About the song
“Riders on the Storm” stands as a hauntingly iconic track from The Doors, released in June 1971 by Elektra Records. This song, the second single from the band’s sixth studio album, *L.A. Woman*, holds a special place in rock history as the last recording Jim Morrison made before his untimely death in Paris on July 3, 1971. Its release, tragically coinciding with Morrison’s passing, immortalized the track as a poignant farewell to one of rock’s most enigmatic figures.
Musically, “Riders on the Storm” embodies a blend of psychedelic rock, jazz rock, and art rock, with elements that have been seen as precursors to gothic music. The song’s atmospheric and eerie quality was inspired by the country classic “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend,” written by Stan Jones and popularized by Vaughn Monroe. The Doors’ version diverges significantly from its inspiration, weaving a dark narrative influenced by hitchhiking killer Billy “Cockeyed” Cook, as well as personal reflections on Morrison’s relationship with Pamela Courson.
The track is set in E Minor, featuring a keyboard riff that descends through the Dorian Mode scale, and is noted for its distinctive progression of i–IV–i7–IV chords. The song’s production was a point of contention; longtime producer Paul A. Rothchild’s departure from the project was reportedly triggered by his disparaging remarks about the song, although Rothchild himself later disputed this. Following his exit, engineer Bruce Botnick and The Doors themselves completed the track, capturing the final performances of all four band members.
Recorded at The Doors Workshop in December 1970 and mixed in January 1971 at Poppi Studios, “Riders on the Storm” features a whispered vocal effect by Morrison, adding to its ghostly ambiance. The single achieved notable chart success, reaching number 14 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, number 22 on the UK Singles Chart, and number seven in the Netherlands.
The song’s impact extends beyond music, with its lyrics reflecting existential themes that some connect to Martin Heidegger’s philosophy of “thrownness”—the concept of human existence as being cast into the world. This philosophical dimension, combined with the song’s moody and evocative sound, has cemented its place among The Doors’ greatest works. In 2010, “Riders on the Storm” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, recognizing its enduring significance.
Beyond its critical acclaim, the track has influenced popular culture, appearing in films such as *The Hitcher* (1986) and *Point Break* (1991), and inspiring a remix featuring Snoop Dogg used in the 2004 video game *Need for Speed: Underground 2*. The song’s haunting, timeless quality continues to resonate with listeners, solidifying its status as a classic in the annals of rock history.
Video
Lyrics
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house, we’re born
Into this world, we’re thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out on loan
Riders on the storm
There’s a killer on the road
His brain is squirmin’ like a toad
Take a long holiday
Let your children play
If you give this man a ride
Sweet family will die
Killer on the road, yeah
Girl, you gotta love your man
Girl, you 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
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house, we’re born
Into this world, we’re thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out on loan
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
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