You’re unlikely to find a better debut album than “The Doors”.
Jim Morrison and company cooked up something Bluesy and eternally catchy with their first effort … but how would I rank every track?
Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:
OK
11 – Take It as It Comes
None of the songs on their debut album are bad, but a few are quite repetitive and derivative of what came before.
“Take It as It Comes” doesn’t do anything we haven’t heard on the other tracks.
10 – Back Door Man
Standard Blues.
9 – End of the Night
A little freaky, but “End of the Night” doesn’t do enough to hold my attention.
Good
8 – I Looked at You
Very 60’s with its upbeat rhythm.
“I Looked at You” isn’t a Doors classic by any means, but I have fun with it.
7 – Twentieth Century Fox
“Twentieth Century Fox” has a fun rhythm again and a catchy chorus, but it’s a little too one-note to qualify for the top tiers.
Great
6 – Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)
Some Doors songs excel in creating a vivid atmosphere, and “Alabama Song” is a prime example.
It’s immediately engrossing, and the whimsical instrumentation puts a smile on my face.
5 – The Crystal Ship
“The Crystal Ship” is all about that glorious build.
That chorus hits like crack, so I only wish the song was longer.
4 – Soul Kitchen
One of the most under-appreciated Doors songs. This should be played on radios as much as the others!
Jim Morrison’s vocals are immense, and this is one of the best uses of the electric organ.
All-Time Great
3 – Light My Fire
We’re skipping straight to the “All-Time Great” tier for these top three tracks – The Doors’ debut album was an incredible first effort across the board.
To many, “Light My Fire” is the definitive Doors song. The sultry vocals, the electric organ, the masterful instrumentals – this track has it all.
2 – The End
Undoubtedly one of the best closers in music history.
It’s perverse, deeply unsettling, and yet Jim Morrison’s central performance and the eerie background music are enthralling.
1 – Break on Through (To the Other Side)
The closer may be an all-timer, but it’s their opening song that I’ll always cherish most.
It’s one of the great band introductions ever – they come out the gate swinging with complex instrumentation and powerful lyrics, and I love every second.
Aaaaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below:
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