Light My Fire

Last updated

"Light My Fire"
Light My Fire.jpeg
Italian single cover
Single by the Doors
from the album The Doors
B-side "The Crystal Ship"
Released
  • January 4, 1967 (1967-01-04) (album)
  • April 24, 1967 (single)
RecordedAugust 1966 (1966-08)
Genre
Length
  • 7:06 (album version)
  • 2:52 (single version)
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Paul A. Rothchild
The Doors singles chronology
"Break On Through (To the Other Side)"
(1967)
"Light My Fire"
(1967)
"People Are Strange"
(1967)
Live video
"The Doors - Light My Fire" on YouTube

"Light My Fire" is a song by the American rock band the Doors. Although it was principally written by the band's guitarist, Robby Krieger, [7] songwriting was credited to the entire band. Recognized as one of the earliest examples of psychedelic rock, [8] it was recorded in August 1966 and released in January 1967 on their eponymous debut album. Due to its erotic lyrics and innovative structure, the track has come to be regarded as synonymous with the '60s psychedelic and sexual revolutions. [9]

Contents

Issued as an edited single on April 24, 1967, [10] the song spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart; it re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968 following the success of José Feliciano's cover version (which charted at number three), peaking at number 87. The song also spent one week on the Cash Box Top 100, nearly a year after its recording. At the 11th Annual Grammy Awards in 1969, the cover by Feliciano won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Male Pop Vocal Performance. Feliciano also won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. [11]

History

Jim had been writing all the songs and then one day we realized we didn't have enough tunes, so he said, "Hey, why don't you guys try and write songs?" I wrote "Light My Fire" that night and brought it to the next rehearsal ... It's always kind of bugged me that so many people don't know I was the composer.

Robby Krieger, discussing the song's writing process during an interview with Guitar World . [12]

"Light My Fire" originated in early 1966 as a composition by Robby Krieger, [13] who said that he was inspired by the melody of "Hey Joe" and the lyrics of the Rolling Stones' "Play with Fire". [14] On taking his initial composition to the band, John Densmore suggested that it should have more of a Latin rhythm, Jim Morrison wrote the second verse and part of the chorus ("Try to set the night on fire"), [15] while Ray Manzarek added the Bach-influenced introductory organ motif; Densmore also suggested that it should open with a single snare drum hit. [14]

The Vox Continental organ was played by Ray Manzarek for the song's recording Voxcontinental.jpg
The Vox Continental organ was played by Ray Manzarek for the song's recording

The band started playing the song in performances in April 1966, and extended it with a jazzy improvisation. When the Doors performed the song at live concerts, Manzarek played the song's bass line with his left hand on a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, while performing the main keyboard lines on a Vox Continental using his right hand. When they came to record the song later in the year, producer Paul A. Rothchild brought in session musician Larry Knechtel to overdub a Fender Precision Bass guitar to double the keyboard bass line. [14] [16] [17] [18] Rothchild also suggested that the recording repeat the introductory motif at the end of the track. [14]

Although the album version was just over seven minutes long, it was widely requested for radio play, [7] notably by Los Angeles DJ Dave Diamond, and Elektra Records owner Jac Holzman asked that a shorter version be released as a single. [14] Despite the band's reluctance, [19] Rothchild edited a single version, cut down to under three minutes with nearly all the instrumental break removed for airplay on AM radio. [13]

The Ed Sullivan Show

The band appeared on various TV shows, such as American Bandstand , miming to a playback of the single. "Light My Fire" was also performed live by the Doors on The Ed Sullivan Show broadcast on September 17, 1967. The Doors were asked by producer Bob Precht, Ed Sullivan's son-in-law, to change the line "girl, we couldn't get much higher", as the sponsors were uncomfortable with the possible reference to drugs. However, the meaning of the line was confirmed to be literal, as in "high in the sky". [20] [21] The band agreed to do so, and did a rehearsal using the amended lyrics, "girl, we couldn't get much better". However, during the live performance, lead singer Jim Morrison sang the original, unaltered lyrics. [20] Sullivan did not shake Morrison's hand as he left the stage. The band had been negotiating a multi-episode deal with the producers; however, after violating the agreement not to perform the offending line, they were informed they would never perform on the show again. Morrison's response was "Hey man. We just did the Sullivan show." [22]

