This is originally a German song from 1925 if irc. The Doors changed the line from “the next pretty boy” to “the next little girl”….which was a common way to refer to women in 60’s slang. Not kids, in case you were wondering. Reference Lynyrd Skynrd “ what’s your name little girl” and various other songs. The Doors transformed the original into a psychedelic carnival fun house….because that’s what they do. The End is a really trippy vibe with some interesting lyrics. Check it out.
"Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)" by The Doors is a cover of a German poem written by Berthold Brecht and published in 1927 in his collection Hauptpostille. Kurt Weill adapted it in 1929 for their opera contribution Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny as a song. The song is about the search for the next whiskey bar, which is a metaphor for the search for escape from the harsh realities of life. The lyrics suggest that if they don't find the next whiskey bar, they will die. The song also mentions the moon of Alabama and the loss of their good old mama, which could be interpreted as a reference to the Great Depression. The song has themes of materialism, despair, and illicit pleasures.
LA Woman is a top 5 driving song for me. The Doors were really only around for like four or five years. One of the most influential and important bands ever.
"The Crystal Ship" is my favorite Doors song. Jim Morrison's voice is absolutely hypnotic & Ray Manzarek's keyboard work is unbelievably beautiful. The entire song is just hauntingly mesmerizing perfection (imho).
The second verse isn't a big mystery. 😁 They've had their whiskey, now they're looking for a woman. Back in the day, just because they said "little girl" or "baby" or whatever, or even " my old lady" it doesn't have anything to do with age. It's just means a woman.
Maybe. The original line was "the next pretty boy", which was a thing in Brechtian theatre, where the song originated. I'm pretty sure Jim knew exactly what he was sining - he just din't want people to think he was gay.
The "Alabama Song" was written as a German poem and translated into English for the author Bertolt Brecht by his close collaborator Elisabeth Hauptmann in 1925 and set to music by Kurt Weill for the 1927 play Little Mahagonny. This song was actually very popular in German caberet bars. It wasn't written by The Doors, but a cover version :) David Bowie also did a magnificent cover.
Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht were part of the movement in Germany celebrated in the musical Cabaret. Germany had been taken down a peg in the first World War (going into that war Germany dominated the world in science, philosophy, music, and on and on, so losing a war was rather a shock. The US would take over that role after World War II in part by taking in all of the Germans that had to flee from the Nazis, including Brecht and Weill, although Brecht did not stay long because of his communist leanings). They are best known for the great musical Three Penny Opera which is a celebration of decadence. (Mack the Knife is just about the most upbeat song about a murderer that one can imagine, except maybe for the Beatles Maxwell's Silver Hammer). If you listen to the Bobby Darin version (as you should) first listen without paying attention to the lyrics, and then listen to the lyrics. The disconnect is pretty incredible. This song was written to be sung by Weill's wife Lotte Lenya, who was playing a prostitute, which makes a lot of sense of the lyrics.
I remember this song by The Doors. Not a lot of people react to it. It has a really different sound to it. They have a lot of great songs such as "The End", "Break On Through (To The Other Side)", "People Are Strange", "Light My Fire", "Hello, I Love You", "Touch Me", "The Unknown Soldier", "Love Her Madly". Sadly Jim Morrison died in 1971 at the age of only 27 but left a great legacy of music.
You still have one of the Door's biggest hits to do: "Light My Fire" - Make sure to read the comments when you do that song, there's some great stories behind it.
This is a very old song, and predates this rendition by The Doors by decades. Many bands in the 50's and 60's remade this song, it was very well known back then.
Only "The Beatles" could pull off something like this because George Martin wouldn't release it until he got the proper symphony orchestra components integrated as well as some proper studio engineering (which in that era, only George Martin did).
Wikipedia: "The "Alabama Song"-also known as "Moon of Alabama", "Moon over Alabama", and "Whisky Bar"-is an English version of a song[clarification needed] written by Bertolt Brecht and translated from German by his close collaborator Elisabeth Hauptmann in 1925 and set to music by Kurt Weill for the 1927 play Little Mahagonny. It was reused for the 1930 opera Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny and has been recorded by the Doors and David Bowie."
Fun Reaction. The song used a very obscure instrument - A Marxophone, which is a Zither played by using a keyboard to strike the strings with metal hammers. It is part of what gives the song its carnival sound - a cross between Mandolin and a hammered dulcimer, bright and jangly. Another song off this same debut album is "Twentieth Century Fox". Cheers 🎸😎
Every Doors song is an adventure into an alternate world where you don't know to expect. Such an amazingly eclectic band, they were right up there with the Beatles in that regard.
You guys haven't done the Doors till you've done The End. It's bizarre yet beautiful, haunting, intriguing, and twisted. One of my personal favorite products of Jim's warped and beautiful mind. It's a bit long but the experience is so so worth it. You will never be the same after it that's for sure ✌️Peace✌️
The End is one of my favorite songs by them, but I don't think they will like it. Honestly, I think the deeper they delve into the Doors, the less they will like them. They are cheery happy people, very good natured and family wholesome. But the Doors, as I am sure you know, delve into dark depressing disturbing themes. The End, with it Oedipal references, suicidal murderous thoughts, poetical talking style in parts of it..... nah- I would be very surprised if they like it.
YES! One of the COOLEST songs The doors ever recorded! This is a good old fashioned drinking song! Hoist them beer mugs up high and drink to life! I LOVE THE DOORS!!!!!!
This song reminded me of the song “ Those Were the Days My Friend”. They are different. The doors song was good because they were doing different notes, up and down. They really accomplished it well.
Another great funhouse vibe song you haven’t done is Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite by the Beatles. John Lennon wrote it when he was inspired by a vintage circus poster he saw in a shop.
David Bowie did a great version of this too. He makes it very haunting. The Doors and David Bowie never followed anyone. They both had their own separate styles.
This was the Drinking song by Doors. It was innavitable in the late 60s that someone would come into the bar, drope a quarter in the jukebox and this would be one of the songs that they played.
By 'little girl' he just means 'young woman': it was common slang in the '60s/'70s to call women 'little girl', 'mama' or 'old lady' irrespective of their actual age. You need, that is to say NEED, to do 'The End' by The Doors. It's long but it's totally worth it and oh boy, is it a trip...
You guys should REALLY listen to "When The Music's Over" by The Doors. Hands down one of their best songs. It's s long one, but you won't regret it. Not a misfire anywhere in the song. In fact, now that I've mentioned it, I absolutely have to go listen to it, or I'm going to be singing it to myself all night. I done earwormed myself. But seriously. It's a masterpiece, and with the way you two appreciate music, you'll get utterly lost in that one.
Hey Jay and Amber, love your reactions, first time commenter but the reason this song is sort of different is its actually a cover of a song originally written in German for a play on the 1920s. I'm sure lots of other people will mention this and tell you more but i thought I would let you know since it's kind of baffling without the context.
Exactly. It's from "Little Mahogany," a play by Berthold Brecht, a German writer. The music is by Kurt Weill. It debuted in 1927, almost a hundred years ago!
Listen to "Light My Fire". This song was also done by David Bowie. He puts his own spin on songs he redo's such as "Let's Spend The Night Together" by The Stones or "I Can't Explain" by The Who and even "See Emily Play" an early Pink Floyd song.
The song 'Strange Days,' which is the title song from the album, is even trippier than 'People are strange', off the same album. It really sets the tone for the album, being the first song, and is a mixture of strange, (curiously enough), and psychedelic. Very psychedelic!
What an awesome song, we downed a few shots ourselves listening to this back in the day. The Doors are indeed an enigma, wrapped in a mystery, I always just zoned out and grooved to this one, remembering bars I heard this at. How about another Doors epic next? Try their masterpiece When the Music's Over, a true classic, studio or live, buckle up and enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
@@MikePhillips-pl6ov That's also what I would do but reactors often take whatever link they are given and don't care, they are just happy to hear way better music than most modern artists.
