Discography
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The Soft Parade is the fourth studio album by The Doors, released in 1969.
The album met with some controversy among fans and critics due to its inclusion of brass and string instrument arrangements, as opposed to the more stripped-down sound of their earlier recordings. Fans also complained that The Soft Parade followed the lyrical formulas of previous albums, and thus was not very innovative. In reviewing the 40th anniversary remix (for the August 2007 issue of Downbeat Magazine) correspondent Dan Ouellette thought otherwise, declaring it to be "the apex" of the band's creativity.
Due to Jim Morrison's increasing alcoholism and interest in poetry, guitarist Robby Krieger has a stronger presence on The Soft Parade than on any other Doors album from the Morrison era, contributing around half the material, instead of merely a song or two as he had on previous efforts.
After this album, the Doors returned to simpler styles on Morrison Hotel and L.A. Woman.
For the first time, the songs were credited to individual members (only Morrison and Krieger are actually listed on the albums sleeve) as Morrison was unhappy with the lyrics "Tell all the people that you see, to follow me down" on the albums first track. He was uncomfortable with the possible perception by some that that was in fact what he wanted listeners to do. Although, on later albums the writing credit would return to the earlier format and regardless of whose lyrics were being used the entire band was credited.
Despite a lukewarm reception, the album became the band's fourth top ten hit album in a row and the single "Touch Me" was hugely successful. However, despite making #6 in the US, the album did not chart in the UK, perhaps due to the band's lack of a supporting hit single ("Touch Me" also did not chart).
Track listing
Side one
- "Tell All the People" (Robby Krieger) – 3:23
- "Touch Me" (Krieger) – 3:12
- "Shaman's Blues" (Jim Morrison) – 4:49
- "Do It" (Morrison, Krieger) – 3:08
- "Easy Ride" (Morrison) – 2:41
Side two
- "Wild Child" (Morrison) – 2:38
- "Runnin' Blue" (Krieger) – 2:33
- "Wishful Sinful" (Krieger) – 3:02
- "The Soft Parade" (Morrison) – 8:37
- The 40th Anniversary Mix contains an extended intro that makes it 9:41
40th Anniversary Edition CD bonus tracks
- "Who Scared You" – 3:58
- "Whiskey, Mystics and Men" (Version 1) – 2:28
- "Whiskey, Mystics and Men" (Version 2) – 3:04
- "Push Push" – 6:05
- Previously unreleased Doors jam
- "Touch Me" (Dialogue) – 0:28
- "Touch Me" (Take 3) – 3:40
Chart positions
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Pop Albums | 6 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | "Touch Me" B-side: "Wild Child" |
Pop Singles | 3 |
| 1969 | "Wishful Sinful" B-side: "Who Scared You" |
Pop Singles | 44 |
| 1969 | "Tell All the People" B-side: "Easy Ride" |
Pop Singles | 57 |
| 1969 | "Runnin' Blue" B-side: "Do It" |
Pop Singles | 64 |
Whereas the first three Doors albums had two singles pulled from each of them, "The Soft Parade" had a grand total of four, though some of them had initially been released as non-album singles significantly prior to the album's release. The only two songs on the LP that weren't released as either the A- or B-side of a single were the title cut and "Shaman's Blues". Only one single would be pulled from the next album, Morrison Hotel. It's also notable that all four singles were written by Robbie Krieger, and none by band leader Jim Morrison.