In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

I hope the '1001 LPs' folks led you to the same YouTube channel that I just enjoyed while listening to 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.' A bonus visual of multi-colored lights pulsating from within the two large orbs on the cover, recreating the feel of the liquid light shows that were characteristic of psychedelic rock concerts in the mid to late 60s. And this particular group possessed one of my favorite band names, again so reminiscent of the times: Iron Butterfly. Strawberry Alarm Clock is not even close. Moby Grape? Getting there, but not quite. 'In-A-Gada-Da-Vida,' Iron Butterfly’s second studio album, outsold every record in the history of recorded music to that time- 8 million copies. No doubt on the strength and success of that famous title track, all 17 minutes of the entire second side! And if you haven’t heard it in its entirety, do yourself a favor and drop the needle. It’s worth the time; that is, if you like this particular genre of music, which according to Wikipedia is labeled, variously, as hard rock (no), heavy metal (hell no), occult rock (huh?), and finally, acid rock (we have a winner!) But side one has been virtually overshadowed by the title track, and sadly, I fear, forgotten; while, I find it just as enjoyable, maybe more so. Don’t go searching for anything profound here, lyrically speaking. With the exclusion of ‘Mirage (I’m guessing an LSD inspired song),’ and ‘Termination (either the death of material life, or possibly the death of one’s ego experienced during an LSD trip?),’ the two openers and the closer on side one are all about the joy of being in love. And a sweet, innocent joy it is: ‘I met a pretty girl on a date last night… I kissed the pretty girl, and I held her tight. And let me tell you now, she was groovy (‘Are You Happy’).’ And while he’s not exactly T.S. Eliot, Doug Ingle can sing- an interesting voice for a rock singer, deeper than most and with a slight, undiscernible accent, but sung with the unmistakable happiness of just being young and alive. But the real reason why we listen to Iron Butterfly is not for the lyrics, but the music: bright, tenor organ contrasting the thundering walking bass and pounding tribal drum beats. And, the integral part to every good acid rock band: that fuzz tone, distorted, wahwah pedal, bending notes, loud (very important) psychedelic guitar. If you’re not burning some patchouli incense and dancing like a whirling hippie dervish until your love beads get tangled up in the flowers adorning your long hair… then Iron Butterfly just isn’t your bag. But don’t get hung up on it, man. Admittedly, for many (most especially, the many who weren’t there in ’68), this band is an acquired taste. But hey, so’s caviar and cabernet. I believe my favorite part of the whole LP comes at about the two minute mark on ‘Termination.’ The music takes an abrupt stop, and then for the remainder of the song (about another minute) there is the most tender, almost mystical duet between guitarist Erik Brann’s lovely, soft fingerpicking of his electric guitar (sans distortion) and I’m guessing drummer Ron Bushy on tinkling wind chimes. That little minute, for me, always takes me back to the late 60s of my childhood and, if only for a brief moment in American history… allow me to defer to a real poet from the same generation, Paul Simon, on 'Bookends': ‘Time it was and what a time it was. It was a time of innocence…’ There was an awful lot of corruption back then, too, of course. But I was nine years old when 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida' was released, and mostly still innocent myself. Well, I certainly lost mine a long, long time ago- that’s for sure (and shame)- but I’m still able to find it, rediscovered, in this remarkable LP. And that makes me very happy, even despite the lack of a groovy, pretty girl with a pair of luscious lips to kiss and some curvy hips to hold tight. Just as Doug Ingle lets us know on this LPs opening song that ‘Most anything that you want, girl, is all right by me,’ I’m letting them (and you) know that most anything that Iron Butterfly wants to play, boy, is all right by me, too.

My mom likes to tell the story of the time she saw Iron Butterfly at the Fillmore East in New York City, with Led Zeppelin opening. You read that right, Led Zeppelin opening for Iron Butterfly in 1969. This is a brief story, and while it has more to do with Led Zeppelin than Iron Butterfly, I think it makes for fine review: Led Zeppelin was onstage, belting out their blues-infused heavy rock and roll. Robert Plant, clad in green velvet pants, did a high kick while singing and, in the process, split the seat of his green velvet pants. That’s the lasting impression that my mother has from seeing Iron Butterfly live in 1969. Not that Iron Butterfly played “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” or that she saw Led Zeppelin, as an opening act, before they were the biggest band in the world… She got to see Robert Plant split his velvet pants.

