Peace Frog by The Doors

Album: Morrison Hotel (1970)

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Doors guitarist Robby Krieger came up with the guitar riff. The lyrics were based on two of Jim Morrison's poems, one called Abortion Stories, which is where the bloody images came from.
This song was written in the studio. After Krieger got the guitar riff, Jim Morrison came up with the lines, "She came, she came, she came, just about the break of day." Their producer, Paul Rothchild, wanted to fill out the lyric, so he and Morrison when through Jim's notebooks and found the poems to create the lyrics.
The lyrics about the Indians refer to an auto accident involving a group of Indians that Morrison's family came across on the highway. Morrison, who was a child at the time, felt that the ghosts of the Indians took up residence in his soul. This scene is portrayed at the beginning of Oliver Stone's movie, The Doors.
The lyric, "Blood in the streets of the town of Chicago" refers to the 1968 democratic convention, where police in riot gear brutally beat protesters.
The lyric, "Blood in the streets of the town of New Haven" refers to Morrison's arrest in New Haven in 1967. From the stage, the enraged singer explained that he was with a girl before the show, and, "We started talking and we wanted some privacy and so went into this little show room. We weren't doing anything. You know, just standing there talking, and then this little man in a little blue suit and a little blue cap came in there. He said 'Whatcha doin' there?' 'Nothin'.' But he didn't go away, he stood there and then he reached round behind him and brought out this little black can of something. It looked like shaving cream. And then he sprayed it in my eyes. I was blinded for about 30 minutes."

At this point, three police officers came onstage and arrested Morrison for breach of the peace, giving an indecent and immoral exhibition and resisting arrest. He managed to strike a crucifixion pose before he was taken away, and some audience members fought with cops.
The Doors Examined author Jim Cherry offered a unique interpretation of the song in his interview with Songfacts.

"I think it's misunderstood," Cherry said. "In 'Peace Frog,' he mentions three cities: Venice, New Haven, and Chicago. The general assumption was that the song is primarily political, and the Chicago reference is about the 1968 riots. Jim wasn't there, though, when those riots happened in 1968. The other references, though, are clearly about his personal life.

Venice, California, is where he went on the rooftop and dropped all that acid that led to a lot of his poetry and the early Doors music. New Haven, Connecticut, was where he first started getting arrested and experiencing trouble on stage. So that nails the first two as autobiographical references. So why wouldn't Chicago be autobiographical? Well, sure enough, if you look at his biography, May or maybe June of '68 was when Morrison first went onstage with the conscious intention of provoking a riot.

That's why I think Morrison's lyrics in general, and in 'Peace Frog' in particular, are more autobiographical than people think."
Krieger recorded a version with Smashmouth for the 2000 Doors tribute album Stoned Immaculate.
Radio stations usually play this together with "Blue Sunday," which follows it on the album.
This song was featured in the 1998 movie The Waterboy. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Adrian - Gettysburg, PA
The title doesn't appear in the lyrics. So why Peace Frog? Morrison Hotel producer Paul A. Rothchild found a poem that Morrison wrote about an abortion that one of his girlfriends had. "We didn't want to call the song Abortion Stories, which was the name of the poem," Krieger explained to Uncut magazine. "So we called it Peace Frog."

