"Tell All the People" is a psychedelic rock song composed by Robby Krieger, released as the lead single from The Doors' fourth album The Soft Parade in June 1969. The composition features an upbeat, anthemic melody with a call-to-arms lyrical theme, driven by Krieger's guitar work and augmented by brass and orchestral instruments that give it a layered, expansive sound departing from The Doors' typical organ-guitar-drums configuration. The song follows a verse-chorus structure with a rhythmic feel that evokes a processional quality, enhanced by horn arrangements that lend a celebratory yet ominous character. Krieger's harmony incorporates slightly jazzy chord progressions, reflecting his songwriting style of using unexpected harmonic turns within a rock framework. The song became a flashpoint within the band when Jim Morrison refused songwriting credit because of the lyric "get your guns," fearing it could incite violence at concerts. This dispute prompted The Soft Parade to become the first Doors album with individual rather than collective songwriting credits. Krieger maintained that the lyric was metaphorical, a call to bury troubles rather than a literal exhortation. Morrison himself called it a "nice song" despite criticizing its lyrics. The composition exemplifies Krieger's expanding role as The Doors' primary songwriter following his earlier success with "Light My Fire," and it remains a notable deep cut in the psychedelic rock repertoire rather than a widely covered standard.
