleneck; The Densmore drums; The Doors. . .what a great incredibly underrated American band.

[@benbrennan4953]

“This is really really strange” Immediately wants to listen to People Are Strange

[@mtrmann]

It's positively wacky. It just goes to show how crazy things were in the late 1960s.I always thought it was kind of goofy even back in the day.

[@pjacobsma]

Check out the cover of People Are Strange by Brave Combo

[@bighairydel]

jim had one of the best voices ever!. the doors were one of the best bands ever

[@cancercentral9997]

His voice was also hot as fuck.

[@zeeeman8744]

One the greatest “rock” bands ever. Almost everything they did was exceptional. Songs that you almost never hear like Hyacinth House and the Changeling are absolute gems.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

I love the "L.A. Woman" album. Such a pity that Morrison didn't live for them to ever perform it live with him.

[@TimSchmidt_art]

@@Gunners_Mate_Guns The WASP is a badass song too.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

@@TimSchmidt_art "I want to tell you about Texas radio and the big beat." I agree.

[@jackthomson5047]

The best.

[@johnstorton]

@@Gunners_Mate_Guns They performed the songs from it before it was released.

[@suzysaavedra]

I screamed when he said Vegas-y. Literally been thinking this my whole life. The lyrics are dramatic and everything instrumental is showy. Jimmy’s baritone just tickles me endlessly and puts it all over the top in the best way. It’s so hard not to smile while watching these

[@kerimalpaltuncu97]

I love the doors i can tickle you too

[@mr.perfect223]

@@kerimalpaltuncu97 creepy 🙁

[@Screaming-Bees]

@@kerimalpaltuncu97 gtfo

[@willelliot8928]

@@mr.perfect223i love the doors i can tickle you too

[@Cdimitriou1]

I could not agree more

[@markfaris4735]

Ecstatic that you dissected a classic song by The Doors. There was no one like them; and no other band talented enough to replicate their work. This song has it all....the type of stuff that melts your face. As usual Rick, thank you for your analysis and sheer joy covering this song

[@jimmoore1195]

I have never seen Rick so excited before. We need a, "What makes this Rick face so good" channel.

[@justforthehackofit]

yeah ! his face at the string section at 9:04

[@kayelle8005]

Top Twenty Rick reactions

[@thetranya3589]

You should watch his "What makes this song great" on Boston's "More Than A Feeling". You will see similar reaction and glee when he breaks down the vocals.

[@packman5906]

I see Robby Kreiger at some of the charity golf events I cater out here in LA and it just shocks and blows my mind he is the guy who wrote this tune and Light My Fire. He just seems like some old dude that likes to golf. He is so ordinary and friendly.

[@CathyKeating]

I freaking love that you said "Frank Sinatra quality." I remember being a kid, hearing this song on the radio, and I was like "WTF? This sounds like my parents' music?" That is exactly what I thought. Silly me.

[@Gman72400]

"Stronger than dirt"...never knew that is what they said at the end of the song. One of my favorite songs of all-time! Used to try and imitate Jim Morrison's voice in this song...just a classic all around!!

[@fromquake]

albert fisher, pretty sure that “stronger than dirt” had something to do with their first single being sold for a car commercial.

[@54fighting5]

@@thenameless3271 I always thought as you do, but are we sure it was Morrison's voice? Now that I heard Rick isolate it, it kind of sounds like it was right out of the tv commercial, (which I'm old enough to remember) but maybe slowed down a tad. Didn't really sound like JM to me, and if you think about it, would have been a very Morrison-like thing to do lol.

[@daniellarson3068]

Wow! I've heard that song literally hundreds (maybe thousands) of times since its release and never noticed the "stronger than dirt." Amazing!

[@underwoodvoice9077]

The Grateful Dead had an instrumental on Blues For Allah called "Stronger Than Dirt Or Milkin' the Turkey" which quotes that lick. For what that's worth...

[@davidkulmaczewski4911]

I always thought he said "stronger than death". I remember the Ajax commercials, and recognized the jingle, but figured there was no way would they sing that. I have to say, I'm a little disappointed . . . both for being wrong for 40 years, and because my way is cooler.

[@errbt]

John Densmore, one of the most underrated drummers (at least by the general populace) in Rock & Roll history!

[@GeriDoc8]

So is Robbie Krieger

[@Darrylizer1]

Speaking as a drummer, I approve this comment. John never gets his due, but I've always liked the violence and control of his drumming.