You don't have to take drugs to listen to this album, but it would help.

lemme tell you, driving into the sun after a long work week after only getting about 20 cumulative hours of sleep for the past week and mildly going insane... quite a trip. I've never done drugs, but I feel like that was an honorary high. I swear I could see and smell the music.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida should easily be on the list of 1001 songs you must listen to before you die, but not on the list of 1001 albums you must listen to before you die. This was completely forgettable. 2.5 stars and the one song probably bumps it up a star.

Landfill Psychedelica. The 1968 equivalent of The Fratellis/Chelsea Dagger, The Zutons/Valerie or The Kooks/Naive. A 2/5 at best song, an album and then... poof... they're gone.

Pretty mediocre aside from the title track

I feel like if the title track wasn't 17 minutes long this album would not be anywhere near as revered, it's not really that interesting at all

Obviously not.

top drawer psychedelic workouts plus a contender for the baddest riff of all time, and inspiration for my favorite Simpsons gag. This is some good rock and/or roll!

🐙😰🔥❤️😬😪🦈💔🧊🐧🐊🐓🦋🐷🐿🦙🐀✊️🏆🎀🏆🏀🥇🥇⚾️🥉🎫🎍🎐

In grade 5 Anthony Parry's sister got this album on release. I remember we were locked out of his house one day after school and were climbing in through an unlocked window since we knew we would have the stereo, and her albums, all to ourselves. One of the neighbours saw us and called the cops so we ended up in handcuffs until they connected with his parents to confirm we were not robbers. Back then we were so intrigued by the psychedelic bands. Iron Butterfly had that hippie cool look and everyone's parents hated that look and didn't like the music. Also, the cover was so cool and they had just one song on Side 2. These added to the magic. Parry and I were a couple of wide eyed 10 year olds and probably scratched the hell out of side 2. Rating this one is tricky. Most psychedelic albums haven't aged well. This aged better than average but still . . . . On the other hand it was certainly influential. First the organ playing influenced the sound of many bands (like Deep Purple and Yes) over the next few years and into the 70s. Iron Butterfly helped the momentum of this but arguably was not the trailblazer since Ray Manzarek was already moving the organ to a place of prominence by 1968. Songs like "Are You Happy" were also influential for the heavy rock to come but again Hendrix was already doing this. On the negative side, I think drum solos are pompous and I worry the 2+ min drum solo on Side 2 might have made them common place. The solo does have an African influence -some say influenced by Missa Luba who I quite like. This which reduces the drum solo pain. Anyway, for old time's sake I'll give +1.

Wait a minute, this sounds like rock and/or roll!

We all know why this album is here. It’s those sweet, sweet multiple drum solos

I've never liked the title track, possibly because I thought (and still think) the drum solo was uninspired and technically deficient, like he could have played it with his elbows. The keyboard solos aren't top drawer either. Comparing it to the first full-side songs I was introduced to (by Pink Floyd or Yes or Mike Oldfield) this one was more simplistic, like a 3-minute single that got extended. I just read that IGD inspired heavy metal and that's an interesting point - the riff that runs throughout is pre-metal, and they were playing this song a lot in 1967. Side one is ok, the singer has a a rich voice, for a psychedelic band. They were on the same page as The Doors in many ways, but less diverse and without Robbie Krieger's guitar playing and knack for writing hits. Funny story about the song title.

Beatles crossed with the doors with a spritz of Zappa. Title track easily takes this from a 2 to a 3

Pretty cool, understandably impactful, but not all my jam

I definitely should have listened to this whole album before now. I knew "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" as a song, but holy cow the entire album is fantastic. Just stunning. Every song is amazing. And the title track is just absolute overindulged, unhinged greatness.

Everyone needs some stoner rock sometimes. A 17 minute title track on a 36 minute album? [chef's kiss] Perfection.

This album really only has one side that everyone listens to, but its a great overall album. Plus, the song in-a-gadda-da-vida has one of my favorite movie placements in Michael Mann's "Manhunter". 5/5

The first half of this album has a great psychedelic feel with organs, ragged guitar, and a unique vocal sound. It's a solid 4. The title track, however, is a nearly perfect 17 minutes of pure bliss. I could listen to it over and over and over, h-always. Just the percussion solo is my favorite, even.

Another classic album I've never listened to. In fact, I'm not convinced that I'd ever listened to the entirety of the title track before this afternoon. This was a grooving 60s soundtrack for a sunny day, knitting lace on the patio.

Pleasant surprise! It sounds great, the musicians are very, very good, every track is a hell of a good time, and despite ending with 17 minutes on a single theme, it doesn't overstay the welcome, amazingly. Everyone knows the title track, but I bet few have listened to it all the way. I know I hadn't. I will be returning to this for sure!

The rock and/or roll.

5/10 A bit too rough round the edges, but solid psychedelic rock. And it made me think of the Simpsons.

