The single was released in June 1971, entering the Billboard Hot 100 the week ending July 3, 1971, the same week Morrison died. It was the last song recorded by all four members of the Doors, as well as the last song recorded by Morrison to be released in his lifetime. Woman, at which Morrison then whispered the lyrics over them to create an echo effect.
Later in January 1971, after Morrison had recorded his main vocals, the group gathered at Poppi Studios to complete the mixing of L.A. "Riders on the Storm" was recorded at the Doors Workshop in December 1970 with the assistance of Botnick. Following Rothchild's departure, longtime engineer Bruce Botnick was selected to take over production duties, alongside the Doors themselves. Rothchild himself denied that claim, stating that he actually applied the epithet to " Love Her Madly". Woman sessions, which was corroborated by guitarist Robby Krieger. Rothchild disparaged as "cocktail music", precipitating his departure from the L.A. It is popularly believed that "Riders on the Storm" is the song that longtime Doors producer Paul A. The track is notated in the key of E Minor the main keyboard riff descends throughout the pitches of Dorian Mode scale, and features a progression of i–IV–i 7–IV. Manzarek noted that some lines express Morrison's love to his companion Pamela Courson.
The lyrics were written and brought to rehearsal by Morrison, of which a portion of it refers to a hitchhiker killer.
According to guitarist Robby Krieger and keyboardist Ray Manzarek, it was inspired by the country song " (Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend", written by Stan Jones and popularized by Vaughn Monroe. "Riders on the Storm" has been classified as a psychedelic rock, jazz rock, art rock song, and a precursor of gothic music.