"The Changeling" is a funk-inflected blues-rock composition credited to all four members of The Doors -- Jim Morrison, John Densmore, Robby Krieger, and Ray Manzarek -- written circa 1970 for their album L.A. Woman. The title draws from European folklore about changeling spirits, but Morrison's lyrics are largely autobiographical, chronicling his restless movement through the social strata of Los Angeles, from wealthy neighborhoods to the streets and back again. Ray Manzarek later described the words as prophetic, capturing Morrison's weariness with fame and foreshadowing his imminent departure from both the city and the band. Musically, the composition is distinguished by its James Brown-inspired rhythmic swagger, blending gritty blues-rock energy with a propulsive funk groove that sets it apart from The Doors' more psychedelic or ballad-oriented material. The arrangement features prominent slide guitar, driving Hammond organ riffs, and a heavy rhythmic foundation that gives the song a raw, garage-band intensity. It was the first track recorded during the L.A. Woman sessions, and Morrison reportedly called it his favorite, urging the band to "play your ass off." As the opening track on L.A. Woman -- The Doors' final studio album with Morrison -- "The Changeling" signals a decisive shift toward leaner, harder-edged rock that defined the record's character. The song reached number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100 when released as a single B-side in 1971.
