Editing The Doors (section)

=== ''The Soft Parade'' (May–July 1969) ===
Morrison, who was increasingly distancing himself from the music, announced to the other Doors members his intention to quit the group; Manzarek convinced him to stay for six more months, ahead of completing ''[[The Soft Parade]]'', the Doors' forthcoming album.{{sfn|Davis|2005|p=181}}{{sfn|Hopkins|Sugerman|1980|p=190}}

Released in July 1969, ''The Soft Parade'' was their first-and-only to feature [[brass instrument|brass]] and [[string instrument|string]] arrangements. The concept was suggested by Rothchild to the band, after listening to many examples by various groups who also explored the same radical departure.<ref name="Jackson" /> Both jazz-influenced Densmore and Manzarek agreed with the recommendation,{{sfn|Riordan|Prochnicky|1991|p=320}} but Morrison declined to incorporate orchestral accompaniment on his compositions.{{sfn|Riordan|Prochnicky|1991|pp=338–340}} The lead single, "Touch Me", featured saxophonist [[Curtis Amy]].{{sfn|Goldsmith|2019|p=94}}
[[File:The Doors 1969.JPG|thumb|The Doors {{circa|1968}}]]

While the band was trying faintly to maintain their previous momentum, efforts to expand their sound with instrumental changes, including string, brass, and wind parts, caused critics to attack their musical integrity.{{sfn|Matijas-Mecca|2020|p=80}} According to Densmore in his biography ''Riders on the Storm'', individual writing credits were noted for the first time because of Morrison's reluctance to sing the lyrics of Krieger's song "[[Tell All the People]]". Morrison's drinking made him difficult and unreliable, and the recording sessions dragged on for months. Studio costs piled up, and the Doors came close to disintegrating. Despite all this, the album was immensely successful, becoming the band's fourth hit album.{{sfn|Densmore|1990|p=187}}