"MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOU": FROM THE DEMO TO THE OFFICIAL RECORD

 

Among the demos recorded by The Doors in early September 1965, we find the song "My Eyes Have Seen You".

This song would later appear on their second album, "Strange Days", released in September 1967. We will see how Jim Morrison's initial idea for the song in the summer of 1965 was developed by the group into the final LP version.

The two versions are separated by approximately a year and five months; the official version was recorded in February 1967, ahead of the other tracks on "Strange Days" (recorded in spring–summer 1967).

The first version, the '65 demo (link here), featured Ray Manzarek on piano, John Densmore on drums, Jim Morrison on vocals and two of Manzarek's brothers on harmonica and guitar, respectively. The identity of the girl playing the electric bass is uncertain, but the instrument is certainly present on this recording.

The demo of "My Eyes Have Seen You" already possesses its definitive structure. Even the conclusion has taken its final form, although important elements are still lacking, such as the haunting guitar theme repeated at the end of the album version, where Morrison's voice fades in an electric whirlwind.

Despite these similarities, the demo is closely tied to the Rhythm and Blues genre, lacking the shift to rock evident on the LP.

The harmonica accompaniment throughout the track intensifies this feeling, making it reminiscent of the style adopted by bands such as Them during the same period.

The demo lacks the prolonged, distorted guitar solos, and the sinuous, driving path created by the vibrato of Krieger's electric guitar in the verses. Of course, it's not just the details that are missing from the demo. Compared to the official album version, it lacks the construction of a more mature and complete musical environment.

Another notable difference can be found in Morrison's voice. While the demo already hints at the direction he will take on the LP, the two versions differ considerably in terms of timbre and intensity.

In fact, in 1965, the singer had yet to acquire the sensual and mysterious baritone depth that would make his singing unmistakable. This was of course a fundamental aspect of The Doors' sound, completely transforming the group's performances from mid-1966 onwards.

In the demo of "My Eyes Have Seen You", Morrison's still acerbic voice is occasionally supported by Manzarek's, revealing that it lacked the depth and expressiveness that would fully blossom about ten months later.

The seeds sown in the September 1965 sessions contained some tentative musical elements that would make The Doors one of the greatest groups in the history of contemporary music.

The demo of "My Eyes Have Seen You" remains prisoner to the patterns dictated by British Rhythm and Blues groups.

However, The Doors would make significant progress with the version of "My Eyes Have Seen You" recorded for the LP "Strange Days": a distillation of sonic power, captivating charm, and intelligent provocation.

P.S.: My book "The Doors Through Strange Days"- The most comprehensive journey ever made through The Doors' second LP, is available on Amazon.com, .mx, .uk, .it, etc.

Here’s a link:

Amazon – “The Doors Through Strange Days”