THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DOORS’ "WHEN THE MUSIC'S OVER" AT "THE MATRIX"
The Doors have performed many live versions of "When the Music's
Over".
However, only two recordings of this great song were made before its
release on the band's second album, "Strange Days", in September
1967.
One of these recordings was made during the band's concerts in San Francisco in March 1967 at the famous venue "The Matrix"(link here).
Six months before the release of the LP containing the official version
of this wonderful musical suite, its construction was already in its final
stages.
The total length of the song and its different parts had been finalized,
as had the arrangement, which appears to contain all the elements that characterize
it on the record.
The most notable difference is the absence of the heavily distorted
solos that Robby Krieger uses on the LP track. For technical reasons, these
amazing lead guitar parts were very difficult to play live at that time.
Consequently, the solos are less powerful and do not have the same
dramatic effect as the guitar on the album track.
Nevertheless, they are groundbreaking for March 1967 and demonstrate the
experimental creativity of guitarist Robby Krieger.
Another difference between this live version of “When the Music's Over”
and the album version is represented by the lyrics of the middle section.
Here, Jim Morrison appears to be improvising, although he may not have
fully developed the lyrics of this composition yet. In any case, he recites
different verses to those that can be heard on the vinyl.
This part is longer on the album and includes some of The Doors' most
famous lyrics, such as “The scream of the butterfly” and “We want the
world and we want it now!”.
At "The Matrix", however, the singer replaces them with a
series of poetic words that are very different in conception and meaning.
Below is the full text of this part of the song as Morrison sang it at
'The Matrix' in March 1967 (from 4:07 to 7:31):
"Something’s wrong, something’s not quite right... (x3)
Touch me baby all through the night... Yeah…
Confusion... Confusion... All my life’s a bright delusion....
All my world a torn character... All my mind come tumbling down…
Down... Down... Down... Down...
And I’m calling... Calling… I want you... I need you... I miss my baby...
Come back into my home... Now... Now... Now!!"
These dark words convey tough feelings such as mental disorientation,
disappointment and discomfort experienced by the singer and his generation.
The lyrics of "When the Music's Over" at “The matrix” that we have
quoted were the first to be recorded. However, the lyrics continued to evolve
even after the song was released on the album "Strange Days".
Indeed, the middle section of the song often formed the basis for
Morrison's poetic improvisations during concerts from mid-1967 onwards.
Finally, it should be noted that 'When The Music's Over' was developed
by The Doors from spring/summer 1966 onwards.
This makes it a milestone of innovation in the rock genre and
contemporary music, representing an unprecedented musical experiment and, of
course, an immortal masterpiece.
Another version of 'When the Music's Over' was recorded at 'The Matrix'
during one of the three nights on which the band performed there.
The lyrics of the middle section differ from those mentioned above. I find them very interesting as well, so I have included
them below:
"Something’s wrong, something’s not quite
right... (x3)
Touch me baby all through the night... Yeah… All night
long…
Everything you do will be reported… (x3)
At night your dreams will be recorded…
Come on… Come on baby… Back into my home…
I want you... I need you... I miss my baby... Come on
home…
Give me a sign… (x2) Give me a look… Send me a book…
Drop me a line…
It’s almost time, give me a sign… Right now… Right
Now…
Now… Now… Now… Now!!”.
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:
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