[@philmstud2k]

Jim gets all the attention, but Ray, Robby, and John were some of the greatest of all time at their respective instrument.

[@dougmphilly]

@@philmstud2k monster work from when the music over. that guitar solo is insane

[@dortega12]

Underrated the most rated word in youtube

[@conorreedR2C]

I've been listening to so much jazz, fusion, and prog recently I forgot how amazing The Doors are! Time to blow some dust off my old man's vinyl records and get groovin

[@salcasabianca]

Thanks Rick that was gr8.

[@TheDive25]

check out that Doors doc on Netflix When You're Strange.. It's so cool.

[@achimdg6335]

The Doors, the greatest Rock band of all times! Period!

[@KurtLeBlanc]

Time to blow some dust off my collection, and my copy of Soft Parade.

[@theCelticDragon1]

Fusion and Prog are my main port of call, good to look over the shoulder from time to time.

[@kassidylingenfelter9665]

“Touch Me” always sounded so cinematic to me, almost like it belonged in an animated fairytale movie from the 50’s

[@HerbalistGuybrush]

Listen to the musical box from genesis then

[@terrythekittieful]

Has it been used in any movie? It would make a fantastic opening for the right movie.

[@LisaMAltemose]

I've only been following for a few months but I'm addicted to these "What Makes This Song Great" videos! Being severely deaf, I'm not able to discern a lot of what's going on in a song, so I appreciate these breakdowns and explanations. It's like I'm hearing my favorite music for the first time! And seriously, the enthusiasm Rick has during these videos reminds me of a kid at Christmas! LOL such a joy to watch!

[@RDog4484]

Rick, you just blew my mind. I’m 30, I’ve been listening to this song since I was a little kid, and I just NOW heard the “Stronger than dirt” at the very end. I think I need to re-think my entire life.

[@underwoodvoice9077]

Hell, I'm 63 and I'm in the same boat.

[@kilgoretrout3966]

i feared he might not mention it

[@tommypetraglia4688]

I'm 60 kid and life rethunk

[@Madmun357]

If you're 30, and you've been listening to the Doors since you were a kid, I'd say your life is just fine young man.

[@TaylorLames]

I never knew what was said. Well then.

[@ricochofsky8293]

Morrison was a HUGE fan of Sinatra, which may account for his performance in this tune.

[@joesmar1400]

They were baritones both of them, he loves Sinatra's voice and sensitivity

[@erikkopsala3564]

Jim Morrisons generation grew up listening to crooners , jazz blues CnW up to the mid 50s , when rock n roll turned up and created a new style into 60s for folk , pop , Motown ,soul , RnB n rock . Jim was not a musician or a pro trained singer , but a wordsmith and natural crooner , and it's clear with much of his singing style just 1 eg , Riders on the storm , imagine a Frank Sinatra or a Bing Crosby version , yeah that could be real scary , maybe not . The Doors music is unique and original and a hard act to follow , it was their time and place and they all delivered ....and without a bass player .

[@jacobh9344]

When Jim went to the studio for the very first time (to record the first album), he was happy because the microphone he sung in was the same model that Frank Sinatra used!

[@drumpatterns]

Greatest band. They own a record I think. 6 studio albums in just 4 years. No other band could do this. And no one will ever do.

[@robbo03]

Truth.

[@themadmattster9647]

The Doors were completely underrated as a band in general. Dipped into many styles and genres and were great musicians

[@Westerdd]

I think they get tons of recognition to be honest, and deservedly so.

[@garymiller95]

I’m not sure how you can say they were under rated. They were huge in their time and I’m grateful that I got to see them perform even though it was a rather quiet concert (yes they had a few of those).

[@showmetrue6873]

The were massively appreciated.

[@csilt]

Probably one of the most original and important bands of all time. Jim was a troubled genius and RK is and underrated songwriter. The drums, vocals, Ray on keys nothing else sounds like The Doors and nothing else ever will, they are unequaled to this day.

[@scottgilesmusic]

This is my favorite video of yours! Your excitement is absolutely contagious. I salute you!

[@DavidJones-sy4mn]

It's the affect of realizing just what a magical and brilliant moment in time and space it was and how emotionally moving and soul stirring this performance was and is!!!!!!!!!!

[@pummysworld369]

Contagious? A VIRUS? On KZbin?