This performance was portrayed in Oliver Stone's 1991 biopic film, but with Morrison singing "higher" more emphatically and without his subsequent retort to Sullivan and the show's producer. [23]

Buick TV commercial

Drummer John Densmore recalled that Buick offered $75,000 in October 1968 to adapt the song for use in a Buick TV commercial ("Come on, Buick, light my fire"). [24] [25] Morrison, however, was still in London after a European tour had just ended on September 20, and could not be contacted by the other band members, who agreed to the deal in his absence. As the band had agreed in 1965 to both equal splits and everyone having veto power in decisions, Morrison consequently called Buick and threatened to personally smash a Buick with a sledgehammer on television, should the commercial be aired. [26]

Musical structure

"Light My Fire" is notated in the key of A Minor. [27] Ray Manzarek's keyboard playing descends from G to D Major, then goes to F and B-flat major; continuing onto the pitches of E-flat and A-flat major, before returning to the initial key of A Major. [28] This alternation was based on Johann Bach's "Two and Three Part Inventions", [29] but author Philip Clark has suggested that it may have been inspired by Dave Brubeck's compositions. [30] The extended solo arrangement is performed throughout the keys of A Minor and B Minor, the same chord progression used by John Coltrane on his cover version of "My Favorite Things". [31] [32] According to Manzarek, the instrumental sections were an homage to John Coltrane whom the band admired. [33] Parts of the solos are polyrhythmic. [34]

Speed discrepancy

The 40th Anniversary mix of the debut album presents a stereo version of "Light My Fire" in speed-corrected form for the first time. The speed discrepancy (being about 3.5% slow) was brought to Bruce Botnick's attention by Brigham Young University professor Michael Hicks, who noted that all video and audio live performances of the Doors performing the song, the sheet music, and statements of band members show the song in a key almost a half step higher (key of A) than the stereo LP release (key of A♭/G♯). Until the 2006 remasters, only the original 45 RPM singles ("Light My Fire" and "Break On Through") were produced at the correct speed. [35]

Release and legacy

Cashbox advertisement, May 27, 1967 Light My Fire - ad 1967.jpg
Cashbox advertisement, May 27, 1967

A live version was released in 1983 on their live album Alive, She Cried , [36] the first of several live albums released in subsequent decades to include the song. "Light My Fire" achieved modest success in Australia, where it peaked at number 22 on the ARIA chart. The single originally reached number 49 in the UK in 1967, but experienced belated success in that country in 1991, when a reissue peaked at number seven. This reissue was more successful in Ireland, peaking atop the IRMA chart for two weeks in June. The reissue occurred due to revived interest in the band following Oliver Stone's film biopic The Doors.

The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in September 1967 for exceeding one million units shipped. [37] As of December 1971, it was the band's best-selling single with over 927,000 copies sold. [38] It was also certified Platinum by the RIAA in September 2018 for reaching 1,000,000 digital units. [39] Billboard described the single as a "top discotheque offering" with an "infectious beat" that "really grooves from start to finish." [40] Cash Box called the single a "potent, pounding foot-stomper with unlimited potential." [41]

"Light My Fire" has been widely considered as the Doors' signature song, [42] [43] [44] and a quintessential work of the psychedelic rock genre. [2] In 2004 and 2010, the song was ranked at number 35 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, [45] then it was re-ranked at number 310 on the 2021 list. [46] It was included in RIAA's Songs of the Century list, at number 52. In 2014 NME ranked the song 199th in its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. [47] Feliciano's cover won the 1969 Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, [48] the same year he also won the Grammy for Best New Artist. [49] In 1998, the track was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame under the category Rock (single). [50] Artists such as Brian Wilson, Jean Jacques Burnel, and Feliciano himself, among others, are admirers of the song. [51] [52] [53]

Personnel

The Doors

Additional musician

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Italy (FIMI) [71] Gold25,000
United Kingdom (BPI) [72] Silver200,000
United States (RIAA) [37] Platinum1,000,000 [38]

