The first song Robby Krieger ever wrote that sold 15,000,000 copies for The Doors
The Doors’ need for more original material led guitarist Robby Krieger to write ‘Light My Fire’, his first song, after Jim Morrison challenged the band to create something lasting and universal. The track became a defining hit for the group, though its creation was collaborative and Krieger’s role has often been overshadowed by Morrison’s fame.
Krieger built the song around fire and an unusually wide range of chords, while John Densmore, Morrison and Ray Manzarek each contributed key elements. The original recording ran for more than seven minutes, but it was shortened to under three minutes for radio; released in 1967, the single topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. The article reports worldwide sales of 15 million copies and says the RIAA certified it double platinum for digital sales in 2024.
- Robby Krieger wrote ‘Light My Fire’ as his first song.
- The radio single was cut from a seven-minute recording.
- The hit has reportedly sold 15 million copies worldwide.
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The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in the 1960s. Their singer, Jim Morrison, became the group’s best-known member, alongside guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboard player Ray Manzarek and drummer John Densmore.
The band wrote much of its own music, and Krieger began writing songs as they needed more original material. The group worked together on arrangements and recordings, so the music often reflected contributions from several members.
“Light My Fire” helped establish The Doors as a major band after its release in 1967. Its success also illustrates how a song could be reshaped for radio: the original recording was over seven minutes, while the single version was under three.