Hyacinth House

"Hyacinth House"
Song by The Doors
from the album L.A. Woman
Released April 1971
Recorded December 1970 – January 1971
Genre Psychedelic rock, blues rock
Length 3:12
Label Elektra
Songwriter(s) Jim Morrison
Robby Krieger
Ray Manzarek
John Densmore
Producer(s) The Doors
Bruce Botnick

"Hyacinth House" is a 1971 song by The Doors which appears on their final album with frontman Jim Morrison, L.A. Woman.

Background and composition

The music for "Hyacinth House" was written by Ray Manzarek, while Morrison wrote the lyrics at guitarist Robby Krieger's beach house. The song's writing is additionally credited to guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore. The lyrics "I see the bathroom is clear / I think that somebody's near / I'm sure that someone is following me" is a reference to the vocals of the album being recorded in the bathroom of The Doors Workshop.[1]

The use of the term Hyacinth is thought to be Morrison's way of expressing his unhappiness. Further, 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.

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"). The line, "And I'll say it again, I need a brand new friend, the end" is thought to indicate that Morrison had suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Morrison often felt pulled because of his success and talent, while lamenting that he didn't have anyone around him that was just allowing him to be what he wanted to be: "I need a brand new friend who doesn't bother me / I need a brand new friend who doesn't trouble me / I need someone, yeah, who doesn't need me".

Only three months after L.A. Woman was complete, Morrison left for Paris, never to perform with The Doors again. It is thought that Morrison left for Paris because he was unhappy and wanted to escape his rock star lifestyle to pursue poetry. What is clear is the sadness and maturity within Morrison's voice on "Hyacinth House", further enhanced by the acoustics in the studio bathroom.

Inspiration

Manzarek's composition references Frédéric Chopin's Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 during the organ solo.

References

  1. ↑ "Hyacinth House by The Doors". SongFacts. Retrieved 3 May 2017.


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