About the song
“Peace Frog” by The Doors is a song with complex origins and themes, drawing from personal experiences and observations of frontman Jim Morrison.
Background:
- Lyrics: The lyrics are derived from three poems written by Morrison: “Abortion Stories,” “Dawn’s Highway,” and “Newborn Awakening.” These poems deal with themes of violence, death, and trauma.
- Events: The song references several real-life events:
- New Haven Incident: The line “Blood in the streets in the town of New Haven” refers to Morrison’s 1967 arrest during a concert in New Haven for inciting a riot.
- Car Accident: The line “Indians scattered on dawn’s highway bleeding” recalls a childhood incident where Morrison witnessed a car accident involving Indigenous people.
- Music: The song features a distinctive, polyrhythmic musical style with a mix of blues rock and psychedelic elements.
Themes:
- Violence and Trauma: The lyrics and the events they reference point to a recurring theme of violence and trauma, both personal and societal. This reflects Morrison’s fascination with the darker aspects of human experience.
- Social Commentary: The song’s references to police brutality and the plight of Indigenous people suggest a commentary on social injustice and the darker side of American history.
- Death and Rebirth: The lyrics touch on themes of death and the cyclical nature of life. The image of the “newborn awakening” suggests the possibility of renewal and transformation even in the face of violence and trauma.
- Personal Struggle: The song can also be interpreted as reflecting Morrison’s own inner turmoil and struggles with addiction and self-destructive tendencies.
Overall, “Peace Frog” is a complex and multi-layered song that explores dark themes of violence, trauma, and social injustice, while also hinting at the possibility of renewal and transformation. It is a reflection of Morrison’s own personal struggles and his observations of the world around him.
Video
Lyrics
There’s blood in the streets, it’s up to my ankles (she came)Blood in the streets, it’s up to my knee (she came)Blood in the streets, the town of Chicago (she came)Blood on the rise, it’s following meThink about the break of day
She came and then she drove awaySunlight in her hair
Blood in the streets turn a river of sadness (she came)Blood in the streets, it’s up to my thigh (she came)Yeah, the river runs red down the legs of a city (she came)The women are cryin’ and rivers are weepin’ (she came)
She came in town and then she drove awaySunlight in her hair
Indians scattered on dawn’s highway bleedin’Ghosts crowd the young child’s fragile eggshell mind
Blood in the streets in the town of New HavenBlood stains the roofs and the palm trees of VeniceBlood in my love in the terrible summerBloody red sun of Fantastic L.A.
Blood screams her brain as they chop off her fingersBlood will be borne in the birth of a nationBlood is the rose of mysterious union
There’s blood in the streets, it’s up to my anklesBlood in the streets, it’s up to my kneeBlood in the streets, the town of ChicagoBlood on the rise, it’s following me