"YOU MAKE ME REAL" BY THE DOORS: BIRTH AND EARLY CONCEPTION

 

Among the compositions hatched by the genius of Jim Morrison in the early phase of The Doors' history (summer 1965 - summer 1966), "You Make Me Real" is certainly one of the least psychedelic and experimental.

The singer's intuition is expressed here on the terrain of immediacy looking forward to the urgent direction given to his passionate desire.

This leaves less room for creativity than the other wonderful ideas conceived during this period (that is to say almost all the tracks on the first two splendid LPs of the California based group).

The track dates back in early 1966, when the small clubs where the band played served as unwitting rehearsal grounds for the construction of a myth still shrouded in shining light.

All in all, the tune can be placed within the framework of British and American rhythm and blues of the first half of the 1960s, being already a little late in its conception compared to what was happening in the American and British music scenes.

This partial limitation, although not detrimental in terms of overall quality, can be heard in the very first version available for listening: the one recorded by The Doors in May 1966 at the Los Angeles venue called London Fog (link).

Here, the quartet launches itself with lively impetuosity into an aggressive ride that combines the incisiveness of groups like The Animals and Them with the rough sound impact typical of garage rock.

Morrison's invitation to the sparse club crowd to dance, shouted harshly into the microphone at the beginning of the song, comes across more as an angry threat than a request to actively participate in the music.

This  fades into an interesting musical structure, even surprising when carefully evaluated: verse, anticipation of the final part of the chorus (for example, from min. 0.24 to min. 0.28), chorus, solo, repetition of the sequence just described, chorus.

The audio, quite satisfactory considering the precarious circumstances in which it was captured, puts in the foreground the most remarkable feature of this live recording: Densmore's drumming.

While effectively maintaining a relentless, engaging rock pace throughout much of the composition, the drummer devises an entirely unique accompaniment during the verse.

In it, the fast, steady, light strokes on the snare drum increase in intensity at regular intervals, creating a recurring change of volume in the rhythm.

In this way, an innovative seal is put on the typical introductory pattern usually followed by the drums in the surf rock genre.

Also noteworthy is the verse-supporting riff (for example, from min. 0.00 to min. 0.23 or from min. 0.59 to min. 1.16), led by Robby Krieger's electric guitar.

This short theme is faster, more percussive, and abruptly tighter compared to the more melodic way in which it will be developed by the band in the following years, thus confirming the tune's strict Rhythm and Blues approach in its first months of life.

"You Make Me Real" at the London Fog also highlights Jim Morrison's voice, strengthened by Manzarek's background vocals in the chorus.

The singing of the then 22-year-old frontman is not yet fully mature, but it’s already capable of delivering the dark and fascinating vibes that would become a cornerstone of rock history.

The screams, at once scratchy and deep, scattered with determined spontaneity throughout the song, recall some of the classic vocal devices of rhythm and blues.

Still, it is impressive to note that Morrison had begun singing only ten months earlier, starting from scratch and without any specific training.

The lyrics of "You Make Me Real" are a declaration of sentimental passion, focusing on the protagonist's imperious need to be loved.

Breaking away from the stereotypes that have always been present in songs about romantic relationships, Morrison defines himself in a state of unhappiness that he recognizes as wrong for himself, but from which he can only escape through the love of a specific girl.

The reference here is probably to Pamela Courson, whom Morrison met in the spring of 1966, a little before the London Fog gig.

He thus invokes a love that makes the protagonist of the lyrics "free" and "real", thrilling his state of mind and reflecting the song's pressing rhythm.

This tune would remain in The Doors' live repertoire for much of 1966, fading out in 1967 in favor of tracks drawn from the material recorded on the first LP ("The Doors", put on vinyl during the late summer '66) or deemed more appropriate to changing circumstances.

"You Make Me Real" would be revived by the band, both live and on vinyl, a few years after the London Fog performance. This will be discussed in the next article, to be released next week.

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