Love Me Two Times
Encyclopedia
"Love Me Two Times" is a song by The Doors
. It was written by the band and first appeared on the 1967 album Strange Days
. It was released as the second single (after "People Are Strange
") from that album, and reached #25 on the charts in the US.
Ray Manzarek
played the final version of this song on a harpsichord
, not a clavichord
. See Ray Manzarek's book, Light My Fire on page 258.
"Love Me Two Times" was considered to be somewhat risqué for radio airplay.
The lyrics were written by guitarist Robby Krieger
. According to band members, the song was about a soldier/sailor on his last day with his girlfriend before shipping out, ostensibly to war (Vietnam
).
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...
. It was written by the band and first appeared on the 1967 album Strange Days
Strange Days (album)
Strange Days is the second album released by American rock band The Doors. The album was a commercial success, earning a gold record and reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Despite this, the album's producer, Paul Rothchild, considered it a commercial failure, even if it was an...
. It was released as the second single (after "People Are Strange
People Are Strange
"People Are Strange" is a single released by The Doors in September 1967 from their second album Strange Days which was also released in September 1967. The single peaked at the #12 position of the U.S. Hot 100 chart and made it to the top ten in the Cash Box charts...
") from that album, and reached #25 on the charts in the US.
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...
played the final version of this song on a harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
, not a clavichord
Clavichord
The clavichord is a European stringed keyboard instrument known from the late Medieval, through the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical eras. Historically, it was widely used as a practice instrument and as an aid to composition, not being loud enough for larger performances. The clavichord produces...
. See Ray Manzarek's book, Light My Fire on page 258.
"Love Me Two Times" was considered to be somewhat risqué for radio airplay.
The lyrics were written by 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."...
. According to band members, the song was about a soldier/sailor on his last day with his girlfriend before shipping out, ostensibly to war (Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
).
Live versions
- In 1968, the Doors went on a European Tour and recorded the song live. The live version went on the 1983 compilation album Alive, She CriedAlive, She CriedAlive, She Cried is a live album by the American rock band The Doors; the title of the album is taken from a line in the song "When the Music's Over". The recordings are from various concerts during the period 1968–1970; they include "Gloria", originally a hit for Them, and an extended version of...
. This version had an alternate "Key Solo" between the verses that was much less complicated than the initial recording. It also had more organ effects than the original. - In 1972, the Doors played this song live in concerts after Jim Morrison's death. As a trio, Ray Manzarek was on the lead vocals (as well as the organ and the piano bass).
- In both versions, the words are slightly altered, as with most other songs performed live by the Doors.
Cover versions
- "Love Me Two Times" was covered by AerosmithAerosmithAerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
for the soundtrack of the 1990 film Air AmericaAir America (film)Air America is a 1990 American action comedy film directed by Roger Spottiswoode, starring Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. as Air America pilots, during the Vietnam War, flying missions in Laos...
(whose producers, Carolco PicturesCarolco PicturesCarolco Pictures, Inc., Carolco International N.V., or Anabasis Investments was an American independent film production company that, within a decade, went from producing such blockbuster successes as Terminator 2: Judgment Day and the first three movies of the Rambo series to being bankrupted by...
, would also produce a biopic about the DoorsThe Doors (film)The Doors is a 1991 biopic about the 1960s-1970s rock band of the same name which emphasizes the life of its lead singer, Jim Morrison. It was directed by Oliver Stone, and stars Val Kilmer as Morrison, Meg Ryan as Pamela Courson , Kyle MacLachlan as Ray Manzarek, Frank Whaley as Robby Krieger,...
) and was also played at the band's MTV UnpluggedMTV UnpluggedMTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
performance that same year, where lead singer Steven TylerSteven TylerSteven Tyler is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the frontman and lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, and occasional piano and percussion. He is known as the "Demon of Screamin'", due to his high screams...
dedicated the song to Jim Morrison, who performed with the Doors at the same venue of the Unplugged performance, the Ed Sullivan TheaterEd Sullivan TheaterThe Ed Sullivan Theater, located at 1697-1699 Broadway between West 53rd and West 54th, in Manhattan, is a venerable radio and television studio in New York City...
, several years prior. The 1990 cover reached #27 on the U.S. Mainstream Rock TracksMainstream Rock TracksHot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue...
chart. In 2001, the song was included on their greatest hits album, Young Lust: The Aerosmith AnthologyYoung Lust: The Aerosmith Anthology-Personnel:*Steven Tyler - lead vocals, harmonica, mandolin, keyboards*Joe Perry - lead guitar, appalachian dulcimer, backing vocals*Brad Whitford - rhythm guitar*Tom Hamilton - bass*Joey Kramer - drumsAdditional musicians...
. In addition, their version was included on the Doors tribute albumTribute albumA tribute album is a recorded collection of cover versions of songs or instrumental compositions. Its concept may be either various artists making a tribute to a single artist, a single artist making a tribute to various artists, or a single artist making a tribute to another single artist.There...
Stoned Immaculate. - It was also covered by pianist George WinstonGeorge WinstonGeorge Winston is an American pianist who was born in Michigan, and grew up mainly in Miles City, Montana as well as Mississippi and Florida. He attended Stetson University in Deland, Florida and lives in Santa Cruz, California.-Background:...
on his album Night Divides the Day - The Music of the DoorsNight Divides the Day - The Music of the DoorsNight Divides the Day – The Music of the Doors is the thirteenth album of pianist George Winston and ninth solo piano album, released in 2002. It features only piano covers of rock band The Doors. The Doors' keyboard player Ray Manzarek stated: "I love this CD; George has captured the essence of...
. - The song is also briefly covered in the song "Bitchin' Camaro" by the Dead MilkmenDead MilkmenThe Dead Milkmen is an American satirical punk rock band formed in 1983 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They consisted of vocalist and keyboardist Rodney Linderman , guitarist and vocalist Joe Genaro , bassist Dave Schulthise and drummer Dean Sabatino .Beginning within the local underground...
, albeit with slightly altered lyrics. - "Love Me Two Times" was also covered by Joan JettJoan JettJoan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
, and included on the compilation The Hit List.
Trivia
- The song appears in the soundtrack to the video game Guitar Hero World TourGuitar Hero World TourGuitar Hero World Tour is a music video game developed by Neversoft and published by RedOctane and Activision. It is the fourth main entry in the Guitar Hero series...
, and as downloadable content for the video game Rock Band 3Rock Band 3Rock Band 3 is a music video game, developed by Harmonix Music Systems. The game was initially published and distributed by MTV Games and Electronic Arts, respectively, with Mad Catz taking over both roles a year later. It is the third main game in the Rock Band series...
.