The song's lyrics allude in part to the notorious spree killer Billy Cook, who posed as a hitchhiker and murdered an entire family. ("There's a killer on the road... // His brain is squirmin' like a toad... ") According to a widespread urban legend the song was conceived as an allusion to a tragic accident caused by another car's reckless driving, ending in several deaths of Navajo tribesmen as his car hit a truck where they were traveling. An alternative version refers the lyrics' inspiration to a 1930s French Surrealist poem, Chevaliers de l'Ouragan (literally, "Riders of the Hurricane"), by Louis Aragon. It should also be noted that Morrison wrote a screenplay called "The Hitchhiker", where the main character, Billy, hitchhikes killing a man, a sheriff, and a family.
The song was recorded at the Doors Workshop in December 1970 with the assistance of Bruce Botnick, their longtime engineer who was co-producing the recording sessions. Jim Morrison recorded his main vocals and then whispered the lyrics over them to create the haunting effect. This song was also the last song recorded by the members of The Doors, according to Ray Manzarek, as well as Jim Morrison's last recorded song that was released.
Riders on the Storm
The Doors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Riders on the storm
Into this house, we're born
Into this world, we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out on loan
Riders on the storm
There's a killer on the road
His brain is squirmin' like a toad
Take a long holiday
Let your children play
If you give this man a ride
Sweet family will die
Killer on the road, yeah
Girl, you gotta love your man
Girl, you gotta love your man
Take him by the hand
Make him understand
The world on you depends
Our life will never end
Gotta love your man, yeah
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house, we're born
Into this world, we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out on loan
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
The Doors' "Riders on the Storm" is a captivating song that paints vivid imagery of a dark, stormy night. The repetition of the opening line "Riders on the storm" creates an eerie and haunting presence, setting the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics suggest that the riders are wandering aimlessly, uncertain of their destination, much like the uncertainty of life itself. The line "Into this house, we're born, into this world, we're thrown" illustrates the idea that we are all born into a world without control over our destiny.
The song takes a darker turn when the lyrics mention a "killer on the road" whose brain is "squirmin' like a toad." The chilling lyrics continue, warning against giving the killer a ride, as it could result in the death of an innocent family. This concept of danger lurking on the road and the uncertainty of what we may encounter is further emphasized through the repeated line "Riders on the storm."
The song's final verses offer a glimmer of hope through the idea of love. The lyrics suggest that love and understanding are the key to unlocking our fate in this world. "Girl, you gotta love your man, take him by the hand, make him understand" implies that through love and communication, we can find our purpose and overcome the uncertainty that life presents us.
Overall, "Riders on the Storm" is a powerful song that explores the complex themes of uncertainty, danger, and love in a way that is both poetic and haunting.
Line by Line Meaning
Riders on the storm
We are travelers braving the dangers of life, facing uncertainties as we make our journey forward
Riders on the storm
We are constantly caught up in the turbulence of life, trying to find balance amidst chaos
Into this house, we're born
We are all born into this world, each beginning our unique journey towards our fate
Into this world, we're thrown
Thrown into the vastness of the world, each responsible for finding our own way
Like a dog without a bone
We are searching, restless, wandering without direction, like a dog seeking a lost bone
An actor out on loan
We are all players on the stage of life, given a temporary lease on existence
There's a killer on the road
There are threats and dangers on the path ahead that we must face and overcome
His brain is squirmin' like a toad
The danger we face is unpredictable, insidious, and hard to control
Take a long holiday
Sometimes it's necessary to take a break from the challenges of life and recharge our batteries
Let your children play
It's important to not only cherish the present moment, but also to invest in the future by nurturing the next generation
If you give this man a ride
If you make a wrong choice and allow the wrong person into your life, there may be serious consequences
Sweet family will die
Family is important and the consequences of making bad decisions have far-reaching and devastating effects
Girl, you gotta love your man
In the midst of all the uncertainties of life, it's important to have a supportive partner who you can rely on for love and friendship
Take him by the hand
Be there for each other to provide love and support
Make him understand
Communication and understanding are key to having a healthy, happy relationship
The world on you depends
Your choices and actions have consequences that impact not only your life but the lives of others around you
Our life will never end
Our legacy and impact on the world will last forever, even after we die
Riders on the storm
We continue our journey, weathering the ups and downs of life as we navigate the stormy waters of fate
Riders on the storm
We are still pressing forward, facing whatever life throws at us, continuing to ride the storm
Riders on the storm
Our journey through life, with all its struggles and triumphs, is like riding a raging storm that rages relentlessly
Riders on the storm
Our passage through life is filled with chaos, uncertainty, and unpredictability, requiring strength and patience to weather the storm
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, TuneCore Inc., CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: John Densmore, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, James Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jj9131
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out alone
Riders on the storm
There's a killer on the road
His brain is squirmin' like a toad
Take a long holiday
Let your children play
If ya give this man a ride
Sweet memory will die
Killer on the road, yeah
Girl, ya gotta love your man
Girl, ya gotta love your man
Take him by the hand
Make him understand
The world on you depends
Our life will never end
Gotta love your man, yeah
Riders on the storm
Into this house we're born
Into this world we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out on loan
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
Riders on the storm
@edinoz55
Thanks to Jim he was too young and brilliant to die so young there was so much more of his talent that could have been had. I was not even in my teens when I first heard their music my mother hated pop music , Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby to her they were all crooners and they didn’t count or even big band music which i loved. I live in Australia we had a show on TV black and white called 6 o’clock rock which my father used to allow me to watch before he started tutoring his chemistry class in our house just before the show finished, I remember watching the Dean Martin Show with my father on Saturday nights.
