This was the last song Jim Morrison recorded. The single was released shortly before he passed away.
About This Song
“Riders on the Storm” is a track by the American rock band The Doors, released in 1971 as part of their album “L.A. Woman.” The song was crafted collectively by The Doors’ members, including Jim Morrison (vocals), Ray Manzarek (keyboards), Robby Krieger (guitar), and John Densmore (drums).
Known for its atmospheric and moody tone, “Riders on the Storm” blends blues and jazz elements. The song is distinguished by Ray Manzarek’s haunting electric piano riff, creating a mesmerizing melody. Jim Morrison’s vocals enhance the song’s enigmatic ambiance, with lyrics that evoke a sense of wandering, exploration, and the unknown.
The lyrics portray a journey through a storm, symbolizing both literal and metaphorical challenges in life. The storm represents life’s trials, while the “riders” symbolize those navigating these challenges, facing both external elements and internal struggles.
“Riders on the Storm” became one of The Doors’ most enduring tracks, cementing their legacy as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s.
Video
Lyric
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
Guitar chord
[Intro] Em D Em Em D Em [Chorus] Em D Em D Riders on the storm Em D Em D Riders on the storm Am E9sus Am7 E9sus (#2) Into this house we're born Em D Em Into this world we're thrown Em11 D Like a dog without a bone D C An actor out on loan Em D Em Riders on the storm [Fill] e|--------------------------------| B|--------------------------------| G|-4---4/6---6/7---7/6---6--------| D|---5-----7-----9-----7----------| A|--------------------------------| E|--------------------------------| [Verse 1] Em D Em D There's a killer on the road Em D Em D His brain is squirmin' like a toad Am E9sus Am7 E9sus (#2) Take a long holiday Em D Em Let your children play Em11 D If you give this man a ride D C Sweet family will die Em D Em Killer on the road [SOLO] [Verse 2] Em D Em D Girl you gotta love your man Em D Em D Girl you gotta love your man Am E9sus Am7 E9sus (#2) Take him by the hand Em D Em Make him understand Em11 D The world on you depends D C Our life will never end Em D Em Gotta love your man [Solo] [Scale interplay (part of the solo), solo mainly based on this D minor scale afaik] e|-7-5--------------------------------------------------------------| B|--8-7-8-5-7---5---------------------------------------------------| G|------------7---5-7-4-5---4---------------------------------------| D|------------------------7---5-7-4-5---4---------------------------| A|------------------------------------7---5-7-4-5---4---------------| E|------------------------------------------------7---5-7-3-5-2-3-0-| [Chorus] Em D Em D Riders on the storm Em D Em D Riders on the storm Am E9sus Am7 E9sus (#2) Into this house we're born Em D Em Into this world we're thrown Em11 D Like a dog without a bone D C An actor out on loan [Outro] Em D Em D Riders on the storm Em D Em D Riders on the storm Em D Em D Riders on the storm Em D Em D Riders on the storm Em D Em D Riders on the storm