Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: psych-rock
Song Meaning of “Riders on the Storm” by The Doors
Riders on the Storm, written and recorded by the Doors in 1971, is a deep, captivating, melancholic and haunting piece that encapsulates the feeling of being alone while caught in the force of a storm. The song is a metaphor for the unpredictable, tumultuous journey of life. The “riders” are symbolic of all of us as we bravely confront lifes challenges. The song starts off with the soft sound of rain and the deadly rumble of thunder in the background as lead singer and songwriter Jim Morrison sings the telling lyrics: “Riders on the storm / Into this house we’re born / Into this world we’re thrown.” Morrison paints a picture of how life can take us in unexpected directions with no warning, and the only way to truly enjoy life is to accept the uncertainty and take risks. As the song progresses, the heavy rain and thunder starts to give way to the sound of driving guitars and deep bass, and a sense of determination and courage begin to come through in Morrison’s voice as he sings the lines: “The murder, yeah / But it’s life / And you can never tell.”
This portion of the song emphasizes that while life will often bring us trials and tribulations, it’s also our life and we must never give in to fear.