The Doors is a legendary band that was formed in Los Angeles in the 1960’s. During an era of songs about peace and love and happiness, they produced music that was the opposite of those ideas. Their music was dark and filled with the harsh realities of the human condition. 

Originally, their band name was The Doors of Perception, until they shortened it to just The Doors. Oddly enough, The Doors of Perception was a book written by Aldous Huxley in the 1950’s about the author’s experience with a drug similar to LSD.

The music released by The Doors is mainly based on poems that were written by their main singer, Jim Morrison. His voice and lyrics will never be recreated. Unfortunately, Morrison died in a bathtub in Paris in 1971 at the age of 27. He was the face of the band and appeared on many of their album covers.

The Doors officially formed in 1965, during the height of the Vietnam War. They became a staple of rock and roll and never lost their fame, and they still haven’t to this day. 

Their early work consisted of their self-titled album as well as an album titled Strange Days, both of which were released in 1967. These albums are their most popular, alongside their 1971 album LA Woman, which was released the same year Morrison passed away.

The most popular song by The Doors is “Light My Fire” from their first album. This song is a classic and is one of the best tunes of the 1960s. Even though it is a seven-minute song, it makes those seven minutes worthwhile. You hear those classic rock sounds, but The Doors have added their own twist and Morrison’s unique vocals. Although this is a rock song, it is very enjoyable even for listeners who do not prefer that genre.

From their LA Woman album, the song “Love Her Madly” isn’t as popular as some of the other tracks on the album, but it is just as amazing. This song was even used in the American movie classic Forrest Gump. The piano and the vocals that appear in this song are what put it all together, since it sounds like it was recorded in an old-time jazz club.

Another great song is “Love Me Two Times”, from the Strange Days album, and it uses a musical instrument that is similar to a piano, but that has a very different sound, called an electric harpsichord. This gives the song that unique sound, and it makes for a very intriguing listen. 

Ultimately, The Doors questioned social norms, authority, morality and desire, while also successfully blending gothic music with jazz and rock. This is why they gained so much popularity in a time when most artists were producing purely happy tunes. To this day, their music stands as one of the most unique and influential in rock history. You should definitely give them a try, especially the next time you are looking for new music.