About the song
“Back Door Man” is a track that captures the essence of Jim Morrison’s rebellious spirit and poetic intensity. While Morrison is best known as the charismatic frontman of The Doors, “Back Door Man” offers a deeper glimpse into his love for blues, his fascination with dark, raw themes, and his ability to blend these elements into rock music that would leave a lasting impact on the world.
Released in 1967 as part of The Doors’ debut album, The Doors, “Back Door Man” is a classic example of the band’s ability to blend diverse musical genres. The song is a cover of a Willie Dixon-penned blues standard, originally recorded by Howlin’ Wolf in 1960. However, Morrison’s interpretation is unique, filled with his unmistakable voice and dark, seductive imagery. The blues influence is clear, yet Morrison brings his own signature style, melding it with his fascination for mysticism, sexuality, and existential rebellion, themes that would come to define much of The Doors’ music.
The song’s lyrics center around the character of the “back door man,” a term that suggests someone who sneaks in and out of situations—particularly in relationships. In this case, it implies a man who is not the main lover but the one who enters through the back door, as a secret or secondary presence. This theme of secrecy and illicitness ties directly into Morrison’s persona as a rock icon, often seen as the outsider, the rebel against conventional norms. “Back Door Man” embodies this sense of subversive freedom, giving voice to the outlaws and the misunderstood figures that Morrison often romanticized in his work.
As for the musical arrangement, the track features a steady, swampy blues rhythm, with a brooding bassline and understated keyboard playing that complements Morrison’s raspy vocals. The repetition of the phrase “I’m a back door man” in the chorus serves to emphasize the song’s central theme—one of rebellion, secrecy, and going against the grain. The dark, hypnotic feel of the track serves as a perfect vehicle for Morrison’s lyrics, pulling listeners into the world of shadowy characters and forbidden desires.
In terms of societal influence, “Back Door Man” was part of a larger movement in the 1960s rock scene where musicians were taking traditional genres like blues and jazz and infusing them with rock and roll sensibilities. The track is a perfect example of how The Doors took the roots of blues and transformed it into something that spoke to the counterculture of the time. At a moment when the world was in the throes of political and social change, “Back Door Man” carried the unmistakable message that there is power in the margins—those who live outside the mainstream, who refuse to be confined by the rules.
The influence of “Back Door Man” extends far beyond its initial release. It became an integral part of The Doors’ catalog, demonstrating their ability to seamlessly blend rock, blues, and psychedelia into a sound that was entirely their own. Over time, it’s become a song that is as much about Morrison’s persona as it is about the music itself. His voice, drenched in mystery and filled with sensuality, became the vehicle for expressing the darker, more primal aspects of human nature.
In conclusion, “Back Door Man” is not just a cover of a blues standard; it’s a track that captures the spirit of Jim Morrison and The Doors at their most evocative. Released as part of their 1967 debut album, it showcases the band’s ability to draw from the past while pushing musical boundaries and exploring themes of rebellion, secrecy, and existential longing. As both a song and a performance, it remains an enduring testament to the power of Morrison’s voice, the dark allure of The Doors, and the timeless appeal of the blues.
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Lyrics
Wha, yeahC’mon, yeahYeah, c’mon, yeahOh, yeah, maYeah, I’m a back door manI’m a back door manThe men don’t knowBut the little girls understandHey, all you people that tryin’ to sleepI’m out to make it with my midnight dream, yeah‘Cause I’m a back door manThe men don’t knowBut the little girls understand, all right, yeahYou men eat your dinner, eat your pork and beansI eat more chicken than any man ever seen, yeah, yeahI’m a back door man, whoaThe men don’t knowBut the little girls understandWell, I’m a back door manI’m a back door manWhoa, baby, I’m a back door manThe men don’t knowBut the little girls understand