Friday, September 11, 2009

Jim Morrison - Great American Prognosticator?

I am a big fan of Jim Morrison's writing and of The Doors music. Morrison's ability to create metaphoric imagery was beyond that of many (if not any) others in music (if not poetic) history. I truly believe that The Doors were one of the greatest Rock and Roll bands of all time.

Last weekend, on a beautiful desert evening, I took a drive, with the windows open and the stereo cranked. I put The Doors "L. A. Woman" into my CD player. On that album (side 2, first song if you have the vinyl) is an outrageously cool song called "L'America."

I've always thought of it as a neat story of a snake oil salesman, gypsies, voodoo, and the like. However... this is the first time I've listened to this song since the election of Barack Obama. Hmmm... neat story of a snake oil salesman...

I found a recording of this song on YouTube - so drop your acid, put the video on full-screen, watch the groovy visuals somebody put to the music - and then tell me if you don't think of Washington D.C., Obama, and Congress lately as you listen to Morrison chant and croon over the hypnotic march of John Densmore's drums, Robby Kreiger's eerie and methodical guitar, and Ray Manzarek's carnival-esque keyboards.

Lyrics transcribed below the video box for your convenience.




I took a trip down to L'America,
To trade some beads for a pint of gold.

I took a trip down to L'America,
To trade some beads for a pint of gold.

L'America, L'America, L'America.

L'America, L'America, L'America

C'mon people, don't ya look so down -
You know the rain man's comin' ta town!
He'll change the weather, change your luck -
And then he'll teach ya how to...

Find yourself.... L'America...


Friendly strangers came to town,
All the people put them down.
But, the women loved their ways -
Come again some other day...

Like the gentle rain....
Like the gentle rain... that falls...

I took a trip down to L'America,
To trade some beads for a pint of gold.

I took a trip down to L'America,
To trade some beads for a pint of gold.

L'America, L'America, L'America.

L'America, L'America, L'America

L'Ame - rica!

13 comments:

Opus #6 said...

GROOVY!

tammy said...

Maybe we should listen to more of his songs.

Meadow said...

Too bad all of America isn't reading this!

Snarky Basterd said...

Obugger as Morrison's shaman is right on.

Soloman said...

Opie - right on - far out!!

Hope you enjoyed..

Soloman said...

Tammy - it's interesting what imagery Morrison was able to create.. and I'm always up for listening to The Doors :)

Soloman said...

Meadow - that's a lot of pressure! lol..

Seriously, if only America would just get it, we're dealing with a snake oil salesman.

Soloman said...

Dr. Dave - honestly, as much as I know Morrison was quite the liberal during his life, I doubt very much he would have been an Obama worshipper.

Morrison had too much belief in the spirit of the individual.

Now John Lennon... there's a different story...

Left Coast Rebel said...

Soloman - I gave you a plug today over at LCR, hope it sends some like-minded folks your way!
Best,
LCR
http://www.leftcoastrebel.com/2009/09/sunday-linkfest-bloggers-to-watch.html

Miss T.C. Shore said...

What's "vinyl"?

Soloman said...

Miss T.C. - vinyl, as in records. LP (Long Play) albums used to be on vinyl, before Cassette tapes and Cassettes. Don't even ask about 8-track tapes...

Either you just pulled a good one on me.. or you really made me feel my age.

Either way, glad you stopped by...

Kid said...

Soloman, the 1st concert I ever went to was the Doors at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh.

JM had it goin on.

Interesing. I own this album and didn't remember the song.

Soloman said...

Kid - you're killin' me.. first concert EVER? Jealous I am...

I became a huge Doors fan in Jr. High - late 70's? And still am to this day.

And as much as I love their earlier work, L. A. Woman stands out for me as their best work, because Morrison was really into the blues and although he never thought so, he was really good at singing the blues, and they were just such a great band.