"Soul Kitchen" is a song by The Doors from their self-titled debut album Th… Read Full Bio ↴"Soul Kitchen" is a song by The Doors from their self-titled debut album The Doors. It is the tribute to the soul food restaurant Olivia's in Venice Beach, LA, where Jim Morrison often stayed for a long time, for it reminded him of his home.

Along with many other songs by The Doors, this song appeared in the Forrest Gump film.

Soul Kitchen
The Doors Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, the clock says it's time to close now
I guess I'd better go now
I'd really like to stay here all night
The cars crawl past all stuffed with eyes
Street lights share their hollow glow
Your brain seems bruised with numb surprise
Still one place to go
Still one place to go

Let me sleep all night in your soul kitchen
Warm my mind near your gentle stove
Turn me out and I'll wander, baby
Stumblin' in the neon groves

Well, your fingers weave quick minarets
Speak in secret alphabets
I light another cigarette
Learn to forget, learn to forget
Learn to forget, learn to forget

Let me sleep all night in your soul kitchen
Warm my mind near your gentle stove
Turn me out and I'll wander, baby
Stumblin' in the neon groves (yeah)

Well, the clock says it's time to close now
I know I have to go now

I really wanna stay here
All night, all night, all night

Overall Meaning

The song "Soul Kitchen" by The Doors is a surreal and poetic tribute to a nightclub, which served as a popular hangout spot for the band members in the early 1960s. The lyrics explore the sensory experiences associated with the nightclub, including the lights, the people, and the music. The song opens with the singer realizing that it's time to leave but expressing a desire to stay longer. The cars on the street outside the nightclub are filled with people staring in, yet there's only one place left to go - the soul kitchen.

The soul kitchen is a metaphor for a place of comfort, warmth, and escape. The singer asks to "sleep all night" in the soul kitchen, seeking refuge and solace from the stress and chaos of everyday life. The gentle stove represents a source of warmth and nourishment, a place to rest and recharge before venturing back out into the world. The lyrics also reference the quick hand gestures that the singer views as minarets, further emphasizing the surreal and dreamlike quality of the space.

The repeated phrase "learn to forget" may suggest that the soul kitchen is also a place to escape from painful memories or difficult emotions. The ending of the song is a repetition of the opening lines, emphasizing the cyclical nature of seeking refuge and finding it in the soul kitchen.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, the clock says it's time to close now
It's getting late and the establishment is closing for the night

I guess I'd better go now
The singer realizes they should probably leave, despite their desire to stay

I'd really like to stay here all night
The singer is reluctant to leave and wishes they could remain longer

The cars crawl past all stuffed with eyes
The passing cars are filled with people looking to find something to do

Street lights share their hollow glow
The street lights provide a dim, empty illumination

Your brain seems bruised with numb surprise
The atmosphere produces a feeling of shock and confusion

Still one place to go
Despite the options being limited, there is still one place left to visit

Let me sleep all night in your soul kitchen
The artist wishes to spend the night in an establishment that represents more than just a place to eat

Warm my mind near your gentle stove
The artist wishes to find comfort and solace, both emotional and physical

Turn me out and I'll wander, baby
The artist expresses their willingness to leave the establishment and explore new areas

Stumblin' in the neon groves
As the singer leaves, they encounter the artificial lights and sounds of the city

Well, your fingers weave quick minarets
The establishment's workers skillfully create architecture and atmosphere

Speak in secret alphabets
The workers communicate with each other in a way that is unknown or unintelligible to those outside the establishment

I light another cigarette
The singer indulges in a small pleasure to help them forget for a fleeting moment

Learn to forget, learn to forget
The singer is attempting to push out any negative thoughts or memories

I know I have to go now
The artist acknowledges that they must leave

I really wanna stay here
Despite understanding they should leave, the artist still wishes to stay

All night, all night, all night
The singer wants to remain for an extended period of time

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

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS