In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida

Iron Butterfly

About In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" (derived from "In the Garden of Eden") is a song recorded by Iron Butterfly and written by bandmember Doug Ingle, released on their 1968 album In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida. At slightly over 17 minutes, it occupies the entire second side of the In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida album. The lyrics are simple, and heard only at the beginning and the end. The track was recorded at Ultrasonic Studios in Hempstead, Long Island, New York. In 2009, it was named the 24th-greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1. It is also often regarded as an influence on heavy metal music and one of the firsts of the genre. 


Year:
1968
17:05
102 
#1

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In a gadda da vida, honey
Don't you know that I'm lovin' you
In a gadda da vida, baby
Don't you know that I'll always be true

Oh, won't you come with me
And take my hand
Oh, won't you come with me
And walk this land
Please take my hand

In a gadda da vida, honey
Don't you know that I'm lovin' you
In a gadda da vida, baby
Don't you know that I'll always be true

Oh, won't you come with me
And take my hand
Oh, won't you come with me
And walk this land
Please take my hand

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Iron Butterfly

Iron Butterfly is an American psychedelic rock band best known for the 1968 hit "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". more »

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Written by: DOUGLAS INGLE

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


26 facts about this song

Origins
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" was released in 1968 on Iron Butterfly's equally titled album, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida."
Track Length
This song is known for its length, it is 17 minutes and 5 seconds long, which occupies the entire second side of the album.
Unique Song Title
The song name, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," was originally supposed to be "In The Garden of Eden." Rumor has it that the lead singer, Doug Ingle, was intoxicated while recording, and his slurred pronunciation of the title stuck.
Chart Performance
Despite its length, the song reached number 30 in the U.S. Billboard charts.
Condensed Version
Due to the record's running time, a significantly edited version of the song, cutting down to 2 minutes and 53 seconds, was released for AM radio play. This version also scored a place on the music charts.
Sales
The album version of the song has sold over a million copies, and the edited single version has surpassed three million copies.
Musical Composition
The long instrumental sections feature notable solos from every band member, with a long psychedelic organ solo and a drum solo being the most memorable ones.
Pop Culture
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" has been referenced extensively in popular culture, appearing in various movies and television shows like 'The Simpsons' and 'Manhunter.'
Legacy
Even though it's widely considered as one of the first heavy metal songs, it also helped to significantly popularize lengthy, suite-like compositions in rock and paved the way for progressive rock.
Live Performances
With the length of the song, it is rarely performed live in its entirety. However, when it is, it often uses extended solos, making it even longer than the original recording.
Grammy Hall of Fame
In 2019, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, which recognizes "qualitative or historical significance" of songs and albums.
Record Ranking
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is often considered one of the greatest classic rock songs of all time, and it reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968.
Time Duration
The song is famously known for its tremendous length. The original album version of the song runs for 17:05, making it one of the longest songs ever to be recorded.
Title Origin
The song's title "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is a slurred version of "In the Garden of Eden". The band's vocalist, Doug Ingle, was reportedly inebriated while writing and the slurred pronunciation was the result.
Single Version
Due to its original version's length not being suitable for radio broadcasts, a significantly shortened single of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" was released, which was three minutes long.
Cultural Reference
It appeared on the soundtrack for the "Manhunter" film in 1986, helping it gain further cultural relevance.
Impressive Sales
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" was the first album to be awarded a platinum certification by the RIAA, having sold over one million copies.
Influence & Impact
The song is often cited as an early example of heavy metal music and is known for carving the path to hard rock.
Iconic Drum Solo
The song features a 2-and-a-half-minute drum solo, which is considered one of the most famous drum solos in rock history.
Cover Versions
Over the years, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" has been covered by several artists, including Boney M and Slayer, attesting to its enduring popularity.
Simpsons Appearance
The song was featured in an episode of The Simpsons, where it was humorously played as a substitute for church music.
Surrealist Music Video
A music video for "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" was made in the 1990s. It was influenced by surrealism and specifically by Salvador Dali's works.
American Bandstand Appearance
Iron Butterfly performed the shortened single version of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" in 1968 on the popular television program American Bandstand.
Substance Influence
It is often noted for its heavy, psychedelic, trance-like sound, representing the substance-culture of the time.
Unusual Song Structure
Unlike standard songs, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" doesn't follow a traditional song structure and instead uses organ-solo and drum-solo sections that stretch the song to its 17-minute length.
Instrumental Achievement
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is widely recognized as one of the high points of '60s hard rock for its driving beat, the trippy organ and guitar solos, and its thunderous climax.

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1968

    Billboard #30


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