"Not to Touch the Earth" is a 1968 song by The Doors from their album Waiting for the Sun. It stems from Jim Morrison's poem, "Celebration of the Lizard". A recording of the complete poem was attempted at the sessions for the album, but only the musical passage Not to Touch the Earth was deemed fit for release. The poem was released on the album sleeve in written form. The complete poem was released in 2003 on the Legacy: The Absolute Best compilation, and the re-issue of Waiting for the Sun.

Lyrical meaning

The song begins, "Not to touch the earth, not to see the sun…" These are subchapters of the 60th chapter of The Golden Bough by James Frazer. The chapter is called "Between Heaven and Earth", with subchapter 1, "Not to Touch the Earth", and subchapter 2, "Not to See the Sun". These subchapters detail taboos against certain people (generally royalty or priests) walking upon the ground or having the sun shine directly upon them. Frazer had noted that these superstitions were recurring throughout many primitive cultures, and appeared to be related to traditions and taboos concerning menarche and the thereby following female initiation rites. Frazer's work was an influence on Morrison, according to the biography No One Here Gets Out Alive.

Cover versions

The song has been covered by Deceased, Queens of the Stone Age, Bile and Otep.