Today in Music (1967): The Doors “People Are Strange” charted

People Are Strange The Doors

Writer(s): Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger (see lyrics here) First Charted: September 16, 1967 Peak: 12 BB, 10 CB, 16 GR, 10 HR, 2 CL, 11 CN, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.2 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 49.60 video, 346.03 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The Doors released their self-titled debut album in January 1967. The album was a huge success, reaching #2 on the Billboard album chart and selling four million copies in the U.S. alone. The album also produced the #1 hit “Light My Fire.” Before year’s end, the band was back with their second album, Strange Days. It was another platinum success and reached #3 on the album chart. The lead single was “People Are Strange.” The writing on the song started in early 1967. Drummer John Densmore, who was rooming with guitarist Robby Krieger at the time, said lead singer Jim Morrison visited them, depressed. Krieger said they took a walk along Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles WKSF Morrison returned euphoric with the beginning lyrics of “People Are Strange” in his head. WK Morrison may have been addressing “the hippie culture, to outsiders in general, or to users of drugs such as LSD.” WK He “dismisses the standard pseudo psychedelia of the vast majority of concurrent pop music. In its stead, he creates an observational excursion into the human psyche set to an almost surrealistic vaudevillian melody. The Doors unique instrumental approach is one of the keys to their unequalled musical individuality -- likewise reflecting the nature of the band itself.” AMG The song opens with “Krieger’s lonesome and ominous three note prelude to Morrison’s verse. During the chorus, the pair are joined simultaneously by John Densmore’s restrained and even tempo drumming as well as Ray Manzarek’s highly stylised tack piano. This is punctuated by the abrupt stop-start rhythm preceding the line ‘when you’re strange.’ After a repeat of the sole verse, the first instrumental break features a spirited, yet reserved, solo from Krieger. Following the second coda of the chorus, Manzarek’s lead is a bit more reflective of his adaptable personality as a keyboardist and his ability to effortlessly incorporate from trippy and languid psychedelia to a more grounded sound. A relevant case in point is the audible non sequitur of the ragtime/barroom tack piano that gives this track such an unusual balance.” AMG Resources: AMG All Music Guide song review by Lindsay Planer SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 4/28/2024.