Spanish Caravan

Album: Waiting For The Sun (1968)
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Songfacts®:

  • Doors guitarist Robby Krieger wrote this song, which showcases his talents on flamenco guitar, an instrument he started playing when he was 17. As for the lyrics... he's no Jim Morrison:

    Silver and gold in the mountains of Spain
    I have to see you again and again
  • The intro riff was taken from "Asturias," a classical piece by Spanish composer Isaac Albeniz (1860 - 1909). >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Daniel - St. Brieuc, France
  • Krieger played his guitar in a flamenco style. Some parts were processed through a fuzz box.
  • "Andalusia," which is referred to in the first verse, is the Southernmost area of Spain. It was repeatedly conquered by various groups until it was divided into eight provinces in 1833.
  • Robby Krieger told Rainier Moddemann of The Doors Quarterly that the band was sued for borrowing from a traditional Spanish song with "Spanish Caravan." The Doors were forced to give up some money, but only a little. Krieger explained, "They didn't get very much, 'cause it's such a widely known thing, but they claimed they owned this little something stupid."

Comments: 24

  • Grampappy from Sun ClubLoved this back in the day around old Frisco, goes great in the Winnebago.
  • John from CaYes, Robby Krieger is no Jim Morrison. Krieger wrote "Light My Fire", and it is safe to say, that without that song we would never have hear of the Doors or Jim Morrison.
  • Rob from London, EnglandThe Spanish guitar intro is in two parts. The first 20 seconds or so is Granainas (not Granadinas) then after a very short pause it becomes Asturius.
  • Dogg from Tulsa, OkThis is great musicianship by Robbie. This song could have been three times as long and I would have liked it even better.
  • Jim from Tampa , FlOk, before anyone tells me I"m wrong, I went by the clip here on the page. On this version, the intro is Austurias, however, I went back to the recorded version on my album and indeed the intro is a flamenco piece ( I play classical ) and the song is Granadinas. On the other hand, a small part of Auturias was played during that intro as well. Again, after the inro the song is original. I am impressed that Krieger played a somewhat difficult piece so well. Perhaps there is also a version with Spanish Dance #5 somewhere but I did not find it. That is another classical piece and not flamenco.
  • Jim from Tampa , FlRobbie did say it was from Spanish Dance #5, it is however still Austurias that is played in the begining of Spanish Caravan. If you disagree simply check youtube and listen to these songs, both of which I am very familiar with. I have no idea why he make this error but I commend his honesty in admitting he used it in the intro of a song which he otherwise did write. It certainly is one of my favorite Doors songs.
  • Dale from Osijek, CroatiaErm..you obviously dont no (anything) about the classic guitar.. the first riff is from asturias..i know..i've been playing the classical guitar for about 10 years and im very good at it..but still its a hard piece, played mostly only by students of classic guitar..its certianly not Paco de Lucia's Spanish Dance #5 :PP..well..i must say that krieger played it very well all in all..hes suprised me, i must say..
  • Petter from Uppsala, SwedenI´ts from a classical piecie called "Leyenda", by Isaac Albeniz, its very fun to play
  • Matthew from Los Angeles, CaGreat piece from Krieger. It almost rivals Morrison's work for intelligence. For once Krieger wrote something that wasn't too plastic. No offense Krieger.
  • Albee from Amityville, NyRight. Granadinas. I should've read on further. THAT'S the song. I was surprised they hadn't been sued for it too. They did NOT play this song at Singer Bowl, by the way in August of '68 when I saw them. Waiting For The Sun had just come out and while they did a medley which included 5-to-1 and some others from the then "new" LP, it was a damn good show which ended in a riot naturally. A little known band called The Who opened for them who had just come out with a tune called MAGIC BUS. The Kangaroo's from Australia opened for the Who and were pretty much laughed off the stage by the locals. Not a bad gig for my very first RnR show. Albee.
  • Albee from Amityville, NyI asked Robbie Krieger if, in fact, this song was lifted from Albeniz' Asturias and he said NO it was NOT. It's from another classical piece, the name of which I do not have at my disposal, so sorry about that. I will try to find the tape I have of the conversation I had with him on a radio show when I called in and asked him. A great, great song too; in Em by the way. Albee.
  • Johnny from London, EnglandIt's a fantastic song to sing in the shower. Try it.
  • Joey from Tampa, FlSpanish Caravan was actually cut, meaning it was longer. Robby also used an actual Ramirez guitar for the first part of Spanish Caravan then the Gibson SG for the second part w/ the Fuzz Box.
  • Joey from Tampa, FlThe Doors were actually sued for this song because it had parts used from A Flamenco song one learns learning Flamenco style guitar. A song called "Granadinas". "It was kind of a cover version or a Spanish traditional", says Krieger. The people who sued them for it didn't get too much. The people who owned "Granadinas" got the publishing that was earned in France, cause that was where they were at.
  • Zach from Philly, Ksdefinitley my favorite doors song
  • Matt from Monroe, LaBeautiful arangement....Kreiger is stunning in this song...
  • Jon from Sydney, Australiathe organ at one point of this song sounds like the into of light my fire when played backwards. have a listen. it could be my imagination though
  • Daniel from Saint-brieuc, France"Asturias", from the "Spain suite" by Isaac Albeniz, was originally composed for piano, and later brilliantly adapted for guitar by Andres Segovia. I think Robbie Krieger plays exactly this version. But the piano version is excellent, too.
  • Alejandro from Mexico D.f., Mexico"asturias" was written in the XIX century
  • Alejandro from Mexico D.f., Mexicothe intro riff was taken from "asturias", taht is in the "spain suite" by isaac albeniz... a beautiful play of classical guitar... Try to play that and you will become addicted to it
  • Michelle from Rockford, IlMy very most favorite song by The Doors!
  • Desirae from Harrison, OhRobbie Kreiger rocks in this song, when he plays in this song, i get chills, then Jim's voice to top off, great song
  • Veronique from Gatineau, CanadaThis whole song was taken from Paco de Lucia's Spanish Dance #5... its an awesom song though.. cant go a day without listening to it!
  • Jason Lee from New York, NyI just can't go a week without listening to this song.
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