[@Keifer-D]

Haha, nice try

[@carlgustov7728]

@@DavidJones-sy4mn We think alike👍

[@ericprincen3345]

I am guilty of not appreciating the Doors adequately. Thanks, Rick. That was amazing.

[@s1d299]

They're probably the #1 band I would list on my "yeahhhh, but I just don't dig them all that much" list of rock greats. However, this video makes clear that they have a lot going on in their arrangement and I should probably give them more attention.

[@SirCamsmorethanalot]

@@s1d299 Revelation time!..more going on than most bands - incredible detail - gotta listen intently to pick it all up...drum fills, guitar trills, organ extravaganza plus a voice like no other - totally uniquely creative band!

[@swiggitysk8]

As a (somewhat) classically trained violist, I really enjoyed getting to hear the isolated string parts from this song for the first time. They're so beautiful! It really made me appreciate (even more than I already did!) the sheer artistry that went into this song and just about every Doors song. Thanks Rick! You're so correct about real orchestral instruments simply not being the same as recorded ones. String instruments are naturally very expressive and almost human-like (in tone and voicing) instruments that can simply convey every range of emotion that the player can, but you just can't get that from a computer, no matter how hard you try.

[@mitchswish21]

Check out that entire album ...the soft parade....

[@SurferJoe46]

Give AI a chance --- in a couple of years you'll be able to hear the stray notes and bad intonation from a computer too.

[@Gottenhimfella]

@@SurferJoe46 You are being ironic, I hope?

[@nicholastzanetos606]

What a song!!! Basically, the greatest thing is how they put jazz, flamengo, classical music and poetry altogether. That is what makes the Doors such an amazing band.

[@cdavidlake2]

Rick Beato is a national treasure.

[@deborahannterrell]

yes he is! im glad to be probably his only woman subscriber. I love his show and his talent since i cant read or write music and i play be ear i can learn from watching Ricks videos

[@richardhawley8041]

I'm reading John Desmore's book Riders on the Storm at the moment and I've been listening back to all their albums. I'd never really appreciated just how unique and creative they were. As always, I really enjoy your infectious enthusiasm for music Rick, you have on the best music channels on KZbin.

[@Drewg351]

Was never a Doors fan as I grew up in the 70's. Just never liked their "sound". Always sounded "so old" or "dated". But I can finally appreciate their music and Jim's voice could still melt the panties off of any woman. My God. What a freaking unbelievably unique voice. Just amazing.

[@henryspadt6160]

The doors and Jim Morrison are are my favorite band and vocalist of all time

[@dasbof]

Jim Morrison's deep soulful gravely voice in this song... just perfect.

[@davidmorris826]

I love the Doors. Jim Morrison’s voice is so raw and powerful and what an amazing band. I read years ago that their record company needed a main stream hit for FM radio play and they came up with this tune. Very well orchestrated and very different from most of their other performances.

[@briancooney9952]

It's funny that you compare Morrison to Sinatra in this. As a little kid, hearing The Doors, i always pictured the vocalist as being much older and more 1950s-esque than what he really was. Imagine my surprise, in my early teenage years, when i learned that "That dude sang that???" It's sad to me, that Morrison was so lackadaisical with his talent. He could've been another Sinatra like force in music. He was already a force. Too bad he died when he did. Maybe he would've realized it at some point. Thanks for this vid! Ironically, my normally stoic (late) grandpa loved The Doors. So this made me think of him. Best vid!

[@doyoumind9356]

Morrisons singing on Riders of the Storm always reminded me of Sinatra

[@mumon1969]

On certain parts, when he let's it all out, there is a touch of Elvis too.

[@ianedmonds9191]

@@mumon1969 Totally.

[@lilliewynn5401]

@@mumon1969 Sinatra and Elvis we're his two favorites

[@roadrunner7218]

Being so lackadaisical with his talent was what made him be a Morrison-like force in music.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Just got ready to go to sleep..... Oh look Rick uploaded a new video ... Who needs sleep anyway! Fantastic video Rick.

[@wadecooler7496]

Right?

[@anonymous-hk6ge]

Robert Baker literally me

[@dawnmackey6485]

Me too! Going to be getting to bed a bit late, I guess. 😊

[@troubledsole9104]

Exactly my experience too!

