Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Cleansing the Doors of Perception

It is an interesting debate to consider whether the inclusion or exclusion of one word, that of "High" in Break on Through (to the Other Side) makes much difference. In fact it sounds as if Morrison is slurring the word "higher" at the end of this section.

I agree with both the usual opinions: a) that with its exclusion/excision, it allows for tension and a sort-of orgasmic build-up to climax and release - like a lot of Doors songs - much in the vein of classical music generally... the release is short lived however, as the song builds to another climax quite quickly, that culminates in the songs end, and b) with its inclusion, and extension, played out as a free-floating release from the tension of a building climax, it gives the listener time to recuperate, to build up yet again... 


It would be interesting to also mention whether any radio stations had censored the word "higher" from Light My Fire, when it was originally released... and also of note is whether or not one of the original lyrics in The Crystal Ship (the title in itself a reference to methamphetamine?) was "a thousand girls, a thousand pills" rather than "a thousand girls, a thousand thrills".

I think that perhaps producer Paul Rothchild had noted the overuse of drug imagery in the lyrics and music of the first album (as suggested in NHGOA*) and maybe suggested the downplay of such, since it was pretty obvious in the first place, and what was the point of ramming it down the listener's throat... No poetic subtlety in that!


*No One Here Gets Out Alive

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