51 Best Doors Songs List: A Jim Morrison Playlist for Weddings
The Doors were undoubtedly one of the most successful American rock bands in history.
Their classic tracks shaped early rock across the world, and many of their songs are still played at weddings, birthday parties, and other occasions.
We take a closer look at their famous songs with this ultimate The Doors song list.
About The Doors
Inspired by Aldous Huxley’s book “The Doors of Perception”, the band members Jim Morrison (vocals), Ray Manzarek (keyboard), John Densmore (drums), and Robby Krieger (guitar) decided to found The Doors in Los Angels in 1965.
They were one of the most influential, and also controversial, rock bands in the 60s. This was mainly thanks to Morrison’s fantastic voice and lyrics, and not to forget his incredible stage performances.
Many music lovers see the band as an essential part of the time’s counterculture.
The group signed with Elektra Records in 1966, and they released six albums within five years, including some classic hits of all time.
Sadly, in 1971 their vocalist and frontman Jim Morrison died under mysterious circumstances and the band split up slowly until The Doors officially disbanded in 1975.
By 1972, the group had sold almost eight million singles and over four million albums in the US. To date, they have sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Their legacy still lives in their songs, already in the fact that their record sales are one of the highest ever for a band.
Spotify Doors Playlist
Best Songs by the Doors
The Doors had a great number of top hit songs in the 1960s and 70s. Here are some of the best songs from this famous band.
Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)
Released in 1967
Also known as Whisky Bar, the Alabama song has a much older tradition well before The Doors performed it in 1967.
It was originally written by German poet Bertolt Brecht with music by Kurt Weill in the 1920s.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Oh moon of Alabama
We now, must say goodbye
We’ve lost, our good old Mama
And must have whiskey
Back Door Man
Released in 1967
“Back Door Man” is on The Door’s debut album, and it tells the story of a philanderer. It’s the perfect setting for the classic blues scene.
This shouldn’t be surprising as Jim Morrison was a great fan of blues.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’m a back door man, whoa
The men don’t know
But the little girls understand
Been Down So Long
Released in 1971
This song appeared on The Doors Album “L.A. Woman” which was the last studio that the group recorded with the vocalist Jim Morrison.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Won’t you break your lock and key
Yeah, come along here, mister
C’mon and let the poor boy be
Blue Sunday
Released in 1970
“Blue Sunday” has always been incredibly popular with radio stations. The upbeat lyrics and the quest of finding true love make this song a special love song.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
My girl awaits for me in tender time
My girl is mine
She is the world
She is my girl
Break On Through (To The Other Side)
Released in 1967
As the opening track of their debut album “The Doors”, this was a true breakthrough classic. The group’s record company even decided to issue the song as The Doors’ first single.
Although it only reached 126 in the US charts, this song became a firm favorite with the band at concerts.
In the early 90s, “Break On Through” was released as a single in the UK and it became a minor hit, topping the UK Singles Chart at number 64.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
But can you still recall
Time we cried
Break on through to the other side
Cars Hiss By My Window
Released in 1971
This song was first released in 1971 but there was a new version of “Cars Hiss By My Window” on the re-release album of L.A. Woman in 2007.
This album featured some popular new mixes with the remaining band members and their original engineer Bruce Botnick.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Headlight through my window
Shinin’ on the wall
Can’t hear my baby
Though I called and called
End Of The Night
Released in 1967
Featured on The Doors’ debut album, “End Of The Night” was also added to the B-side of their first single “Break On Through” in the same year.
While “End Of The Night” was quite popular with people at the time, the song was not often performed at live concerts, and it ended up being released only in some box sets over the past years.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Realms of bliss, realms of light
Some are born to sweet delight
Five To One
Released in 1968
Sometimes labeled as anti-rock “Five To One” was first released on The Doors’ album “Waiting for the Sun”.
Interestingly, the song credits mention that all the group members wrote the lyrics for this song but it is much more likely that lead singer Jim Morrison wrote the lyrics.
At the Sunset Strip Music Festival in 2012, Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek recorded a live version of this song, together with Marilyn Manson as a vocalist.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Five to one, baby
One in five
No one here gets out alive, now
Hello, I Love You
Released in 1968
“Hello, I Love You” was originally a demo recorded by The Doors in 1965. Although some music lovers claim that this is a rip-off from The Kings, the song became the band’s second Number one in the US.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Hello, I love you, won’t you tell me your name?
Hello, I love you, let me jump in your game
Horse Latitudes
Released in 1967
Horse latitudes are specific ocean regions that contain light winds and calm water. The term itself has an interesting history.
Sometimes horses would be shipped from Europe to the West Indies or America, and these ships would get delayed for so long that on occasion the horses would die.
Then, the sailors would through the dead horses overboard in these calmer areas of water in order to conserve water and food, and also to lighten the load.