[@gaelenmckee6400]

Oh, hey! Glad to know everybody knows about this channel

[@trv503]

MY favorite band hands down!!! All the tracks, all the riffs the songs everything!!! RIP to Jim and Ray!!! Krieger has played some haunting-est riffs and Densmore is an underrated beats magician.

Ditto mate

[@jkmorrison1013]

I've been listening to this song for 50 years and heard it hundreds of times, always liked it but never my favorite Doors song, and the Doors have been my favorite band for 50 years. I am a guitarist and read music, write music, etc. But I never noticed all of the things you pointed out in this song and how good it all came together, must have been a ton of work and talent combined. You did a very good job. BTW, I know virtually nothing of music therory, wish I did, and can't sight read. all self taught and am a complete hack on guitar, but I still appreciate things like this. thanks.

[@funnylookingfoetus]

The Doors still grown on me honestly. Their music is incredible, Jim's voice is so incredible. The screams, the shouts, the soft singing. He had a broad range and was able to paint many pictures with his vocal chords. From the rawness in 'Wild Child' to ... well yes this one; 'Touch me' - or one of my favorites: People are strange.

[@danj.kauppi3346]

I have heard this song a million times and NEVER heard "Stronger Than Dirt", THAT is why I love Rick Beato and "What Makes This Song Great?"! I wear my "Everything Music" shirt with PRIDE! Thank you Rick!

[@wcstrawberryfields8011]

You too? I always heard "Stronger than Love," but was never too sure. Thanks Rick!

[@TomCasey]

Me too! I don’t know why I never noticed that all these years haha!

[@Garythefireman66]

Almost sounds like this could be the first "sample." Maybe Morrison also did commercial voice over work? Great video!

[@kgipe]

What is even happening? There's no way that's been in there this entire time, and I've never heard it?!? For real?

[@Matt-fv2qb]

@@kgipe You're probably used to hearing the single version. The "Stronger than dirt" isn't in that version.

[@HabAnagarek]

Good lord, so much to process in this song. Those horns! Drums that sound...LIKE DRUMS! Thank you, music gods.

[@iguanaman08]

This was never my favourite Doors song and would skip it, but after watching this I have a new appreciation for it. Thanks. 👍

[@ronr6951]

@@RedroomStudios my favorite doors song.

[@frederickbalo6742]

what?

[@cjsm1006]

I was the same way until I got a Doors songbook and played through the sheet music for it. After I played through it I realized, this is a really good song!

[@mitchswish21]

That's awesome to get a fresh feel for an old tune . This was my favorite album and the lead song (tell all the people)is one of my all time picks and is responsible for making me a doors fan at 11 years old in 1989

[@johncornwell1026]

Exactly how I felt before watching this video. I always rolled my eyes at the cheesy Vegas lounge act feel of it, and even thought the orchestration was the worst part because I only focused on the very simple trumpet line. Hearing the orchestration -- particularly the strings -- on their own is just jaw-dropping. I'm a convert.

[@TheU-hv8qj]

Man this guy knows so much about music it just blows me away.

[@steveclapper5424]

I could not possibly overstate how important this band was to me .

[@marcscordato4385]

Wow I never realized how beautiful and intricate the orchestration is on this song. I’ve long though it was a unique and distinctive song in the world of pop I love his Sinatra esk vibe.

[@adamj7198]

I don't think I've ever seen Rick as excited about a song as I have on this one.

[@davidm6387]

This music isn't really what I'm into, so my plan was to bail as soon as it got boring. Never happened, the entire video was cool as hell and everything I heard kicked ass. What a great song.

[@benshepherd2419]

@@allrequiredfields it'd be fun to see him do an analysis on a recent hit 😂

[@SteveCherches]

That’s what I love about these videos. I always get an appreciation for the music even if I didn’t like it much to begin with. 👍🏼

[@kingkeefage]

I want to ask you why you are so musically sheltered, but I'm just happy you stayed. NEVER think, "I don't like that kind of music." Now, you know why. I encourage you to go back and listen to everything you have ever shunned in the past as well every now and then as you keep getting older and maturing musically. Give everything a try.

[@claygreen4723]

The Doors are the perfect example of what makes a classic band/singer/author/book/artist. Since man has made art the greats have always seperated themselves from the rest. Chopin, Mozart, Led Zeppelin, Beatles/Hemingway- I think you get my point

[@willwetherington]

This episode is "Stronger Than Dirt"! Rick and Tim Peirce always look like they're having such a good time when they are either listening to or making music. I love it. It makes my day!

