Shaman's Blues - The Doors

Artist: The Doors
Song: Shaman's Blues
Year: 1969
Album: The Soft Parade

This album has been a sore thumb in the history of the Doors. The Soft Parade breaks new exciting ground, but is a departure in the eyes of mant fans. When half the songs feature a horn section, there's something amiss. That doesn't stop this from being a great album though.

"Shaman's Blues" is one of the songs uneffected by the horn section. It's a gritty, straightforward piece of blues fluff that is catchy. It's easy to dismiss this song as another of Jim Morrison's psychobabble ramblings. I am a fan of Jim and his poetry, but let's face it, some of it was free association. I can put ten different things on paper, throw them into the air, and piece it back together with just as much gusto.

The ending of this song features different ramblings from studio outtakes tacked onto the song. It would be interesting to think that the word bridesmaid was in the actual written lyrics for the ending verse. Then again, it's not that far fetched to think that random word wouldn't have fallen out of Jim's mouth on a take.

I would categorize this as an early attempt at the blues that the band would perfect on the L.A. Woman album. There is wisdom in this piece, if you look hard enough. This song fits Jim's style to a tee. I'm very happy that this track didn't find a bunch of syrupy horns on it. That just makes it that much more powerful.

Lyrics:
There will never be
Another one like you
There will never be
Another one who can
Do the things you do, oh
Will you give another chance?
Will you try, little try?
Please stop and you remember
We were together, anyway, all right

And if you have a certain evenin'
You could lend to me
I'd give it all right back to you
A how it has to be with you
I know your moves and your mind
And your mind
And your mind
And your mind
And your mind
And your mind
And your mind

Will you stop and think and wonder?
Just what you'll see
Out on the train yard
Nursin' penitentiary
It's gone, I cry out long

Go head, brother

Did you stop it to consider?
How it will feel
Cold, grinded grizzly bear jaws
Hot on your heels

Do you often stop and whisper?
It's Saturday's shore
The whole world's a savior
Who could ever, ever, ever
Ever, ever, ever
Ask for more?

Do you remember?
Will you stop?
Will you stop?
The pain

And there will never be
Another one like you
There will never be
Another one who can
Do the things you do, oh

Will you give another chance?
Will you try, little try?
Please stop and you remember
We were together, anyway, all right

How you must of think and wondered
How I must feel
Out on the meadows
While you run the field
I'm alone for you
And I cry

The sweat, look at it
Optical promise
Heh, heh, heh
You'll be dead and in hell
Before I'm born
Sure thing
Brides maid
The only solution
Isn't it amazing?