Light My Fire
The Doors爀 Lyrics
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Your hands upon the wheel
Keep your eyes on the road
Your hands upon the wheel
Yeah, we're going to the roadhouse,
Gonna have a real good-time
Yeah, the back of the roadhouse,
Yeah, the back of the roadhouse,
They've got some bungalows
They dance for the people
Who like to go down slow
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, all night long
Do it, Robby, do it!
You gotta roll, roll, roll,
You gotta thrill my soul, alright
Roll, roll, roll, roll-a
Thrill my soul, yeah right
Ashen lady
Ashen lady
Give up your vows
Give up your vows
Save our city
Save our city
Ah, right now
Well, I woke up this morning
And I got myself a beer
Well, I woke up this morning
And I got myself a beer
The future's uncertain
And the end is always near
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, all night long
The Doors' song "Light My Fire" is a bold statement of the counterculture movement of the late 1960s. The song was written by Robbie Krieger and sung by Jim Morrison. The song became one of the most famous rock anthems of that decade due to its psychedelic sound and mystical lyrics. The lyrics open with a call to keep eyes on the road and hands upon the wheel, suggesting that the journey is the most vital aspect of life, and one must steer through it with caution. The band then sings of going to the roadhouse, where they will have a real good time.
The "bungalows" in the back of the roadhouse are where the ladies will dance, and people who like to go down slow would watch them. Morrison switches to a more provocative, sexual tone with his interpretation of "rolling" - a term often used by blues musicians to describe sexual intercourse. "Ashen lady" likely refers to the idea of a ghost or spiritual entity, urging it to "give up your vows" to join the rebellion, challenging the conventional structures of society. The verse “the future’s uncertain, and the end is always near” reinforces this idea, emphasizing the impact of existentialism in societal constructs.
Finally, the lyrics close by talking of the uncertainty of life with the impending end, suggesting that the journey must continue, and the celebration of life must be enjoyed to the fullest. The song ends with the repeated line of "let it roll, baby, roll" and further calls for the guitarist Robby Krieger to play his solo.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah keep your eyes on the road,
Focus on the path that lies ahead
Your hands upon the wheel
Be in control of your own journey and destiny
Keep your eyes on the road
Stay committed to the path you have chosen
Your hands upon the wheel
Remain in control of your life
Yeah, we're going to the roadhouse,
We are on our way to a place of freedom and enjoyment
Gonna have a real good-time
We will thoroughly enjoy ourselves
Yeah, the back of the roadhouse,
A new destination, a place of comfort and safety
They've got some bungalows
They have a place to stay
They dance for the people
They entertain those who appreciate calmness
Who like to go down slow
Who enjoy a slower pace of life, who like to take it easy
Let it roll, baby, roll
Enjoy the journey, let life flow
Do it, Robby, do it!
Take charge, make something happen
You gotta roll, roll, roll,
Keep moving forward, don't stop
You gotta thrill my soul, alright
Evoke emotions in me, make me feel alive
Roll, roll, roll, roll-a
Keep going forward, don't let anything slow you down
Thrill my soul, yeah right
Continue making me feel alive
Ashen lady
A melancholy spirit
Give up your vows
Let go of attachments that hold you back
Save our city
Preserve and protect what really matters
Ah, right now
Immediately, without delay
Well, I woke up this morning
Another day has begun
And I got myself a beer
I indulged in a simple pleasure
The future's uncertain
The unknown lies ahead
And the end is always near
We don't know when it will come, so live life to the fullest
Let it roll, baby, roll
Keep enjoying the journey, let life flow
Let it roll, baby, roll
Continue enjoying the journey, let life flow
Let it roll, baby, roll
Don't stop, keep moving forward
Let it roll, all night long
Keep the good times going all through the night
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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