Not to Touch the Earth

Last updated
"Not to Touch the Earth"
Not to Touch the Earth label.jpg
Single release in 1980 as B-side of "People Are Strange" from Greatest Hits
Song by the Doors
from the album Waiting for the Sun
ReleasedJuly 3, 1968
RecordedFebruary–May 1968
Genre
Length3:54
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s) The Doors
Producer(s) Paul A. Rothchild

"Not to Touch the Earth" is a 1968 song by the Doors from their third album Waiting for the Sun . It is part of an extended performance piece called "Celebration of the Lizard" that the band played live multiple times. A 17-minute studio recording of the complete piece was attempted during the sessions for Waiting for the Sun, and the lyrics were printed in their entirety on the gatefold LP sleeve, but only the musical passage "Not to Touch the Earth" was included on the LP. [5] [6]

Contents

The full 1968 studio recording of "Celebration of the Lizard" was released in 2003 on the Legacy: The Absolute Best compilation [7] and the 40th Anniversary Edition CD re-issue of Waiting for the Sun. [8]

Lyrics

In the 2020 book Listen to Classic Rock! Exploring a Musical Genre, author Melissa Ursula Dawn Goldsmith compares "Not to Touch the Earth" to "Shaman's Blues" (from the 1969 The Soft Parade ), since both songs lyrically seem to indicate that "Morrison was fascinated by shamanism". [1] A portion of the lyrics refer apparently to John F. Kennedy's assassination: "dead president's corpse in the driver's car". [9] Music journalist Greil Marcus on the other hand, elaborates that the line may not be "necessarily about JFK," but "an image floating over the tableau of everyday life." [10]

The song begins with the line, "Not to touch the earth, not to see the sun", these are subchapters of the 60th chapter of The Golden Bough by James Frazer. The chapter is called "Between Heaven and Earth", with subchapter 1, "Not to Touch the Earth", and subchapter 2, "Not to See the Sun". [5] [11] These subchapters detail taboos against certain people (generally royalty or priests) walking upon the ground or having the sun shine directly upon them. Frazer had noted that these superstitions were recurring throughout many primitive cultures, and appeared to be related to traditions and taboos concerning menarche and the following female initiation rites. [11] Frazer's work had an influence on Morrison, according to the Doors biography No One Here Gets Out Alive (1980). [12]

Musical style

"Not to Touch the Earth" has received many characterizations and definitions by both authors and critics, concerning its musical style. Writing a review for the compilation album Perception , critic Stuart Berman characterized it as an acid rock track. [2] Author Melissa Ursula Dawn Goldsmith wrote that the song represents a conventional psychedelic track on Waiting for the Sun, but "musically it is real part of the Doors' art and progressive rock effort." [1] The tune has also been classified as avant-rock song, notably by British journalist Mick Wall. [3]

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, comprising 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 Golden Bough</i> 1890 book by James Frazer

The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion is a wide-ranging, comparative study of mythology and religion, written by the Scottish anthropologist Sir James George Frazer. The Golden Bough was first published in two volumes in 1890; in three volumes in 1900; and in twelve volumes in the third edition, published 1906–1915. It has also been published in several different one-volume abridgments. The work was for a wide literate audience raised on tales as told in such publications as Thomas Bulfinch's The Age of Fable, or Stories of Gods and Heroes (1855). The influence of The Golden Bough on contemporary European literature and thought was substantial.

<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">James George Frazer</span> Scottish social anthropologist and folklorist (1854–1941)

Sir James George Frazer was a Scottish social anthropologist and folklorist influential in the early stages of the modern studies of mythology and comparative religion.

<i>The Soft Parade</i> 1969 studio album by the Doors

The Soft Parade is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Doors, released on July 18, 1969, by Elektra Records. Most of the album was recorded following a grueling tour during which the band was left with little time to compose new material. Record producer Paul A. Rothchild recommended a total departure from the Doors' first three albums: develop a fuller sound by incorporating brass and string arrangements provided by Paul Harris. Lead singer Jim Morrison, who was dealing with personal issues and focusing more on his poetry, was less involved in the songwriting process, allowing guitarist Robby Krieger to increase his own creative output.

"Celebration of the Lizard" is a performance piece by American rock band the Doors, featuring lyrics written by lead singer Jim Morrison and music by the Doors. Composed as a series of poems, the piece includes both spoken verse and sung lyrics, musical sections, interpretive dance, audience reaction, and passages of allegorical storytelling, though the Doors often performed abridged renditions which omitted some or even most these elements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touch Me (The Doors song)</span> 1968 single by The Doors

"Touch Me" is a song by the Doors from their 1969 album The Soft Parade. Written by guitarist Robby Krieger in late 1968, it makes extensive use of brass and string instruments, including a solo by featured saxophonist Curtis Amy.

<i>Butterfly</i> (Hollies album)

Butterfly is the seventh UK studio album by British band the Hollies, released in November 1967. It was the final Hollies album to feature Graham Nash before his departure from the group in 1968. The album consisted solely of songs written by the trio of Nash, Allan Clarke, and Tony Hicks, with Nash leading the sessions. It showcased the band's pop-oriented approach to psychedelia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Crystal Ship</span> 1967 single by the Doors

"The Crystal Ship" is a song by American rock band the Doors, from their 1967 debut album The Doors, and the B-side of the number-one hit single "Light My Fire". It was composed as a love song to Jim Morrison's first serious girlfriend, Mary Werbelow, shortly after their relationship ended.

