DJ Allyn – The Soundtrack for my Life

Riders on the Storm ~ The Doors  

The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California by vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger. Morrison’s cryptic lyrics and unpredictable behavior were the subject of controversy. After Morrison’s death on July 3, 1971, the remaining members continued as a threesome until disbanding in 1973. Despite a career that barely totaled eight years, The Doors still enjoy a huge cult following as well as status in the mainstream music industry as being hugely influential and original.

Riders on the Storm

According to The Doors band member Robby Krieger, “Riders on the Storm” was inspired by the song “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend.”

The song’s lyrics allude in part to the notorious spree killer Billy Cook, who posed as a hitchhiker and murdered an entire family. (“There’s a killer on the road… // His brain is squirmin’ like a toad… “) According to a widespread urban legend the song was conceived as an allusion to a tragic accident caused by another car’s reckless driving, ending in several deaths of Navajo tribesmen as his car hit a truck where they were traveling. An alternative version refers the lyrics’ inspiration to a 1930s French Surrealist poem, Chevaliers de l’Ouragan (literally, “Riders of the Hurricane”), by Louis Aragon. It should also be noted that Morrison wrote a screenplay called “The Hitchhiker,” in which the main character, a hitchhiker named Billy, kills a man, a sheriff, and a family.

The song was recorded at the Doors Workshop in December 1970 with the assistance of Bruce Botnick, their longtime engineer, who was co-producing the recording sessions. Jim Morrison recorded his main vocals and then whispered the lyrics over them to create the haunting effect. This song was also the last song recorded by the members of The Doors, according to Ray Manzarek, as well as Jim Morrison’s last recorded song that was released.

Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house were born
Into this world were thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out on loan
Riders on the storm

Theres a killer on the road
His brain is squirmin like a toad
Take a long holiday
Let your children play
If ya give this man a ride
Sweet family will die
Killer on the road, yeah

Girl ya gotta love your man
Girl ya gotta love your man
Take him by the hand
Make him understand
The world on you depends
Our life will never end
Gotta love your man, yeah

Wow!

Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house were born
Into this world were thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out alone
Riders on the storm

Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm

• Audio from the 1971 album, L.A. Woman: