In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly

Album: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968)

Charted: 30

License This Song

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

One of the most blissfully indulgent rock songs, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is animal-instinct rock and roll, playing out for 17:05 in its unabridged form and taking up an entire album side. The mysterious title is one of the great legends in rock. You might think it has a deep, mystical meaning, but it's really a translation error.

The title was supposed to be "In The Garden Of Eden." Drummer Ron Bushy wrote it down as "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" because he couldn't understand was vocalist Doug Ingle was singing. Their record company was OK with the title because it sounds exotic and Eastern spirituality was big at the time, with The Beatles going to India and The Rolling Stones experimenting with Indian instruments.

As for the meaning of the song, it's just a guy affirming his love for his special girl.
This was written by Doug Ingle, Iron Butterfly's vocalist and keyboard player. His father was a church organist, which influenced the drawn-out organ riffs in this song.
When he wrote the song, Doug Ingle didn't intend for it to be over 17 minutes long, but that's how it played out when the band recorded it at what they thought was merely a soundcheck to test levels for engineer Don Casale while they waited for producer Jim Hilton to arrive. Casale, though, kept tape rolling, and the band got in a groove. After the rehearsal was completed they agreed that the performance - filled with mistakes but also with raw energy - was of sufficient quality that another take wasn't needed.
The single was edited down to 2:52, shaving over 14 minutes off the song! Some pop stations played the single, but much of the airplay came from progressive FM stations that played the long version, which wasn't available as a single (a 45 RPM vinyl disc couldn't hold nearly that much music). So to get the full song, listeners had to buy the album, and they did. In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, the album, ended up selling over 4 million copies. Until Led Zeppelin came along, it was the best selling album in the history of Atlantic Records.
The band's original guitar player quit before this was recorded. He was replaced by Eric Braun, who had only played the guitar for three months.
The title loosely translates as "In The Garden Of Life."
This was the first hit song that could be classified as "heavy metal." The phrase was introduced that year in the Steppenwolf song "Born To Be Wild."
Iron Butterfly would have performed this at Woodstock, but they didn't make it because they were stuck at the airport.
Hip-hop artist Nas has two different songs that sample "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida." The first is "Thief's Theme" from his 2003 double album Street's Disciple. The second is the title track of his 2006 album Hip-Hop is Dead. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Nick - Erwin, NC
Danny Weiss of Iron Butterfly was recommended to Al Kooper by David Crosby (of Crosby, Stills, & Nash), right when Kooper was forming Blood Sweat & Tears. As given in Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards, "I loved the guitarist, introduced myself, and explained this concept to him. He thought it was a good idea, but insisted that he was committed to the band he was in. His name was Danny Weiss, and his band was Iron Butterfly. He left soon after we met anyway, and joined the great but doomed band Rhinoceros."
Ron Bushy's drum solo is not as long as people think; it only runs about 2 1/2 minutes, from 6:30 to a little past 9 minutes. Doug Ingle's organ solo immediately follows. >>>
Suggestion credit:
James - Tracy, CA
The song was used in The Simpsons episode "Bart Sells His Soul," where Bart switches a hymn out for this song and convinces the Reverend Lovejoy it is penned by I. Ron Butterfly. The whole 17-minute version is played by the First Church of Springfield's exhausted church organist.
There are only 30 different words in this song, even though it is over 17 minutes long.