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

José Feliciano version

"Light My Fire"
Light My Fire - Jose Feliciano.jpeg
Single by José Feliciano
from the album Feliciano!
B-side "California Dreamin'"
ReleasedJuly 1968
Recorded1968
Genre
Length3:33
Label RCA Victor
Songwriter(s) The Doors
Producer(s) Rick Jarrard
José Feliciano singles chronology
"La Copa Rota"
(1968)
"Light My Fire"
(1968)
"Hi-Heel Sneakers" / "Hitchcock Railway"
(1968)
Official audio
"Light My Fire" (Digitally Mastered - April 1992) on YouTube

Puerto Rican vocalist and guitarist José Feliciano enjoyed significant international success when he released his version of "Light My Fire" in 1968 as a single on the RCA Victor label. It is perhaps the best known cover of this song, peaking at number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts for the three consecutive weeks of August 31 and September 7 and 14, [76] [77] only a year after the original had been a number-one hit on the same chart. His version became the bigger hit in Australia and also in Canada, where it reached number one. [78]

Feliciano's remake blended Latin influences, including a mixture of classic Spanish guitar, and soul, with American pop. [73] It contains "proto-Latin rock" stylings, [79] and a slower tempo than the Doors original version. [53] In a 1969 interview, Feliciano said that he liked the song when he first heard it, but felt that he should wait a year before releasing the song. He also said that "California Dreamin'" was the original A-side of the single. [53]

The single helped to spur the worldwide success of its album, Feliciano! , which was nominated for multiple Grammy Awards in 1969. Feliciano's arrangement of "Light My Fire" has influenced several subsequent versions, including that by Will Young. Songwriter Robby Krieger said in an interview about the cover: "It's really a great feeling to have written a classic. I think I owe a big debt to Jose Feliciano because he is actually the one, when he did it, everybody started doing it. He did a whole different arrangement on it." [80]

Feliciano revisited the song, performing a duet with Minnie Riperton on her 1979 album Minnie . [81]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1968)Peak
position
Australia (Go-Set) [82] 15
Brazil [83] 2
Canada RPM Top Singles [78] 1
France[ citation needed ]54
Ireland (IRMA) [84] 14
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [85] 24
Mexico [86] 3
New Zealand ( Listener ) [60] 16
Norway [87] 7
Sweden[ citation needed ]13
Spain[ citation needed ]25
UK Singles (OCC) [88] 6
US Billboard Hot 100 [89] 3
US Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles ( Billboard ) [90] 29
US Cash Box Top 100 [91] 3

Year-end charts

Chart (1968)Rank
Canada [92] 27
US Billboard Hot 100 [93] 52
US Cash Box [94] 37

Amii Stewart version

"Light My Fire"
Amii Stewart-Light My Fire.jpg
Single by Amii Stewart
from the album Knock on Wood
B-side "Bring It on Back to Me"
Released1979
Genre Disco
Length8:22
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Barry Leng
Amii Stewart singles chronology
"Knock on Wood"
(1979)
"Light My Fire"
(1979)
"Jealousy"
(1979)

In 1979, Amii Stewart released a disco version of "Light My Fire", together with a medley titled "137 Disco Heaven". It was a big hit in the UK, where it reached No. 5, [95] and a mild hit in West Germany, peaking at No. 26. [96] In the U.S., the song peaked at No. 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 [97] and No. 36 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart. [98]

It reached the top 10 in the UK a second time in 1985, in remixed form together with "Knock on Wood/Ash 48". This release peaked at No. 7. [99]

Track listing

  1. "Light My Fire" / "137 Disco Heaven" 8:22
  2. "Bring It on Back to Me" 3:58
  1. "Knock on Wood" / "Ash 48" 7:45
  2. "Light My Fire" / "137 Disco Heaven" 7:35

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1979)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [100] 14
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [101] 30
Canada Top Singles ( RPM )58
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [102] 27
Ireland (IRMA) [103] 20
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [104] 30
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [105] 12
UK Singles (OCC) [106] 5
US Billboard Hot 100 [107] 69
US Hot Soul ( Billboard ) [108] 36
West Germany (Official German Charts)26

Year-end charts

Chart (1979)Position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [100] 91

