by Nikki Everett

Created on: December 12, 2009

Top ten songs by The Doors

The tragic and poetic Jim Morrison headed up the progressive sound of The Doors with his lyrical genius and charismatic effect. But Morrison’s enigmatic personality was only the voice in front of fellow geniuses Ray Manzarek(bass), John Densmore(drums), and Robbie Krieger(guitar) – all of them talented visionaries before their time. Hailed by many as one of the greatest rock and roll bands, their cultish popularity still reigns today.

Their greatest hits are compiled here for your factual based knowledge and some of the history behind the biggest recording successes of The Doors.

10. Break on Through (to the other side) - The Haight Ashbury Hippie scene was in full swing and through the swirling smoke of patchouli incense, a star was born in Jim Morrison’s unique singing style. Break On Through (to the other side) was released in 1967 making it their first single to get a spot on any music chart.

The psychadelic sound of Break on Through showed the variety and multitude of talents that the Doors posessed. Their hard rock blended with deep blues bass lines of piano bass and organ would set their sound apart for all time. Coupled with it all was Jim Morrison’s artsy dark beatnik style with a touch of groovy hipster thrown in – the mixture would prove to be just right.

9. People Are Strange – In 1970, the song that became the anthem of those who were considered freaks everywhere and defined their struggle with mainstream society was released. The Doors had begun delving into the heavier side of their sound and spreading their wings as pioneers in the new genre of acid rock.

It was no secret that Morrison’s proclivity for experimenting with LSD fueled the band’s hits with taboo innuendos within their lyrics. Although many could argue that Morrison’s own reclusive habits of drug addiction and temperamental attitude inspired the words of People Are Strange, it is still heavily played on classic rock stations of today.

8. Hello I Love You - The 1968 single became an instant hit and reached #1 on the U.S. charts despite controversy that the riffs were stolen from the Kink’s song All Day And All Of The Night. Written about a girl walking on the beach that Morrison had spotted, most critics claim Hello, I Love You as being a pop sellout song to give The Doors a jump start into the recording industry. Either way, its still a song you can’t help but sing along with no matter where

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>