"You're Lost Little Girl" is a psychedelic rock composition credited to all four members of The Doors: Jim Morrison, John Densmore, Robby Krieger, and Ray Manzarek. Written in 1967 for the band's second album, Strange Days, on Elektra Records, the song stands out for its haunting, restrained mood and concise structure within a catalog often defined by extended, intense performances. The composition features a hypnotic, cyclical melody with a descending vocal line, layered over ethereal keyboard and guitar harmonies that create a dreamlike atmosphere. Its verse-refrain structure builds tension through repetition rather than harmonic complexity, prioritizing mood and mystery over modulation. Producer Paul Rothchild specifically asked Morrison to adopt a relaxed, Frank Sinatra-like delivery rather than his typical shouting intensity, shaping the song's distinctive vocal character. The lyrics have drawn comparisons to William Blake's 1794 poem "A Little Girl Lost" from Songs of Experience, which explores similar themes of innocence and knowledge, aligning with Morrison's well-documented interest in Blake's poetry, though no primary source confirms this as a direct inspiration. The studio recording features Douglas Lubahn on bass. Within The Doors' body of work, the song represents the more atmospheric, introspective side of an album that many fans regard as the band's most creatively ambitious. It remains a deep cut rather than a widely performed or covered piece, tied almost exclusively to The Doors' original recording.
