The Doors: The Unknown Soldier (1968)

The Unknown Soldier was written and recorded by The Doors and released in early 1968. Through simple lyrics, it recalls the death of a faceless soldier in combat, while life goes on at home (“news is read” and “children fed”). The Unknown Soldier is musically segmented. It opens with Jim Morrison’s vocals before progressing into a military-style drum beat and rifle fire, presumably the shot that kills the eponymous soldier. The song’s last minute is more upbeat, with Morrison proclaiming that the “war is over” while church bells ring and crowds cheer. Many radio stations refused to play The Unknown Soldier because of its violent themes. As a consequence, it only reached number 39 on radio charts, though its sales were significantly higher. Anecdotal reports also suggest that The Unknown Soldier was popular with soldiers serving in Vietnam.

Wait until the war is over
And we’re both a little older
The unknown soldier

Breakfast where the news is read
Television children fed
Unborn living, living, dead
Bullet strikes the helmet’s head

And it’s all over
For the unknown soldier
It’s all over
For the unknown soldier

Hut, hut, hut ho hee up
Hut, hut, hut ho hee up
Hut, hut, hut ho hee up
Comp’nee – halt
Present arms!

Make a grave for the unknown soldier
Nestled in your hollow shoulder
The unknown soldier

Breakfast where the news is read
Television children fed
Bullet strikes the helmet’s head

And, it’s all over
The war is over
It’s all over
War is over

Well all over baby
All over baby
Oh, over yeah
All over baby

Ooh ha ha, all over
All over baby
Oh woah yeah, all over
All over

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