Will Young version

"Light My Fire"
WY LMF.jpg
Single by Will Young
from the album From Now On
B-side
ReleasedMay 27, 2002 (2002-05-27)
Recorded2002
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Absolute
Will Young singles chronology
"Anything Is Possible" / "Evergreen"
(2002)
"Light My Fire"
(2002)
"The Long and Winding Road"
(2002)

English singer and Pop Idol series 1 winner Will Young covered "Light My Fire" in 2002. [109] He originally performed a piano version of the song in the final 50 of Pop Idol, and again, with a backing track, in the final 10. A studio version, recorded in the style of Puerto Rican musician José Feliciano's version, was later released as his second single. The song went straight to the number one spot in the UK Singles Chart, selling 177,000 copies in its first week of release, while staying at number one for two weeks. Young also performed the song on World Idol , where he came in fifth place. [110]

Track listings

UK CD single [111]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Light My Fire" Absolute 3:35
2."Ain't No Sunshine" Bill Withers Absolute2:38
3."Beyond the Sea" (featuring The Big Blue)
Stephen Lipson 2:54
UK cassette single and European CD single [112] [113]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Light My Fire"
  • Morrison
  • Manzarek
  • Densmore
  • Krieger
Absolute3:35
2."Ain't No Sunshine"WithersAbsolute2:38

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the From Now On album booklet. [114]

Studios

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Light My Fire"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Italy (FIMI) [129] Gold25,000*
United Kingdom (BPI) [130] Gold400,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Release history

"Light My Fire" release history
RegionDateLabelFormat(s)Ref(s)
United KingdomMay 27, 2002 CD single [131]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Doors</span> American rock band

The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most influential and controversial rock acts of the 1960s, primarily due to Morrison's lyrics and voice, along with his erratic stage persona and legal issues. The group is widely regarded as an important figure of the era's counterculture.

<i>The Doors</i> (album) 1967 studio album by The Doors

The Doors is the debut studio album by American rock band the Doors, released on January 4, 1967, by Elektra Records. It was recorded in August 1966 at Sunset Sound Recorders, in Hollywood, California, under the production of Paul A. Rothchild. The album features the extended version of the band's breakthrough single "Light My Fire" and the lengthy closer "The End" with its Oedipal spoken word section. Various publications, including BBC and Rolling Stone, have ranked The Doors as one of the greatest debut albums of all time.

<i>Strange Days</i> (The Doors album) 1967 studio album by the Doors

Strange Days is the second studio album by the American rock band the Doors, released on September 25, 1967 by Elektra Records, arriving eight months after their self-titled debut album. After the latter's successful release, the band started experimenting with both new and old material in early 1967 for their second record. Upon release, Strange Days reached number three on the US Billboard 200, and eventually earned a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It contains the two Top 30 hit singles, "People Are Strange" and "Love Me Two Times".

<i>Waiting for the Sun</i> 1968 studio album by the Doors

Waiting for the Sun is the third studio album by the American rock band the Doors, released by Elektra Records on July 3, 1968. The album's 11 tracks were recorded between late 1967 and May 1968 mostly at TTG Studios in Los Angeles. It became the band's only number one album, topping the Billboard 200 for four weeks, while also including their second US number one single, "Hello, I Love You". The first single released off the record was "The Unknown Soldier", which peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became the band's first hit album in the UK, where it reached number 16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robby Krieger</span> American guitarist (born 1946)

Robert Alan Krieger is an American guitarist and founding member of the rock band the Doors. Krieger wrote or co-wrote many of the Doors' songs, including the hits "Light My Fire", "Love Me Two Times", "Touch Me", and "Love Her Madly". When the Doors disbanded shortly after the death of lead singer Jim Morrison, Krieger continued to perform and record with other musicians including former Doors bandmates John Densmore and Ray Manzarek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Densmore</span> American drummer

John Paul Densmore is an American musician. He is best known as the drummer of the rock band the Doors, and as such is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He appeared on every recording made by the band, with drumming inspired by jazz and world music as much as by rock and roll. The many honors he shares with the other Doors include a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

<i>An American Prayer</i> 1978 studio album by The Doors

An American Prayer is the ninth and final studio album by the American rock band the Doors. Following the death of Jim Morrison and the band's breakup, the surviving members of the Doors reconvened to set several of Morrison's spoken word recordings to music. It was the only album by the Doors to be nominated for a Grammy Award in the "Spoken Word" category.

