Hyacinth House
Encyclopedia
"Hyacinth House" is a 1971 song by The Doors
which appears on their final album with frontman Jim Morrison
, L.A. Woman
. The music was written by Ray Manzarek
, while Morrison wrote the lyrics while at guitarist Robby Krieger
's beach house; though the song's writing credits are additionally credited to Krieger and drummer John Densmore
. The lyrics "I see the bathroom is clear / I think that somebody's near / I´m sure that someone is following me" Is a reference to the vocals of the Album being recorded from the bathroom of The Doors Workshop studio for a fuller effect. The use of the term Hyacinth is thought to be Morrison's way of saying he was unhappy. Further, Hyacinthus
was a young love of the Greek god Apollo
. According to the myth, Apollo accidentally killed him in a discus throwing contest, and Apollo refused to let the boy go to Hades
. Thus, from his blood, Apollo created the hyacinth, a plant with a fragrant cluster of flowers. This has been linked to the lyrics that echo the song "The End"
: "my only friend, The End.". Further, the line, "And I'll say it again, I need a brand new friend, the end" is thought to indicate that Morrison had suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Morrison felt pulled because of his success, and his talent that he didn't have anyone around him that was just allowing him to be what he wanted to be. It is thought that Jim left for Paris
because he was unhappy and wanted to escape his rock star lifestyle to pursue poetry. This would link the song to Jim being unhappy as he left to live in Paris
to pursue poetry only three months after L.A. Woman
was complete, never to perform with The Doors again. What is clear, is the sadness and maturity within Morrison's voice, further enhanced by the acoustics in the studio bathroom.
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
which appears on their final album with frontman Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison
James Douglas "Jim" Morrison was an American musician, singer, and poet, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band The Doors...
, L.A. Woman
L.A. Woman
The band embarked on a tour to promote the album, although it would only comprise two dates. The first was held in Dallas, Texas on December 11 and reportedly went well. The second performance took place at The Warehouse in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 12, 1970, where Morrison apparently had...
. The music was written by Ray Manzarek
Ray Manzarek
Raymond Daniel Manzarek, Jr., better known as Ray Manzarek , is an American musician, singer, producer, film director, writer, co-founder and keyboardist of The Doors from 1965 to 1973, Nite City from 1977–1978 and Manzarek-Krieger since 2001.Manzarek is listed #4 on Digital Dreamdoor's "100...
, while Morrison wrote the lyrics while at guitarist Robby Krieger
Robby Krieger
Robert Alan "Robby" Krieger is an American rock guitarist and songwriter. He was the guitarist in The Doors, and wrote some of the band's best known songs, including "Light My Fire," "Love Me Two Times," "Touch Me," and "Love Her Madly."...
's beach house; though the song's writing credits are additionally credited to Krieger and drummer John Densmore
John Densmore
John Paul Densmore is an American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the drummer of the rock group The Doors.-Early life and The Doors:Born in Los Angeles, Densmore attended Santa Monica City College and Cal...
. The lyrics "I see the bathroom is clear / I think that somebody's near / I´m sure that someone is following me" Is a reference to the vocals of the Album being recorded from the bathroom of The Doors Workshop studio for a fuller effect. The use of the term Hyacinth is thought to be Morrison's way of saying he was unhappy. Further, Hyacinthus
Hyacinth (mythology)
Hyacinth or Hyacinthus is a divine hero from Greek mythology. His cult at Amyclae, southwest of Sparta, where his tumulus was located— in classical times at the feet of Apollo's statue in the sanctuary that had been built round the burial mound— dates from the Mycenaean era...
was a young love of the Greek god Apollo
Apollo
Apollo is one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology...
. According to the myth, Apollo accidentally killed him in a discus throwing contest, and Apollo refused to let the boy go to Hades
Hades
Hades , Hadēs, originally , Haidēs or , Aidēs , meaning "the unseen") was the ancient Greek god of the underworld. The genitive , Haidou, was an elision to denote locality: "[the house/dominion] of Hades". Eventually, the nominative came to designate the abode of the dead.In Greek mythology, Hades...
. Thus, from his blood, Apollo created the hyacinth, a plant with a fragrant cluster of flowers. This has been linked to the lyrics that echo the song "The End"
The End (The Doors song)
"The End" is a song by The Doors. Originally written by Jim Morrison as a song about breaking up with girlfriend Mary Werbelow, it evolved through months of performances at Los Angeles' Whisky a Go Go into a nearly 12-minute opus on their self-titled album. The band would perform the song to close...
: "my only friend, The End.". Further, the line, "And I'll say it again, I need a brand new friend, the end" is thought to indicate that Morrison had suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Morrison felt pulled because of his success, and his talent that he didn't have anyone around him that was just allowing him to be what he wanted to be. It is thought that Jim left for Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
because he was unhappy and wanted to escape his rock star lifestyle to pursue poetry. This would link the song to Jim being unhappy as he left to live in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to pursue poetry only three months after L.A. Woman
L.A. Woman
The band embarked on a tour to promote the album, although it would only comprise two dates. The first was held in Dallas, Texas on December 11 and reportedly went well. The second performance took place at The Warehouse in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 12, 1970, where Morrison apparently had...
was complete, never to perform with The Doors again. What is clear, is the sadness and maturity within Morrison's voice, further enhanced by the acoustics in the studio bathroom.