This song is about Jim Morrison’s love for the soul food serving diner, Olivia’s on Venice Beach. It is an ode to Morrison’s drunken nights and early mornings. It was featured on The Doors' self-titled debut album.
The guitar riff is a homage to the horn section of James Brown’s “Papa’s Got a Brand...
[Verse 1]
Well, the clock says it's time to close now
I guess I'd better go now
I'd really like to stay here all night
The cars crawl past all stuffed with eyes
Street lights shed their hollow glow
Your brain seems bruised with numb surprise
Still one place to go
Still one place to go
[Chorus]
Let me sleep all night in your soul kitchen
Warm my mind near your gentle stove
Turn me out and I'll wander baby
Stumblin' in the neon groves
[Verse 2]
Well, your fingers weave quick minarets
Speak in secret alphabets
I light another cigarette
Learn to forget, learn to forget
Learn to forget, learn to forget
[Chorus]
Let me sleep all night in your soul kitchen
Warm my mind near your gentle stove
Turn me out and I'll wander baby
Stumblin' in the neon groves
[Outro]
Well, the clock says it's time to close now
I know I have to go now
I really want to stay here
All night
All night
All night
Soul Kitchen was written by John Densmore & Ray Manzarek & Robby Krieger & Jim Morrison.
Soul Kitchen was produced by Paul A. Rothchild.
The Doors released Soul Kitchen on Wed Jan 04 1967.