Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: psych-rock
Song Meaning of “Horse Latitudes – Live at the Hollywood Bowl, 1968” by The Doors
Horse Latitudes is a song by The Doors that expresses a feeling of displacement and drifting along in a state of perpetual anxiousness. The lyrics describe a boat determinedly trying to stay afloat in the ocean, caught between the wind and the sea, and the protagonist, a sailor, alone with his internal monologue. The imagery of being stranded, being “in a horse latitudes of sadness,” helps to capture the sense of stagnation and bleakness.
The live performance at the Hollywood Bowl highlights the melancholic state of the song, particularly with the vocal delivery. Jim Morrison’s vocal delivery is a desperate plea from a listener, a cry of loneliness which drills deep into the listener’s heart. There’s a fear and hope of finding some relief and the inevitability of a resolution.
Ultimately, the song serves as a powerful reminder that while we are all at the mercy of the boundless sea, it is possible to find some hope amidst despair. The song embodies a resilience and strength of spirit- one doesn’t just survive, they chart a new course.