"Roadhouse Blues" is a song by the American rock band the Doors, which appears on the 1970 album Morrison Hotel.
The song was recorded over two days, from November 4 to 5, 1969. Producer Paul A. Rothchild insisted on several takes, some of which were included on the 2006 remastered album. Morrison, who was apparently intoxicated, flubbed several lyrics and keep repeating the phrase "Money beats soul every time".
There was more progress on the second day, when resident Elektra Records guitarist Lonnie Mack joined in to play bass (Ray Neapolitan, the regular bass player during Morrison Hotel sessions, had been stuck in traffic). Although there has been speculation that Mack also contributed the guitar solo, he confirmed that he had played bass and nothing else. Mack had quit touring and was working for Elektra at the time, but returned to music after playing bass at the session.
Guitarist Robby Krieger is responsible for all guitar parts on "Roadhouse Blues"; Morrison shouts "Do it, Robby, do it!" (especially audible on the official audio proof of DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD where the single vocal track can be separated from other instruments) at the start of the guitar solo. Ray Manzarek switched from a Wurlitzer electric piano to a tack piano (the same type as used on the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations"). Ex-Lovin' Spoonful frontman John Sebastian contributed harmonica (listed as "G. Puglese" for contractual reasons).
Lyrics
Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel
Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel
Yeah, we're goin' to the Roadhouse
Gonna have a real
Good time
Yeah, in back of the Roadhouse they got some bungalows
Yeah, in back of the Roadhouse they got some bungalows
Death's for the people
Who like to go down slow
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, all night long
You gotta roll, roll, roll
You gotta thrill my soul, alright
Roll, roll, roll, roll, a'thrill my soul
Ya gotta beep a gonk a chucha
Honk konk konk
Ya gotta, each you puna
Each ya, bop a lula
Each ya'll, bump a kechonk
Ease some konk
Ya, ride
Ashen lady, Ashen lady
Give up your vows, give up your vows
Save our city, save our city
Right now
And I woke up, good mornin', and I got myself a beer
Yeah, I woke up, good mornin', and I got myself a beer
The future's uncertain and the end is always near
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, baby, roll
Let it roll, all night long