I remember sitting in this dark tiny down stairs bar in Amsterdam in the early 90s smoking a big ole scooby and looking at this guy in a black turtleneck making his way down the stairs ……. All of a sudden ….. boom boom boom boom “People are strange” ……. Never ever have I forgot that moment - magical
If a song is too quirky or he doesn't work out the lyrics, Jay seems to stick there at that point with a puzzled look, and not move on with the song! Funniest was his reaction to The B-52s' Rock Lobster! We love him for being Jay though!
Taken from a Berthold Brecht tune, it's such an innovative rock & roll song from the Doors. Nobody else would have thought of using 1920s alternative theater as an influence. Genius stuff!
Lyrics: Well show me the way To the next whiskey bar Oh don't ask why Oh don't ask why Show me the way To the next whiskey bar Oh don't ask why Oh don't ask why For if we don't find The next whiskey bar I tell you we must die I tell you we must die I tell you, I tell you I tell you we must die Oh moon of Alabama We now, must say goodbye We've lost, our good old Mama And must have whiskey Oh, you know why Oh, moon of Alabama We now must say goodbye We've lost, our good old Mama And must have whiskey Oh, you know why
This is from the Rise and Fall of the city Mahoganny, by Kurt Weil lyrics by Bertolt Brecht. David Bowie also has a version, as do many other contemporary artists.
Yes, and the musical takes place in Alabama I believe. Weil and Brecht fled Nazi Germany in the 1930's and came to the U.S. You of course can hear the German "oom-pah" band beat in The Doors rendition. I'm a little surprised Jay and Amber don't do a little research into the songs and artists they're about to play beforehand.
@@johnsilva9139 I see where you're coming from, but sometimes, to get a genuine reaction, it's best NOT to know too much beforehand. I've made one recommendation to Jay and Amber which definitely would have far less of an impact if they tried to find out anything about it or the performer.
Ayyy the alabama song! Fun story, lived in alabama all my life and i had a couple buddies that would hang out and drink at parties and stuff when I was in my late teens early 20s and whenever we were drinkin whiskey late at night we'd turn this one up. There would be about 5 or so of us in the middle of a huge party all grabbin each other by the shoulders swaying and singing "We've loooost our good ol maaamaa, and must have whiskey oh ya know why!" We never tried to understand it we just drank and sang
You guys need to watch The Doors - Live at Hollywood Bowl, it's here on RU-vid. Inasmuch as I absolutely love Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek is the one to watch. He's playing this organ and he's damned near making love to it. It's almost as if he's in a trance and lures you into it too. Mesmerizing.
To fully understand 'Alabama Song' you must hear German singer Lotte Lenya perform it live in 1966! And in that vein listen and watch another awesome German Cabaret singer Ute Lemper! This will make your musical journey to another dimension :) Try 'Pirate Jenny'!!!
The character this song is written for is a "working girl" to put it politely. The line was originally "Show me the way to the next little boy" and, in the context of the character and her fellow girls, they refer to their next "customer." If they don't find customers, they will not make money and, thus, they "must die." A whiskey bar is where customers will likely be found. So the Doors changed the words a bit and the melody as well. It's one of their more unique choices, but The Doors made it their own. Look up the original version with singer Lotte Lenya for what the song originally sounded like. This song was always sung in English, even within the original German language work, Little Mahagonny and its more elaborate successor, the Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.
This was from a musical, Little Mahogany, written by Berlot Brecht and Kurt Weill 1925-1927, translated from German and re-used in their opera, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogany. Great song!
You need to also acknowledge Ray Manzarak(the keyboard player)too when you speak of the Doors Yes Jim sang & yes he mostly wrote the lyrics,but it was Ray who wrote the music
"I Will Never Be Untrue" This is one of the most honest tunes. Everything it needs in a sweetly sad package ... Any bar deep in the middle of nowhere ... "I Will Never Be Untrue" This was a warm up tune. "The Bright Midnight Archives Concerts" To me it creates a soft and sweet image. "Whiskey Bar" was a song from the 1930s.
