The Arctic Monkeys are now known as modern day rock and roll gods, filled to the brim with bravado and stage presence. For those of us who were fans before the immense success of AM and “Do I Wanna Know” (or were curious enough to do a deep dive into their discography) we know that  Alex Turner and crew were not always this way. The once lanky, awkward and shy Turner seemed to be the type of kid who would sit in the back of the classroom, furiously scribbling poetry into a tattered notebook. Upon listening to the band’s haunting third installment entitled Humbug, it is evident that Turner’s fantastic poetry and lyricsm paid off. It is also clear to see that he had a great deal of influence from another rock and roll/poet/enigma: Jim Morrison.

Morrison, frontman of The Doors and prolific poet, has been revered as the gateway to modern rock and roll and one of the most impressive lyricists ever, ushering in a new wave of artists whose focus changed from a song’s melody to the words actually accompanying it.. His acceptance of his own mortality and commentary about the shortcomings of humanity are prevalent themes throughout many of The Doors’ most infamous tracks.

In addition to the themes of life and death, relationships and love are seen over and over again in both songs from The Doors and The Arctic Monkeys. Some may argue that every rock band or artist has discussed love and relationships at one point or another, but there is a profound difference in the way that Morrison and Turner discuss these themes in their songs.

Lyrical Comparison

The Crystal Ship by The Doors:“The days are bright and filled with pain/

Enclose me in your gentle rain”

The Afternoon’s Hat by the Arctic Monkeys:“And when I’m in the confines of crawling wall,/ you hold me in place”

 Melancholy love seems to be the overarching tone of both of these tunes, and a haunting, eerie melody is shared between the two bands. However, The Crystal Ship by The Doors was released in 1967 while The Afternoon’s Hat by the Arctic Monkeys was released in 2010.

Though the influence of The Doors is hard to miss when listening to Turner and crew, the Monkeys manage to add their own unique twist, making their songs and albums undeniably their own.

It’s that time of the year again where there seems nothing better to do then to curl up with a good book and some tea while listening to Crying Lightning by the Arctic Monkeys, having Alex’s crooning lulling you to sleep. But I suggest you throw in some Doors into the mix; after all, you gotta respect your classics.