Music Stories Episode 4 (The Doors - Light My Fire)

     Welcome to music stories. I’m your host, Damian DeadLove. Tonight’s band is, “The Doors”. I’m a huge fan of this group since the first time I heard them when I was 13 years old. Which was many, many, summers ago. They have such a distinct sound, mainly because of the organ. I’m convinced that’s a big part of it, but it’s not the whole picture by any means.
 
      The Doors, formed in 1965. After some early lineup changes, these four men are recognized as the members of the band. They are: Jim Morrison - Vocals, Robby Krieger - Guitar, Ray Manzarek - Organ/Keyboards, John Densmore - Drums/Percussion. They were active from 1967 to 1971. In July of 71, Morrison died in Paris, France. He was 27.  
 
      This band is very influential to me, especially lyrically. I’m a lyricist at heart I always have been. I studied lyrics constantly to develop my craft. I’m tough on myself here at DU, because I don’t feel I’m a true poet. I haven’t studied all the greats. Jim Morrison, was the bridge for me between the two crafts. He considered himself a poet, and released poetry books. I own them both and have read them many times. He inspired some of my style, I'm sure.
 
      Sorry for the left turn there, we now return you to your regularly scheduled program already in progress. The point of this story is that “The Doors” had a secret lyrical weapon. Morrison, gets most of the credit and he did write a bulk of the words. But Robby Krieger was pretty efficient with the pen as well.  
 
      In fact their biggest hit was “Light My Fire”. What people don’t know is that Krieger had started penning the words the night before practice. The title was his for sure. Don’t go by the movie about them that was released in the 90’s.  
 
      Even though, Densmore, the drummer had written the book “Riders On The Storm” and it was supposedly used to write the screenplay for the film. But we all know Hollyweird always exaggerates the truth. We all know them the rules. According to Hoyle that is.
 
      They’d have you believe Krieger had the title and like the first two lines of the song, then Morrison just adlib’s the rest of it on the spot. I don’t think that’s entirely true myself.  
 
      Especially being the movie pissed off a real woman by misrepresenting her relationship with Morrison in the flick. The director admitted to adding two other smaller characters into the portrayal of her character. Something smells shitty here. Just saying.
 
      Anyways thru reading other books and studying “Doors” history. I’m gonna make a calculated guess and say Krieger probably had the first verse written. Which is repeated as the fourth verse.  
 
      Morrison, I believe wrote the second verse which is also repeated as the third verse. I’m unsure about the Chorus. It’s possible it’s a combination of them both. But since Krieger had the song title it’s possible the chorus is his as well.
 
      I said, Krieger was a secret weapon earlier. Well this should help build my case to prove that point. He wrote or co-wrote three more hits. Including, “Love Me Two Times, Touch Me, and Love Her Madly”. Along with other deep cuts on their albums. Such as “Wishful Sinful, and Spanish Caravan” to name a few.
 
      Well that’s another episode in the books. Hope you enjoyed it. Remember music is the soundtrack of our lives. Peace, Love, and Lennon.
 
 
Damian DeadLove