People Are Strange

Reflecting the group's fascination with theatrical European cabaret and the Expressionist idea of alienation.

"People Are Strange" is a song by the American rock band the Doors, appearing on their second studio album, Strange Days, released in September 1967. Written by all four members of the Doors as a group composition, the track was first released with "Unhappy Girl" as its B-side before peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While all band members are credited on the sleeve notes, the song's origins trace back to a specific moment of inspiration for Morrison.

Quick Facts

Artist: the Doors
Album: Strange Days
B-side: Unhappy Girl
Released: 4 September 1967
Recorded: April 1967
Genre: Psychedelic rock
Length: 2:12
Label: Elektra

Lore & Background

The composition began in early 1967 when drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger, who were then roommates, visited Jim Morrison. They found him "deeply depressed." Following Krieger's suggestion, the trio took a walk along Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. The mood shifted dramatically when Morrison returned from the walk "euphoric," carrying early lyrics for the song. He described the experience to Krieger: "Yeah, I feel really good about this one. It just came to me all of a sudden ... in a flash – as I was sitting up there on the ridge looking out over the city." His eyes were wild with excitement as he explained, "I scribbled it down as fast as could. It felt great to be writing again." Looking at the crumpled paper in his hand, Morrison sang the chorus in his haunting blues voice, convincing Krieger immediately that the song was a hit.

Reader's Guide

The recording features The Doors with Jim Morrison on lead and backing vocals, Ray Manzarek playing Vox Continental organ and tack piano, Robby Krieger on slide guitar, and John Densmore on drums. Additional musician Doug Lubahn contributed bass guitar. The song has been covered by others, including British group Echo & the Bunnymen for the 1987 film The Lost Boys. Their version was produced by Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek and released as a single in 1988, reaching number 29 on the UK Singles Chart. A 12-inch version appeared that February, with the single re-released in 1991 when it hit number 13 on the Irish Singles Chart; its B-sides matched their previous release, "Bedbugs and Ballyhoo." Swedish singer-songwriter Stina Nordenstam also covered the song on her 1998 album of the same name, which included a remix single featuring an UNKLE remix as a bonus track in Japan.

Did You Know?

Echo & the Bunnymen's cover version was produced by Laurie Latham and reached number 29 on the UK Singles Chart in 1988.
In 2023, the song influenced paintings created by artist George Condo.
The UNKLE remix of Stina Nordenstam's cover appears as a bonus track on the Japanese version of her album and on UNKLE's box set, Eden.