The words for “Horse Latitudes” were written by Jim Morrison when he was in high school when he spotted a book cover that showed a horse being thrown overboard.
His poem eventually became the lyrics for the song. But not just the lyrics have a fascinating history, also the sound was unusual.
The band used coke bottles dropped in trash cans, people screaming and coconut shells dropping on a tile floor as sound effects.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Awkward instant
And the first animal is jettisoned
Legs furiously pumping
Their stiff green gallop
Hyacinth House
Released in 1971
“Hyacinth House” was written at the house of Robby Krieger, the guitarist of the band. This might explain the many references to large cats and flowers, such as hyacinths.
There is also a lot of debate around the line “I see the bathroom is clear”. Many believe that this can be taken quite literally as Morrison may have been writing this verse just in the moment when someone left the bathroom.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I see the bathroom is clear
I think that somebody’s near
I’m sure that someone is following me,
Indian Summer
Released in 1970
Guitarist Robby Krieger once mentioned that “Indian Summer” was the very first song that the band ever recorded. It was said to be made for a demo in 1965.
It took five years for the release because the recording quality wasn’t up to a good standard.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I love you the best
Better than all the rest
That I meet in the summer
Indian summer
L’America
Released in 1971
As a reference to Latin America, “L’America” was intended to be used for the film “Zabriskie Point” but the Italian director Michelangelo Antonini rejected it, so they ended up putting it on their album “L.A. Woman” instead.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Change the weather, change your luck
And then he’ll teach ya how to find yourself
L’America
L.A. Woman
Released in 1971
Not just their last album with frontman Jim Morrison, but also a fantastic song, “L.A. Woman” which gives you a true feeling of what it’s like to drive madly down the L.A. freeway, and feel Los Angeles in all its beauty.
The woman as a metaphor for the city was what made this particular song so popular.
Morrison decided to record the vocals for this song in the bathroom of the studio to get a better sound.
Surprisingly, The Doors only performed this song only once live on stage at the State Fair Music Hall in Dallas in 1970.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
L.A. woman Sunday afternoon
Drive through your suburbs
Into your blues, into your blues
Land Ho
Released in 1970
“Land Ho” refers to what sailors say when they see land after spending a long time at sea.
And the song truly reflects the same vibe, with a story of the sea and the desire for freedom.
In The Doors’ usual fashion of improvising and experimenting, the band’s drummer John Densmore designed a so-called “skiffle beat” which was used by musicians in England at the time.
They used washboards, jugs, and other things that could be adapted to make music.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Singing songs of shady sisters
And old time liberty
Songs of love and songs of death
And songs to set men free
Light My Fire
Released in 1967
“Light My Fire” was the brainchild of guitarist Robby Krieger. He was keen on writing about the elements, of earth, water, air, and fire because he wanted to talk about something more universal.
Krieger wanted people to interpret the song for themselves, and fire is something that everyone experiences now and then.
But it wasn’t just Krieger who wrote the full song. Everyone in the band contributed, from Ray Manzarek’s famous organ intro to John Densmore’s rhythm.
At one point, the car manufacturer Buick offered the band a large sum of money to use “Light My Fire” in a car advert, but The Doors refused.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Come on, baby, light my fire
Come on, baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire, yeah
Love Her Madly
Released in 1971
A true love song, although Robby Krieger dedicated it to his favorite guitar at the time. The song lyrics are about Krieger’s girlfriend, Lynn, who threatened to him.
Lynn Veres met The Doors at the Ondine Club in New York City, and she had a brief affair with Jim Morrison, but she ended up marrying Krieger in 1972.
“Love Her Madly” was released in early March 1971, at the same time when Morrison left the US for Paris where he died only a few months later.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Don’t ya love her ways?
Tell me what you say?
Don’t ya love her as she’s walkin’ out the door?
All your love
Love Me Two Times
Released in 1967
Another song written by Robby Krieger, “Love Me Two Times” is inspired by the travels of the band and American soldiers going to fight in the Vietnam War.
The track was initially released as a single and it was an instant success with listeners. It still wasn’t up to standard for the first Doors album, so it eventually ended up on the second album “Strange Days”.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Love me two times, girl
One for tomorrow
One just for today
Love me two times
I’m goin’ away
Love Street
Released in 1968
“Love Street” was inspired by a street in Laural Canyon, California. This was the place where Morrison lived with his girlfriend at the time.
The popular line “There’s a store where the creatures meet” talks about the local store where the hippies would hang out and gather.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
She lives on Love Street
Lingers long on Love Street
She has a house and garden
I would like to see what happens
Maggie M’Gill
Released in 1970
Maggie M’Gill was a fictional character created by Jim Morrison. He imagined her to be a woman who works on the streets to make a living.
