THE DOORS LIVE IN BAKERSFIELD 1970: THE VERSION OF "LOVE ME TWO TIMES"

The recent re-release of The Doors' Bakersfield concert, which took place on 21 August 1970, has brought this excellent performance back into the public eye.

This concert marked the end of the tour organized for "Morrison Hotel", the group's fifth album, which was released in February 1970.

Although nobody knew it at the time, The Doors would only play four more concerts after Bakersfield with Morrison still alive.

Thankfully, this live show is quite long and includes an extended version of "Love Me Two Times" (link here). Originally included on their second LP, "Strange Days" (released in September 1967), this great song was a highlight of the show.

The 3:15-minute-long rock blues, written by the band's guitarist Robby Krieger, more than doubles in length at the Bakersfield concert, reaching 8:50 minutes.

Let's see how The Doors played this song.

Until the 2:18 mark, the song follows the same path as the original version. From here on, a musical journey begins, showcasing the band's immense creativity on stage.

After a few seconds, we hear the main theme of "Baby Please Don't Go" forming between the strings of Krieger's guitar.

This song belongs to the early blues tradition, probably dating back to the early 1920s. Its first official version was published in 1935 under the name of the unforgettable bluesman Big Joe Williams (link here).

Thirty years later, in 1965, the band Them popularised it on both sides of the Atlantic in the form of a wonderful, hectic Rhythm 'n' Blues classic (link here).

During the "Baby Please Don't Go" section, Jim Morrison improvises many of the lyrics yet leaving the song unfinished. This gives the impression of an elusive memory from The Doors' early shows of 1966.

At min. 5:14, the final echoes of "Baby Please Don't Go" fade out, making way for an engaging instrumental exchange between drummer John Densmore and Ray Manzarek's organ.

This leads us to the second external insertion into the original structure of "Love Me Two Times" (at min. 6:26).

In fact, Jim Morrison surprises the audience with a cultured musical quotation: "St. James Infirmary". This song is part of the American jazz tradition ( New Orleans Jazz) and was first recorded under this title in 1928 by Louis Armstrong (link here). 

The sad lyrics are masterfully sung in a deep, slightly rough voice, while the rest of the band tastefully and rhythmically accompanies this surprising interlude.

Note how this digression evokes the mood of the middle eight in "Land Ho" (from min. 1:45 to min. 2:17, link here). This composition was included on The Doors' "Morrison Hotel", the LP that was being promoted on the tour which was about to end in Bakersfield.

Immediately after this final diversion, at min. 7:26, the group reprises the final section of "Love Me Two Times", which concludes with Morrison intensely shouting the final two verses.

This song is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the Bakersfield concert.

Here, the Doors demonstrate one of their live trademarks by widening the musical landscape of the composition to incorporate other musical sources, sweeping through music history with unparalleled fascination.

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, .uk, .mx, .it, etc.

Here’s a link:

Amazon – “The Doors Through Strange Days”