"Roadhouse Blues" is a blues-rock song written and recorded by the American… Read Full Bio ↴"Roadhouse Blues" is a blues-rock song written and recorded by the American rock band The Doors. The song, which appeared on the B-side of You Make Me Real, was first released as a single from the album Morrison Hotel in March 1970 and peaked at #50. The song quickly became a concert staple for the group, a live version appearing later on the posthumous album An American Prayer and that same version, which has been called "probably one of the best live performances of any song", again on In Concert and Greatest Hits. During this version, Jim Morrison talks for a short while to a female audience member about his Zodiac sign and, with a sudden, ironic twist that causes the audience to erupt in laughter, denounces his beliefs in it. The song was also featured twice in the movie The Doors; the studio version in the film, and the aforementioned live version over the end credits.

Roadhouse Blues
The Doors Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ah, keep your eyes on the road
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, a good-time

Yeah, the back of the roadhouse

They've got some bungalows
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

I gotta beep a gunk a chucha
Honk konk konk
Ka gancha each you puna eachya bop a luba
Each yall bumo a kechonk
Ease sum konk, yeah, ride

Ashen lady

Ashen lady
Give up your vows
Give up your vows
Save our city
Save our city
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

Overall Meaning

"Roadhouse Blues" is a song by American rock band The Doors. It was released in 1970 as part of their fifth studio album, "Morrison Hotel". The song opens with Jim Morrison's iconic voice, urging the driver to keep his eyes on the road and his hands on the wheel as they head out to the roadhouse to have a "real good time." The song is a blues-rock number, and the groove is irresistible, with the band laying down a solid foundation of bass and drums, and the guitar work is as always, outrageous.

The lyrics are about living life to the fullest, experiencing everything it has to offer, and the consequences of that on the future. The song is an ode to the roadhouse, a place where people come to have a good time and dance to the music. Morrison sings about the back of the roadhouse, where they have bungalows, which are places where people go to have intimate encounters. The chorus of the song, "let it roll, baby, roll," signifies the need to keep moving forward and experiencing life without worrying about what the future holds. The song ends with Morrison singing "the future's uncertain, and the end is always near," which is his way of reminding us to enjoy the present and stop worrying about what lies ahead.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah
An expression of excitement or agreement

Ah, keep your eyes on the road Your hands upon the wheel Ah, keep your eyes on the road Your hands upon the wheel
Focus on driving, don't get distracted

We're going to the roadhouse We're gonna have a real, a good time, alright
Going to a bar for fun and enjoyment

Yeah, the back of the roadhouse They've got some bungalows Yeah, the back of the roadhouse They've got some bungalows
The back of the bar has some cabins

Ay, well, that's where the people Like to go down slow, alright
The cabins are for people to enjoy intimate moments

Let it roll, baby, roll Roll, baby, roll Roll, baby, roll Let it roll, all night long
Let the good times keep rolling

Yeah, do it, Robby, do it, yeah
Encouragement to the guitar player to keep playing

Gotta roll, roll, roll-a Thrill my soul, alright Yeah, gotta roll, roll, roll, roll-a Thrill my soul, yeah, gotta
More enthusiasm for enjoying life

Chee-boba-loo, bow, bow, bow Cha-cha, da, cha-cha, dow, dow Cha-cha, da, cha-cha, chow, chow Da, cha-cha, da, chow, chow, oh-uh Da, cha-cha, da, cha-cha, oh-uh Da, cha-cha, da, chow
Syllables strung together to create a fun rhythm

Right now
Emphasis on the urgency to act

Ashen lady Ashen lady Give up your vows Give up your vows Save our city Save our city Right now
A call to an unknown woman to abandon her commitments to protect the city

Well, I woke up this morning Got myself a beer Well, I woke up this morning Got myself a beer
Started the day with a cold one

Well, the future's uncertain And end is always near
Life is unpredictable and short

Let it roll, baby, roll Roll, baby, roll Roll, baby, roll Let it roll, all night long
Reinforcement to enjoy life to the fullest

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, James Morrison, John Densmore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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