The Soft Parade is the fourth studio album by The Doors, released in 1969.
The album met with some controversy among fans and critics due to its inclusion of brass and string instrument arrangements, as opposed to the more stripped-down sound of their earlier recordings. Fans also complained that The Soft Parade followed the lyrical formulas of previous albums, and thus was not very innovative. In reviewing the 40th anniversary remix (for the August 2007 issue of Downbeat Magazine) correspondent Dan Ouellette thought otherwise, declaring it to be "the apex" of the band's creativity.
Due to Jim Morrison's increasing alcoholism and interest in poetry, guitarist Robby Krieger has a stronger presence on The Soft Parade than on any other Doors album from the Morrison era, contributing around half the material, instead of merely a song or two as he had on previous efforts.
After this album, the Doors returned to simpler styles on Morrison Hotel and L.A. Woman.
For the first time, the songs were credited to individual members (only Morrison or Krieger on the album sleeve itself are credited) as Morrison was unhappy with the line about people being told to get their guns in Krieger's "Tell All the People", although the title track had Morrison's line of "Better bring your gun".
Despite a lukewarm reception, the album became the band's fourth top ten hit album in a row and the single "Touch Me" was hugely successful. However, despite making #6 in the US, the album did not chart in the UK, perhaps due to the band's lack of a supporting hit single ("Touch Me" also did not chart).
Track listing
Side one
1. "Tell All the People" (Robby Krieger) – 3:23
2. "Touch Me" (Krieger) – 3:12
3. "Shaman's Blues" (Jim Morrison) – 4:49
4. "Do It" (Morrison, Krieger) – 3:08
5. "Easy Ride" (Morrison) – 2:41
Side two
1. "Wild Child" (Morrison) – 2:38
2. "Runnin' Blue" (Krieger) – 2:33
3. "Wishful Sinful" (Krieger) – 3:02
4. "The Soft Parade" (Morrison) – 8:37
* The 40th Anniversary Mix contains an extended intro that makes it 9:41
40th Anniversary Edition CD bonus tracks
10. "Who Scared You" – 3:58
11. "Whiskey, Mystics and Men" (Version 1) – 2:28
12. "Whiskey, Mystics and Men" (Version 2) – 3:04
13. "Push Push" – 6:05
* Previously unreleased Doors jam
14. "Touch Me" (Dialogue) – 0:28
15. "Touch Me" (Take 3) – 3:40
Personnel
* Jim Morrison – vocals
* Ray Manzarek – piano, Gibson G-101 organ, Hammond organ on Wild Child and The Soft Parade
* Robby Krieger – guitar, chorus vocal on Runnin' Blue
* John Densmore – drums
* Curtis Amy – sax solos (track 2)
* Reinol Andino – conga
* George Bohanan – trombone solo
* Harvey Brooks – bass (tracks 1, 2, 6, 8)
* Jimmy Buchanan – fiddle (track 7)
* Doug Lubahn[2] – bass
* Jesse McReynolds – mandolin
* Champ Webb – English horn solo
* Paul Harris – orchestral arrangements (tracks 1, 2 ,6 8)
* Peter Schaumann - illustration (inside cover)