LOVE ME TWO TIMES AND THE SPREAD OF ROCK BLUES

 

When "Strange Days" was released in September 1967, the rock blues genre was still a relatively new concept for the musicians of the time. Just over a year had passed since Cream officially formed in the early summer of 1966. This was an important development in modern music, uniting electric blues — particularly 'Chicago blues' — with rock.

Building on the electric blues that British bands had already been playing for several years, Cream's debut album, "Fresh Cream", was released in December 1966. Manifesto tracks such as "Sleepy Time Time", "N.S.U." and "Sweet Wine" marked the beginning of an exciting new era in contemporary music.

In this way, "Fresh Cream" opened up new perspectives for blues lovers who wanted to transcend the established form of the genre. The greater freedom afforded by the rock element enabled new sounds and instrumental techniques to be explored while staying within the expressive and emotional realm of the blues.

This marked the beginning of a musical movement that would have significant repercussions on the British and American music scenes in subsequent years, influencing the careers of many leading artists and bands. Rock blues soon caused creative turmoil in groups from London to Los Angeles.

During 1967, its influence was barely visible, but from 1968 onwards it would manifest itself far more visibly in the music and musicians of the time.

The Doors were among the first to pick up on this new trend and to embrace its dynamic vibrations. By the beginning of 1967, the group had already incorporated blues into their live repertoire as well as in their first LP with their cover of "Back Door Man".

In their next album, "Strange Days", psychedelia was the main sound reference point, conveyed to the listener through sometimes sinuous, sometimes combative rock. However, the album also features a track that falls under the newly emerging rock blues genre: "Love Me Two Times".

Written by guitarist Robby Krieger, the song's unmistakable riff looks back to the country blues that experienced its heyday in the southern United States in the 1920s and 1930s. Building on this foundation, the song incorporates the tight and swift rhythm typical of rock.

Furthermore, Morrison's vocals strike the perfect balance between captivating depth and openly manifested intensity. This combination of characteristics places the composition more in line with rock canons than with the blues of its origins.

Above all, it is the refrain that shows how black music is accompanied, and sometimes overpowered, by the transgressive rock sound typical of the band (listen from min. 1:12 to min. 1:23, for example).

These elements make "Love Me Two Times" one of the earliest examples of rock blues after Cream's debut, predating the widespread popularity of this important musical genre.

The wild harpsichord solo then brought the song into psychedelia, following the trend set by the rest of the "Strange Days" LP and other bands that were recording at the time.

This tune adds another dimension to The Doors' already well-known innovative talent, demonstrating their ability to readily perceive, internalize and develop the novelties passing through the musical atmosphere of the time.

P.S.: My book "The Doors Through Strange Days"- The most comprehensive journey ever made through The Doors' second LP, is out and available on Amazon.com, .uk, .mx, .ca, .it, etc.

Here’s a link:

Amazon – “The Doors Through Strange Days”