The End (The Doors song) explained

The End
Artist:the Doors
Album:The Doors
Released:[1]
Recorded:August 1966
Studio:Sunset Sound, Hollywood, California[2]
Genre:
Label:Elektra
Producer:

"The End" is an epic song by the American rock band the Doors. Lead singer Jim Morrison initially wrote the lyrics about his break up with an ex-girlfriend, Mary Werbelow,[7] but it evolved through months of performances at the Whisky a Go Go into a much longer song. The Doors recorded a nearly 12-minute version for their self-titled debut album, which was released on January 4, 1967.[1]

"The End" was ranked at number 336 on 2010 Rolling Stone magazines list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song's guitar solo was ranked number 93 on Guitar Worlds "100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time".[8]

Lyrics and recording

In a 1969 interview with Jerry Hopkins, Morrison said about the lyrics:

When interviewed by Lizze James, he pointed out the meaning of the verse "My only friend, the End":

Shortly past the midpoint of the nearly 12-minute-long album version, the song enters a spoken word section with the words, "The killer awoke before dawn / he put his boots on". That section of the song reaches a dramatic climax with the lines, "Father / Yes son? / I want to kill you / Mother, I want to..." (with the next words screamed out unintelligibly). Morrison had worked on a student production of Oedipus Rex at Florida State University.[9] Ray Manzarek, the former keyboard player of the Doors, explained:

When asked whether the lyrics of the Oedipal section actually resonated with his own parents, Morrison defensively replied, "I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to involve anyone unless they want it." On the other hand, Doors' guitarist Robby Krieger believed that Morrison indeed suffered "from an apparent Oedipus complex".[10] However, in John Densmore's autobiography Riders on the Storm, he recalls when Morrison explained the literal meaning of the song:

According to Mojo magazine, during the recording sessions, Morrison was obsessed and skeptical of the words, "Fuck the mother, kill the father", as Krieger recalled, "He was on this Oedipus complex trip."[11] Then he accidentally threw a TV, which was brought in by sound engineer Bruce Botnick, at the control room window. After the incident, he was sent home by producer Paul A. Rothchild. However, Morrison, who had taken LSD, returned in the middle of the night, broke into the studio and hosed it with a fire extinguisher.[12] The extinguishing agent marked only the instruments that were mounted in the recording place.[13] Rothchild came back and advised the studio owner to charge the damage to Elektra.

The genesis and the use of the word "fuck" is described by Michael Hicks as follows:

The Pop Chronicles documentary reports that critics found the song "Sophoclean and Joycean."

"The End" was recorded live in the studio with no overdubbing.[14] Two takes were recorded, with reportedly the second being used for the album.[15] It was one of the last songs performed by the original group at their last concert on December 12, 1970, at The Warehouse in New Orleans.

Musical style

"The End" has been characterized as a precursor of the gothic rock genre. In a live review published in The Williams Record in October 1967, critic John Stickney described the Doors collation as "gothic rock", which was one of the first uses of the term in print;[16] most notably, he was more pensive for their contribution to "The End", citing Morrison's vocal performance in particular as "male-violent, satanic, electric and on fire".[17] In 2017, Pitchfork included it on their list of "The Story of Goth in 33 Songs".[18] In his column, Rusty Pipes indicated the track to be as one of the early examples of art rock music.[19] Sean Murphy of PopMatters considered it one of the 1967 songs that shaped prog rock.[20]

"The End" employs the Mixolydian mode in the key of D,[2] [21] and incorporates aspects from Indian music. Krieger used an open guitar tuning, which he had learned from Ravi Shankar's music lessons at the Kinnara School of Music in Los Angeles,[22] [23] to create a sitar or veena sound; this enhances the raga rock mood. In his book, The Dawn of Indian Music, author Peter Lavezzoli writes that Krieger also developed with his tuning an "Indian jhala style" by rapidly strumming and alternating with the melody line.[24] Scholars Aaron Barlow and Martin Kich distinguished in their book Pop Goes the Decade: The Sixties, that the song has influenced most of the acid rock genre.[25] "The End" has also been classified as a psychedelic rock[3] and hard rock piece.[26]

Other versions

Studio

While the 1967 release of the song is the best-known version, there are other, slightly different versions available.