Our neighbours were Americans and they would play at full bore all the Doors songs which I came to love!
My mother of course would not allow me to study music at school although the teacher wanted me to so I wasn’t even allowed to study a BSc at uni she wanted me to be an accountant so I started studying that full time later changed to part time so that I could buy a pair of high heel shoes and the best dresses at Merivale and Mr John. I managed to force my uni to allow me to take electives not in Business Studies and the Science Faculty were happy to have me as a student. I got high distinctions in all my chemistry studies and graduated with a BBus with credit (because of the chemistry!)
I saved from my own money enough to buy a Fender Precision Bass which one of my boyfriends taught me to play, simple bass lines eg Peter Gunn Theme and his favourite “Money”
I managed to find some small inner city hotels to play at, although we didn’t earn much of anything but it was fun!
I later saved $ to study singing with Elly from Budapest who taught the Caruso method of singing not taught by our AME and she got me to undertake my Trinity College of Music exams. I did well in all parts I had to learn some piano and Bartok was torture to me .
I continued in the band and was later introduced to the music of Julie London sang and Mel Torme. I was recommended by a friend to audition for a band as a Marilyn Monroe look alike I knew that I could mimic her singing but wasn’t sure if I could manage to be believed and act like her. But I tried out and when the leader of the band heard me sing he thought I was miming until the other band members said it was me. Worked with that band for a while but the men’s wives thought I was out to get their husbands which was not true as my boyfriend had introduced me to them.
When I left a number of others left as well not being happy with how the band leader ran the show and one member suggested to me to learn some Patsy Clyne numbers as well.
For many years I had a meet and greet people at the Star City Casino in Sydney sometimes as Marilyn and singing Happy Birthday to anyone with a birthday, Patsy Clyne and Dolly Dyer a wife of Bob Dyer who had a successful program in the 60s Bob Dyers Pick a Box and the Casino was promoting thunew Dolly Dyer poker machine
@Gamer36046
Don't want to take away credit from Jim Morrison, he was a genius of his time, but the Doors just wouldn't be the Doors without Manzarek's masterful key playing. His playing makes this and the rest of their music instantly recognizable.
Edit: also keep in mind, Ray plays the keys section, but he ALSO plays the bass line in every doors song. The doors didn't have a bassist, it was all Ray.
@AdrianasKeys
Absolutely! :-)
@dscharlesworth1
I was saying something similar to some co-workers a few years back, but took it a bit further. I said that The Doors were one of those few bands that were a real band, that if you took out any member and replaced them with somebody else that it would be a completely different band.
@xtenkfarpl
@@dscharlesworth1 Very true. Listen to what Robbie is doing on guitar. Never obtrusive, but exactly what fits for the song.
@erikklouda570
The unique blend of all 4 made that impossible to recreate feeling in their music
@Trendkiller169
True that!
@williamtobin7282
Adding the "rain effect" made this a timeless classic. Deep, dark, poetic with tragedy and hope all infused. Love it
@RaymondCowan-ef8nf
The most blues class act of the late sixties and early seventies. timeless and irreplaceable.
@blackberrycobbler4me
It was real rain recorded
@williamtobin7282
@@blackberrycobbler4me Very, Very Cool....