Riders on the Storm (1971) 7/15/20

Jim Morrison of The Doors was, without a doubt, a complex individual. He was also incredibly intelligent, and it was one the biggest tragedies in the history of rock and roll when he died of an overdose at the way-too-young age of 27.

When you dig deep into the songs he wrote, you'll discover all sorts of eclectic influences, and today's “Great Song of the '70s. Is a perfect example.

1971's “Riders on the Storm” is from “LA Woman,” the final Doors album recorded before Jim died, and according to his band mates Ray Manzarek and John Densmore, the lyrics reflected Jim's interest in the story of Billy Cook, a mass murderer who went on a 22-day killing spree in 1950-51, as well as the writings of German philosophers Friedrich Neitzsche and Martin Heidinger. Heady stuff.

On the other hand, when asked about the music itself, Manzarek and Densmore claim that Jim liked the creepy old western song “Ghost Riders in the Sky” by Vaughn Monroe, so he tried to re-create the vibe with “Riders on the Storm.”

On the charts, the song went to #5 on Canada's Top 40. In the US, it peaked at #11 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart and #14 on the Hot 100.

In 2009, the song was inducted into the “Grammy Hall of Fame.” “Rider's on the Storm:” a “Great—and Interesting—Song of 1971!”

The Doors:

And just for kicks, here's Vaughn Monroe: