About the song
“When the Music’s Over” by The Doors is an epic, powerful track that captures the essence of the band’s experimental and boundary-pushing style. Featured on their 1967 album “Strange Days,” this song is a testament to The Doors’ ability to blend poetry, rock, and the avant-garde into a cohesive and compelling musical experience. Written by all members of the band—Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, and John Densmore—this nearly 11-minute track takes listeners on a journey through a spectrum of emotions and sounds.
“When the Music’s Over” is a sprawling composition that highlights the band’s unique approach to rock music. It starts with a dramatic build-up, driven by Manzarek’s iconic organ and Densmore’s steady, pulsating drumming. Krieger’s guitar work is both intricate and expansive, weaving through the song with a mix of melodic lines and powerful riffs. Jim Morrison’s vocals are at their most theatrical and intense, delivering a series of vivid, often surreal lyrics that explore themes of existentialism, rebellion, and the power of music.
The lyrics of “When the Music’s Over” are a poetic meditation on the role of music and art in society. Morrison’s delivery is passionate and urgent, imploring listeners to consider the significance of creativity and expression. The refrain, “When the music’s over, turn out the lights,” is both a declaration and a plea, reflecting a deep connection to the transformative power of music.
Upon its release, “Strange Days” was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 chart. “When the Music’s Over” quickly became a fan favorite and a staple of The Doors’ live performances, where it was often extended even further with improvised sections and Morrison’s spontaneous poetry. The song’s length and complexity made it a standout track, showcasing the band’s musical virtuosity and willingness to push the boundaries of conventional rock.
For older listeners, “When the Music’s Over” may evoke memories of the late 1960s, a time when music was seen as a vital force for change and expression. The song’s intense energy and profound lyrics resonate with the era’s spirit of revolution and introspection. For newer generations, it offers a glimpse into the innovative and fearless artistry of The Doors, a band that continually challenged and expanded the possibilities of rock music.
In conclusion, “When the Music’s Over” remains a powerful and enduring piece of The Doors’ legacy. Its combination of intricate musicianship, evocative lyrics, and Morrison’s compelling performance make it a timeless classic. The song continues to captivate and inspire, reminding listeners of the enduring impact of music and the creative spirit. Whether you’re revisiting it or hearing it for the first time, “When the Music’s Over” is an essential experience for any music enthusiast.
Video
Lyrics
Yeah, c’mon
Yeah!
When the music’s over
When the music’s over, yeah
When the music’s over
Turn out the lights
Turn out the lights
Turn out the lights
Yeah
When the music’s over
When the music’s over
When the music’s over
Turn out the lights
Turn out the lights
Turn out the lights
For the music is your special friend
Dance on fire as it intends
Music is your only friend
Until the end
Until the end
Until the end
Cancel my subscription to the resurrection
Send my credentials to the house of detention
I got some friends inside
The face in the mirror won’t stop
The girl in the window won’t drop
A feast of friends, alive she cried
Waitin’ for me
Outside
Before I sink
Into the big sleep
I want to hear
I want to hear
The scream of the butterfly
Come back, baby, back into my arm
We’re gettin’ tired of hangin’ around
Waitin’ around with our heads to the ground
I hear a very gentle sound
Very near yet very far
Very soft, yeah, very clear
Come today, come today
What have they done to the earth, yeah?
What have they done to our fair sister?
Ravaged and plundered and ripped her and bit her
Stuck her with knives in the side of the dawn and
Tied her with fences and dragged her down
I hear a very gentle sound
With your ear down to the ground
We want the world and we want it (we want the world and we want it!)
Now
Now?
Now!
Persian night, babe
See the light, babe
Save us
Jesus
Save us!
So when the music’s over
When the music’s over, yeah
When the music’s over
Turn out the lights
Turn out the lights
Turn out the lights
Well the music is your special friend
Dance on fire as it intends
Music is your only friend
Until the end
Until the end
Until the end