Comments: 121

Eric from AmsterdamOne of the dumbest rock songs in the history of the world. Right up there with Smoke On the water.
Mike C from IndianaThank you Iron. I am 70 now and can’t image living through life without listening to this beautiful song.
Droxo from Nowhere Nm, UsThis song is to be taken with LSD or Psylocybin at least 2 hours before and 12 hours afterwards with or after a partner. Side effects may vary. If you experience negative effects, immediately chill out and consult a friend, you may need more good vibes. Use once a blue moon or as needed.
Jim from Alliance OhioMy dad took me to see Iron Butterfly at Fillmore East in NYC in 1969 The opening acts were Spooky Tooth and Blues Image After they played there was an announcement made that the guitarist for Iron Butterfly had been in a motorcycle accident on the way to the event, so we didn’t get to see them, but our money was refunded My favorite part of the evening other that being there and hearing the music was my dad’s remark “What’s that funny smell in the men’s room”
Tkbaseball69 from Gilbert, ArizonaHeard the story about this song back in 72-73.
The prince saves the princess. She is nailed into a casket by the bad guys.You can hear the nails being driven in. The Prince finds her in the casket pulls out the nails and saves her. They live happily there after. True story.
Nneka Walker from NyI kind of like it... I have iron butterfly earrings^⁠_⁠^.
Mudman from GeorgiaI kind of hate this song because it's so boring and repetitious. I can't listen to it for more than 15 seconds. It must have been soul-crushing to be in Iron Butterfly and have to play such drivel night after night for 17 minutes. The brain-numbing riff is similar to Smoke on the Water or Spoonful by Cream -- total frontal lobotomy.
Susan Martin from Everett Washington This song brings back such great memories. I was in high school, the class of 76
I loved this entire album."Flowers and Beads" was my TRUE favorite song.
I used to use a tanning light on my face. The way I would time it was I would tan 17 minutes on one side and then play the other side of the album for the other side of my face... I'm 63 now and I still remember the words to every song on this album. I used Google to find out how the band got that name. Turns out we were all right! We used to sing "in the Garden of Eden baby...."Who knew that that was the original title of the song!
Enrico Penico from MesaThanks 4 the lyrics, beforehand.
Anonymous from Lenny From Buffalo, N.y.All of you are wrong! Actually In-a-gadda-da-vida translates "In the garden of life"; not eden!
Uncle Buccaneer from AlaskaIn 1996, Iron Butterfly opened for Jethro Tull at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage. We were surprised to find they were still alive. They came out, gave some weirdly unnecessary banter about the ‘60s and Vietnam, and then said they’d recently reformed and we’re going to play some “new stuff.” You could feel the audience collectively thinking “Play ‘In A Gadda da Vida’ and get the hell off the stage.” So people mostly milled around, chatted, and drank beer as IB shuffled through their set of new material, which was awful, but then the opening keys of their one iconic song started and the stadium went nuts. They jammed and dragged that piece out for half an hour and it was awesome.
Jacob This was funny in the simpsons
Bev from Las VegasSeems kinda weird that the story goes that the dude couldn't understand the title, or that the singer was drunk or high or so on, when the rest of the song's lyrics are completely clear. I think the mispronunciation was entirely intentional - maybe because of an inside joke or some other meaning, but the longest standing rumor(s) don't actually make any sense. This entire story is impossibly ridiculous.
Original Fan from KansasWhen I first arrived in CA in late 1968 at age 19, I meet a couple of young women in a laundromat in LA. During our conversation they mentioned their boyfriends were giving a concert that evening and did I want to come along. Being from Kansas and quite sheltered, the band name meant nothing, but SURE, I'd love to go.

Turned out the place they played had a standing only audience and was more like a massive warehouse.
We entered through a side door and went directly backstage into a large dressing/waiting area. There we met up with the band members and everyone but me chatted while passing joints around. As I was a bit overwhelmed by it all, they seemed delighted to meet a innocent young lass from the midwest. Apparently I was their entertainment.

Then Doug told me ... because everyone else there knew ... the story of HOW and WHERE he came to write In a Gadda Da Vida. It was simple but fascinating and I've never heard it being told since.

When we went out front to watch the performance, we stood off to the side right in front of the band. All was fine until someone realized "they're with the band" and began yelling questions while trying to touch us. It was a very bazaar feeling. Backstage security quickly got us away and we sat back in the waiting room listening.

Afterwards we had a 3am breakfast in a small place where no one knew them. I went home a few hours later with some great memories. Ironically, it was a year or so later before I realized just how popular they actually were.
Cee Gee Dee from Dallas, TexasJust one other add on: My mom is still alive at 95. This was the type of tune where my mom would walk into my room as I was going into musical ecstasy and freak completely out, and not in a good way.

What in the living Hell is that junk you are listening to, my son?

We laugh about such things now. Iron Butterfly, living, dead, original members, later additions: Thanks. This is a definite classic of its time and well beyond.
Cee Gee Dee from Big D, Texas, UsaI rediscovered this gem on 2/6/2021. I played it in its entirety. The last time I heard it was probably 1968 to 1969, maybe 1970. I only knew so much about the band, that the organist played in church or somesuch. Very little about the axe man, now dead. I didn't know the later developments of the musicians, like the origins of Captain Beyond and whatnot.

