"I WILL NEVER BE UNTRUE": JIM MORRISON SINGS HIS LOVE LIFE

 

On 21 July 1969, The Doors performed two shows at the Aquarius Theatre in Los Angeles.

During the first performance, Jim Morrison sang a short love song that he had recently written called "I Will Never Be Untrue".

This tune had already been played twice before its stage debut at the Aquarius Theatre concert (both instances occurred between February and May 1969).

On those occasions the tune was only hinted at and was still in the early stages of development.

In the absence of any other traces of this composition in musical or poetic form, we can date the composition of “I Will Never Be Untrue” to late 1968 or early 1969.

Thus, the performance at the Aquarius Theatre on 21 July 1969 introduced the first structured version of the song, which the group never released on LPs or singles until bootlegs and outtakes were released in the 1980s and 1990s.

On stage in Los Angeles, The Doors' lead singer declaimed this simple melody, derived from the melodic rhythm and blues style that was popular in the 1950s, particularly in the form of slow ballads.

However, the piece is characterized by a pronounced blues influence that gives it a darker tone and a more powerful impact on the listener.

The musical value of the piece itself is not outstanding, and it is used in the live performance as a transitional moment between more substantial compositions.

The only attraction from an instrumental point of view is Ray Manzarek's electric organ.

In fact, the keyboard player acts as a backdrop to the vocals and electric guitar, creatively providing an original and pleasant gospel-flavored accompaniment.

It must be said that Morrison himself does not sing the song with much conviction, meaning it will not be remembered as one of the band's concert highlights.

The day after the aforementioned concert, 22 July 1969, The Doors had the opportunity to use a space inside the venue to record more material.

During these informal sessions, "I Will Never Be Untrue" was recorded again, this time with a more passionate performance, particularly in terms of Morrison's vocal delivery (link here). 

Unfortunately, no one would get a chance to hear it until this outtake was released in a box set in 1997.

In this particular situation, The Doors slightly extend the length of the song by slowing down the tempo, which significantly improves the final performance.

This gives Morrison's vocals more opportunity to stretch over some vowels, allowing the lyrics to be expressed more intensely.

Alongside the electric organ part, which remains almost unchanged from the previous day's live performance, Krieger's electric guitar adds pleasing embellishments.

Morrison's vocals are undoubtedly the element that elevates the quality of this version of the song, which is the best and most well-known available.

In the lyrics, the singer tries to convince his partner that he means well regarding his behavior towards alcohol and other women, asking her not to make a scene.

This is certainly an autobiographical lyric, most likely addressed to Pamela Courson, with evident references to Morrison's personal life.

The melancholic yet ironic intonation used in this song is perfect for Morrison's deep, slightly harsh voice.

The choice to sing in a way that makes him sound almost drunk is also very apt (he may well have been a little drunk for real).

Indeed, this device paints a comedic picture in which the protagonist makes promises of sobriety and good behavior just as he is blatantly breaking them.

Beneath the seemingly linear vocal line, a series of emotions related to love and fidelity are stirred up and expressed by the frontman, who is at the crossroads of music and acting.

'I Will Never Be Untrue' becomes relevant again approximately three months after the concert at the Aquarius Theatre, during the recording sessions for the LP 'Morrison Hotel', which took place between October 1969 and January 1970.

The song is rehearsed in the studio, but this seems more like a warm-up than an attempt to record a potential track for the ongoing album (link here).

In this case, Krieger's electric guitar provides the only accompaniment, and the blues touch is much more pronounced than in earlier versions.

Despite its short length of one minute and twenty-two seconds, this latest adaptation of 'I Will Never Be Untrue' has a little surprise in store.

As you can hear at the end of the song, Morrison invites Krieger to play a Jimmy Reed song. Reed was an excellent and important American musician who played blues and rhythm and blues (his best period was from 1953 to 1963).

Krieger hints at some blues chords but stops almost immediately. The outtake ends with Morrison urging Krieger to continue, clearly dissatisfied by the interruption.

During The Doors' career, "I Will Never Be Untrue" was performed from February to November 1969, after which it disappeared from both concert setlists and studio rehearsals.

What remains is an autobiographical account of Jim Morrison without metaphors or poetry, expressing all the spontaneity inherent in the personal daily life of an extraordinary man.

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”