Hyacinth House

"Hyacinth House" is a song by the American rock band the Doors. It appears on the L.A. Woman album released in 1971, the last album that lead singer Jim Morrison recorded with the band.

"Hyacinth House"
Song by the Doors
from the album L.A. Woman
ReleasedApril 1971
RecordedDecember 1970 – January 1971
StudioThe Doors Workshop, Los Angeles
GenreRock
Length3:10[1]
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)The Doors[1]
Producer(s)

Composition

As with the other songs on L.A. Woman, the album liner notes list the songwriters as the Doors;[1] the performance rights organization ASCAP shows the writers as the individual Doors members.[2] However, the music has also been attributed to keyboardist Ray Manzarek, which references Frédéric Chopin's Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 during the organ solo,[3] and the lyrics to Morrison, while he was at guitarist Robby Krieger's beach house.[4] The song was recorded on a four track tape machine.[5]

Interpretation

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.[6]

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 "someone who doesn’t need me" refers to Morrison's troubles with Pamela Courson.[4] According to Krieger the line "I see the bathroom is clear" referred to Morrison's friend Babe Hill leaving the bathroom so Morrision could use it.[6] Krieger has also noted that the line "To please the lions" was inspired after Morrison was in Robby Krieger's house and saw a baby bobcat that he had.[7]

Reception

Critic Nathan Wisnicki said that Morrison’s delivery of "Hyacinth House" "is a bit lethargic and flaccid, and there’s still some laughable lyricism."[8] Author Richie Weidman described it as "one of the strangest Doors' songs ever recorded."[6] Doors' drummer John Densmore described the song as one of Morrison's "saddest songs".[7]

References
  1. Botnick, Bruce (2007). L.A. Woman (40th Anniversary edition CD booklet). The Doors. Rhino Records. R2-101155.
  2. "ACE Repertory: Hyacinth House (Work ID: 380142130)". ASCAP. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  3. McLee, David (2003). Legacy: The Absolute Best (CD booklet). Rhino Records. R2-73889.
  4. Allen, Jim. "The Story behind the songs of the Doors' last hurrah, L.A. Woman". ultimateclassicrock.com.
  5. Paul, Alan. "The Doors' Robby Krieger Discusses Some of the Best Tracks on Reissued L.A. Woman Album". Guitar World. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  6. Richie, Weidman (2011). The Doors FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Kings of Acid Rock. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1617131141.
  7. Weiss, Jeff (January 19, 2012). "L.A. Woman: Track List". LA Weekly. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  8. Wisnicki, Nathan (May 6, 2012). "L.A. Woman (40th Anniversary Edition)". PopMatters. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
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