“People Are Strange” is a song by The Doors, released in 1967 as a single from their second album, *Strange Days*. It is one of the band’s iconic tracks, known for its surreal lyrics, haunting melody, and introspective themes.
Key points about “People Are Strange”:
1. **Release:** The song was released in September 1967 as part of *Strange Days*, The Doors’ second studio album.
2. **Genre:** It falls within the genres of psychedelic rock and baroque pop, with its eerie mood and theatrical delivery.
3. **Themes:** The song explores feelings of alienation, isolation, and disillusionment. It reflects on how people can feel like outsiders, with the world seeming strange and unfamiliar.
4. **Lyrics:** The lyrics, written by Jim Morrison and Robby Krieger, convey a sense of paranoia and detachment, as Morrison sings about how the world looks different to those who feel “strange” or out of place.
5. **Melody & Instrumentation:** The song is driven by Ray Manzarek’s distinctive, waltz-like keyboard melody, which gives it a carnival-esque, off-kilter feel. It’s accompanied by Robby Krieger’s clean, tremolo-laden guitar work and John Densmore’s soft, jazz-inflected drumming.
6. **Vocal Delivery:** Jim Morrison’s vocal performance is theatrical and eerie, perfectly capturing the song’s haunting atmosphere.
7. **Cultural Impact:** “People Are Strange” resonated with listeners who identified with the feelings of estrangement and loneliness expressed in the song. It became one of the band’s most famous songs and remains a staple in their catalog.
8. **Pop Culture:** The song has appeared in various films and TV shows over the years, most notably in the 1987 film *The Lost Boys*, where a cover version by Echo & the Bunnymen was used, further cementing the song’s legacy.
9. **Psychedelic Sound:** The combination of its haunting lyrics, Morrison’s moody vocal delivery, and the strange, dreamlike instrumentation made “People Are Strange” a defining example of The Doors’ contribution to the psychedelic rock movement of the late 1960s.
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