Live

Unreleased

Personnel

Marilyn Manson cover

The End
Cover:File:Marilyn_Manson_-_The_End.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Marilyn Manson
Released:November 22, 2019[36]
Length:8:29
Label:Loma Vista[37]
Producer:Shooter Jennings[38]
Prev Title:God's Gonna Cut You Down
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:We Are Chaos
Next Year:2020

Marilyn Manson recorded a cover of "The End" for use on the soundtrack to the miniseries The Stand.[39] The recording was produced by country musician Shooter Jennings, who also produced Manson's eleventh studio album, We Are Chaos.[40] The song was released for digital download and streaming on November 22, 2019,[37] [38] with a 7-inch picture disc[41] scheduled to be released via Loma Vista Recordings on March 6, 2020.[37] The vinyl would have been limited to 2,000 copies worldwide,[42] and all pre-orders were accompanied by an immediate download of the track.[37] The vinyl artwork consisted of an original watercolor piece painted by the vocalist.[43] [44] A music video based on the single's artwork was created by Zev Deans,[37] [42] which utilized watercolor self-portraits created by Manson.[45]

The 7" vinyl release was canceled, however, and the song and its music video were removed from all download, streaming and video hosting services shortly after release.[46] An interviewer with Guitar World later said the vinyl release was "nixed" by the Doors, with Jennings saying the band claimed the pair were "taking liberties" with its release.[47] The Stand director Josh Boone also confirmed the cover would not appear in the miniseries, saying the recording "ultimately proved too expensive to use. The show was made on a very tight budget and some of the dreams we had went to the wayside."[48]

Manson had previously released a version of the Doors song "Five to One"[49] as a b-side on their 2000 single "Disposable Teens".[50] He later performed "Five to One" – as well as "Love Me Two Times" and "People Are Strange" – alongside Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger at the 2012 Sunset Strip Music Festival.[49] In 2016, he performed "Not to Touch the Earth" with guitarist Johnny Depp during an event at Amoeba Music.[38]

Charts

Chart (2019)Peak
position
scope=rowUS Alternative Digital Songs (Billboard)[51] 20
scope=rowUS Hard Rock Digital Songs (Billboard)[52] 9
scope=rowUS Rock Digital Songs (Billboard)[53] 17