The title track is a classic of epic scale. Love the drum solo. Love the whole song. Side one is so of it's time that it nearly sounds like a parody of psychedelic 60s music. How many times can he say "Girl, I just know I love you"? Side one not as awesome as side two, but still pretty damn good.

Wait a minute... This sound like rock and/or roll. Interesting, and not what I expected. I've only heard the one song (I'll let you guess which one). I expected the rest of the music to be more inline with "In The Garden of Eden by I. Ron Butterfly."

This is my last listened-to album (although not the last generated), and there is no better way to close this list than with a standard album compared to others of the same genre. For psychedelic/progressive rock, this album is far from the best but also far from the worst, and after 1089 albums, I can state that this is true for most of the albums on the list. I'm happy to have new knowledge regarding what In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is overall and it was a nice 3-year long experience. 3 stars is enough for me.

Middle of the road burnout music, worth a doob in the garage to, but not much beyond

Stephen Erlewine at allmusic.com (https://www.allmusic.com/album/in-a-gadda-da-vida-mw0000177147) wrote this very astute review: "With its endless, droning minor-key riff and mumbled vocals, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is arguably the most notorious song of the acid rock era. According to legend, the group was so stoned when they recorded the track that they could neither pronounce the title "In the Garden of Eden" or end the track, so it rambles on for a full 17 minutes, which to some listeners sounds like eternity. But that's the essence of its appeal — it's the epitome of heavy psychedelic excess, encapsulating the most indulgent tendencies of the era. Iron Butterfly never matched the warped excesses of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," either on their debut album of the same name or the rest of their catalog, yet they occasionally made some enjoyable fuzz guitar-driven psychedelia that works as a period piece. The five tracks that share space with their magnum opus on In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida qualify as good artifacts, and the entire record still stands as the group's definitive album, especially since this is the only place the full-length title track is available." I lived in a share house on Shepherd St in the early 90s where side 2 (the 17 minute title track) was played a lot. We never spun side 1, and listening to it today, I remember why. It is boring and unremarkable guff. But the song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is really great. I mean, it is a rambling repetitive drone of a song with a 2.5 minute drum solo in the middle, but, if you can stomach the self-indulgent psychedelic noodling of it all, it really is best in class. it is more listenable than, say, Pink Floyd's Interstellar Overdrive and certainly better than anything ever by the Grateful Dead. So, the songs on side 1 are struggling to even make two stars for me, but I really love the title track. Three stars, on balance. The title track does turn up as cultural reference occasionally, most notably in the Simpsons episode where Bart switches out the church sheet music with "In the Garden of Eden" by I. Ron Butterfly. The organist struggles through the whole 17 minutes before collapsing with exhaustion (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulDC1w1ydLI). The strangest cover, though, must be its appearance in the Resident's deeply disturbing medley of deconstructed 60s hits (https://youtu.be/lPCoM1Kcf_o?t=787). Try it, I dare ya.

Didn't get enough time with it, but I liked it, hippy drippings included. The main song is deservedly feted, one I knew without knowing I knew. Am exhausted, would like to listen to it on headphones, but shall sleep instead! x

I came here for a good time and I had a good time so I guess I can't dip lower than a 3, but I'd be lying if I said I really "get" why this album made the list. Yes I've heard the title track sampled a million times, and heard it pop up in a million movies. Not sure if that alone qualifies it or not. I guess it deserves some credit for inventing the "20 minute long rock and roll song" that became so huge in the 70s with bands like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Also: I wish I had gotten a more METAL album for album #666, but that was the role of the dice.

Simpsons special.

Das mit der Orgel irgendwie cool aber sonst nicht so meins

Sorry, but the story behind this album is way better than the album itself. Nothing else about it really stands out against their contemporaries. It's good enough psychedelic jam pop, but nothing special outside of the title track which is just bloated and over stays it's welcome.

Sabbath/Doors rip off? All weak songs until the last one that has a great riff but goes on a bit!