Comments: 71

DgHe got arrested as Toad’s Place in New Haven. I wonder if there is connection between this and the title Peace “Frog.”
Lorz from New YorkIt's about abortion.
Anna from New Oxford, PaLove The Doors, love Jim Morrison, love all their songs RIP Jim M.
Mark from Rogers, , ArOur radio stations in Phoenix started playing this song around spring 1970 as if it were a single (they did not play the Blue Sunday part) It had been somewhat of a dry spell for the Doors (last one they played regular was Wishful Sinful a year earlier) Kept going to the record store looking for the 45 but it was several weeks before I found out that it was an album cut & at the time $3.98 for the LP was out of my reach (I was 14 at the time)
Mike from Chicago, IlI don't get why people refer to Morrison as moronic or idiotic. He attended UCLA and was known for his antics, he was an off-beat individual inspired by existentialist philosphers such as Nietzsche. Innovators who subscribe to offbeat or new-wave ideas are perceived as idiotic, doesn't make sense. His antics were drug induced and the audience should see past that. Eat as many psychedelics as Morrison and see if you still function. He regards issues in an offbeat manner, was Nietzsche's philosophies to appeal to masses, no, but they still did but they still force us to question ourselves and that does better us, doesn't it?
Margret Hamilton from St. Paul, MnJessy from A-town KS: Thanks for the book tip, did you read Densmore’s book, I haven’t but heard it is worthwhile? As to those two below exchanging ideas on the worth of Jim Morrison, etc., I can appreciate the differences. But in listening to rock music, one pretty much has to cast aside the character, habits and faults of the artist ---- otherwise Lennon, McCartney, Dylan, the whole bunch could have their music devalued because of who they are as a person. Not fair. Morrison will have to answer to his God just as we all are, but we cannot be too certain or holier-than-thou in our judgments because everyone’s origins and influences are different. I give many Muslims a break because they know no better. I do the same for Morrison. For me personally, the Doors music was beautiful, mysterious and melodic; and Morrison’s voice knows no equal. Others can have their own favorites.
Saatan from Bangkok, ThailandP.S.
"Don't Take Drug" His Mom Said
"It's happening" Girls Said
-----
Almost Famous
Biker from Las Vegas, NvThere were riots in New Haven in 1967.
Nady from Adelaide, Australiayou can yell and scream till you're blue in the face, but the FACT is that nobody actually saw Jim expose himself. not even Robbie, John or Ray saw it. so shhh. quiet time now.
Guy from Benson, NcChloe, re-read my comments. I didn't say it was ALL about drugs. Nady, I'm glad you found a friend. What I think proves my point is the arguing over where, when and how often Jim exposed himself. LOL!!!!!!
Kait from Somewhere, OhThis is my all time favorite Doors song...and for the record Jim morrison exposed himself in numerous places not just miami or New Haven
Mac from Evanston, IlRe: Patrick (of Durham, NC) (shout-out: say hi to my sister Lisa; she lives next door in Chapel Hill). Some frogs, mostly in the South American Amazonian tropical rain forest, have an alkaloid known as bufotenine in their skins, a natural noxious agent that makes them unpalatable to would-be predators. Bufotenine has a chemical structure in the tryptamine group, which includes psilocybin, DMT, and LSD.
Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaI second that motion:)
Chloe from St. Louis, Modear lord, guy....just....NO. i get the whole idolization thing, and i respect that, but bashing jim morrison AND syd barrett....its not all about drugs.
Nady from Adelaide, Australia"Ghosts crowd the young child's fragile, eggshell mind" You're welcome Brandon:))))
Brandon from San Diego, Caghosts in the eggshell of the young child's mind, amazing
Ray from Memphis, TnAs much as I love the Doors, I hate the way Blue Sunday is tacked onto the end of Peace Frog. It's like they could not figure out how to end Peace Frog. Blue Sunday is just a total come down after the rockin' Peace Frog.
Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaThanks Guy, I can tell that you obviously know quite alot about good music and that I respect. I do agree that some people can get carried away with the whole "rockstar" image, and I think thats why I do love the artist that was Jim Morrison, because he tried to deter the whole sex symbol hot rockstar image (hence the belly and the poor grooming). Words mean alot to me and it's his poems that I truly enjoy the most, not the drugs or the obssession with death, but the joy that his beautiful words bring to me. I definatley respect your opinion and see where your coming from, cheers. ('That's the Way' is definately my favourite Led Zeppelin song, again, beautiful words!)
Guy from Benson, NcNady, I can actually respect your response. I want to clarify that my comments aren't directed so much at Jim or any musician in particular, but really I get more irritated how people deify a man. I love Led Zeppelin and the Who, but they are all just musicians. Very good musicians, but nothing more. Plant and Daltrey et al are no more gods than Morrison. People sometimes get priorities out of order and read more into the musicians and their music than what is there. I appreciate your civility in our discourse.
Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaOK Guy heres what I think: Jim was popular because of the marvellous songs he wrote and his most charismatic nature. But I do agree that his antics made him popular ONLY because he was really the first performer to ever do such things so publicly, thats why i think people took notice. Your free to talk about dead people with such disrespect, I just want you to know when you say it around people who clearly love The Doors and Jim Morrison it hurts. Jim definately holds a place in my soul and to hear someone bagging a man who, yes I think is BRILLIANT, it breaks my heart. All I am saying is have a little respect.
Guy from Benson, NcNady, nobody is "picking on Jim." I'm picking on the people who deify the man for being a musician. He garnered most of his popularity through his antics and ultimately his death. Now he his being held up as an icon above other much more talented musicians. I think most of his lyrics are infantile, you don't. It's a freedom we have here in the US and I believe you have it as well in Australia. So, I will continue to celebrate my freedom of speech by "picking on the deceased" as you say. However "brilliant" you may think they are.
Nady from Adelaide, Australiajim didint expose himself, nobody actually saw it
Guy from Benson, NcAside from Ernie's mistakes about where Jim died I have to agree with much of his comments. Morrison was popular primarily because he made himself out to be a public nuisance. I AM THE LIZARD KING. Uh, yeah Jim. Whatever!!!! As for the 1992 poll that said the Doors were the most popular band among kids in High School....look at the demographic. Most of these kids walk around wearing Doors t-shirts, have the poster of ole Jim that says "American Poet"(Fail) and smoke dope and drop acid while they try to decipher the meaning of Jim's "poetry"(sample genius poetry "There's a killer on the road. His brain is swerving like a toad."). Why do I know this? Because I went to school with these folks. Many of the other kids were big into Pink Floyd and they fried their brains trying to explain why Syd Barrett was such a musical genius. Plenty of groups have great music/musicians or songs, but that's as deep as it goes. FLAME ON!!!!
Little Girl from A Place, -mr ernie he actually died in his bath tub in paris.... of unknown causes... death certificate says heart failure... me smart :)
oh and yay for jim morrison and the doors
favorite band
pfft... night club toilet.... what planet are you on man.
Morgan from Providence, RiThis song is a great example of Morrison's poetic genius. If you have a problem with this song, the Doors or Jim Morrison, why are you here in the frist place.. stop wasting your time and ours.. I mean obviously you have no sense of what's important in music, and what real lyrics are, and my guess is that you never will.. but leave us true music fans alone.. because we live on this.. the song's got a great beat and amazing lyrics.. the doors were simply the best.. and always will be.
R.I.P Jim
Christopher from New Haven, CtI suppose all who have expressed themselves here are the spiritual as me. All the Doors music more so the live material when listened to is a mind penetraing spiritual experience. The lyrics of Jim Morrison are undescribeable; genius. This dude was intelligent beyond my comprehension. At 38 yrs old in 2008 Jim Morrison was on the other side before I was born. Fortunately my 4 older siblings were Doors fans and vinyl albums were played in our home and passed down to me. I somehow was more affected by The Doors and Jim Morrison than they were. I cannot truly to this day define or explain my connection to The Doors. The Doors and their music is a huge part of me; my soul. I love The Doors for what impression on my soul they have inscribed into me. If you open your mind just a little and let The Doors in you'll agree with me 100% and hopefully will be at one with me. "Blood in the streets in the town of New Haven.........................."
Mark from Byrdstown, TnDrummer John Densmore in his book about The Doors said that he gets asked to play "Peace Frog" more than any other song The Doors did.That was surprising I thought.Morrison got into a minor fracas with some cops in New Haven(not over penis exposure either),Densmore says Morrison was just trying to piss them off on purpose and they beat the crap out of him kind of unexpectedly.Why does everybody think every run in with the law involving Morrison involves his weiner?
Seamus from Cloumbia, Ctamazing song Jim morrison is THE MAN
Eric from MaastrichtErnie, why look into his songs' lyrics than, you being very conservative
guess your father was with the NHPD back in the 60's (lol)
Ernie from Dover, DeJessy, I'd be interested in hearing you explain why you think that silly pretentious libertine was a shaman. The mystic idiot died on a nightclub toilet. The Lizard King perished on the throne. Did he experience a vision of that in the desert?
This song is about his witch girlfriend aborting his child. The lyrics are as meaningless as Morrison's hedonistic life. The spirit possession passage is particularly embarrassing in both style and content and reveals what a self-deluded jackass and narcissist he was.
Shane from Athlone, IrelandPeace Frog is one of the only songs that can hold a crowd spell boud duiring a concert
Greg from Salem, MaThe doors were way before there time
they did a nation wide survey of high school kids in 1992 the favorite band was THE DOORS
Dubravko from Kakanj, BosniaMy favourite line is "Blood will be born in the birth of the nation." It refers to the past - as long as there are different nations there will always be BLOOD!
Tristan from Philadelphia, Pa?The opening riff sounds like Jefferson Airplanes "Volunteers"
- Roger, America, PA"