<i>Full Circle</i> (The Doors album) 1972 studio album by the Doors

Full Circle is the eighth studio album by the American rock band the Doors, released in August 1972. It is the second album after Jim Morrison's death, and their last until the 1978 album An American Prayer. The album includes "The Mosquito", the last Doors single to chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peace Frog</span> 1970 song by the Doors

"Peace Frog" is a song by the Doors, which was released on their fifth studio album Morrison Hotel in 1970. Guitarist Robby Krieger explained that the music was written and recorded first, with the lyrics later coming from poems by singer Jim Morrison. Although the song was never released as a single in the US, it was issued as the B-side of "You Make Me Real" in France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riders on the Storm</span> 1971 single by the Doors

"Riders on the Storm" is a song by American rock band the Doors, released in June 1971 by Elektra Records as the second single from the band's sixth studio album, L.A. Woman. It is famous for being the last song that Jim Morrison recorded prior to his sudden death in Paris on July 3, 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Me Two Times</span> 1967 single by the Doors

"Love Me Two Times" is a song by the American rock band the Doors. First appearing on their second studio album Strange Days, it was later edited to a 2:37 length and released as the second single from that album. The single reached number 25 on the charts in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">L.A. Woman (song)</span> 1971 single by The Doors

"L.A. Woman" is a song by the American rock band the Doors. The song is the title track of their 1971 album L.A. Woman, the final album to feature Jim Morrison before his death on July 3, 1971. In 2014, LA Weekly named it the all-time best song written about the city of Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hello, I Love You</span> 1968 single by the Doors

"Hello, I Love You" is a song recorded by American rock band the Doors for their 1968 album Waiting for the Sun. Elektra Records released it as a single that same year, which topped the charts in the U.S. and Canada. Although the Doors are credited as the songwriters, songs by other artists have been identified as likely sources.

"When the Music's Over" is an epic song by the American rock band the Doors, which appears on their second album Strange Days, released in 1967. It is among the band's longer pieces, lasting 11 minutes.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (The Doors album) 1980 greatest hits album by the Doors

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by American rock band the Doors, released in 1980. The album, along with the film Apocalypse Now, released the previous year, created for the band an entirely new audience of the generation that did not grow up with the Doors. The album went on to become one of the highest-selling compilations of all time, with combined CD and vinyl sales of 5,000,000 in the United States alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People Are Strange</span> 1967 single by the Doors

"People Are Strange" is a song by the American rock band the Doors. It appears on the band's second studio album, Strange Days, released in September 1967. The song was written by the Doors' vocalist Jim Morrison and guitarist Robby Krieger, although all of the band are credited on the sleeve notes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Her Madly</span> 1971 single by the Doors

"Love Her Madly" is a song by American rock band the Doors. It was released in March 1971 and was the first single from L.A. Woman, their final album with singer Jim Morrison. "Love Her Madly" became one of the highest-charting hits for the Doors; it peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and reached number three in Canada. Session musician Jerry Scheff played bass guitar on the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Break On Through (To the Other Side)</span> Single by the Doors

"Break On Through (To the Other Side)" is a song by the American rock band the Doors. It is the opening track of their debut album, The Doors (1967). Elektra Records issued the song as the group's first single, which reached number 126 in the United States. Despite the single's failure to impact the record sales charts, the song became a concert staple for the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manzarek–Krieger</span> American rock band

Manzarek–Krieger was an American rock band formed by two former members of the Doors, Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, in 2002. They were also known as "The Doors of the 21st Century", "D21C", and "Riders on the Storm" after the Doors song of the same name. They settled on using "Manzarek–Krieger" or "Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors" for legal reasons, after acrimonious debates and court battles between the two musicians and Doors co-founder/ drummer John Densmore. They performed Doors material exclusively until the death of Manzarek in 2013.

