Ignored Obscured Restored
Zebra, the hard rock band that soared to stardom in the 80s, isn’t typically my cup of tea. However, I like to maintain an open mind when it comes to all types of music, and I must admit that I’m deeply fond of their epic song “Who’s Behind the Door?”. The track is featured on the band’s debut eponymous album (1983), which unexpectedly peaked at #29 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and was certified Gold.
I was initially drawn to the song by its powerful and dynamic music. “…Door” is clearly inspired by the legendary Led Zeppelin, who crafted numerous iconic songs that begin with delicate acoustic guitar riffs and dramatically explode into thunderous electric hard rock. Singer/songwriter Randy Jackson’s raw, high-pitched voice also bears a striking resemblance to Zep’s Robert Plant.
The lyrics delve into profound existential questions, exploring how one might find answers to life’s mystical mysteries. The identity of the enigmatic “they” remains obscure — they could be gods, or perhaps otherworldly highly intelligent alien beings.
In an intriguing interview with Casey Chambers of thecollegecrowddigsme.com, Jackson described his inspiration for the song:
“…I was in Texas at my grandparent’s farm, which is isolated right outside of Dallas. I had some guitar parts that I had written in open tuning… in open G. Just a whole bunch of rough ideas scattered across different cassette tapes. I’ve always been a huge fan of visionary films like 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The farm was quiet and remote, with no phone, no distractions. The song carries a spiritual air in places, and that religious undertone, in a roundabout way, was one of the biggest influences on the song. I think the combination of the open tuning, melody ideas, and the mysterious theme from 2001 led me to create ‘Who’s Behind The Door?’.”
Though many may find the lyrics slightly hokey, I understand how the mesmerizing combination of moving music and intricate words made it such a chart-topping hit in the 80s.
Enjoy… until next week.