The End By The Doors - The Best Song Ever?

There are as many great songs as there are people on this planet. After all everyone has their own musical taste and preferences. So we all have our favorite songs, even though others may not agree with us.

Yet, there are particular, very special songs, which are UNIVERSALLY loved. Songs that just seem to stand the test of time, and capture the attention and the admiration of millions of fans no matter how music trends change.

This is the first of the series of posts, in which I will cover extraordinary songs of that highest grade. The series is called “The Best Song Ever?” Pretty straightforward, right? The first song I can argue truly belongs in this category is “The End” by The Doors.

The Doors is a legendary band with absolutely amazing discography. They’ve created some of the most iconic songs in history. And “The End” holds a special place among those. This music piece has always stood out for its artistic brilliance, emotional impact and cultural resonance.

History of the Song

The history of “The End” by The Doors is quite interesting. It supposedly began as a breakup song, with Jim Morrison writing the lyrics about his ex-girlfriend. However over time and through numerous live performances the song evolved. It became much longer and more complex. When The Doors recorded it for their debut album it became a 12-minute epic.

Another fact about “The End” – it was recorded live in the studio with no overdubbing. There were only two takes made, with the second one being used for the album. The recording took place in August 1966. Also during the recording, Jim Morrison was reportedly under the influence of LSD.

And of course, millions heard this song in Francis Ford Coppola’s movie “Apocalypse Now” (1979). Though a different version was played in the film. It was a remixed version focused on the vocals at the end of the track.

Listen to the Song Properly

The End is one of those songs you should listen properly. By properly I mean you want to give it the respect it deserves. Because this way it will repay with interest and more.

Here’s how I would recommend doing it: you want to pause whatever you are doing, sit back, relax, don’t think about anything. Just try to free your thoughts. And when you are ready – play the song. From beginning till the end. On the best audio system available to you. If you have good headphones, but they are plugged to your other PC, go get ’em. If you have a nice audio set up, use it instead of your phone.

Do yourself a favor, you won’t regret it. And here’s the song itself:

Why This Might Be The Best Song Ever

If you approach “The End” open minded, and listen to it without any prejudice or preconceived notions – it’s impossible to ignore the amazing beauty of this music art piece. The song is more than a blending of elements of psychedelic rock, Indian-inspired melodies, and poetic storytelling.

Let’s start with composition. It is very complex, even though it is built from such clear, almost simple elements and sound motives. But it’s put together so eloquently and with such creativity and inspiration. This music never leaves you indifferent. The innovative combination of instruments and the voice never ceases to surprise. It just keeps you glued it. The tension is masterfully built to keep you wanting to hear the next note.

The great song has another ingredient that truly sets it apart. It is open to interpretation. When people hear it for the first time they relate to it in their personal way, often completely different for others. Because the song gives them this open space. The lyrics, the delivery can be looked at from completely different perspectives.

I know many people who thought of it as a personal farewell story. And I know others who perceived it as a pure exploration of the psyche, an artistic journey not set in reality. But there are also many fans who only heard it as a soundtrack to “Apocalypse Now”, so they only looked at it through the prism of war. All variety of interpretations juts shows how timeless “The End” is.

It’s a unique music masterpiece, that dared to be unique and not hold back. It takes us on a journey. Wherever the journey takes the listeners is up to them.

The Big Controversy

“The End” sparked significant controversy when it came out. Primarily due to its provocative lyrics. There is a section of the song where Jim Morrison references the Oedipus complex. Specifically the lines: “Father, I want to kill you. Mother, I want to…” followed by an unintelligible scream. This was shocking to many, and listeners were arguing what exactly Jim Morrison meant. The song becoming so famous pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in popular music at the time.

The controversy was further fueled by Morrison’s refusal to clearly explain the lyrics. It appears Jim deliberately wanted to leave their meaning open to interpretation. As a result some saw it as a bold artistic expression, while others viewed it as disturbing and inappropriate.