Peace Frog / Blue Sunday

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic track "Peace Frog / Blue Sunday" by The Doors from their compilation album Weird Scenes Inside the Gold Mine, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this one. "Peace Frog," originally from the 1970 album Morrison Hotel, is packed with gritty, bluesy energy and vivid imagery. The song’s lyrics, penned by Jim Morrison, were adapted from his poems, including one initially titled "Abortion Stories." Guitarist Robby Krieger revealed in a 2020 post on X that he wrote the music for "Peace Frog" first, and the band recorded it without lyrics because Morrison hadn’t yet come up with words. They decided to lay down the track anyway, trusting Morrison to pull something from his poetry notebook later, which he did, crafting the song’s intense, blood-soaked narrative.

One of the standout lines in "Peace Frog"—"Blood in the streets in the town of New Haven"—references a real event from Morrison’s life. On December 9, 1967, during a performance at New Haven Arena, Morrison was arrested onstage after taunting police, leading to a riot that spilled into the streets. Another haunting lyric, "Indians scattered on dawn’s highway bleeding," draws from a childhood memory Morrison described in interviews, where he witnessed a highway accident involving Native American workers in New Mexico. He claimed this event, which he said occurred when he was about four, left a deep impression, with their spirits finding "sanctuary" in him. The song’s raw, funky vibe, paired with these autobiographical elements, has made it a fan favorite, with critics like Thom Jerek from AllMusic calling it "downright funky boogie."

"Blue Sunday," which flows seamlessly into "Peace Frog" on Morrison Hotel, is a stark contrast—a tender, almost dreamlike ballad. Radio stations often play the two tracks together, as noted in a web source, because of how they blend. While "Peace Frog" pulses with chaos, "Blue Sunday" offers a moment of calm, showcasing The Doors’ ability to shift moods effortlessly. Fans on Reddit have debated the connection between "Peace Frog" and Morrison’s poem "Newborn Awakening," noting similarities in tone and imagery, though some feel the poetry-heavy American Prayer version doesn’t quite match the original’s raw power.

The Doors formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, when Jim Morrison, a UCLA film student with a passion for poetry, met keyboardist Ray Manzarek on Venice Beach. Morrison shared his poems, including "Moonlight Drive," and Manzarek, impressed by his lyrical depth, suggested they start a band. They soon recruited drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger, naming the group after Aldous Huxley’s The Doors of Perception, inspired by a William Blake quote about cleansing perception to see the infinite. The band’s early gigs at clubs like the Whisky a Go Go honed their psychedelic rock sound, blending Morrison’s provocative stage presence with Manzarek’s eerie organ, Krieger’s bluesy riffs, and Densmore’s jazz-inflected drumming. Their 1967 self-titled debut, featuring hits like "Light My Fire," skyrocketed them to fame.

Morrison’s influences included poets like Arthur Rimbaud and philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche, shaping his lyrical style, which often explored existential themes, rebellion, and mysticism. The band faced controversy, particularly after Morrison’s 1969 Miami arrest for allegedly exposing himself onstage, but their music continued to captivate. Despite Morrison’s death in 1971, The Doors’ legacy endures, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. Fans can connect with the band’s ongoing presence through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share updates, archival photos, and tributes like the 2022 post celebrating Morrison Hotel’s release.

The Doors’ fan community thrives online, with dedicated spaces like the Doors Fans Worldwide Facebook group, where enthusiasts share rare photos, concert stories, and memorabilia. Another hub, The Doors Guide, offers detailed discographies, lyrics, and historical insights for diehard Zoo Freaks. These platforms keep the band’s spirit alive, much like the Zoo Crew’s vinyl spins, inviting fans to dive deeper into the mystique of Morrison’s poetry and The Doors’ timeless sound.