The song was a work in progress after their 1967 concert in Ann Arbor, and it was released only in 1970.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’ve been singing the blues ever since the world began, yeah
Maggie, Maggie, Maggie M’Gill
Roll on, roll on, Maggie M’Gill
Moonlight Drive
Released in 1967
Another beautiful song written by Jim Morrison, “Moonlight Drive” was written when he lived on a rooftop in Venice Beach, California.
From up there, the night felt wonderfully clear and he could quietly observe people’s windows.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Fall into an ocean, no, no
Moonlight drive
Moonlight drive
My Eyes Have Seen You
Released in 1967
“My Eyes Have Seen You” was one of the band’s first songs written for a demo in 1965. At that time, Robby Krieger hadn’t joined the band yet.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
My eyes have seen you
Turn and stare
Fix your hair
Move upstairs
My Wild Love
Released in 1968
“My Wild Love” is quite a unique song for The Doors. It uses only minimal sound effects, such as a rattle, hand clapping, and a basic drum in the background.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
My wild love went ridin’
She rode to the sea
She gathered together
Some shells for her head
Not To Touch The Earth
Released in 1968
This is said to be one of the last songs that Jim Morrison listened to before he died in 1971.
The lyrics were taken from a part of one of Jim Morrison’s poems. The song itself doesn’t cover the entire poem. The full poem was printed on the album sleeve of “Waiting for the Sun”.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Moon is lying still
Shadows of the trees
Witnessing the wild breeze
C’mon baby run with me
Let’s run
Peace Frog
Released in 1970
“Peace Frog” was another song inspired by Morrison’s poems. It was written in the studio, and Krieger created a guitar riff for it.
Morrison’s lyrics were taken from an experience a few years earlier when his family came across a group of Indians who were involved in a car accident on the highway.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Blood in the streets turn a river of sadness
Blood in the streets, it’s up to my thigh
Yeah, the river runs red down the legs of a city
Next, listen to a wedding playlist by The Turtles.
People Are Strange
Released in 1967
This track is heavily inspired by Morrison’s mental health issues and depression. He wrote the song together with Robby Krieger.
At the guitarist’s house, Morrison wrote the full lyrics that spoke about alienation during difficult times.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
People are strange
When you’re a stranger
Faces look ugly
When you’re alone
Queen Of The Highway
Released in 1970
“Queen Of The Highway” was written by Morrison and Krieger about Morrison’s relationship with his then-girlfriend Pamela Courson.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
He was a monster
Black, dressed in leather
She was a princess
Queen of the highway
Riders On The Storm
Released in 1971
This song is often said to be the very last song that Morrison recorded before he went to France. The single “Riders On The Storm” was released a month before his death.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Riders on the storm
Into this house, we’re born
Into this world, we’re thrown
Like a dog without a bone
Roadhouse Blues
Released in 1970
Jim Morrison had a blues background, and he loved singing blues when he was drunk. At one of The Doors’ jam sessions, Morrison just came up with the lyrics.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Yeah, the back of the Roadhouse
They got some bungalows
And that’s for the people
Who like to go down slow
Runnin’ Blue
Released in 1969
“Runnin’ Blue” is a tribute track to Otis Redding who died at age 26 shortly before he was scheduled to play with The Doors.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
All right, look at my shoes
Not quite the walkin’ blues
Don’t fight, too much to lose
Can’t fight the runnin’ blues
Shaman’s Blues
Released in 1969
In another blues song, the band created a spoken sound effect by layering different ad-lib elements from other tracks.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’d give it all right back to you
A how it has to be with you
I know your moves
And your mind
Ship Of Fools
Released in 1970
“Ship Of Fools” was most likely inspired by a Katherine Anne Porter book of the same name. It was also turned into a movie in 1965.
Since then, the title has been used in a number of different rock lyrics.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Lookin’ for a new a ship
Come on, people, better climb on board
Come on, baby, now we’re goin’ home
Ship of fools
Soul Kitchen
Released in 1967
As plain as it may sound, “Soul Kitchen” was inspired by a soul food restaurant that Jim Morrison visited often near Venice Beach.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Let me sleep all night in your soul kitchen
Warm my mind near your gentle stove
Turn me out and I’ll wander, baby
Spanish Caravan
Released in 1968
Written by Robby Krieger, “Spanish Caravan” shows how well he can handle almost any type of guitar, including the flamenco guitar.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Andalucia with fields full of grain
I have to see you again and again
Take me, Spanish caravan
Yes, I know you can
Strange Days
Released in 1967
“Strange Days” was the earliest time when a band used a Moog synthesizer. The group used it to add sound effects over Morrison’s vocals.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Strange days have found us
And through their strange hours
We linger alone
Bodies confused
Take It As It Comes
Released in 1967
Ray Manzarek mentioned that his famous organ solo for “Take It As It Comes” was inspired by another famous composer, Johann Sebastian Bach.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Take it easy, baby
Take it as it comes
Don’t move too fast
And you want your love to last
Tell All The People
Released in 1969
Unusually, with this song, Morrison insisted that the band would use individual writing credits because he didn’t want anyone to think that he wrote: “Tell All The People”.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Tell all the people that you see,
Follow me.