[@grokman86]

Rick! Reminds of when the teacher would break down Shakespeare plays. Before ... little understanding and appreciation and sensitivity; After, ... wow all that. Thank you Sensei.

[@DionysusJPower]

Robbie Krieger is underrated as a guitar player. Man had style. He needs to make more music

[@JakobSeidl]

As a guitarist and a songwriter

[@lilliewynn5401]

Underrated on guitar and songwriter. First song he ever wrote was their biggest hit

[@vincentkosik403]

Bobby K is one of THE most creative musician of that period and definitely in the top 10! He rocks

[@scottharrison9083]

He wrote touch me too

[@JKBTLB]

"Wooo!" - RB, not once but twice during the sax solo. Priceless.

[@palmerlp]

Rick, once again you have breathed new life into an old classic.

[@MarquezSchoolgirl64]

Terrific analysis! This song is literally impossible to get tired of. The Doors were no boring 3-chord band, for sure. But I didn't realize how VERY many different chords made up "Touch Me" until this moment. Thanks.

[@zacharyariasmusic]

I love how you show the isolated tracks. This is golden

[@olafslim4986]

Seeing someone love and admire music so much is just wonderful

[@hearpalhere]

I was in middle school when I first learned about The Doors. I had an amazing music appreciation teacher and she brought us really cool stuff to listen to - old piano blues players, bluegrass, folk, everything really. She was a bit of a hippie at heart I think and she loved The Doors and told us all about Jim Morrison and I remember it being a very pivotal moment for me in my own love of music. It's awesome to see these kinds of videos Rick, thanks for making them! I also had no idea about the "stronger than dirt" thing at the end of the song. I love when people do weird things like that :-)

[@EduardoRimoli]

This was the first rock band I listened to (when I was a teenager in the 90's) and still one of my favourites. This song is amazingly mind-blowing!!! The Doors!!!

[@AK-Drakoin]

The Doors feel like the romantics of rock and roll So much emotional edge in all their music. Each instrument and each vocal has something moving to say.

[@travisbickle2004]

The Soft Parade only grown on me recently, I never used to listen to it much apart from Touch Me, Wishful Sinful and Wild Child. I now love the album and that it's very different to their other albums, Shaman Blues is brilliant as well as the bonkers title track The Soft Parade. "YOU CANNOT PETITION THE LORD WITH PRAYER!" The Doors still sound fresh and unlike any other rock band to this day.

[@patsfan4life]

Always will

[@Thelonelyscavenger]

Who else loves when Rick air drums?😀

[@zoltannemeth8864]

He also plays a mean air keyboard. Rick is the best!

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

SubArcticWolf Tools & Outdoors Lol, it makes me very happy to know there are other music nerds out there doing the same silly air drumming/guitaring/keyboarding that I do when I’m digging a song. 😊

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192 I thought everybody did that.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

Maybe Rick should be careful about his air playing since someone might recognize it from one of their songs and sue him.

[@rhythmstyx1945]

Nuttin better

[@54fighting5]

Many thumbs up for choosing this song. I've been a Doors fan since I first heard Backdoor Man when it came out. I still have all the original issue lp's on vinyl and Soft Parade remains my favorite. The Doors were, and still are like nothing else in rock music... but especially in 1967 (recorded in 66). Thanks for highlighting John Densmore. I have to admit I never appreciated him when I was a teen because I associated a drummer's talent with the size of their kit (a la Keith Moon & nowadays Neal Pert) and Densmore's setup looked almost toy-like to me. Now I know that he is a FREAKIN' GENIUS. He was unlike any other when he played jazz, latin, and rock rhythms in songs you would never expect they would work. Yet I couldn't imagine those songs being as great without him. I'm a guitar player and I don't profess any knowledge of how a great drummer's mind works, but I know what sounds good to me. I would be interested to here what you drummers out there think. Great song, great band, great production👍

[@JS-wi9mw]

as a drummer and massive Doors fan i can say that Densmore is super super tasty! he was a fan of the Jazz greats (as many 60s drummers were), so it really shows in this song and other swing/r&b or jazzy Doors tracks.

[@jaivkoltun4948]

In my humble or exalted opinion, this is by far and beyond, the most far and beyond channel on KZbin. If you love music this is IT. . . Rick, you take great music and expand it, give it so many more dimensions. . . Muchas gracias amigo. . .