I do know that this is an extraordinary piece of music, cut on the heels of Sergeant Peppers into the Hendrix era and Cream. You can label it however you will. Rock "jams" were beyond their origins by this time, but this definitely had an influence. I think I read the album sold some 30 million copies. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Plus they were supposed to go to Woodstock, got stranded, wanted to be helicoptered in. Were told to FOAD, etc.

I will love this till I die. I told an old bud from Southern Cal, now in Fla, both in bands for years, about this rediscovery.

Oh, man, that was a sell out. Their earlier and later stuff was better. This was a joke, man. He was 17 or so when it came out. I was all of 11.

Hey, bro, it is MY REDISCOVERY, after all. "OH, won't you comfort Meeeee and walk this land. Please Take my Hand!!"

Most bands would kill to have just one of these, let's face it. Forever with this gem, Iron Butterfly. Thanks for this Memory.
Michael Fox from Zephyrhills FloridaThe fact about first heavy metal hit is incorrect. Blue Cheer has that distinction, hitting with their version of Summertime Blues earlier in 1968.
Steve Phillips from UsaThis was called acid rock, not heavy metal. Steppenwolf was not called heavy metal either, and that phrase in BTBW refers to loud motorcycles, not music.
Ken Patterson from Central CaliforniaDoes anyone out there remember the story of the elephant hunt that matches the tune and was often recited by FM DJ's back in the day?
Billy Colton from Vermont I am 68 years old and still love this song. I had a girlfriend in 1968 and her first name was Vida. I always think of her when I play or hear this song. I was living in Connecticut at the time. I even tried to learn to play the drum solo. A great song that brings back so many good memories.
If your out there somewhere Vida, all my best to you.
Norman from Tenerife I thought that the sound engineer misunderstood the singer when he asked him for the song title. The singer was so out of it he pronounced the song in da gada Davida. That's how it sounded to the engineer instead of in the garden of eden.
Jr from CaliforniaSaw Butterfly at maybe the Pasadena Civic back in the day. (Don't quite remember, might have been Shrine Auditorium.) The drum solo went on much longer than album, maybe 20 mins. Blew me away. They said at the time that Ron Bushy (the drummer) was only 18, which doubly blew me away. Learned later he was a bit older, maybe early 20s. To this day one of the most amazing rock songs ever.
AnonymousI saw Iron Butterfly at the Fillmore 68,with Brann. Mosrite sunburst & superBeatle amp what a gig. Great 60's fuzz & all
George from Vancouver, CanadaIt's so bad, Iron Butterfly wound up being a one hit wonder. . . I always prefer to listen to the full LP (one side is this song) in one sitting.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn November 22nd 1968, the Iron Butterfly were one of the three acts* to play the first of two nights at the Filmore East in New York City...
A little under five weeks earlier on October 20th the group's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" peaked at #30 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart...
* The other two acts were Canned Heat and the Youngbloods.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn October 5th 1968, Iron Butterfly lip-synced to the edited version of “In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
At the time the song was at #32 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; three weeks later it peaked at #30 {for 2 weeks} and spent 17 weeks on the Top 100...
The San Diego-based quartet had three other records make the Top 100; "Soul Experience" {peaked at #75 in 1969}, "In the Time of Our Lives" {reached #96 in 1969}, and "Easy Rider" {made it to #66 in 1970}...
Sadly, two members of the band have passed away; guitarist Erik Keith Brann {1950 - 2003} and bassist Lee Dorman {1942 - 2012}...
May they both R.I.P.
Laura from PaThis is an incredible band. No matter how much they say that this band was drunk when they recorded it, I still feel that it is an incredible piece. I'm really surprised they didn't come up with a lot more successful material. I find it annoying that so many people are bringing up the Simpson's. This band was around way before they were.
Tom from Mandaluyong, PhilippinesWrong! That a Univox High Flier and not an Ibanez! I had one with Humbucking pickups and it was my 1st really good guitar!
Rockon365 from Quakertwon, PaI get a kick out of some of the comments. Larry Rust (former Iron Butterfly) did the beginning of Vida in the Simpsons. Larry is a good friend and is still in contact with the remaining members of the band. Lee Dorman died a little over a year ago and I interviewed a couple of people that knew the band well for my syndicated radio show about Lee's passing. My Interview with Larry describes how the song came to be. Doug had a little too much to drink and the drummer Ron wrote the words down as he thought they sounded. As for making the album. The song was a result of getting it done before the producer showed up. At the time a 17 minute song was going to take up a whole side of an LP and labels just didn't do things like that in the 60's and 70's. Now I need to get back to finding out how to credit the airplay for the whole segment including the Simpsons. It will air the on radio very soon on Larry's radio show.
David from Plattsmouth, NeAt about 11:25 of the song, the organ begins a subtle rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"...("tidings of comfort and joy" is the most recognizable part). Classic!
Steve from Whittier, CaSimpsons really loved this song. That Michael Jackson guest appearance had a reference to a "2 hour really really long version of "In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida" PS If THAT ain't heavy I don't know WHAT is. The butterfly also had an album named Heavy. But Arthur Lee and Love with "Revelation" had excelled and preceded the Butt in 1967 at 19:05 on side 2 of "Da Capo" (kinda like The Butterfly's putting "In a Gadda Da Vida" on side 2.)