<i>Legacy: The Absolute Best</i> 2003 greatest hits album by the Doors

Legacy: The Absolute Best is a two-disc compilation album by American rock band the Doors. Released in 2003, it includes the uncensored versions of both "Break On Through " and "The End". Also included is a previously unreleased studio version of Morrison's epic poetry piece "Celebration of the Lizard," a rehearsal outtake from the band's Waiting for the Sun sessions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monday, Monday</span> 1966 single by the Mamas & the Papas

"Monday, Monday" is a 1966 song written by John Phillips and recorded by the Mamas & the Papas, using background instruments played by members of the Wrecking Crew for their 1966 album If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears. Denny Doherty was the lead vocalist. It was the group's only #1 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

<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">Love in an Elevator</span> 1989 single by Aerosmith

"Love in an Elevator" is a song performed by American rock band Aerosmith, written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. It was released in August 1989 as the lead single from their third album with Geffen Records, Pump, released in September. It peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 1 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The RIAA certified it gold.

<i>The Black-Mans Burdon</i> 1970 studio album by Eric Burdon and War

The Black-Man's Burdon is a double album by American band Eric Burdon and War, released in December 1970 on MGM Records. It was the last album by the group before Burdon left and the remaining band continued as War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartache Tonight</span> 1979 single by Eagles

"Heartache Tonight" is a song written by Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bob Seger and J. D. Souther, recorded by the Eagles and features Glenn Frey on lead vocals. The track was included on their album The Long Run and released as a single in 1979. It reached No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in November of that year and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America representing one million copies sold. It was the Eagles' final chart-topping song on the Hot 100.

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

"Roadhouse Blues" is a song by the American rock band the Doors from their 1970 album Morrison Hotel. It was released as the B-side of "You Make Me Real", which peaked at No. 50 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 41 in Canada. "Roadhouse Blues" charted in its own right on the Cash Box Top 100, peaking at No. 76. The song became a concert staple for the group and it has been covered by numerous artists.

<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.

"The Soft Parade" is a song composed by the American rock group the Doors, though credited to lead singer Jim Morrison only. It was recorded for their fourth studio album, also titled The Soft Parade (1969), appearing as the closing track. It has been considered as one of the most musically diverse compositions by the band.

<i>Perception</i> (The Doors album) 2006 box set by the Doors

Perception is a 12-disc box set by American rock band the Doors. The CDs contain the six 1999 remastered versions of the Doors' six studio albums plus DVD-Audio discs containing the 2007 40th anniversary stereo and surround remixes of those albums as well as visual extras. Each album includes extra tracks consisting of previously unreleased session outtakes. Exclusive to the box set is a DVD with several live performances and other extras. The title is derived from Aldous Huxley's book The Doors of Perception, which inspired the band's name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Face in the Crowd (Tom Petty song)</span> 1990 single by Tom Petty

"A Face in the Crowd" is a song co-written and recorded by Tom Petty. It was released in February 1990 as the fourth single from his first solo album Full Moon Fever. It peaked at number 46 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Goldsmith, Melissa Ursula Dawn (2020). Listen to Classic Rock! Exploring a Musical Genre. ABC-CLIO. pp. 93–94. ISBN   978-1440865787.
  2. 1 2 Berman, Stuart (December 5, 2006). "The Doors: Perception Album Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Wall, Mick (October 30, 2014). Love Becomes a Funeral Pyre. UK: Hachette. p. 201. ISBN   978-1409151258. 'Not To Touch the Earth' ... nearly four minutes of avant-rock.
  4. ↑ Pipes, Rusty (January 2002). "Part 4 of The Golden Age of Art Rock". Cosmik Debris Magazine. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2021. Even "Not to Touch the Earth" ... are good examples of Art Rock
  5. 1 2 Weidman, Rich (October 1, 2011). The Doors FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Kings of Acid Rock. Backbeat Books. p. 197. ISBN   978-1617131103.
  6. ↑ Moskowitz, David (2015). The 100 Greatest Bands of All Time: A Guide to the Legends Who Rocked the World. Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood. p. 223. ISBN   978-1440803390.
  7. ↑ Peterson, Gary (2003). Legacy: The Absolute Best (CD booklet). The Doors. Burbank, California: Elektra Records. R2 73889.
  8. ↑ Waiting for the Sun (liner notes). The Doors. Rhino Records. 2007. R2-101191.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ↑ Gruner, Oliver (2016). Screening the Sixties : Hollywood Cinema and the Politics of Memory. London: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 144. ISBN   978-1137496324.
  10. ↑ Marcus, Greil (2011). The Doors: A Lifetime of Listening to Five Mean Years. PublicAffairs. p. 50. ISBN   978-1610393300.
  11. 1 2 Frazer, James George (2009-05-01). The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion. The Floating Press. ISBN   978-1775410560.
  12. ↑ Hopkins, Jerry; Sugarman, Danny (1980). No One Here Gets Out Alive. New York: Warner Books. p. 179. ISBN   978-0446602280.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.