Hyacinth House
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| "Hyacinth House" | |
|---|---|
| Song by the Doors | |
| from the album L.A. Woman | |
| Released | April 1971 |
| Recorded | December 1970 – January 1971 |
| Studio | The Doors Workshop, Los Angeles |
| Genre | Rock |
| Length | 3:10[1] |
| Label | Elektra |
| Songwriter(s) | The Doors[1] |
| Producer(s) |
|
"Hyacinth House" is a song by the American rock band the Doors. It appears on the L.A. Woman album released in 1971, the last album that lead singer Jim Morrison recorded with the band.
Composition and recording
The song was recorded on a four track tape machine;[2] all the other songs on L.A. Woman were recorded on a professional-quality 8-channel recorder.[3] As with the other songs on L.A. Woman, the album liner notes list the songwriters as the Doors;[1] the performance rights organization ASCAP shows the writers as the individual Doors members.[4] However, the music has also been attributed to keyboardist Ray Manzarek, which references Frédéric Chopin's Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 during the organ solo,[5][6][7] and the lyrics to Morrison, while he was at guitarist Robby Krieger's beach house.[6][8]
Interpretation
Hyacinthus was a beautiful youth and lover of the Greek god Apollo. According to the myth, Apollo accidentally killed Hyacinthus in a discus throwing contest when the latter ran to catch Apollo's discus in an effort to impress the god. After the unfortunate death, Apollo refused to let Hades claim the youth. Rather, from Hyacinthus' blood, Apollo created the hyacinth, a plant with a fragrant cluster of flowers.[7]
This interpretation of "Hyacinth House" is furthermore based on the song's lyrical reference to another Doors' song, "The End" (which itself includes the line "my only friend, the end").[citation needed] The line "someone who doesn’t need me" refers to Morrison's troubles with Pamela Courson.[6] According to Krieger the line "I see the bathroom is clear" referred to Morrison's friend Babe Hill leaving the bathroom so Morrision could use it.[7] Krieger has also noted that the line "To please the lions" was inspired after Morrison was in Robby Krieger's house and saw a baby bobcat that he had.[8][6]
Reception
"Hyacinth House" has received several comments by critics. In a PopMatters review of the 40th Anniversary edition of L.A. Woman, Nathan Wisnicki said that Morrison’s delivery of "Hyacinth House" "is a bit lethargic and flaccid, and there’s still some laughable lyricism."[9] The Doors FAQ author Richie Weidman, described it as "one of the strangest Doors' songs ever recorded."[7]
Critic Ryan Leas of Stereogum, praised the song saying that is "secretly one of the Doors' finest songs" and that it "still fits into the universe of L.A. Woman."[10] Doors' drummer John Densmore described the song as one of Jim Morrison's "saddest songs".[8]
Personnel
The Doors
- Jim Morrison – vocals[1]
- Ray Manzarek – organ[1]
- Robby Krieger – guitar[1]
- John Densmore – drums[1]
Additional musicians
- Jerry Scheff – bass guitar[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Botnick, Bruce (2007). L.A. Woman (40th Anniversary edition CD booklet). The Doors. Rhino Records. R2-101155.
- ^ Paul, Alan. "The Doors' Robby Krieger Discusses Some of the Best Tracks on Reissued L.A. Woman Album". Guitar World. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- ^ Bell, Max. "L.A. Woman and the last days of Jim Morrison". teamrock.com. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
- ^ "ACE Repertory: Hyacinth House (Work ID: 380142130)". ASCAP. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ McLee, David (2003). Legacy: The Absolute Best (CD booklet). Rhino Records. R2-73889.
- ^ a b c d Allen, Jim. "The Story behind the songs of the Doors' last hurrah, L.A. Woman". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Richie, Weidman (2011). The Doors FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Kings of Acid Rock. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1617131141.
- ^ a b c Weiss, Jeff (January 19, 2012). "L.A. Woman: Track List". LA Weekly. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- ^ Wisnicki, Nathan (May 6, 2012). "L.A. Woman (40th Anniversary Edition)". PopMatters. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
- ^ Leas, Ryan (July 29, 2015). "The Doors Albums From Worst to Best". Stereogum. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
