Friday June 19, 2020 “In a Gadda Da Vida” Iron Butterfly
This was somewhat questionable for a Friday tune. Is it frivolous or just downright painful?
Heralding their relationship to heavy metal music, a term reportedly first referenced in the Steppenwolf song “Born to Be Wild”, this group opted for naming itself ‘Iron’ Butterfly.
Born in San Diego, Iron Butterfly’s solo shot of success was “In a Gadda Da Vida” which urban myth suggests was a song originally titled “In the Garden of Eden” but after many takes during the recording and much influence by chemicals and alcohol, this was as close as they could get to the actual title. In actuality the song was deemed complete after the first take but the other story is much more fun.
And in a flow of wordsmithing, lead singer Doug Ingle who wrote this tune did it with only 30 different words. The master of sparse lyrical content, James Brown would have been impressed.
Iron Butterfly’s career might have been enhanced after their appearance at Woodstock, the original one, but they were unable to get to the concert site as all of the roads to the concert grounds had been closed. Stuck at LaGuardia airport the band’s manager demanded the promoters provide a helicopter to take them to the concert site and received a terse return message of non-compliance “F you!”
I know that you will appreciate that you have been spared the original 17+ minute version and have the friendlier 2:55 minute version...you really don’t need seventeen minutes with only 30 words.
Stay safe and well...and frivolous.
