About the song
If you are a fan of the Doors, you might be interested in learning more about one of their most popular songs, “Touch Me”. This song was released as a single in December 1968 and reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in the Cashbox Top 100 in early 1969. It was also the band’s third American number-one single.
The song was written by guitarist Robby Krieger, who was inspired by the Four Seasons song “C’mon Marianne”. He used brass and string instruments to create a soulful and catchy sound, and featured saxophonist Curtis Amy for a jazz solo at the end.
The song’s original title was “Hit Me”, and the opening line was “C’mon, hit me, I’m not afraid”. However, Jim Morrison changed it to “Touch Me” because he was worried that the audience would take it literally and attack him on stage. He also added a humorous touch by shouting “Stronger than dirt” at the end, which was a slogan from an Ajax commercial.
The song was well received by critics and fans alike, who praised its musical style and innovation. It was also performed live on several occasions, such as on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1968, where Morrison had a black eye from a mysterious incident.