[@andygluehere8266]

I love how they just toss all these sounds in a blender, and magic comes out.

[@oldschoolrr6077]

Remember listening to this song on 93 KHJ-AM when I was in Jr. High during Christmas vacation in '68. Song went to #1 in L.A. right after New Years. The whole Soft Parade Album is great.

[@twomindz79]

Didn't come out to 1969. You may be off by a year.

[@susancioban-dwyer2569]

Touch Me was released first as a single in December 1968 with Wild Child on the B-side. Morrison's vocals were 'live' on the Smothers Brothers show while The Doors mimed to a pre-recorded track, which also first aired in Dec. 68. The Soft Parade album was released in 1969.

[@nelsonleduc8833]

Thanks for this one! I love the modulations in this song. G Bm C E-flat, then B-flat, Dm, E-flat, G-flat -- the same sequence up a m3. Leading to the chorus in the key of D-flat, a tritone (i.e., as far away as you can get) from the original key of G. And then, BAM! back to that A minor vamp. One of the things that makes the breakdown verse so distinctive is that the strings go from playing tutti to featuring just a small ensemble. It sounds like the highest violin part is doubled, but the cello, viola, and second violin are all solo instruments. So you get a string quartet sound vs. the orchestral sound heard on the rest of the song. Thanks, too, for explaining "stronger than dirt" -- although unless you lived in the time, you can't really appreciate the nuance. I think this whole song is irony at its finest. The Doors were an outrageous, "anti-establishment" phenomenon. For them to sing and play in this almost big band style, and then to quote a laundry detergent ad was a great tongue-in-cheek statement. The fact that it is also a phenomenal piece of writing and performance gives it life beyond its original context.

[@LoveMostHigh]

I have a doors book, and their progressions hardly make sense to me, very counterintuitive. Very amazing.

[@amfearliathmor8213]

Amazing musical composition. And there is also 'The Crystal Ship' as well.

[@nikthomas-le7915]

Love The Doors. I love it when I ask people if they've heard of The Doors, and they go, "I'm not sure.....what style do they play?" And, I go...."...erm.........." The Doors were THE first 'Genre Spanners'! Amazing, an often misunderstood songwriters! Great video. More The Doors please!

[@edfulginiti8798]

Rick... I admit I love The Doors... but... this is some of your finest work! Thank you.

[@Drewg351]

That was awesome to listen to this breakdown of this song. Just amazing. And you are SOOOOOOO right when you stated "no one, no 25 year old could get away with this". Jim's voice is so unique. Just amazing.

[@iloveninamusic]

I'm a huge fan of The Doors and really enjoyed watching you go into detail about this genius and unique piece of music :)

[@erin79]

I feel like this is one of their least weird songs, but still a great one, and a great analysis. I definitely have an all new appreciation for the arrangements on this one. The strings in particular. Hard to hear all that nice movement in the cellos with the whole band in there, but isolated, the whole string part is beautiful.

[@thomasgalvin4069]

“Touch me” is not even on my top 10 list of favorite songs from the What Makes This Song Great series but this is my favorite of Rick’s videos. So fun.

[@billnalder1017]

I couldnt take my eyes off that nice concert stack behind Rick in the other room!

[@BriBeast8566]

I love this song it reminds me of living close to my mom's side of the family while my father served in Vietnam. The videos of the Doors are a cool addition.

[@thornmatthew8395]

Brian O'Banion crazy to think his father was part of the Gulf of Tonging incident that was partially responsible for the escalation into the Vietnam war. Just learned that. Seemed Jim was a drastic juxtaposition to his father.

[@BriBeast8566]

Interesting I need to check that out

[@seanpatrick7019]

I've recently gotten back into the Doors after, like, 30 years. I've been listening to interviews with the guys in the band from all over the past 50 years. Great stuff.

[@apaniet]

My all-time favorite song. Thank you for an amazing breakdown and analysis Rick!!! You are the best !!!!

[@hollybeary]

This has always been one of my top five Doors' songs. But I guess I didn't know Jim was only 25 when this was recorded. More wow. Also Rick is hilarious air drumming, he gets so excited!