Love it. Great song.
Paul from Southern Pines, NcIron Butterfly,

The first commercially successful 'Hard Rock / Psychedelic Band'

From late-1968 thru early-1971.

We tried to get them for a Friday Night Festival in North Salem, New York (A One-Night Festival back in the Fall of 1970).

They wanted $7000 'cash', and up front for a 50-Minute set, with a 2-Song Encore.
Rabit from Honolulu, HiTo Carolyn in St. Louis...

I REMEMBER that!!!! I heard the story as well. I remember the guitar solo being the both the sounds of the nails scratching on the coffin lid and the person gasping for air. I would love to find the text of that story so I could tell it to others. It was definitely one of the creepiest things I've heard.
Dan from Gaithersburg, MdWhen I was 10 years old in 1968, I saw Strawberry Alarm Clock in concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. along with Soul Survivors, Buffalo Springfield, and The Beach Boys. I'll never forget it. Cooler than cool.
Barry from Chicopee, Mathe guitar and bass used were Ibanez i have the same guitar @ dont know model #'s yet mine is a "1963"
Esskayess from Dallas, TxHomer: "Hey Marge, remember when we used to make out to this hymn?"
Waz from Brooklyn, NyThe way I heard it... A member of the band was up all night writing the song. In the morning, when he tells his bandmate(s) the title of the new song, he yawns, and "In The Garden of Eden" come out sounding like "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida." The band prefers this title/lyric over the intended title, and it sticks.
Karen from Manchester, NhMy sister, who is 13 years older than I, bought this album when it first came out. I would bug her to death to play it again...and again...I would sit on the floor with my eyes closed and listen to the whole thing. I was not on drugs; I was only about 4 or 5 years old! Recently I was telling my daughters (ages 7 and 9) about this song, and ended up singing the drum solo to them (it CAN be done). Tonight I'm going to play it for them; I have the album & a working turntable.
Ronald from Caxias Do Sul, BrazilFun fact: If you say "In the garden of heaven" with deeper US accent to a brazilian only portuguese speaker, he is listen and understand exactly "In a gadda da vida", where "in a gadda" means nothing and "da vida" means "of life".
Rick from Upstate, NySaw them in the late 60's at Harper College in Binghamton, New York. Sophmore in High School hitch hiked through a blizzard in the winter...they played in the gym! At the time...one of the biggest groups around. We got in a lot of trouble for going ...! But then again ...I did for going to Woodstock also lol.
They influenced our band big time then...we even dreamed of having Iron Butterfly credit cards lol. Last thing to say...lotta ppl had sex durning that song...lmao....as well as others. I still go to shows...and play a lot of IB songs on guitar...!! Glad I was part of that era...boy am I :)
Kevin from Lawrence, KsI have to think that the organ intro to this song is just as good and just as iconic as the organ intro to "Light My Fire".
Jorges from Oaxaca, MexicoI see in comments even in the mine: The Simpons are now a refference to example this song is epic, legendary and classic long psicodelic song (my opinion just). The Simpsons producers got a Hit really!
Barry from New York, NcIron Butterfly released a live album in 1970, which featured another side long epic version of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" This version was recorded sometime in 1969. If you listen carefully during the drum solo, you can hear a very exuberant crowd of high school age boys and girls cheering and chanting along.
Billy from Jefferson, NjBoth the melody and words(in a garden of eden) were ripped from Donovans "Sunshine Superman"
Biraj from New Delhi, IndiaSimpsons (love the show), Home Improvement (another show that I think is excellent) and whatever. The fact remains that "In A Gadda Da Vida" was way ahead of it's time. It was a brilliant track then, and still is. Listening to it with today's "ears" you can say what you will. But in 1968 when the song/album was released it was the heaviest sound many of us heard. And Doug Ingle's baritone vocals the heaviest. Today I can say that the bass is repetitive, but that is irrelevant. Iron Butterfly with "In A Gadda Da Vida" broke new ground. And they wern't just volume or amplifiers, they represented a break-through sound (and a great name for a band).