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Doors – Album Details . thedoors.com . April 20, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150907002911/https://www.thedoors.com/discography/doors-583 . September 7, 2015.
  2. Book: Zak, Albin J. . Rock on Record . 2022 . State University of New York . 293 . 978-1438487533.
  3. Book: Milligan, Barry . Pleasures and Pains . 1992 . . Charlottesville, Virginia . 123 . 0-81393468-0.
  4. How a shy pandit became a pop hero . Jon . Borgzinner . . . New York City . 63 . 7 . 0024-3019 . August 18, 1967 . April 20, 2018 . 36.
  5. Andy . Hermann . September 18, 2001. The Very Best of the Doors – Review . . August 2, 2022.
  6. Book: Gaar, Gillian G. . The Doors: The Illustrated History . 2015 . . Minneapolis, Minnesota . 92 . 978-1-62788705-2.
  7. News: Robert. Farley. Doors: Mary and Jim to the end . . September 25, 2005. July 3, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20051107032218/http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/25/Doors/Mary_and_Jim_to_the_e.shtml . November 7, 2005 . mdy-all.
  8. Web site: 100 Greatest Guitar Solos: 51-100 . Staff . . October 30, 2008 . April 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180207211233/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/100-greatest-guitar-solos-51-100 . February 7, 2018.
  9. Web site: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, No. 336 The Doors: The End . Staff . . Wenner Media . New York City . April 7, 2011 . April 20, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180421031619/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/the-doors-the-end-20110526 . April 21, 2018 . live .
  10. Web site: Martin . Kielty . December 3, 2021 . Robby Krieger Says Jim Morrison Wanted to Experience Insanity . . August 14, 2022.
  11. Book: Davis, Stephen . 2004 . Stephen Davis (music journalist) . Jim Morrison: Life, Death, Legend . . 1-59240-064-7 . 142.
  12. Jordan . Runtagh . January 4, 2017 . The Doors' Debut Album: Things You Didn't Know . Rolling Stone . December 4, 2021.
  13. . Classic Albums: The Doors [Extras] . 2008 . Eagle Rock Entertainment.
  14. Classic Albums: The Doors . https://web.archive.org/web/20170112080411/http://www.jambands.com/reviews/dvds/2008/06/20/classic-albums-the-doors . dead . January 12, 2017 . April 14, 2008 . Classic Albums.
  15. Book: Various Mojo Magazine . Mojo (magazine) . Irvin . Jim . Jim Irvin . Alexander . Phil . The Mojo Collection. The Ultimate Music Companion; Brought to You by the Makers of Mojo Magazine . 2007 . 4 . . Edinburgh, Scotland . 75 . 978-1-84767643-6.
  16. Web site: Josh . Hammer. Barbarian, Void of Refinement: A Complete History of Goth . . October 31, 2012. May 14, 2021.
  17. News: Stickney . John . October 24, 1967 . Four Doors to the Future: Gothic Rock Is Their Thing . . March 30, 2021 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130504231130/http://mildequator.com/performancehistory/articlesreviews1967.html . 4 May 2013 .
  18. Web site: October 25, 2017 . The Story of Goth in 33 Songs . . March 30, 2021.
  19. Web site: Pipes . Rusty . Cosmik Debris Magazine Presents: Part 4 of The Golden Age of Art Rock . Cosmik.com . January 2002 . March 31, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160311144734/http://cosmik.com/aa-january02/golden_age4.html . March 11, 2016.
  20. Sean . Murphy . March 20, 2013 . Ten Songs from 1967 That Shaped Prog Rock . . April 20, 2023.
  21. Book: Spicer, Mark . December 21, 2011 . Rock Music . 229 . Rutledge . 978-0754629566.
  22. Book: Weidman, Richie . The Doors FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Kings of Acid Rock . October 1, 2011 . . 978-1617131103 . 195.
  23. Web site: Ravi Shankar: A Life In Music Exhibit at the Grammy Museum May 2015–Spring 2016 . Harvey . Kubernik . Cave Hollywood . June 16, 2015 . February 1, 2019.
  24. Book: Lavezzoli, Peter . The Dawn of Indian Music in the West . . New York City . 2006 . 0-8264-2819-3 . 158–59.
  25. Book: Aaron . Barlow . Martin . Kich . Aaron Barlow . Pop Goes the Decade: The Sixties . 2020 . 60 . . 978-1440862847.
  26. Steve . Horowitz . The Doors Check Into the Morrison Hotel . October 9, 2020 . . May 1, 2021.
  27. Book: Weidman, Richie . October 2011 . The Doors FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Kings of Acid Rock. . 421–422 . 978-1617131141.
  28. Web site: Making of The Doors: The Recording Sessions . Waiting for the Sun Archives . July 3, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120215233508/http://archives.waiting-forthe-sun.net/Pages/Legacy/Albums/TheDoors/RecordingTheDoors.html . February 15, 2012 . live .
  29. Web site: The Doors: Live at the Matrix 1967 . April 20, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150906205809/https://www.thedoors.com/discography/live-matrix-1967-3225 . September 6, 2015 . thedoors.com.
  30. Web site: The Doors: Live at the Bowl '68 . April 20, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150906195253/https://www.thedoors.com/discography/live-bowl-68-3247 . September 6, 2015 . thedoors.com.
  31. Web site: The Doors: Live in New York . April 20, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150906205008/https://www.thedoors.com/discography/live-new-york-1900 . September 6, 2015 . thedoors.com.
