Introduction
“Riders on the Storm” is a track by the American rock band the Doors, unveiled in June 1971 by Elektra Records as the second single from their sixth studio album, L.A. Woman. It gained notoriety as the final recording by Jim Morrison before his abrupt demise in Paris on July 3, 1971.
This song achieved the 14th position on the U.S Billboard Hot 100, secured the 22nd spot on the UK Singles Chart, and reached the seventh position in the Netherlands.
Background and Composition “Riders on the Storm” has been categorized as psychedelic rock, jazz rock, art rock, and a precursor of gothic music. According to guitarist Robby Krieger and keyboardist Ray Manzarek, its inspiration stems from the country song “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend,” composed by Stan Jones and popularized by Vaughn Monroe. Morrison brought the lyrics to rehearsal, with a portion referencing the hitchhiking killer Billy “Cockeyed” Cook, the subject of the 1953 film, The Hitch-Hiker. Manzarek highlighted that certain lines conveyed Morrison’s affection for his companion Pamela Courson. The track is noted in the key of E Minor; the primary keyboard riff descends through the pitches of the Dorian Mode scale, featuring a progression of i–IV–i7–IV.
There is a widespread belief that “Riders on the Storm” is the song Paul A. Rothchild, the Doors’ longtime producer, criticized as “cocktail music,” leading to his exit from the L.A. Woman sessions, a claim supported by guitarist Robby Krieger. Rothchild refuted this, asserting that he actually applied the term to “Love Her Madly.” Following Rothchild’s departure, engineer Bruce Botnick assumed production responsibilities, working alongside the Doors themselves.
“Riders on the Storm” was recorded at the Doors Workshop in December 1970 with Botnick’s assistance. In January 1971, after Morrison laid down his main vocals, the group convened at Poppi Studios to finalize the mixing of L.A. Woman, during which Morrison whispered the lyrics over them to create an echo effect. It stands as the last song recorded by all four Doors members and the final track by Morrison released during his lifetime. The single hit the Billboard Hot 100 in the week ending July 3, 1971, the same week Morrison passed away.
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Lyrics
Riders on the stormRiders on the stormInto this house, we’re bornInto this world, we’re thrownLike a dog without a boneAn actor out on loanRiders on the stormThere’s a killer on the roadHis brain is squirmin’ like a toadTake a long holidayLet your children playIf you give this man a rideSweet family will dieKiller on the road, yeahGirl, you gotta love your manGirl, you gotta love your manTake him by the handMake him understandThe world on you dependsOur life will never endGotta love your man, yeahRiders on the stormRiders on the stormInto this house, we’re bornInto this world, we’re thrownLike a dog without a boneAn actor out on loanRiders on the stormRiders on the stormRiders on the stormRiders on the stormRiders on the storm