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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Pretty mediocre aside from the title track

🐙😰🔥❤️😬😪🦈💔🧊🐧🐊🐓🦋🐷🐿🦙🐀✊️🏆🎀🏆🏀🥇🥇⚾️🥉🎫🎍🎐

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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 actually quite liked this one. Thought his voice was funky but I liked it. The music was nice, I didn't mind the 17 minute song because they sounded good on it, there were nice transitions and variations in it, and the other songs on the album were all like 3 1/2 minutes. Overall really enjoyed.

Pretty good 60's Psych Rock. I never realized he almost has a David Bowie quality to his voice. I didn't think I would like anything besides the title track, but I found the other songs to be enjoyable in a way I don't always do with 60's music. But of course everyone is here for the title track, and I do really love it. It has such a dirty and crunchy guitar tone, and the organ complements it perfectly. I also really like the drum solo section. Oh! and that organ solo back into the main riff is crazy. And that chorus melody is perfect. Mid 4.

3 until the extended Inna Gatta version which was fantastic!

I usually don't like winding acid rock like this but that title track sounds like what all those songs I don't like are trying to emulate. What a great song, I can see how it sold like fire on the back of that. I agree with others that the first half is just bland to me except I really liked Termination. So I ended up enjoying over half of this album's runtime which is pretty impressive for a genre that I'm not a big fan of. Cool artwork and band name as well. Rating: 4.2

Passé 800 albums , ma tolérance à la musique des années 60 et son petit orgue caractéristique commence à s’effriter. Mais je vois comment cet album a pu être un précurseur d’un rock plus progressif et créatif

8/10. Good throughout, but the last song with the solos is really good and ups it to a 'Great' album!

Getting high on acid and listening to In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida with some dancing water speakers was one of the best experiences of my life when i was 19.

Неожиданно много интересной музыки на альбоме. Прикольно

Classic album, like this a lot!

Classic 60s.

Probably a 3.5 but these guys seem cool so I’ll round up.

The extended version has more depth than I ever knew. Enjoyed the listen.

My memory of the first time I heard the title track: on a trip to the boonies and my step father, a hippie era music nerd, cackles. He says, “the DJ has to poop” and explains that we will be hearing by this “song” for 20 full minutes.

that was sick

Gran lp

Great. Not life-changing.

forgot how much i enjoyed this album. the title track obviously steals the show, but the A side has a few catchy tunes on it as well

177/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

4.25

Sept 5, 2024 the solo around 11:26 of the title track is maybe my favourite organ solo in pop music rest of the album is pretty good too

I like this organ-y psychadelic era of rock

Legendäres Drum Solo, Rest des Albums auch verträglich

Some funky tunes

Great rock album with a nice interplay of guitar and organ.

I was taken aback by the upbeat cheerfulness of side one. More Turtles than The Doors.

Scores big points for the epic closing track, sounds like a more advanced version of the kind of stuff The Doors were doing a year or so earlier. Very trippy and experimental, loved it. The rest is pretty standard psych-rock from that time, but still enjoyable.

Very nice!

85/100

I only knew the title track, which is excellent and epic, but the first half of the album is great too! It’s the good kind of “psychedelic” that isn’t just reverb and harpsichords.

How has my wife heard of this while I never have? I guess it's thanks to the Simpsons. The title track is undoubtedly epic. It brings you on a journey, a very long, likely LSD-laced journey, but it works well. However good it is, I'm not adding a 17min track to my playlist, so I got to pick something else from the album. The next best here was Most Anything You Want, which has some pretty sick bass and synth towards the end. The 1st side feels so brisk compared to the 2nd side.

This is such psych rock bullshit I kinda love it

Not my kind of thing, but I don’t mind it. Fully expected to cringe the whole way. Most Anything is cute. My Mirage is some slammin’ psychedelic goth vibes. I should hate this, but it’s fabulous. A million times better than Grateful Dead. These dudes actually know how to play their instruments. Termination and Are You Happy are dark, but in a fun way. Almost like if The Monster Mash was a band, that occasionally took acid.

Cool little psychedelic rock alb, I don’t really have a whole lot to say. The title track is amazing.

This is a great album to show what psychedelic rock of that particular era can sound like. Better than most of the genre imo

im usually a fan of any prog rock band but this was out there even for me. Strange to hear such a bubble gummy pop song (Flowers and Beads) among all the other songs. Decent and of course the title track is infamous ( and made for a great Simpsons gag). adding one star just for title track.