Do It

Album: The Soft Parade (1969)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In the heady time of 1969, that year when hippiedom peaked and popped at Woodstock, songs were often political rallying cries. From "Ohio" to "Volunteers," pop stars frequently called for the Baby Boomers to change the world. "Do It" was such a song, though more forgettable than those previously mentioned. It's one of two "rallying cry" songs on The Soft Parade, the other being "Tell All The People."

    "Do It" calls for the youngsters to do... something.

    Please, please listen to me children (Come on, baby, do it crazy)
    You are the ones who will rule the world, ha


    It's a vague call for the young to take the bull by the horns.
  • "Do It" was the B-side to the "Runnin' Blue" single.
  • Doors lead singer Jim Morrison wrote the song with their guitarist Robbie Krieger. They'd both been writing Doors' songs from the band's start (Krieger wrote their breakout hit, "Light My Fire"), but The Soft Parade was the first time Krieger had as much of a hand in writing an album as Morrison did. He wrote four of the album's nine songs and cowrote this one, giving him equal split with the Lizard King.
  • "Do It" has been called a filler song, but much of The Soft Parade can be categorized that way. The Doors had done so much touring and publicity for their third studio album, Waiting for the Sun, that they didn't have time to focus on writing new material. On top of that, Morrison was beginning to have issues with his fame and with the press, both of which fed a growing problem with drugs and alcohol. He didn't want to be in the studio, and it was obvious. On top of this, producer Paul Rothchild was steeped in a cocaine habit and making everyone crazy with how hard he drove them. Basically, The Soft Parade wasn't an inspired album, and it shows.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Butch Vig

Butch VigSongwriter Interviews

The Garbage drummer/songwriter produced the Nirvana album Nevermind, and Smashing Pumpkins' Gish and Siamese Dream.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music Scene

Sub Pop Founder Bruce Pavitt On How To Create A Music SceneSong Writing

With $50 and a glue stick, Bruce Pavitt created Sub Pop, a fanzine-turned-label that gave the world Nirvana and grunge. He explains how motivated individuals can shift culture.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.