You Make Me Real / Roadhouse Blues

The Doors' "You Make Me Real" b/w "Roadhouse Blues" was issued by Elektra Records in the US in early 1970, catalog number EKM-45685, as a 7-inch single tied to the release of Morrison Hotel. The pressing shown here is the original mono version, identifiable by the "Mono" designation printed directly on the label and the EKM prefix in the catalog number, which Elektra used specifically to denote mono singles during this period. A stereo counterpart exists, so confirming the label text before buying is essential.

The label image attached shows a standard Elektra 7-inch label from the 1970 era, presenting the familiar dark butterfly logo at the top center flanked by the Elektra wordmark. The label background is a warm tan or cream color, with black text throughout. Centered prominently is the band name "the doors" in the group's characteristic lowercase font, followed by the song title "YOU MAKE ME REAL" in larger, bolder type. Directly beneath the title, in parentheses, the word "(Mono mix)" confirms the pressing variant at a glance. Additional text below credits the producer as Paul A. Rothchild and the engineer as Bruce Botnick, two names that need no introduction to anyone serious about this catalog. ASCAP registration, the Doors Music Co. publishing credit, and a runtime of 2:50 are printed to the upper left. The catalog number EKM-45685 and the "Mono" designation appear to the right side of the label. The label also carries the Elektra address: 1855 Broadway, New York, placing this squarely in the pre-WEA era of the imprint. Deadwax matrixes on this pressing are etched, while master and pressing plant identifiers are stamped, a distinction worth verifying when sourcing copies, as it helps confirm originality. The overall label presentation is clean and functional, consistent with Elektra's house style for singles at this point in their catalog history.

What makes this specific pressing genuinely interesting to collectors is the mono mix of "You Make Me Real." In the intro of the mono version, Jim Morrison can be heard saying "come on," a vocal moment that does not appear in the stereo mix. That kind of mix-variant detail is exactly the sort of thing that keeps collectors chasing specific pressings rather than settling for whatever compilation or reissue has the track. "Roadhouse Blues" on the B-side is one of the most recognized tracks in the Doors catalog, appearing on Morrison Hotel and showing up across numerous compilations over the decades, including The Best Of The Doors and Greatest Hits, but the version on this original mono single remains a distinct artifact. The Discogs community data puts this at 226 collectors reporting ownership against 119 wanting it, numbers that indicate reasonable but not overwhelming availability. It is not a scarce pressing by any definition, but it is not something you stumble over constantly either, and finding a clean copy with a solid label and unaffected deadwax is a different matter from just locating any copy. The fact that this was released to support the band's fifth studio album adds historical weight; Morrison Hotel represented a deliberate return to blues-rooted material after the more orchestrated approach of earlier periods in the catalog. For collectors focused on original US Elektra 45s, the EKM prefix on the catalog number is the quickest differentiator from the stereo variant and from later reissues. If you are cross-referencing singles in this era, the Hello, I Love You / Love Street single offers a useful point of comparison for label evolution across the Elektra 45 run.

This is a legitimate original US pressing with a genuine mix variant worth owning if you collect Doors 45s seriously. It is not rare enough to command panic buying, but the mono-only "come on" in the intro gives it a content distinction beyond mere format curiosity. Prioritize copies with clean, unscuffed labels and confirmed etched deadwax markings.