13 is the first compilation album by American rock bandthe Doors, released by Elektra Records on November 30, 1970. The title refers to the thirteen tracks included, which feature a variety of songs from their five studio albums released up to that point and the cover shrinkwrap originally featured a clear sticker that read: "A Collection of Thirteen Classic Doors Songs". It is the band's only compilation album released while lead singerJim Morrison was alive. The album debuted at No. 75 on the Billboard 200 on December 19, 1970, peaked at No. 25 for two weeks and was off the charts after May 8, spending a total of 21 weeks on the charts. The album has never been issued on CD.
Background
13 was a project instigated by Elektra Records, who wanted product from the band for the Christmas season, to which the band reluctantly agreed. Morrison even agreed to shave off his beard for the album cover's photo shoot, but the label opted for a younger photo of the singer, which they had also done for the group's live albumAbsolutely Live, released in July of that year. As author Danny Sugerman observed in his memoir of the band, No One Here Gets Out Alive, "Elektra obviously wanted the 'pretty' Jim Morrison." Morrison's image is also much larger than those of guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, and drummer John Densmore, and Sugerman noted that, "Although Ray, Robby, and John had become accustomed to the attention directed towards their lead singer, it upset Jim." The album's back cover features the band posing with a small bust of Ludwig van Beethoven.
Critical reception
In a contemporary review in 1971, music criticDave Marsh wrote that although the album does indeed contain "thirteen classic songs," it fails to deliver on any purpose other than compiling the most radio-friendly hits in one place. Marsh added that "no magnum opuses" were included in the collection. "No 'The End', no 'When the Music's Over', no 'Soft Parade'... would have been decidedly uncommercial to have them included here... Of course 'Five to One' isn't here; funny thing, outside of 'Unknown Soldier' none of the Doors' more controversial subject matter is included."
Track listing
US release
UK & Australian release variations
In the UK, the LP was initially released through Elektra and Kinney Group Records Ltd.. The track listing was the same as the US release but individual authorship was listed for each track. The duration of the tracks also differed markedly from those listed on the US version: ;Side one
The Australian edition has the same track times and authorship credits, except "Light My Fire" is credited solely to Krieger and "Back Door Man" lists Chester Burnett as a co-writer.