So the song “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” was played fairly frequently when I was in middle-school & high-school – though most of the time it was the shortened radio edit version, but WMMS did play the full and live versions fairly often… Didn’t mind it, but wasn’t in love with it either, but had never listened to the whole album before… As a prog guy, I have to say that I like what they were trying to do circa 1968, so I have no issue there – but the execution seems a bit lacking… All of the songs were serviceable with the exception of “Flowers & Beads” – which sticks out like a sore thumb, and sorta sounds like it was a commercial attempt to sound like the standard hippie-fare of the day, in order to draw some additional fans… Anyways, it’s clearly the worst song on the album… Additionally, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” is the best song on the album, but there is a little asterisk next to it – but we’ll get to that in a moment… My biggest takeaway from listening to this album, was just how poorly it was recorded – as it sounds like it was recorded for AM radio, as it is very tinny, with almost no low-end – or deep bass and drums component… Have to say that really took a lot away from the compositions… Hopefully they corrected that sound live, but it was absolutely dreadful on the album… As for the song itself – clearly the first few minutes is basically the best part, and perhaps a bit at the end, but why you’d add a 6-minute drum solo in the middle is beyond me – and I’m a drummer… Pretty sure that’s why the radio edit took all that out, to make it much more palatable… Anyways, I was really hoping that I’d like this album as I love the direction they were trying to head, however, so many variables just held it back – with the audio quality and weak lyrics being the prime culprits… I’ll give it 2 for ambition, but that’s about it…

26/08/2022 Iron Butterfly – In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida 2/5 God Bless the Simpsons and their impact on culture. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is a great song (or at least its main part, we will talk later about the crazy and unnecessary 17 minutes various solos) and that church scene (in the S07 E04) uses it perfectly. This album, however, except that extract, is not very remarkable in my opinion. Not a big fan of acid rock, and I would firstly choose to listen to The Doors before Iron Butterfly a thousand times. Those minutes of the main part of the eponymous song are the only salvageable thing. The rest of the songs are very similar to each other, and quite generic. Probably someone has done the same thing, but better. Most Anything you Want – 2.5/5 An interesting instrumentation in this kind of generic song. I really like combo the guitar and the organ create. Flowers and Beads – 1.5/5 This song is lacking strength and sentiment. It sounds a bit like the musicians were recorded with a gun on their heads. A lackluster Beach Boys song. My Mirage – 1.5/5 The organ here sounds so weak and on the background that becomes quite annoying. Probably a production’s fault. Termination – 2/5 If Flowers and Beads was close to the Beach Boys, this sounds a bit like a poor The Beatles song, mostly how the voices are composed. Poor on composition and production. Are You Happy – 2/5 Another song that sounds like it needs more energy, mostly the singer. Meh. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida – 2.5/5 As said before, the highlight of the album. Those initial and final minutes, where the song is accompanied by the singer, are great. Maybe is the Simpsons scene influence, but it remains me of a mass hymn with a hellish touch. This is overshadowed, however, with a highly unnecessary chain of solos that could have been totally skippable. A pity.

When i saw 60s acid rock band, i though "yes, this will be epic". It ended up being pretty lack luster. Nothing really sounded innovative or interesting, even for the time. Most of the songs followed the same formula, not really any variation between them. Doing some more research into the band, seems like theyre only really known for one song, a 17min track sharing the same title as the album. And whereas that track is good fun, it doesnt excuse the rest of the album being so dull.

Everything about this is unnecessary. Unnecessary to include an "album" on this list on the basis on 1 song. Unnecessary for that song to be 17 minutes long. Unnecessary for any of the other songs to be recorded. Unnecessary for the album to be released. Unnecessary for me to endure any of it.

If this album were any worse it would be interesting. Unfortunately, it isn't.

His voice is weird. Feels like nickelback cringe + elvis. I'm feeling annoyed. The guitar / rhythm is good though. one star

Awesome album, you can really hear the birth of heavy metal and it's all wrapped up in psychedelia. The bass work on this is peak 60s -- fat tone and fast, melodic rhythm.

in-a-gadda-da-vida alone is worth 5 stars

I have heard the song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida so many times, this pretty much came down to how well I remembered Side One of the record. I remembered most of it, and I still feel Side One stands the test of time, and makes the album a solid and classic release of its time. What more can be said about this album, it's a instantly recognizable classic. I can't help but consider it an album I love. Favorites of course include the entire Side Two, along with 'My Mirage' and 'Termination'

I've heard the title song for years, and it just seems too long and repetative. Progressive rock, it is not. But the song fits perfectly in the album which is well arranged and contains an excellent selection of 60s rock/pop. This is a great album. 4.5/5

This is a great album one of the first I owned on CD

Und immer wieder ein Push nach vorne. Großartig!

In college the first time I took acid a friend put on this album and said this is what this stuff was made for” I’m still not sure if he meant the acid or the music. Either way still an amazing album.

Classic

Outstanding album. The title track is an absolute classic but the rest of the album holds its own.

8.5/10. Great psychedelic vibes. The full version of this album's title track is epic! :)

Love it!! Songs of my youth!

Cool vibes and great sound. Shorter album but really love the 60s rock era.

This album is a classic. Short but rad af.

