THE DOORS - TOUCH ME
Released: December 1968
Charts: US: #3
"Touch Me", written by guitarist Robby Krieger, is a 1968 single from The Doors' album “The Soft Parade”. Known for its prominent brass and string arrangements, the song was highly successful, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the Cashbox chart. It also hit No. 1 in Canada and entered the top 10 in Australia, though it did not chart in the UK. Released around the time of Jim Morrison's arrest in Miami for indecent exposure, some radio stations were hesitant to play the song despite its unrelated lyrics and title.
The Doors' song "Touch Me," originally titled "Hit Me," was written by guitarist Robby Krieger about arguments with his girlfriend, with the lyric “C'mon, hit me, I'm not afraid.” Jim Morrison suggested changing it to “Touch Me” for a softer tone. The song ends with Morrison chanting “Stronger than dirt!”—a reference to a popular Ajax detergent commercial featuring a knight fighting dirt. The song’s final four chords were inspired by the commercial’s jingle.
Critics viewed “Touch Me” as a commercial move by The Doors due to its use of brass and string sections, which were atypical for the band. Aiming to expand their audience, the band embraced this new style, achieving commercial success with the song. Jazz saxophonist Curtis Amy, known for his work on Carole King’s “Tapestry”, performed the sax solo, which Jim Morrison called the first jazz solo in a rock hit. Drummer John Densmore noted that incorporating jazz was always part of the band's vision, describing "Touch Me" as a vital experiment that helped shape the sound on “L.A. Woman”.
The Doors performed "Touch Me" on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour on December 6, 1968, accompanied by the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, with saxophonist Curtis Amy recreating his solo. Known for declining TV appearances, The Doors accepted this one due to the Smothers Brothers' anti-Vietnam War stance. During the performance, guitarist Robby Krieger’s visible black eye stirred rumors of a fight with Jim Morrison, which drummer John Densmore later attributed to a car accident. However, Krieger and keyboardist Ray Manzarek clarified that the injury occurred when Krieger tried to defend Morrison in a bar fight, only to end up punched himself.
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