[@TheMisterMonkeyman]

Densmore being a jazz drummer at heart, always does cool, kinda off-the-wall stuff in Doors tunes. He picked really interesting beats/styles and could just live in the pocket. A big part of what made the Doors so great. Peace.

[@snowfiresunwind]

So true and very underrated.

[@deaconblue949]

I was stoked watching this. My second favorite song from the Doors right behind Light my Fire. Sinatra couldn't have done a better job on this song than Jim. It's too bad that Jim couldn't stick around longer to make some more great music with one of my favorite bands. Thanks Rick!

[@dwc1964]

3:23 - "Who sings like that?" besides Jim Morrison, only Tom Jones comes to mind (like you say, Vegas-y)

[@primalartifice]

I'm glad you mentioned Tom Jones. My wife is quite perceptive, musically, but knows little of classic rock. I'm a huge The Doors fan. One afernoon, on car ride, Touch Me came on the radio. Of course she knows who Jim Morrison is, but when I asker her if she knew who was singing said song, she guessed TOM JONES. I instantly understood her guess.

[@michaeldudash2413]

Van Morrison

[@tonyanddeb1012]

You need to listen to The Divine Comedy then ..... literally a JM clone, and just as excellent

[@WarrenNapier]

One of my first albums i had was The Doors 13 and Touch Me just mesmerized me, i am into mainly ELO, but when you played the string part from the breakdown of Touch Me tears flowed from my eyes, weird. Splashes as big as dimes. Rick, you know music, cheers to ya.

[@marval9119]

The Doors was waaay ahead of its time! What an amazing band!

[@uneedtherapy42]

Rick air drumming is pure zen!

[@wolfgangritter9277]

I know this song for about 30 years - never noticed the "stronger than dirt!" That had me spilling my coffee!

[@mooner2410]

Gentle streets where people play,welcome to the Soft Parade!! I just absolutely DIG, What Makes This Song Great..I am not a musician,so watching Rick dissect the instrumental structure of my favorite Rock tunes,is not only fascinating but enables me to hear things in these songs,some I've been listening to for decades,that I never noticed or picked up on..The coolest part of these vids,is watching Rick's mannerisms & face when he's locked in a part & grooving to the sound and arrangements..

[@mc26collum]

"Who sings like that" pretty much sums up about him. He's the one and only indeed.

[@brucemccreary38]

It is hard to beat orchestrated rock songs. I also love the harpsichord sounds in those old songs. I always wanted to try putting guitar pickups on a harpsichord and see what happens. Never did it but it's a thought!!!

[@francopascual6958]

You look so happy while listening to it! Great episode, thank you Rick, made me smile

[@johnstorton]

Rick Beato: I like that you analyze the songs technically. I beg of you: Check out the title track from that album, The Soft Parade.

[@bartmiller6985]

It just amazes me how complex this band was. Many say the Doors were/are overrated. They apparently haven’t delved deep enough into their catalogue. To think that the dark and dangerous Doors could produce something so heart wrenchingly beautiful attests to their uniqueness and power.

[@Muovinen]

I have not paid much attention to the Doors before but god damn, Rick, I had to cry a little. Astounded.

[@Aswaguespack]

There are classes at the university level that don’t come near this level and there are some “highly educated” music professors who can’t analyze and communicate the nuisances in modern music anywhere near as well as Rick. This is Master Class material in under 15 minutes. Fantastic Presentation Rick.

[@Aswaguespack]

Just a side note to clarify a bit. I do speak from some experience in this regard as I have experience teaching at the University Level and I taught classes in Jazz History. I tried to explain concepts by demonstrating and performing many ideas and concepts of the jazz idiom and I supplemented lecture with guest performers who could come in to help illustrate nuances that are unique to the jazz idiom. Lots of listening combined with demonstrations of basic concepts and how they were integrated into classic jazz was something I felt important to give non-music majors the basics of and appreciation for how important jazz is and why. Slso, I conscripted music majors who were not required to take this class register for and be an active part of the class and use their skills to be student demonstrators (after all if they are going to be teachers and performers, these are skills they need to develop as well). Rick’s great presentation is what more is needed of. 👍🏻

[@Sidneyyoungblood75]

Nuisances (which wouldn't make sense) or did you mean nuances?

[@Aswaguespack]

@@Sidneyyoungblood75 😂 certainly nuances, my bad, but couldn’t still me nuances become nuisances if overdone? 😉 and this is why we should never expect Spell Check to work perfectly.