I love listening to people who were born to play metal but metal didn't exist yet, it feels like seeing someone wearing a jacket that's really cool but it's so tight it restricts their movement

Just awesome. I remember having an Uncle play this album for me. This is high quality psychedelic rock. Obviously the title track is the main draw but the rest of the tunes are solid as well.

Long, self-indulgent psychedelic rock may not be for everyone, but I'm all about it.

This is such psych rock bullshit I kinda love it

cool

Prog classics! And, what romantics, surprisingly! Thought I was going to be in for endless organ solos, but the songs were short and complex. Loved it.

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida track is very nice!

blues rock? acid rock? psychedelic rock? blue, yellow, pink, whatever man, just keep bringing me that!

FUCK YES

Classic!!

Saw them in Flint Michigan in 1988

Brings back lots of memories. Get Out of My Life, Woman being an all time favorite song of mine.

Fuckin awesome

NO SKIP

baita som psicodelia sessentista, tecladinho frenético

I’m a sucker for rock organs of the 60s and this is one of the best. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is one of the most epic rock organ songs ever created. A masterpiece I’m glad to hear again in its entirety for the first time in decades.

100 % one of the best bring backs I've ever heard

nice. listen more

The person frct album. The pioneer of most of Rock songs

ok hippies weren’t totally a mistake

that was a really cool album, fun old school rock with some proggy elements 10/10 I also really like the Bongo Rock cover

Fucking epic

Doors-esque psych-rock. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is a sleazy, slinky classic.

Clasdic

Una de las canciones más estúpidas de todos los tiempos. Y por lo mismo, una de las más memorables. En el mismo lugar de por decir, Thong Song, El Gato Volador y cosas por el estilo. El potencial creativo de la estupidez es algo que ya no se ve ni se nota en estos tiempos obsesionados con la perfección digital. Gran canción, favor de escuchar la versión completa. El resto del álbum es basura, francamente pero es mi basura.

the best

EXCELENTE (EL DE LOS SIMPSONS EN EL PIANO DE LA IGLESIA)

Listo

Contains one of the best songs of all time

Amazing

I really wish I liked drugs. Some of the albums I’ve got lately are amazing and would probably be even better augmented by a bit of virtual reality! I really like this album. It zigs and zags, so you’re never bored or feel like it lags or is dull.

I love 60's psychedelia, and never heard anything from this band besides obviously In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. Some pretty solid psychedelic rock on there, and In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida just gets an automatic 4 star for me, a stark contrast to the opinion of my album challenge partner :)

This is the definitive Iron Butterfly album but let’s all be honest, this album is dated and sounds like a late 60s album. It is not timeless it is very decade specific. It’s a good album all around and one I own. The music is upbeat and that guitar and organ make the album! Best songs are “Termination”, “Are You Happy”, and of course the 17 minute epic title track

really love the instrumentation. vocals are not my favorite but still really enjoy it.

Absolutely great album. Perfect vibe, very appropriate mix which is somewhat abrasive but not too annoying. I love the sound of the guy’s voice

My mother had this album so I heard it countless times growing up. I remember as a teen, at a mates house, watching the Simpsons when Bart swapped the church music for this. I was laughing my ass off and at the ad break had to explain the joke to everyone else. For those that don't know, the song was originally titled "In The Garden Of Eden", but the record company made them change it, so it became the gibberish "In A Gadda Da Vida".

Psychedelic masterclass. Take it, hold it, love it.

This album is so heavy, the farfisa organ goes insane and sounds like pure evil. A psychedelic classic no one should miss!

In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is still great and still deserves to be heard by anyone who likes rock music. The rest of the album is fine, but I think Side Two still carries this to 4 stars for its influence on music, especially heavy rock and, eventually, metal.

Hippiehauskaa...

Gets 4 stars just for the album title track. Other tracks are ok but the big track is why we’re here

This is an album of two halves, and its reputation rests on the second half. Side one is pleasant enough psychedelic pop-rock. The opening track is reminiscent of the Doors, some of the organ lines are almost Light My Fire; the second track echoes the likes of the Foundations; the rest follow similarly, sounding like those bands, maybe the Animals. Then comes side 2. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is a 17 minute plus maelstrom of distorted guitars, hypnotic, repetitive bass, a tribal drum solo (which does become tedious or trance-inducing, depending on where your head is at), slurred vocals, and the swirling organ, which really makes the track, and the album.

Funny. Está bien, me gusto pero no me fascinó.

3.51/5

I've heard the whole album before, own the record, it's a 4, why not. I wasn't unpleasantly bored, it's alright. I mean, half of it is THAT track, which rightly is a SYMHBYD.