  32. Web site: Lindsay . Planer . The Doors: Live in Detroit . . August 2, 2022.
  33. Web site: The Doors: Live in Vancouver . April 20, 2018 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150906200835/https://www.thedoors.com/discography/live-vancouver-1137 . September 6, 2015 . thedoors.com.
  34. Book: G. Gaar, Gillian . 2015 . The Doors: The Illustrated History . . 97 . 978-1627887052.
  35. Book: Gerstenmeyer, Heinz . The Doors – Sounds for Your Soul – Die Musik Der Doors . 2001 . 978-3-8311-2057-4 . 11 . BoD – Books on Demand . de.
  36. Web site: Stream Marilyn Manson - "The End" (The Doors Cover) . Kaufman . Spencer . . November 22, 2019 . July 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200615115558/https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/11/marilyn-manson-the-doors-the-end/ . June 15, 2020 . live.
  37. Web site: Listen to Marilyn Manson's Cover of the Doors' 'The End' . Lifton, Dave . . . November 22, 2019 . July 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200626231310/https://ultimateclassicrock.com/marilyn-manson-doors-the-end/ . June 26, 2020 . live.
  38. Marilyn Manson Covers the Doors for Stephen King's 'The Stand' . Grow . Kory . . November 22, 2019 . July 8, 2020 . 0035-791X . https://web.archive.org/web/20200701214605/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/marilyn-manson-the-doors-the-end-916407/ . July 1, 2020 . live.
  39. Web site: Marilyn Manson has been cast in TV version of Stephen King's 'The Stand' . Moore, Sam . . July 8, 2019 . July 8, 2020 . 0028-6362 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191223080055/https://www.nme.com/news/tv/marilyn-manson-cast-in-stephen-king-the-stand-tv-series-2525960 . December 23, 2019 . live.
  40. Web site: Marilyn Manson delivers the Doors cover of classic track 'The End'. Smith-Engelhardt, Joe . . November 22, 2019 . July 8, 2020 . 1065-1667 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200628062302/https://www.altpress.com/news/marilyn-manson-the-doors-cover-shooter-jennings-the-end/ . June 28, 2020 . live.
  41. Web site: Listen To Marilyn Manson's New Cover Of The End . . November 22, 2019 . July 8, 2020 . 0262-6624 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200625075330/https://www.kerrang.com/the-news/listen-to-marilyn-mansons-new-cover-of-the-end/ . June 25, 2020 . live.
  42. Web site: Marilyn Manson covers The Doors classic The End . Munro, Scott . . . November 22, 2019 . July 8, 2020 . 0955-1190 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200626224347/https://www.loudersound.com/news/marilyn-manson-covers-the-doors-classic-the-end . June 26, 2020 . live .
  43. Web site: Listen to Marilyn Manson's doomy cover of The Doors song The End . Krol, Charlotte . NME . November 22, 2019 . July 8, 2020 . 0028-6362 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200626174805/https://www.nme.com/news/music/marilyn-manson-puts-the-doom-in-the-doors-the-end-song-cover-2577440 . June 26, 2020 . live.
  44. Web site: Hear Marilyn Manson Cover the Doors' 'The End' . Thiessen, Brock . . November 22, 2019 . July 8, 2020 . 1207-6600 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200625080143/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/hear_marilyn_manson_cover_the_doors_the_end . June 25, 2020 . live.
  45. Web site: Hear Marilyn Manson's Southern Gothic Cover of the Doors' 'The End' . . November 22, 2019 . July 8, 2020 . 1527-408X . https://web.archive.org/web/20200613003102/https://www.revolvermag.com/music/hear-marilyn-mansons-southern-gothic-cover-doors-end . June 13, 2020 . live.
  46. Web site: 12 songs Marilyn Manson covered that you probably haven't heard . Cownley, Emma . Metal Hammer . Loudersound.com . February 11, 2020 . June 24, 2020 . 0955-1190 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200316122003/https://www.loudersound.com/features/12-songs-marilyn-manson-has-covered-that-you-probably-havent-heard . March 16, 2020 . live.
  47. Web site: Shooter Jennings: "Marilyn Manson's miraculous poetic ability doesn't grow cold, like a lot of people's songwriting". Horsley, Jonathan. Guitar World. September 23, 2020. November 25, 2020.
  48. The Stand director Josh Boone clarifies that Marilyn Manson rumor. Hibberd, James. Entertainment Weekly. November 24, 2020. November 25, 2020.
  49. Web site: Marilyn Manson sings 'People Are Strange' with The Doors . Chan, Anna . . August 21, 2012 . July 5, 2020.
  50. Web site: 'Teens' Sensation . Bychawski, Adam . NME . October 10, 2000 . July 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081512/http://www.nme.com/news/marilynmanson/4696 . March 4, 2016 . dead . 0028-6362.
  51. Marilyn Manson Chart History (Alternative Digital Songs) . Billboard . July 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191224025932/https://www.billboard.com/music/marilyn-manson/chart-history/ALD . December 24, 2019 . live.
  52. Marilyn Manson Chart History (Hard Rock Digital Songs) . Billboard . July 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191224025858/https://www.billboard.com/music/marilyn-manson/chart-history/HRD . December 24, 2019 . live.
  53. Marilyn Manson Chart History (Rock Digital Songs) . Billboard . July 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191224024228/https://www.billboard.com/music/marilyn-manson/chart-history/RKT . December 24, 2019 . live.