Thats funny because while Morrison and the airplane played together a lot, Morrison hated them, he said they were too loud and played as loud and however they wanted, reguardless of what the rest of the band was doing.
Tristan from Philadelphia, PaIm a huge Doors fan, and yet I did not know why the song was titled peace frog. Thanks for the help in that, also I think the blood in the streets in new haven has to do with the black panthers riots. I could be way off, but thats what I heard. Morrison never exposed himself in New Haven.
Bob Tank from Kansas City, MoPeace Frog is relative to the Boiling Frog theory.

The boiling frog story states that a frog can be boiled alive if the water is heated slowly enough -- it is said that if a frog is placed in boiling water, it will jump out, but if it is placed in cold water that is slowly heated, it will never jump out.

Basically what Jim was telling us, as long as we were pacified by a phony, civil, controlled, illusion of peace, the heat(the cops) would continue to get hotter, until the "blood in our streets were up to our ankles, up to our knees", and now in 2007, we are freedom, privacy, and rights have been "boiled away"
Shannan from Wilmington, DeI LOVE THIS SONG!!! I like how Jim Morrison uses two of his wonderful poems to create the lyrics. I also love the riff, Robbie is a wonderful guitarist. Another thing is that the two poems he uses refer to his own life and actually events. Altogether great song. The Doors rock!!!!!!
Michael from Jacksonvillw, Fl "Blood is the rose of mysterious union" comes from Jim's witch wedding with Patricia. Rose is a literary symbol for union. A witch wedding is obviously somewhat mysterious, and the couple cut themselves and mix each other's blood; i.e., "Blood is the rose of mysterious union."
Also, this song originated as a poem. Robby came up with the guitar lick one day and Jim was not around, so the other 3 guys went into his note book and found a poem called Peace Frog. As for the Blood imagery, Jim loved the girls, and in his poetry he talks about virgins; well, in Peace Frog note the lyrics "she came." Jim took some virginities he took them in Chicago, he took them in the town of New Haven, and remember when Jim lived in Venice, he live on the roof tops of Venice Beach, CA, so he probably took some virginities there as well. I am a fan of Morrison's poetry, but even Jim would tell you that "[his] poetry does not say anything. It means what every you want it to mean. It just ticks off possibilities. Opens doors. And you can walk through which ever one you suit." Jim also said that he writes poetry to deliver people from the usual way they think.
Jessy from A Town, KsUga, los angeles, CA,

Blood in New Haven does make perfect sense.

New Haven was the first time a singer was arrested onstage. But what happened after and before that makes the blood part relative.

Here's what happened:
The NHPD was called in to dp the security for the show. It was about 20 minutes before they went on when the Police decided they would clear out the backstage area.However, Jim Morrison was in a private shower room making out with a young groupy. The cops, being conservative as they were, didn't know who Jim Morrison was. He was reported in as a Long haired hippy with some girl. The police went to check it out and found him there. They told him to leave immediately but he refused. He didn't point out he was The Doors lead man for god only knows what reason. He just hated 'The Establishment'. After refusing and getting verbally into it with the cops, the maced him and beat on him. He ran into The Door's room and it was quickly broken up. After convincing the cops he would behave, he was allowed to go onstage. However, while singing Backdoor Man, he went on a anti-police rant and told the story about what happened backstage. The cops disliked this and came to arrest him mid-performance. He taunted them onstage too, putting the mic to them telling them to 'say your thing'. They immediately started beating him and arrested him. After this, a full riot started with the crowd. The cops started beating the young people there, arresting about 20 of them. There were several reporters there and it was all caught on film. Do there is no doubting whether or not it happened. He was brought in on several charges and was finally released on bail for 2500 dollars. However, with all the mounting evidence of police brutality and pressure form the media which had been there and recorded it(Police brutality was unheard of then. They would have never been put in court), the courts found his 'crimes' only worthy of a 25 dollar fine. Blood in New Haven probably has to do with this incident and the brutality and beating. Some even witnessed and photographeed further abuse on Jim Morrison in the parking lot. After this, the FBI kept an active file on him at all times.