For those who look down on Iron Butterfly or "In A Gadda Da Vida", remember that this band was a chain link in whatever you enjoy in hard rock, heavy metal or quite simply metal. Iron Butterfly brought heaviness to the "scene" at a time when there wasn't any.

Great band!!!

Peace out!!!
Matthew from Livingston, United KingdomThe Simpsons referenced the song again in the episode where Bart joins a band with Milhouse, Nelson and Ralph (can't remember the name). They make a song called Yvan Eht Noij (subliminal message for join the navy). Lisa wonders why the song makes no sense and Homer says a lot of songs have strange titles, like 'In A Gadda Da Vida'.
Steve from Whittier, CaThe Simpsons in that Michael Jackson episode had a DJ doing a "30 hour or so" version of the song [gee, how many SImspons references to that song were there?:)
Jay from Rocky Point, NcI was fortunate enough to see them perform this live in concert in Fayetteville, NC when i was 14 yrs old and will never forget it !!!!
Bob from Canyon Country, CaWhen I lived in Tucson in the '90s, the local classic rock station would play the long, uncut version every Saturday night, and I would blast it as I cruised the Downtown Saturday Night festivities... One of my top songs of rock-n-roll!
Ern from Fresno, CaSorry Mike, This is bad, but 'Moby Dickhead'is the most AWFUL/OVERATED piece of crap since Toad!
All Drum Solos are BORING!!!, except Soul Sacrifice and 'I'm a Man' by Chicago. Oh, and i'm not being Sarcastic since you seem to have to explain your comments. Peace
Ern from Fresno, CaBeg to differ. Neither this or Born to be Wild are 'Heavy Metal' just Hardish Rock. First Proto Metal cudos to Blue Cheer-Vincebus Eruptum. Peace
Barry from New York, NyI was listening to the entire tune in my Bose headphones. During the drum solo you can hear a cool echo effect that makes for some surreal listening!
Barry from New York, NyI saw the Simpsons episode with Bart making the church organist play In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida for 18 or so minutes. I know it's just a joke, but the organist would also have to play the drum solo as well! (She isn't seen playing any drums or any of the other instruments that also contributed to the song's extreme length)
Jesse from San Antoino, Txthe bass line is similar to "sunshine of your love" very similar
Mike from Matawan, NjOK. I take it back. I'd stated previously, I thought that "Do You Feel Like We Do?" and "Freebird" were the most overrated Rock songs of all time. THIS song is the most overrated of all time. I know taste is subjective, but if you have to be chemically impaired to enjoy a piece of music or be moved by it, then how good can it be? Really. Hey, if you like this song, I'm guessing you're a big 'Blue Cheer' fans as well. The drum solo may only be 2 1/2 minutes but it feels more like 20 1/2 minutes. It's AWFUL. Not bad, AWFUL. Truly, there are not enough letters in the word AWFUL to describe it's Earth-shattering awfulness. If you want to listen to a drum solo, listen to Bonzo's 'Moby Dick' or anything Carl Palmer did from ELP or Neil Peart for crissakes. Other than the crappy lyrics,cheesey organ, the shoddy guitar work, the droning bass and drums AND the shrill vocals, I REALLY like the song. This was sarcasm, by the by.

