The song's composition started in early 1967.[3] According to Doors drummer John Densmore,[4] he and guitarist Robby Krieger, who had then been roommates, were visited by Jim Morrison who appeared to be "deeply depressed."[4] At Krieger's recollection, they later took a walk along Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles.[5] Morrison returned from the walk "euphoric" with the early lyrics of "People Are Strange".[4] Intrigued by the lyrics, Krieger was convinced that the song was a hit upon hearing the vocal melody:[4]
[Morrison said] 'Yeah, I feel really good about this one. It just came to me all of a sudden ... in a flash – as I was sitting up there on the ridge looking out over the city.' His eyes were wild with excitement. 'I scribbled it down as fast as I could. It felt great to be writing again.' He looked down at the crumpled paper in his hand and sang the chorus in his haunting blues voice.
The Doors - People Are Strange [1967] 🎶🎸🤠