On The Ed Sullivan Show, Jim Morrison sang the word "higher" in The Doors' performance of "Light My Fire," despite being asked to change it. Network producers feared the lyric "we couldn't get much higher" could be interpreted as a reference to drug use, so they requested an alternate line.
The Doors appeared on the program on September 17, 1967, at a time when an Ed Sullivan appearance could significantly boost a band's national profile. During rehearsal, Morrison reportedly used the substitute wording, but the original lyric returned during the live broadcast. Accounts differ on whether the band had secretly planned to ignore the request or Morrison simply forgot while nervous.
The incident ended the band's relationship with the show: The Doors were not invited back, despite claims that several future appearances had been planned. The moment became part of the band's rebellious mythology, although later retellings—including Oliver Stone's 1991 film The Doors—dramatically emphasize Morrison's defiance.