<i>Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970</i> (The Doors album) 1987 album by The Doors

Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 is a live album by the American rock band the Doors, released on February 23, 2018, on Rhino Records. The concert was recorded at the Isle of Wight Festival in England on August 30, 1970, and this was released by Eagle Rock Entertainment. It was the group's final appearance as a foursome outside of the US and also the last full filming of a Doors concert.

References

  1. "Forty Years on, Jim Morrison Cult Thrives at Paris Cemetery" . The Independent . September 18, 2011. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Gallucci, Ennio (February 24, 2021). "Top 20 Psychedelic Rock Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock . Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  3. O'Connor, Roisin (January 30, 2021). "The 35 Greatest Debut Albums of All Time" . The Independent. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  4. Bell, Max. "The Top 20 Greatest Doors Songs". Louder Sound . Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  5. Moretta, John Anthony (2017). The Hippies: A 1960s History. McFarland & Company. p. 197. ISBN   978-1476627397.
  6. Robert Dimery; Michael Lydon (March 23, 2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. Universe. ISBN   978-0-7893-2074-2.
  7. 1 2 Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 43 - Revolt of the Fat Angel: Some samples of the Los Angeles sound. [Part 3]" (audio). Pop Chronicles . University of North Texas Libraries.
  8. "'Light My Fire' — The Doors". Medium . December 17, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
  9. Planer, Lindsay. "The Doors: 'Light My Fire' Review". AllMusic . Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  10. "April 24, 1967: The Doors Release "Light My Fire" as a Single". The Doors Examiner. April 24, 2017. Archived from the original on December 3, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  11. Grammy.com
  12. Paul, Alan (January 8, 2016). "The Doors' Robby Krieger Sheds Light — Album by Album". Guitar World . Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  13. 1 2 "Light My Fire". Guitar World. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 Myers, Marc (2016). Anatomy of a Song. Grove Press. pp. 81–85. ISBN   978-1-61185-525-8.
  15. Leas, Ryan (September 30, 2021). "We've Got A File On You: Robby Krieger". Stereogum . Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  16. Davis, Stephen (2005). Jim Morrison: Life, Death, Legend. Penguin. p. 139. ISBN   978-1101218273.
  17. Sullivan, Steve (2013). Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings. Vol. 2. Scarecrow Press. pp. 484–5. ISBN   978-0810882966.
  18. Hartman, Kent (2012). The Wrecking Crew: The Inside Story of Rock and Roll's Best-Kept Secret. Macmillan. p. 2. ISBN   978-0312619749.
  19. Golsen, Tyler (June 3, 2021). "The Story Behind the Song: How the Doors created 'Light My Fire'". Far Out . Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  20. 1 2 Korpe, Marie (September 4, 2004). Shoot the Singer!: Music Censorship Today. Zed Books. p. 178. ISBN   978-1-84277-505-9 . Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  21. Hicks, Michael (August 1, 2000). Sixties Rock: Garage, Psychedelic, and Other Satisfactions. University of Illinois Press. p. 83. ISBN   978-0-252-06915-4 . Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  22. Hogan, Peter K. (1994). Charlesworth, Chris (ed.). The Complete Guide To the Music of the Doors. Music Sales Group. p. 30. ISBN   978-0-7119-3527-3 . Retrieved October 7, 2009.
  23. Goldsmith, Melissa U. D.; Willson, Paige A.; Fonseca, Anthony J. (October 7, 2016). The Encyclopedia of Musicians and Bands on Film. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 205. ISBN   978-1442269873.
  24. "July 8, 2002". The Nation . Retrieved May 10, 2014.
  25. Masley, Ed (August 13, 2014). "Interview: Drummer John Densmore on 'Doors Unhinged'". Azcentral. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  26. Harmon, Rod (April 18, 2013). "From the Editor: The Doors, the Buick, and the Book". Portland Press Herald . Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  27. "Digital Sheet Music – The Doors – Light My Fire". Musicnotes.com. Sony/ATV Music Publishing. July 20, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  28. Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn (2019). Listen to Classic Rock! Exploring a Musical Genre. ABC-CLIO. p. 93. ISBN   978-1440865787.
  29. EG Perry, Kevin (May 21, 2013). "The Doors' Ray Manzarek's 5 Greatest Keyboard Riffs". NME . Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  30. Clark, Philip (2020). Dave Brubeck: A Life in Time. Hachette. p. 250. ISBN   978-0306921667.
  31. Mayhew, Jess (June 17, 2016). "Robby Krieger Explains the Story of 'Peace Frog' and 'Light My Fire'". Reverb.com . Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  32. "Double Take: 'Light My Fire' - The Doors/Will Young" . The Independent. December 31, 2013. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  33. Manzarek, Ray (1998). Light My Fire: My Life With the Doors. New York: Putnam. p. 78. ISBN   978-0-399-14399-1.
  34. Halpin, Brooke (2013). A Magical Mystery Time. Cork: BookBaby. p. 200. ISBN   978-1626752665.
  35. Botnick, Bruce (May 2006). The Doors 40th Anniversary (CD reissue liner notes).
  36. Eder, Bruce. "The Doors Alive, She Cried". AllMusic . Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  37. 1 2 "American single certifications – The Doors – Light My Fire". Recording Industry Association of America.
