"Celebration of the Lizard" is a performance piece by American rock band
the Doors
The Doors were an American Rock music, rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger, and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most controversial and influential ro ...
, featuring lyrics written by lead singer
Jim Morrison and music by the Doors. Composed as a series of poems, the piece includes both spoken verse and sung lyrics, musical sections and passages of allegorical storytelling.
"Celebration of the Lizard" was performed in its entirety at several Doors concerts, with a complete live performance of the piece appearing on the band's 1970 live album ''
Absolutely Live''
(and, subsequently, on the 1991 live compilation album ''
In Concert''). A complete studio-recorded version later appeared on the compilation album ''
Legacy: The Absolute Best'' in 2003,
and as a bonus track on Rhino's 40th Anniversary edition of ''
Waiting for the Sun
''Waiting for the Sun'' is the third studio album by the American rock band the Doors. The album's 11 tracks were recorded between January and May 1968 at TTG Studios in Los Angeles. Released by Elektra Records on July 3, 1968, it became the ban ...
'' (2007).
Background
According to Morrison, "Celebration of the Lizard" was "pieced together on different occasions out of already existing elements rather than having any generative core from which it grew."
The entire piece was originally intended to be recorded and released as one full side of the band's third studio album, ''
Waiting for the Sun
''Waiting for the Sun'' is the third studio album by the American rock band the Doors. The album's 11 tracks were recorded between January and May 1968 at TTG Studios in Los Angeles. Released by Elektra Records on July 3, 1968, it became the ban ...
'', in 1968. However, record producer
Paul A. Rothchild
Paul Allen Rothchild (April 18, 1935 – March 30, 1995) was a prominent American record producer of the 1960s and 1970s, widely known for his historic work with the Doors, producing Janis Joplin's final album ''Pearl'' and mid-60s production of ...
and the members of the band thought that the extended poetic sections and overall length of the piece made a complete recording impossible, while the other reason was due to its lack of commercial appeal. The band did attempt to record the full piece but abandoned the idea, as they were dissatisfied with the results.
The musical passage "
Not to Touch the Earth" was recorded separately and released on the ''Waiting for the Sun'' album, while the lyrics for the rest of the piece were published inside the gatefold jacket of the original vinyl LP, with the footnote, "Lyrics to a theatre composition by The Doors."
Morrison said in an interview with ''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first kno ...
'' magazine upon the piece's failure to appear on the album, "I still think there's hope for it."
Sections
According to author Richie Weidman, "Celebration of the Lizard" is divided into seven sections:
# "Lions in the Street"
# "Wake Up!"
# "A Little Game”
# "The Hill Dwellers"
# "
Not to Touch the Earth"
# "Names of the Kingdom"
# "The Palace of Exile"
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Celebration Of The Lizard
The Doors songs
Song recordings produced by Paul A. Rothchild
1970 songs
Songs written by Jim Morrison
Songs written by Robby Krieger
Songs written by Ray Manzarek
Songs written by John Densmore