Recognized as one of the earliest examples of psychedelic rock,[7] it was recorded in August 1966 and released in January 1967 on their eponymous debut album.

Due to its erotic lyrics and innovative structure, the track has come to be regarded as synonymous with the 1960s psychedelic and sexual revolutions.

[13] On taking his initial composition to the band, John Densmore suggested that it should have more of a Latin rhythm, Jim Morrison wrote the second verse and part of the chorus ("Try to set the night on fire"),[14] while Ray Manzarek added the Bach-influenced introductory organ motif; Densmore also suggested that it should open with a single snare drum hit.

When the Doors performed the song at live concerts, Manzarek played the song's bass line with his left hand on a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, while performing the main keyboard lines on a Vox Continental using his right hand.

[13] Despite the band's reluctance,[18] Rothchild edited a single version, cut down to under three minutes with nearly all the instrumental break removed for airplay on AM radio.

"Light My Fire" was also performed live by the Doors on The Ed Sullivan Show broadcast on September 17, 1967.

The Doors were asked by producer Bob Precht, Ed Sullivan's son-in-law, to change the line "girl, we couldn't get much higher", as the sponsors were uncomfortable with the possible reference to drugs.

"[21] This performance was portrayed in Oliver Stone's 1991 biopic film, but with Morrison singing "higher" more emphatically and without his subsequent retort to Sullivan and the show's producer.

[23][24] Morrison, however, was still in London after a European tour had just ended on September 20, and could not be contacted by the other band members, who agreed to the deal in his absence.

[27] This alternation was based on Johann Bach's "Two and Three Part Inventions",[28] but author Philip Clark has suggested that it may have been inspired by Dave Brubeck's compositions.

[34][35] The 40th Anniversary mix of the debut album presents a stereo version of "Light My Fire" in speed-corrected form for the first time.

The reissue occurred due to revived interest in the band following Oliver Stone's film biopic The Doors.

The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in September 1967 for exceeding one million units shipped.

"[41] "Light My Fire" has been widely considered as the Doors' signature song,[42][43] and a quintessential work of the psychedelic rock genre.

[50][51][52] The house on Alma Real Drive where Robby Krieger wrote Light My Fire was destroyed in the wildfires which devastated the Pacific Palisades in January 2025.

The Puerto Rican vocalist and guitarist José Feliciano enjoyed significant international success when he released his version of "Light My Fire" in 1968 as a single on the RCA Victor label.

[78] Feliciano's remake blended Latin influences, including a mixture of classic Spanish guitar, and soul, with American pop.

[52] The single helped to spur the worldwide success of its album, Feliciano!, which was nominated for multiple Grammy Awards in 1969.

[99] English singer and Pop Idol series 1 winner Will Young covered "Light My Fire" in 2002.