  38. 1 2 "'Doors Sold 4,190,457 Albums': Court Report". Billboard. Vol. 83, no. 51. December 18, 1971. p. 3. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  39. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA.
  40. "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard . May 27, 1967. p. 16. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  41. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. May 20, 1967. p. 26. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  42. Simpson, Dave (June 17, 2015). "The Doors: 10 of the Best". The Guardian . Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  43. G. Gaar, Gillian (March 14, 2017). "The 15 Best Songs by the Doors". Paste Magazine . Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  44. Brayton, Rebecca. "Top 10 the Doors Songs". WatchMojo . Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  45. "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 4, 2011.
  46. "Light May Fire ranked #310 on Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs List". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  47. Barker, Emily (January 31, 2014). "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". NME . Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  48. "Grammy Awards: Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male". Rock on the Net. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
  49. "'Now' Singers To Get Grammys". St. Petersburg Times . February 11, 1969. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  50. "Grammy Hall of Fame". Grammy.com. Santa Monica, California: The Recording Academy. July 7, 2015. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  51. "Brian Wilson Tweets". Twitter . February 1, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  52. "Jean-Jacques Burnel of the Stranglers on the Songs That Changed His Life". Nzherald.co.nz. February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  53. 1 2 3 "Interviews #40 - Jose Feliciano". Pop Chronicles . September 4, 1969. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  54. Deconstructing The Doors - Light My Fire (Isolated Tracks). YouTube . December 11, 2020.
  55. Lenhoff, Alan; Robertson, David (2019). Classic Keys: Keyboard Sounds that Launched Rock Music. University of North Texas Press. p. 175. ISBN   978-1-57441-776-0.
  56. Burrluck, Dave (July 8, 2009). "Robby Krieger Talks Guitars and the Doors". Music Radar . Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  57. "27 September 1967 Singles". poparchives.com.au. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
  58. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 10087." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  59. "The Doors – Light My Fire" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  60. 1 2 "Flavour of New Zealand - Search Listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz.
  61. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989" . Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  62. "The Doors: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  63. "The Doors Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  64. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles". cashboxmagazine.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  65. Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN   951-31-2503-3.
  66. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know" . Retrieved December 20, 2016.
  67. Roberts, David (May 2005). British Hit Singles and Albums 18 Ed. Gullane Children's Books. ISBN   978-1-904994-00-8.
  68. "RPM Top 100 Singles of 1967". Archived from the original on August 12, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  69. "Top 100 Hits of 1967/Top 100 Songs of 1967". Musicoutfitters.com.
  70. "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1967". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013.
  71. "Italian single certifications – The Doors – Light My Fire" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved March 11, 2019. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "Light My Fire" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  72. "British single certifications – Doors – Light My Fire". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  73. 1 2 Candelaria, Cordelia; García, Peter J.; Aldama, Arturo J. (2004). Encyclopedia of Latino Popular Culture. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 269. ISBN   978-0313332104.
  74. Greenman, Ben (January 1, 1998). "Jose Feliciano". In Knopper, Steve (ed.). MusicHound Lounge: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 167.
  75. Molanphy, Chris (December 18, 2021). "Chestnut Roasters Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate . Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  76. Billboard Hot 100, Week of August 31, 1968 Billboard.com. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  77. Billboard Hot 100, Week of September 14, 1968 Billboard.com. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  78. 1 2 "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. September 9, 1968. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  79. Morales, Ed (March 1, 2003). Living in Spanglish: The Search for Latino Identity in America (First ed.). St. Martin's Griffin. p. 160. ISBN   978-0312262327.
  80. James, Gary (1994). "Interview with Robby Krieger". Classic Bands. Retrieved January 18, 2011.
  81. "Minnie Riperton – Minnie Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  82. "Go-Set Australian charts - 13 November 1968". www.poparchives.com.au.
