THE DOORS' "STRANGE DAYS" ENTERS THE CHARTS: NOVEMBER 1967

On 25 September 1967, The Doors' magnificent second album, "Strange Days", was released.

Although the group was not entirely unknown in England, "Strange Days" did not enter the best-selling album charts there.

Instead, it entered the US charts in November, by which time The Doors were already famous in the US thanks to the success of the single "Light My Fire" and their debut album "The Doors" (both released in January 1967).

However, a series of contradictory decisions by the band's management sparked a counterproductive battle between the two LPs.

The main mistake was the timing of the “Strange Days” release.

In fact, the album entered the charts in the first week of November 1967. At that time, the "The Doors" LP was still selling well (it was at #3 in the US charts) after peaking at #2 a few weeks earlier.

Therefore, the debut of 'Strange Days' was not particularly encouraging: on 3 November, it was struggling at #100.

The two Doors LPs were thus competing for the same audience during the same period, which negatively impacted the commercial performance of both. This strategic error would subsequently have a negative impact on the chart performance of the California-based group's first two LPs.

However, during November, "Strange Days" quickly climbed the charts, reaching its highest position by the middle of the month: #3.

Meanwhile, The Doors' debut album slipped right behind it, stalling at number five by the end of November.

But who dominated the charts in November 1967?

For almost the entire month, the top two spots were occupied by a Supremes compilation (#1) and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles (#2).

The first record was a double vinyl entitled Greatest Hits, collecting some of the famous songs of this highly successful vocal group. In fact, the Supremes popularized rhythm and blues by softening its edges and blending it with pop.

The second album, a psychedelic pop-rock masterpiece, had been at the top of the American sales charts since the previous spring.

These two groups were also the best-selling artists of the 1960s.

However, at the end of November, the top spot was seized by "Pieces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd." by the Monkees, whose unpretentious pop-rock achieved a much greater commercial impact than its actual musical quality.

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”