As for Venice, another riot. Hippies rioted in LA one summer during the first couple of years The Doors were together. It was an entire summer of conflicts on the Sunset Strip between the hippies and the police. It started with an exodus of hippies to the free-spirited LA. This caused distress for store owners because they were bad for business. They never had money and they scared away the older generation's business. The people who actually had money. Eventually, the police were called in to keep the hippies away from the Strip. However, almost immediately, conflicts broke out between the hippies and the police. This lasted all summer. Thus the line 'Blood in my love in the terrible summer'.

I also do know that Jim Morrison was litteraly homeless for about a year in the Venice Becah area. He lived on top of an abondened building with nothing but his books ( His prized and only possessions) and a candle to read with. This is where he 'heard' and wrote almost all of their songs. He supposedly wrote them down after taking a huge amount of LSD one night and actually hearing a concert in his head. All of their early songs were part of it. This is also in direct correlation to becoming a shaman in which a shaman hears the spirits play his power songs. This is where his beliefs in Indian Shamanism took off. He literally lived like a shaman until his death, which for me confirms he was indeed a shaman.

Hope I answered a lot of the question you guys were asking. I am very interested in the Doors and are really 'the' most influental band ever in my opinion. I have read several books and web pages on them. The best of which I think is 'Break On Through: The Life and Death of Jim Morrison' by James Riordan, Jerry Prochnicky
Katie from Newport Beach, Cathe line about ghost in the young childs egg shell mind is about this time when jim morrison was like four and he saw the car accident and all these indians were dead on the rode and i gusse like all their spirts were like just running around and just diecide to go into the brain of jim morrison.... well acording to jim.
Mitchell from Rocky Mountain House, CanadaSounds like Nirvana was just influenced by The Doors in smells like teen spirit. They didnt copy anything but the idea of the guitar riff's.
Max from Los Angeles, CaPeace Frog is also the name of a great doors tribute band based out of Venice Beach, CA. They have been joined on stage by members of the doors in Hollywood and have an extensive track record performing nationally as well as internationally. check them out. peacefrogband.com
Kurdt from Concord, NhLauren has the right idea. Kurt even said he was trying to rip off Boston when he wrote the song. Them and the Pixies.
Kurdt from Concord, NhTeen spirit and peace forg are hardly alike. If you played you would know...
Groovy song, loved the harmonized solo
Johnny from Los Angeles, CaLove the Guitar riff. I thought Jim Morrisons Indian name was "The Lizard" or something. How is this like smells like teen spirit. Dan is correct, I just heard that version.
Matt from Columbus, Ohactually i read that jim morrison had a few other minor offences in new haven and eventually was asked not to come back.and im guessing that venice refers to santa monica.(i.e. venice is a ghetto of l.a.)
Lauren from State College, PaI hear more of a similarity between "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "More Than a Feeling" by Boston Than I do w/ "Peace Frog"
Uga from Los Angeles, CaI am working on some stories related to the Doors.

Does anyone know for certain where the Chicago, New Haven, and Venice references in this song come in?

