The Doors » Tracks » The Unknown Soldier

The Doors – The Unknown Soldier (3:25)

On 18 albums see all

Buy at Amazon MP3 ($0.99) | Send Ringtones to Cell
Buy
Save

Popular tags: , , , ,  See more

Shouts: 105 shouts

Share this track:
Preview this track (0:30)
About this video
Flag video

About This Track

“The Unknown Soldier” was the first single from The Doors’ 1968 album Waiting for the Sun, and was also the subject of one of the band’s few, inventive music videos. The song was Jim Morrison’s reaction to the Vietnam War and the way that conflict was portrayed in American media at the time. Lines such as, “Breakfast where the news is read/Television children fed/ unborn living, living dead/bullets strike the helmet’s head”, concern the way news of the war was being presented in the living rooms of ordinary people.

In the middle of the song, the Doors produce the sounds of what appears to be an execution; in live performances Robby Krieger would point his guitar towards Morrison like a rifle, drummer John Densmore would emulate a gunshot by producing a loud rimshot, by hitting the side of the cymbal, therefore, breaking the sticks to the drum set, and Morrison would fall screaming to the ground. After this middle section, the verses return and the song ends with Morrison’s ecstatic celebration of a war being over. In the studio version of the song, the sounds of crowds cheering, and bells tolling, can be heard.

The single for “Unknown Soldier” became the bands fourth top forty hit in the US, peaking at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its modest chart position was possibly due to its controversial theme and downbeat atmosphere. However, the follow-up single from Waiting for the Sun, “Hello, I Love You”, would go all the way to the top of the charts.
Read more… Edit wiki
Send Ringtones to Cell

Albums featuring this track

  • Waiting for the Sun
    The Doors Play
    Buy
  • The Very Best of The Doors
    The Doors Play
    Buy
  • The Best of the Doors (disc 1)
    The Doors Play
    Buy
  • The Best Of
    The Doors Play
    Buy
See all 18 albums

Shouts

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).

  • Schizm88

    The second half of that song is absolutely maniacal.

    last week

  • rockandrolljoe

    Hut Ho Hee Up

    14 days ago

  • grn13

    war is not the answer.. however if some force comes into our country, my backyard , thats much different.. otherwise peace..

    last month

  • SlipGun

    The live version at the Hollywood Bowl is a must-see/must-listen. I don't even bother with the album track anymore.

    last month

  • escarabat94

    (:-)

    February 2012

  • sstrosser1

    War is the answer> When one comes a time to stop the force trying to destroy all. Need but one mans gun and force shall be reconed with by the payment of blood. The goverment shall fall for the people will wage war for it is the answer for injustice and crimes apon your own. Quote by My Drunk azz Laughs... Sweet tune

    January 2012

  • WhiskyPlease

    Oh, Jim....God! It`s all over.

    January 2012

  • WSteven

    we haven't learn yet, war is not the answer, rise up hippies and stop this shit in this world

    January 2012

  • gytonuncut

    peace

    January 2012

  • xtwntraphq

    Strangest 45 ever to come out on Electra records. LOVE the march! :)

    November 2011

  • tavitooo

    un clasico epico

    November 2011

  • pizzake

    Epic intro ö

    September 2011

  • nirolffm

    "Make a grave for the unknown soldiers. Make a grave for the war"(2)

    August 2011

  • Holofernesgirl

    bullet strikes the helmets head.

    August 2011

  • MameSaye

    Art.

    June 2011

  • Andersonsaa

    Jim!... never hear this again!... Badass

    May 2011

  • Oppressotron

    "I love this shoutbox. Pacifists, warmongers, and necrophiliacs. [3]" Yep, ye good ole internets bringing all us lovable freaks together.

    March 2011

  • SearsPL

    masterpiece. ray is the best :D

    January 2011

  • garrett18

    good band one of the best !

    December 2010

  • isitbeer30yet

    I love this shoutbox. Pacifists, warmongers, and necrophiliacs. [2]

    October 2010
See all 105 shouts

Track Stats

1,070,176 Scrobbles 268,754 Listeners

Recent Listening Trend

Listening Now

Top Listeners

See more

Recent Activity

Related Journals

See more