The famous song People Are Strange was born to Jim Morrison and Robbie Krieger, guitarist of the rock band The Doors, in early 1967 during their walk to the top of the famous Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles. They went up there to watch the sunset. Jim was in a depressed mood, but the sight of the setting sun coloring the clouds and the unparalleled view from the mountain made him cheer up.
According to Krieger, Morrison realized the cause of his depression. He said something along the lines of “people are cold to you if you’re a stranger.” This phrase became the key in the future song. Jim immediately wrote the lyrics to People Are Strange and Robbie composed the music.
The history of creation and the meaning of the song People Are Strange
Researchers of creativity and fans of the group The Doors perceive the lyrics of the song differently, which is largely facilitated by the ambiguity of the word strange (unfamiliar, alien, strange, unusual).
The band’s drummer John Densmore once said that in People Are Strange Morrison expressed his vulnerability. More skeptical critics believe that we are talking about the state of a person under the influence of LSD. And the most romantic natures claim that Jim sang about San Francisco, which were outcasts in those years.
Be that as it may, Morrison and Krieger in a few lines managed to perfectly convey the state of a person who feels like a stranger in society. It doesn’t matter for what reason.
Clip People Are Strange The Doors
Next, we offer you to watch the music video for People Are Strange – The Doors.
Interesting Facts
- Solo to People Are Strange Krieger recorded on the first try.
- A review on Allmusic stated that the song reflects the group’s admiration for European cabaret theatrical music, in particular Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera.
People Are Strange The Doors Lyrics
People are strange when you’re a stranger
Faces look ugly when you’re alone
Women seem wicked when you’re unwanted
Streets are uneven when you’re down
When you’re strange
Faces come out of the rain
When you’re strange
No one remembers your name
When you’re strange
When you’re strange
When you’re strange