I can believe the Chicago 1968 allusion, but Venice & New Haven make no sense. (Blood in the palms of Venice, blood on the streets of New Haven)

Also, if Peace Frog is Morrison's "Indian Name" who gave it to him? Or how did he make it up? If you can cite another website or book that'd be even better.
Robyn from Waterloo, Canadafirst of all, GHB is a chemical drug, you dont get it off of frogs. secondly, GHB doesnt only affect women, though it is mostly commonly known as the date rape drug. i think that the most important thing to keep in mind when trying to understand morrison's lyrics is that they dont always make sense. you cant dissect them line for line and still get meaning from the whole. stream of conciousness writiing is best understood in terms of themes. i agree with dan from los angeles, with the lyrics having double meanings. i think a major theme of the song is death, and how it has interacted with morrison throughout his life. anyways, those are just some random thoughts on this song, which i think is a very underrated song, as with much of the doors' material.
Mike from Philadelphia, Pa"Peace Frog" was used in the HBO show Entourage. Season 1, Episode 6. Titled "Busey And The Beach"
The boys look off as the sun sets on the Pacific, enjoying the moment. Fade to end credits.
Artist: The Doors
Song: Peace Frog

It is EXTREMELY rare for The Doors to allow any of their songs to be used for any movies or tv. It just shows you what a great show Entourage is.

They also used "Love Street" in another episode that aired this year. Season 2, Episode 18. Titled "The Bat Mitzvah"
Mandy pulls up to tell Vince how she feels.
Artist: The Doors
Song: Love Street
Roger from America, PaThe opening riff sounds like Jefferson Airplanes "Volunteers"
Brandon from Saskatoon, CanadaI rented the waterboy just to hear this song in it. this is probly my favourite doors song. It does sound similar to smells like teen spirit.
Jayme from Pittston, PaGHB the date rap drug is whats on the backs of frogs i think. Guys can take it for some reason some guys bodies (ONLY GUYS!) can handle it, Women of course can't handle it.
Eric from Fargo, Ndjim morrison didnt expose himself. period.
it was a hoax that J. Edgar Hoover put on to put Jim Morrison out of the power he had over people cuz the FBI are just a bunch of a-holes
Eric from Fargo, Ndthe opening riff is nothing like smells like teen spirit at all
Fuko from Oakland, CaPeace Frog was Jim's Indian name.
Justin from Chicago, IlGood call on similar guitar riffs between this song and Smells Like Teen Spirit...I can definitely tell
Jordan from Renton, Wai really thought this song was about Jim licking a frog and getting stoned.
Jon from Sydney, Australiadoesnt anyone feel that 'nirvana'took the opening guitar riff for the song "smells like teen spirit". Its almost identical
Bryan from Nova Scotia, CanadaThe name "Peace Frog" has nothing to do with the song. It was a meaningless tag.
Chuck from Los Angeles, CaF.Y.I. --- This song appears in "The Waterboy" motion picture as well as the soundtrack.
Chuck from Los Angeles, CaI don't think they (The Doors) meant to sell it for profit but rather as a tribute to Jim seeing as how he was from L.A. and the X-Games were hosted in L.A.
Ali from East Lansing, MiThe instrumentation for this song and Morrison's lyrics were recorded in two different takes. This is what gives the lyrics a somewhat detached feeling from the music.
Peter from Providence, RiThis song was in an X-Games Promo..I thought the doors didnt sell there songs out
Amit from Fair Lawn, NjAppeared in a commercial for the 2004 X Games.
Fred from Myrtle Beach, SdIts true the "indecent exposure incident" was in Miami
Debi from Ridgecrest, Orthis song represents more than hallucinogens and exposition. it represents WAR and BLOOD.
i like dan's comment
Terri Lynn from Heart's Desire, Canadaa song with dark lyrics, and yet a strangely upbeat style. its easy to hear the song without even realizing what its truly about
Greg from Mt. Pleasent, MiMorrison did not expose himself in New Haven. He exposed himself in Miami I believe.
Patrick from Durham, NcPeace Frog: in some cultures frogs that have hallucinogenic properties are licked and you feel inner peace
Dan from Los Angeles, Ca"Blue Sunday" follows, not precedes, "Peace Frog" on the album. Morrison intertwines the themes of abortion and social unrest in the lyrics with many lines having double meanings. For example, "Blood is the rose of mysterious union" can refer to revolution in the United States (the union) or abortion resulting from sex ( a union of two people).

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