Doors Song List: Top 10 Amazing Essentials

The Doors. Just hearing the name conjures images of poetic mystique, psychedelic rock, and the enigmatic presence of Jim Morrison. Their music transcended mere tunes, becoming a cultural phenomenon that continues to captivate generations. For fans, old and new, delving into their discography is an immersive experience. This comprehensive guide aims to unravel the complete Doors Song List, meticulously detailing every track from their iconic studio albums. Beyond the full catalog, we’ll also curate a definitive “Top 10 Amazing Essentials” to highlight the pinnacle of their groundbreaking artistry.

From their explosive debut to their final studio recordings with Jim Morrison, The Doors forged a sound unlike any other. Their blend of blues, rock, jazz, and classical influences, coupled with Morrison’s evocative lyrics, created a timeless legacy. Understanding the full scope of their Doors Song List is crucial to appreciating their enduring impact on music history.

The Complete Doors Song List: A Studio Album Journey

The Doors released six studio albums with Jim Morrison, followed by two more as a trio and a posthumous album featuring Morrison’s poetry. Each album represents a distinct chapter in their evolution, showcasing their experimental spirit and lyrical depth. Here’s the complete Doors Song List, album by album.

The Doors (1967)

Their self-titled debut was a seismic event in rock history, launching them into stardom with its raw energy and poetic intensity. It set the stage for their unique sound.

• Break On Through (To the Other Side)
• Soul Kitchen
• The Crystal Ship
• Twentieth Century Fox
• Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)
• Light My Fire
• Back Door Man
• I Looked at You
• End of the Night
• Take It as It Comes
• The End

Strange Days (1967)

Released the same year as their debut, “Strange Days” continued their exploration of dark, complex themes, showcasing increased musical sophistication and a deeper dive into psychedelic soundscapes. This album solidified their artistic vision within the burgeoning Doors Song List.

• Strange Days
• You’re Lost Little Girl
• Love Me Two Times
• Unhappy Girl
• Horse Latitudes
• Moonlight Drive
• People Are Strange
• My Eyes Have Seen You
• I Can’t See Your Face in My Mind
• When the Music’s Over

Waiting for the Sun (1968)

“Waiting for the Sun” marked their first (and only) #1 album. It featured a more diverse sound, blending their signature psychedelic rock with blues and pop sensibilities, expanding the stylistic range of the Doors Song List.

• Hello, I Love You
• Love Street
• Not to Touch the Earth
• Summer’s Almost Gone
• Wintertime Love
• The Unknown Soldier
• Spanish Caravan
• My Wild Love
• We Could Be So Good Together
• Yes, the River Knows
• Five to One

The Soft Parade (1969)

A departure from their previous works, “The Soft Parade” incorporated orchestral arrangements and horns, leading to a more polished, pop-oriented sound. While controversial among some fans, it showcased their willingness to experiment with the Doors Song List.

• Tell All the People
• Touch Me
• Shaman’s Blues
• Do It
• Easy Ride
• Wild Child
• Runnin’ Blue
• Wishful Sinful
• The Soft Parade

Morrison Hotel (1970)

Returning to their blues-rock roots, “Morrison Hotel” was a grittier, more direct album. It was seen as a powerful comeback, reaffirming their core sound after the experimental “Soft Parade.” It’s a beloved entry in the complete Doors Song List.

• Roadhouse Blues
• Waiting for the Sun
• You Make Me Real
• Peace Frog
• Blue Sunday
• Ship of Fools
• Land Ho!
• The Spy
• Queen of the Highway
• Indian Summer
• Maggie M’Gill

L.A. Woman (1971)

The final album with Jim Morrison, “L.A. Woman,” is often considered a masterpiece, a raw and powerful blues-rock statement that captured the band’s essence. It’s a fitting swan song for one of rock’s most iconic frontmen, completing the primary Doors Song List era.

• The Changeling
• Love Her Madly
• Been Down So Long
• Cars Hiss by My Window
• L.A. Woman
• L’America
• Hyacinth House
• Crawling King Snake
• The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)
• Riders on the Storm

Other Voices (1971)

Following Jim Morrison’s death, the remaining Doors (Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore) continued as a trio. “Other Voices” was their first album without Morrison, with Manzarek and Krieger sharing vocal duties. It offers a glimpse into their continued musical exploration.

• Variations on a Theme from The Celestial Music
• Ships w/ Sails
• Tightrope Ride
• Down on the Farm
• I’m Horny, I’m Stoned
• Verdilac
• In the Eye of the Sun
• Two Sisters
• Easy Ride
• Lines on My Hand
• Wandering Musician
• Hang on to Your Life

Full Circle (1972)

“Full Circle” was the second and final album released by The Doors as a trio. It further explored jazz and funk influences, demonstrating their versatility even without their iconic frontman. While less celebrated, it remains part of the official Doors Song List.

• Get Up and Dance
• 4 Billion Souls
• Verdilac
• The Piano Bird
• The Mosquito
• Tree Trunks
• It Slipped My Mind
• The Peking King and the New York Queen
• Black Polished Chrome
• Get Out of My Life
• C’mon America
• The Road Is Long
• The Train Is Coming
• The Movie

An American Prayer (1978)

Years after Morrison’s death, the surviving members reunited to set some of his spoken-word poetry to music. “An American Prayer” is a haunting and powerful tribute, offering a unique addition to the Doors Song List, showcasing Morrison’s lyrical genius in a new light.

• Awake
• Ghost Song
• Dawn’s Highway
• Newborn Awakening
• To Come of Age
• Black Polished Chrome
• Latino Chrome
• Angels and Sailors
• Stoned Immaculate
• The Movie
• Curses, Invocations
• American Night
• Roadhouse Blues
• L.A. Woman
• Break On Through (To the Other Side)
• Ghost Song (Reprise)
• A Feast of Friends
• The Indian Road
• The World on Fire
• An American Prayer

Curating Your Essential Doors Song List: Top 10 Amazing Tracks

With such a rich and extensive discography, choosing just ten essential tracks from the full Doors Song List is a challenging but rewarding task. These songs represent the band’s peak creativity, lyrical depth, and musical innovation, offering a perfect starting point for any listener.

These selections encapsulate the band’s mystical aura, their bluesy grit, and their undeniable ability to craft enduring hits. Each track on this essential Doors Song List tells a story, evokes a mood, and showcases the unique synergy between Jim Morrison’s poetry and the band’s instrumental prowess.

1. Light My Fire (The Doors, 1967)

An undisputed classic, “Light My Fire” catapulted The Doors to national fame. Its iconic organ riff by Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger’s intricate guitar solo, and Morrison’s passionate vocals create a mesmerizing seven-minute epic that perfectly encapsulates the psychedelic era.

2. The End (The Doors, 1967)

More than just a song, “The End” is a theatrical journey into the subconscious. This sprawling, Oedipal masterpiece showcases Morrison’s poetic ambition and the band’s ability to create a truly immersive and unsettling sonic experience. It’s a dark, captivating cornerstone of the Doors Song List.

3. Riders on the Storm (L.A. Woman, 1971)

The ethereal, rain-soaked atmosphere of “Riders on the Storm” is instantly recognizable. Morrison’s hushed, almost whispered vocals, combined with Manzarek’s electric piano mimicking rain, create a haunting and cinematic farewell. It’s a testament to their ability to evoke powerful imagery.

4. L.A. Woman (L.A. Woman, 1971)

A blues-rock powerhouse, “L.A. Woman” is an ode to the city that shaped them. Its driving rhythm, raw guitar riffs, and Morrison’s gritty vocals capture the essence of a band at the peak of their powers, delivering a visceral and unforgettable track from the Doors Song List.

5. Break On Through (To the Other Side) (The Doors, 1967)

The opening track of their debut album, “Break On Through” is an electrifying burst of energy. Its frantic tempo and urgent lyrics immediately announce The Doors’ arrival, pushing boundaries and inviting listeners to a new sonic dimension.

6. People Are Strange (Strange Days, 1967)

A poignant reflection on alienation and loneliness, “People Are Strange” combines a whimsical, almost carnival-like melody with Morrison’s introspective lyrics. It’s a beautifully melancholic piece that resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.

7. When the Music’s Over (Strange Days, 1967)

Another epic from “Strange Days,” this track is a powerful statement about the nature of performance and creation. Its dynamic shifts, from quiet introspection to explosive rock, demonstrate the band’s mastery of musical storytelling within their evolving Doors Song List.

8. Roadhouse Blues (Morrison Hotel, 1970)

A no-nonsense, rollicking blues anthem, “Roadhouse Blues” is pure, unadulterated rock and roll. It’s a fan favorite for its infectious energy, gritty lyrics, and the raw, live-wire feeling it conveys, a standout on the Doors Song List for its sheer power.

9. Love Her Madly (L.A. Woman, 1971)

With its catchy guitar riff and upbeat tempo, “Love Her Madly” is one of The Doors’ most accessible and enduring singles. It showcases their ability to craft perfect pop-rock while still retaining their signature lyrical edge.

10. Touch Me (The Soft Parade, 1969)

Featuring a prominent orchestral arrangement and powerful brass, “Touch Me” is a grand, theatrical piece that became a major hit. It highlights The Doors’ adventurous spirit and their willingness to experiment with different musical textures, proving the diversity of the Doors Song List.

The Enduring Legacy of The Doors’ Music

The impact of The Doors extends far beyond their initial run. Their music, characterized by its poetic depth, bluesy swagger, and psychedelic experimentation, continues to influence countless artists across genres. Jim Morrison’s shamanistic stage presence and profound lyrics, combined with the band’s innovative sound, cemented their place in the pantheon of rock legends. You can often find their music referenced in films, literature, and other cultural works, a testament to its timeless appeal.

Unpacking the Depth of The Doors Song List

Beyond the hits, the complete Doors Song List reveals a band constantly pushing artistic boundaries. Their albums are not just collections of songs but cohesive artistic statements, each offering a window into the tumultuous and transformative late 1960s and early 1970s. From the raw blues of “Morrison Hotel” to the jazz-infused explorations of their post-Morrison work, their discography is a rich tapestry of musical innovation and lyrical introspection.

The Doors’ ability to blend poetry with rock, often exploring themes of death, love, freedom, and rebellion, set them apart. Their music resonated with a generation seeking meaning and escape, and it continues to speak to those very human experiences today. The intricate interplay between Manzarek’s keyboards, Krieger’s guitar, Densmore’s drums, and Morrison’s vocals created a sound that was both instantly recognizable and endlessly complex.

Conclusion

Exploring the complete Doors Song List is a journey through one of rock music’s most iconic and influential careers. From the raw power of their self-titled debut to the haunting beauty of “L.A. Woman” and beyond, every track tells a part of their extraordinary story. Whether you’re revisiting old favorites or discovering new gems, the depth and breadth of their studio output offer endless fascination.

The “Top 10 Amazing Essentials” serve as a perfect gateway, but the true magic lies in immersing yourself in the entirety of their work. Each album, each song, contributes to the legend of The Doors. What’s your favorite track from the extensive Doors Song List? Share your thoughts and tell us which songs you consider essential in the comments below!