Oh guys please do yourselves a favor and watch the movie The Doors. Val Kilmer (Doc from Tombstone) had to go into recovery after playing Jim Morrison because when he plays a part, he lives it 24/7 till the filming is over. He played Morrison to a T but it cost him. Fantastic movie!! 🤘Rock On!🤘 Kelly
LA Woman, The End, Light My Fire, Crystal Ship, Peace Frog, Waiting for the Sun, Moonlight Ride so many Doors classics yet to hear and to react. Enjoy!
Kurt Weil"s version first performed by his wife the great Lotte Lenya (Rosa Kleb in On Her Majesty's Secret Service) who also performed the definitive Mack the Knife
I was so excited when I saw you were reacting to this. The "little girl" lyrics didn't age well 🤣 but it meant woman. I recommend Unknown Soldier, The End and Spanish Caravan.
Alabama Song or Moon over Alabama and Whisky Bar is an English version of a song written by Bertolt Brecht and translated from German by his close collaborator Elizabeth Hauptmann in 1925 and set to music by Kurt Weill for the 1927 play little Mahagonny. It was reused for the 1930 opera Rise and fall of the City of Mahagonny and has been recorded by the Doors and David Bowie. Jim Morrison was a very educated man in his life and I am sure in his lifetime he read about alot of things. You guys have to remember that Jim Morrison was mainly a poet at heart. Rockstar second. Of the illustrated books that I have looked at about him and the Doors he was always having his face buried in a book. He studied about poets like William Blake and Aldous Huxley as well as Greek mythology and probably alot of other things as well. Seriously you guys have got to consider reacting to Oliver Stone's The Doors movie at some point. You will be pleasantly surprised by who ends up playing Jim Morrison himself but you are going to love it Amber and Jay.
As others have noted, this is an adaptation of a song from an opera by the team of Berthold Brecht and Kurt Weill, who were a creative force darkly illustrating the chaos of Germany between the fall of the Kaiser and the rise of Hitler. (If you've seen the movie "Cabaret" with Liza Minelli, that's a retrospective look back at that time.) You've actually heard Brecht/Weill before; Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" is adapted from their "Three-Penny Opera" The Doors had a certain amount of cultural education; on this same album is a song called "End of the Night", which is set to a poem by William Butler Yeats, called "Endless Night". (1967 must have been a big year for a Yeats revival; Agatha Christie put out one of her great suspense novels, "Endless Night", revolving around the same poem that same year.) And of course Morrison himself wrote poems, but those songs ("The End", "When the Music's Over", "The Celebration of the Lizard", "The Soft Parade") run too long for you decide to react to, alas. Although, I think "The Soft Parade is only 8.30 or so, so perhaps you could squeeze it in it. As the saying goes, "I don't know much about art, but I know what I like". Keep gong with Jim/Ray/Robbie/John! Hope you come to love these.
Whilst the "little girl" line is something that reads VERY differently today, the fact it made Jay and Amber sit up and pay attention and want to know what the meaning of it actually was, speaking as someone who studied Brecht and his theatre practices, definitely feels like something that would put a smile on his face. His whole modus operandi was about getting in the audience's face and shaking them awake - he thought that theatre's pursuit of "realism" was just a more insidious version of melodrama, where the audience wasn't actively engaging with the thing more, just letting themselves be lulled into complacency. Modern cinema could learn a lot from Brecht.
It's a drunken song from an opera set in the debauchery of Berlin nightlife. It's a song about getting drunk and prostitutes (not actual little girls necassarily), but it is meant to be a song about depravity and salcious sexual drunken debauchery until death.
The original lyric was "next little boy" who could have been a gay prostitute or an actual little boy. The Weimar Republic and Berlin's cabaret scene were renowned for sexual and homosexual debauchery. It is one of the reasons Hitler and the Nazi Party wanted to overthrow the republic.
