Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: psych-rock
Song Meaning of “The Unknown Soldier – Live at the Hollywood Bowl, 1968” by The Doors
The Unknown Soldier by The Doors is a song of protest and civil unrest, framed in a romantic, gentle tune. It paints a vivid picture of the chaos and violence that soldiers experienced in war. In particular, the song mentions the fall of the Berlin Wall in the late 1960s, a symbol of the turmoil between the two global superpowers during the Cold War.
The song speaks of the soldier’s isolation and loneliness as he battles through battle after battle. He is nameless and unacknowledged, and his plight appears futile. He is both the victim of his superiors and of the enemy, yet he carries on in spite of the endless destruction and despair around him.
The pathos imbued in the song lies in its stark contrast between the brutality of war and the beauty of the music. Jim Morrison’s emotive voice conveys the tragedy of conflict while the steady acoustic guitar and subtle backing provide a dreamy backdrop, emphasizing the loneliness of the soldier. The song speaks to the power of protesting violence and the hope for a better, more peaceful future.