Английская Википедия:Been Down So Long
Шаблон:Infobox song "Been Down So Long" is a song by the American rock band the Doors. It appears as the third track on L.A. Woman, the last studio album that lead singer Jim Morrison recorded with the group. It has been called, notably by critic Robert Christgau, as a "take-off" on the album.Шаблон:Sfn
A live version recorded on May 8, 1970, at Cobo Arena in Detroit, appears on the 2000 compilation album The Bright Midnight Sampler.[1]
Lyrics
The song's lyrics were written by lead singer and frontman Jim Morrison,Шаблон:Sfn though the performance rights organization ASCAP, along with the actual album liner notes, has given the songwriting credit to all members of the group evenly.[2][3]
Morrison's lyrics draws upon themes of depression, liberation, and sexuality, referring to his imprisonments during live performances.Шаблон:Sfn The title makes reference to Richard Fariña's book Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me,[4]Шаблон:Sfn and was influenced by the lyrics of Furry Lewis's 1928 song, "I Will Turn Your Money Green": "I been down so long/It seem like up to me."Шаблон:Sfn It is also considered to be Morrison at his most "mock tough",Шаблон:Sfn and his disapproval of the judicial system in the US.Шаблон:Sfn
Music and contributions
Session musician Jerry Scheff contributed on bass guitar, while the rhythm guitars were played by Marc Benno and keyboardist Ray Manzarek.[5]Шаблон:Sfn Musically, "Been Down So Long" is a conventional blues song,Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn with rambunctious aggression, and having the "old Doors, slow blues" style.Шаблон:Sfn It features a distinct slide guitar by Robby Krieger,[5] a rough sound, and a stomping beat.Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn In response to Morrison's bluesy interpretation in an interview with L.A. Weekly, Elektra Records president Jac Holzman said about Morrison's general enthusiasm for the blues during that time: Шаблон:Quote
Critical response
In his music reference book Rock Albums of the '70s: A Critical Guide, published in 1981, Robert Christgau considered L.A. Woman to be the Doors' greatest effort; however he also deemed "Been Down So Long" along with "L'America" as one of the few "disappointing" tracks of the album.Шаблон:Sfn Will Hermes of Rolling Stone rating L.A. Woman with four-and-a-half stars out five, he characterized the song as a "garage-style classic".[6] PopMatters critic Nathan Wisnicki wrote in his review that with "Been Down So Long" the Doors "overestimated their jaming abilities", adding that the song "could've been tightened-up without losing any fire".[7] Music journalist James Perone declared it one of the "must-hear blues songs" of the band.Шаблон:Sfn
Personnel
The Doors
- Jim Morrison – vocals
- Ray Manzarek – rhythm guitar[5]
- Robby Krieger – slide guitar[5]
- John Densmore – drums, tamburineШаблон:Sfn
Additional musicians
- Jerry Scheff – bass guitar[5]
- Marc Benno – rhythm guitar[8]
References
Sources
- Шаблон:Cite book
- Шаблон:Cite encyclopedia
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- Шаблон:Cite book
- Шаблон:Cite encyclopedia
- Шаблон:Cite book
- Шаблон:Cite book
- Шаблон:Cite book
- Шаблон:Cite book
- Шаблон:Cite episode
Шаблон:The Doors songs Шаблон:Authority control
