Been Down So Long

"Been Down So Long" is a song by the American rock band the Doors. It appears as the third song on L.A. Woman, the last studio album that lead singer Jim Morrison recorded with the group. It has been called a "take-off" on the album.[3]

"Been Down So Long"
Song by the Doors
from the album L.A. Woman
ReleasedApril 19, 1971 (1971-04-19)
RecordedDecember 1970 – January 1971
StudioThe Doors Workshop, Los Angeles
GenreBlues[1]
Length4:40[2]
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)The Doors
Producer(s)

A live version recorded on May 8, 1970, at Cobo Arena in Detroit appears on The Bright Midnight Sampler. The song has also been covered by The Party Boys (1983), the Models (1986), The Immortal Lee County Killers (2004), Back Door Slam (2008), and by Gov't Mule with Doors guitarist Robby Krieger (2013).[3]

Background

The song was recorded between December 1970 and January 1971. As with other songs from the L.A. Woman album, the album liner notes list the songwriters as the Doors;[2] the performance rights organization ASCAP shows the writers as the individual Doors members.[4]

The song's lyrics draws upon themes of depression, liberation, and sexuality.[5][6] The title makes reference to Richard Fariña's book Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me[7] and Furry Lewis's 1928 song, "I Will Turn Your Money Green": "I been down so long/It seem like up to me." It is also considered to be Morrison at his most "mock tough".[8]

Musically, "Been Down So Long" is a conventional blues song,[9] with rambunctious aggression, and of the "old Doors, slow blues" style.[8] It also features a distinct slide guitar,[10] a rough sound, and a stomping beat.[11] The song's bass guitar is played by session musician Jerry Scheff and the rhythm guitar by Marc Benno.[2]

References
  1. Perone, James (2019). Listen to the Blues! Exploring a Musical Genre. p. 21. ISBN 9781440866142.
  2. Botnick, Bruce (2007). L.A. Woman (40th Anniversary edition CD booklet). The Doors. Rhino Records. R2-101155.
  3. Christgau, Robert (1990). Rock Albums of the '70s: A Critical Guide. p. 114.
  4. "ACE Repertory: Been Down So Long (Work ID:41943490)". ASCAP. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  5. McLee, David (2003). Legacy: The Absolute Best (booklet). Rhino Records. R2-73889.
  6. Fowlie, Wallace (1993). Rimbaud and Jim Morrison: The Rebel as Poet. p. 90.
  7. Allen, Jim. "The Story behind the songs of the Doors' last hurrah, L.A. Woman". Ultimate Classic Rock.
  8. Riordan, James (1991). Break on Through: The Life and Death of Jim Morrison. p. 430.
  9. Pichaske, David R. (1969). The Poetry of Rock: The Golden Years. p. 83.
  10. Guitar World Presents One Hundred Greatest Guitarists of All Time. p. 92.
  11. The Doors. p. 88.
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