Been Down So Long
| "Been Down So Long" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Been Down So Long" is the third song on L.A. Woman, the last studio album that The Doors recorded with lead singer Jim Morrison, who died in July 1971. It has been called a "take-off" on the album.[1]
Noted as one of the standout tracks on L.A. Woman as one of three blues songs,[2] Been Down So Long is a cover originally written by blues singer-songwriter J. B. Lenoir.[3] Lyrically, the song uses themes of depression, liberation, and sexuality,[4] and the first verse is said to have been inspired by Richard Fariña's novel Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me which was about Fariña's college experiences and travels.[2] It is also considered to be Morrison at his most "mock tough".[5] Musically, Been Down So Long is a standard, very conventional blues song,[6] with rambunctious aggression, and of the "old Doors, slow blues" style.[5] It also features a distinct slide guitar,[7] a rough sound, and a stomping beat.[8]
A version of the chorus of this song is used in the 2009 song Next Hype by English rapper Tempa T.
.
Personnel
- Jim Morrison - Vocals, Tambourine
- Ray Manzarek - 1st Rhythm guitar
- Robby Krieger - Slide Lead guitar
- John Densmore - Drums
- Jerry Scheff - Electric bass
- Marc Benno - 2nd Rhythm guitar
A live version of Been Down So Long appears on The Bright Midnight Sampler released on September 25, 2000, under the Bright Midnight record label. Recorded May 8, 1970 at Cobo Arena in Detroit. It has also been covered by Randy Newman.[1]
References
- ^ a b Rock albums of the '70s: a critical guide pg. 114.
- ^ a b Into This House We're Born pg. 382.
- ^ The essential rock discography pg. 328.
- ^ Rimbaud and Jim Morrison: the rebel as poet pg. 90.
- ^ a b Break on Through: The Life and Death of Jim Morrison pg. 430.
- ^ The poetry of rock: the golden years pg. 83.
- ^ Guitar world presents one hundred greatest guitarists of all time pg. 92.
- ^ The Doors pg. 88.
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