  83. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1969/Billboard%201969-01-18-OCR-Page-0065.pdf#search=%22feliciano%20sweden%22
  84. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Light My Fire". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  85. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Jose Feliciano" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  86. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/60s/1968/CB-1968-10-12-OCR-Page-0054.pdf#search=%22feliciano%20enciende%22
  87. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/60s/1968/CB-1968-11-30-OCR-Page-0072.pdf
  88. "Jose Feliciano: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  89. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN   0-89820-089-X
  90. "Jose Feliciano Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard .
  91. "Cash Box Top 100 8/31/68". cashboxmagazine.com.
  92. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  93. "Top 100 Hits of 1968/Top 100 Songs of 1968". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  94. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 28, 1968". Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  95. "Light My Fire/137 Disco Heaven | Full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com.
  96. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". Offiziellecharts.de.
  97. "Amii Stewart Light My Fire/137 Disco Heaven Chart History". Billboard.
  98. "Amii Stewart Light My Fire/137 Disco Heaven R&B Songs Chart History". Billboard.
  99. "Knock on Wood/Light My Fire | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com.
  100. 1 2 "Kent Music Report No 288 – 31 December 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1979". Kent Music Report . Retrieved January 10, 2023 via Imgur.com.
  101. "Amii Stewart – Light My Fire" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  102. Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Amii Stewart". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 246. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  103. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  104. "Amii Stewart – Light My Fire". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  105. "Amii Stewart – Light My Fire". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  106. "AMII STEWART | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company . Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  107. "Chart History: Amii Stewart - Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  108. "Chart History: Amii Stewart - HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS". Billboard . Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  109. Cowell, Simon (April 29, 2004). I Don't Mean to be Rude, But... . Ebury Press. p.  180. ISBN   0091898285. will young light my fire.
  110. Wilkes, Neil. "Will insulted by 'World Idol' judges". Digital Spy. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  111. Light My Fire (UK CD single liner notes). Will Young. 19 Recordings, S Records, RCA Records, BMG. 2002. 74321 943002.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  112. Light My Fire (UK cassette single sleeve). Will Young. 19 Recordings, S Records, RCA Records, BMG. 2002. 74321 943004.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  113. Light My Fire (European CD single liner notes). Will Young. 19 Recordings, S Records, RCA Records, BMG. 2002. 82876 52541 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  114. From Now On (UK CD album booklet). Will Young. 19 Recordings, S Records, RCA Records, BMG. 2002. 74321 969592.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  115. "Will Young – Light My Fire" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  116. "Will Young – Light My Fire" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  117. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 20, no. 26. June 22, 2002. p. 14. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  118. "Will Young – Light My Fire" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  119. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Light My Fire". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  120. "Will Young – Light My Fire". Top Digital Download. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  121. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 23, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  122. "Will Young – Light My Fire" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  123. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  124. "Will Young – Light My Fire". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  125. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  126. "Top 100 Songs of 2002". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2002. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  127. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2002" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  128. "Top of the Music – Mix e Singoli" (PDF) (in Italian). FIMI. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 10, 2006. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  129. "Light My Gold" (in Italian). MTV Italy. June 27, 2003. Retrieved July 10, 2003.[ dead link ]
  130. "British single certifications – Will Young – Light My Fire". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  131. "New Releases – For Week Starting 27 May 2002: Singles". Music Week . May 25, 2002. p. 37.

Further reading

Burns, Gary. "A Typology of 'Hooks' in Popular Records."Popular Music 6.1 (1987): 1-20. Web.