"Show us the way to the next pretty boy" to "Show me the way to the next little girl". Although on the 1967 Live at the Matrix recording, he sings "... next little boy".
In addition, the verse from the original, "Show me the way to the next little dollar" is omitted. The melody of the verses is also changed. Keyboardist Ray Manzarek plays the marxophone on this song along with the organ and keyboard bass.
Alabama Song
The Doors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the next whisky bar
Oh, don't ask why
Oh, don't ask why
Show me the way
To the next whisky bar
Oh, don't ask why
Oh, don't ask why
For if we don't find
The next whisky bar
I tell you we must die
I tell you we must die
I tell you, I tell you
I tell you we must die
Oh, moon of Alabama
We now must say goodbye
We've lost our good old mama
And must have whisky, oh, you know why
Oh, moon of Alabama
We now must say goodbye
We've lost our good old mama
And must have whisky, oh, you know why, yeah
Well, show me the way
To the next little girl
Oh, don't ask why
Oh, don't ask why
Show me the way
To the next little girl
Oh, don't ask why
Oh, don't ask why
For if we don't find
The next little girl
I tell you we must die
I tell you we must die
I tell you, I tell you
I tell you we must die
Oh, moon of Alabama
We now must say goodbye
We've lost our good old mama
And must have whisky, oh, you know why
The Doors’ song Alabama Song is an unique and strange work that narrates the story of two men who are desperately searching for a place to drink at a time when alcohol is illegal. The opening lyrics “Well, show me the way/ To the next whisky bar/Oh, don't ask why” illustrate how characters are looking for something to numb their pain and forget about their troubles. They’re consumed by the need to drink and are willing to risk their lives to satisfy this craving. The repetition of “Oh, don’t ask why” illustrates that they don't need to explain their desire or what motivates it; they just want to do it. They're so fixated on their objective that they add "I tell you we must die, I tell you we must die, I tell you, I tell you, I tell you we must die," if they fail to locate a place to drink.
The phrase "Moon of Alabama" is an reference to the American South, which is a place that is cherished by the characters, and is something that they’ll have to say goodbye to eventually. Their beloved “good old mama” has been lost, and the two men are compelled to drink even more now that she's gone. The song is brimming with imagery, and the way that the doors have musically portrayed the story adds to the atmosphere of the lyrics. It's a dark and wistful tune that communicates the central themes of desperation and grief.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, show me the way
Asking for direction or guidance to find something of great importance
To the next whisky bar
To the nearest place to find relief and escape from the burden of life
Oh, don't ask why
Don't question or judge the singer's motives
Oh, don't ask why
Don't question or judge the artist's motives
For if we don't find
Emphasizing the importance and urgency of finding what they seek
The next whisky bar
The only hope they have to avoid facing the reality of life
I tell you we must die
The severity of the situation and their inevitable fate
I tell you we must die
The severity of the situation and their inevitable fate
I tell you, I tell you
Repeating the urgency and gravity of what they are seeking
I tell you we must die
The severity of the situation and their inevitable fate
Oh, moon of Alabama
Addressing the beauty and serenity of nature, a contrast to the harsh reality of life
We now must say goodbye
Acknowledging the end of something important, perhaps a time of innocence in their lives
We've lost our good old mama
Referencing a maternal figure, and the singer's desire to find comfort and solace
And must have whisky, oh, you know why
Connecting the need for whisky to the loss of their mother figure and their desire to escape reality
Well, show me the way
Asking for direction or guidance to find something of great importance
To the next little girl
To the next object of desire and sexual gratification
Oh, don't ask why
Don't question or judge the artist's motives
Oh, don't ask why
Don't question or judge the singer's motives
For if we don't find
Emphasizing the importance and urgency of finding what they seek
The next little girl
The only hope they have for pleasure and escape from their reality
I tell you we must die
The severity of the situation and their inevitable fate
I tell you we must die
The severity of the situation and their inevitable fate
I tell you, I tell you
Repeating the urgency and gravity of what they are seeking
I tell you we must die
The severity of the situation and their inevitable fate
Oh, moon of Alabama
Addressing the beauty and serenity of nature, a contrast to the harsh reality of life
We now must say goodbye
Acknowledging the end of something important, perhaps a time of innocence in their lives
We've lost our good old mama
Referencing a maternal figure, and the singer's desire to find comfort and solace
And must have whisky, oh, you know why
Connecting the need for whisky to the loss of their mother figure and their desire to escape reality
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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