Follow me down.
Tell all the people that you see,
We’ll be free
The Changeling
Released in 1971
“The Changeling” was the first recorded song for The Doors’ album “L.A. Woman”. It is said to hint at the continual transformation that Jim Morrison went through as an artist, and personally.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
I’m a changeling
See me change
I’m a changeling
See me change
I’m the air you breathe
The Crystal Ship
Released in 1967
Although often believed that this song talks about drugs, the lyrics for “The Crystal Ship” came from one of Morrison’s poems that he wrote after a breakup with his girlfriend Mary Werbelow.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
The days are bright and filled with pain
Enclose me in your gentle rain
The time you ran was too insane
The End
Released in 1967
“The End” was created more out of necessity because The Doors had a few live performances at a Los Angeles club where they used to be the house band in 1966.
At that time, they needed to extend their repertoire, so they started to experiment with a few different lyrics.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
The end
No safety or surprise
The end
I’ll never look into your eyes again
The Mosquito
Released in 1971
“The Mosquito” was released on the second album after Jim Morrison’s death, “Full Circle”. It hit the Top 100 in both the UK and US.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
No me moleste mosquito
Let me eat my burrito
No me moleste mosquito
Why don’t you go home?
The Soft Parade
Released in 1969
This song sold well but the title track of Doors’ fourth album wasn’t very popular with critics.
Lyrics Quote”
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
The Unknown Soldier
Released in 1968
Not specifically about the Vietnam War, this is a moving anti-war song.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Make a grave for the unknown soldier
Nestled in your hollow shoulder
The unknown soldier
The WASP (Texas Radio and The Big Beat)
Released in 1970
Another minimalist song, this track is a simple spoken word piece from Morrison’s poetry, together with Densmore’s drums.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Live with us in forests of azure
Out here on the perimeter there are no stars
Out here we is stoned, immaculate
Touch Me
Released in 1969
“Touch Me” was released over seven months before the album was released.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Now, I’m going to love you
‘Til the heavens stop the rain
I’m going to love you
‘Til the stars fall from the sky
For you and I
Twentieth Century Fox
Released in 1967
Producer Paul Rothchild asked the group to walk over wooden planks while singing the chorus. This created the pounding effect.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
No tears, no fears
No ruined years, no clocks
She’s a twentieth century fox
Unhappy Girl
Released in 1967
Ray Manzarek listened to this song in reverse and then played the piano backward. This was then added to the track.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Unhappy girl
Tear your web away
Saw through all your bars
Melt your cell today
Waiting For The Sun
Released in 1970
Although this was the title for their second album, “Waiting for the Sun” was re-released in their fifth album “Morrison Hotel” because they wanted to improve the quality of the track.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Now that spring has come
And it’s time to live in the
Scattered sun
Waiting for the sun
We Could Be So Good Together
Released in 1970
Released in 1968, this is a really upbeat song which is almost unusual for The Doors at the time.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
We could be so good together
Ya, we could, know we could
Tell you lies
Tell you wicked lies
When The Music’s Over
Released in 1967
For all of us, music is the fire of life, and when the music stops, so does our energy and motivation.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
When the music’s over
Turn out the lights
Turn out the lights
Wild Child
Released in 1969
“Wild Child” contains all the elements of The Doors’ early sound.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
Natural child, terrible child
Not your mother’s or your father’s child
You’re our child, screaming wild
Yes, The River Knows
Released in 1968
As the lyrics refer to drowning in wine, this song is often considered to be talking about suicide.
Most Meaningful Lyrics:
On and on it goes
Breath under water ’til the end
Yes, the river knows
The Doors’ Highest-Charting Singles – US
- #1 “Light My Fire” / “The Crystal Ship”, 1967
- #1 “Hello, I Love You” / “Love Street”, 1968
- #3 “Touch Me” / “Wild Child”, 1968
- #11 “Love Her Madly” / “You Need Meat (Don’t Go No Further)”, 1971
- #12 “People Are Strange” / “Unhappy Girl”, 1967
- #14 “Riders on the Storm” / “Changeling”, 1971
- #25 “Love Me Two Times” / “Moonlight Drive”, 1967
The Doors have been awarded a range of prizes, including eight consecutive golden LPs.
The band is listed in the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”, and they were even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Have a favorite Doors song? Please share your song below in the comments and why it’s special to you.