It makes me wish MST3K had worked on bad songs and not just bad movies. This one desperately needs to be put in its place.
Brian from Merced, CaThe fact of the matter is that this classic song was truthfully according to the liner notes of the Rhino label 3d cd reissue of this album states that in effect by the principal songwriter Doug Ingle that this song was actually interperated from IN A GARDEN OF EDEN into IN A GADDA DA VIDA due to Doug's drunken state from driking too much wine.A fact coming from doug himself.Buy the cd and read the liner notes,and read it for yourself.Really cool!!!!
Chris from Colorado Springs, CoActually Iron Butterfly was not "stuck at the airport" and didn't make Woodstock. They were at a hotel waiting to be picked up to go to the venue,and were not told that they had been dropped from the lineup. The promoters had decided at the last moment that their heavy metal sound was not going to coincide with what they wanted, and simply didn't send a car to pick them up.
Paul from Columbus, OhCall it as you see it. I have been listening to this song ever since it was first produced and it is still at the top of my list. How about you?
Roberta from Carleton, MiI agree with Gonny (GA); that is the way I remember hearing the story
Zane from Kenosha, Wiwasn't this supposed to be In The Garden of Enden?
Rick from Graysville, MoAfter Dorman left this group he was in Captain Beyond which was a helluva lot better than Butterfly.Captain Beyond were on Capricon the same time as the Allman's and therefore never got the PR push from the record label they needed
Rich from El Segundo, CaBeef, I absolutely hear God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, I logged on just to see if anyone had pointed this out!
Rich, rockofagestrivia.com
Beef from Bonington, KyDoes anyone else hear god rest ye merry gentelmen in the organ solo???? Just a little part ??
Oldpink from New Castle, InVery long piece, and I like it despite the excesses on drums and organ.
One of the most poorly played songs in history, especially in light of the fact that I thought the guitar sounded awful, then I read that the guy who played it had only been playing for three months.
No surprise there!
Nevertheless, I still like this, probably because I am a major Floyd head (no problems with talent there, though!), and because I also love a similar song in terms of crudeness, which is the Troggs "Wild Thing."
Again, WT is incredibly crude, with the drummer sounding like a chimpanzee with Parkinsons, and the guitarist sounding like a kid playing with his toes.
And yet, they are both fun songs.
Kane from Wytheville, Vathe story behind this song is funny but i always thought it was called in the garden of eden
Nicole from Chicago, IlThis song will never sound the same once you've seen it in the episode of Supernatural, in a really twisted scene
Nicole from Chicago, IlThis song has a really good rhythm and beat. It's used in the beginning of a Supernatural episode called "Skin", and the way it accompanies the scene is pretty wicked, if you ask me.
Jason from Denver, CoThe drum solo in this song kinda reminds me of Peter Criss's Alive II God of Thunder drum solo. Although Peter's solo isn't half as long
Chad from Bath, PaI just cannot get this drum solo out of my head. I drum the solo with my hands and fingers all the time.
Mickey from Hampstead, NcThe drum solo is exactly 2 mins 47.07 secs from the last note of the base to the first note of the organ. (According to the stopwatch on my phone) Its the most simplistic drum solo ive ever heard but also the best. I personally think the best ever. Most great drummers, and there are many I admire, have been trying to out it do but havent been able too because they get way to complicated and fast and to much cymbals. the drums of the solo strikes at the heart of the primitive human in all of us. Just my thoughts.
Mike from Bloomington, IlBrian, are you really saying you have to play Gibson guitars to play metal? Adrian Smith and Dave Murray of Iron Maiden played Fender Stratocasters, as did Van Halen (Frankenstrat). Kirk Hammet and James Hetfield of Metallica use ESP guitars. Metal has nothing to do with what equipment you use, it's how you play it.
Scott from Boston, MaI never realized that Brann was only 17 on this song and that he had only been playing for 3 months. That's amazing!
Bryan from Sydney , AustraliawHAT iNSTRUMENTS DId they USE
Butterfly never played the blues, the original building block of metal; nor did they use Gibson guitars and Marshall amps, the timeless technology of metal. They preceded metal. Iron Butterfly was more of a psychedelicized garage band with a graduate degree in surf and pop; their equipment, Mosrite guitars (trademark of the Surfaris) and Vox Super Beatle amps (however distorted), were true to that aim (what is "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" but the "Wipeout" for the Age of Aquarius?).
Rob from Dallas/fort Worth Metroplex, TxRe: Patrick's comment on this song in the Simpsons episode: The best part was when Rev. Lovejoy heard the organist playing it in church and said "Wait a minute...This sounds like Rock and or Roll!"
Lauren from Cleveland, OhIn-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was named when a band member couldn't pronounce In The Garden Of Eden!
The other band member then wrote down what it sounded like and that is how the name came about!
Lori from Edner, TxThis is the song they will be playing at my funeral - maybe even the "longer live version". Cremated and ashes thrown across the bay......

love it and listen to it every Friday with the top down on my beautiful red convertible on the drive home from work! sans rain...... la
Jennifer from Landis, NcErik Brann, guitarist, died! I've never heard of him, rock legend, do you remember about his hair, face, and eyes? which would I choose? his hair? his eyes? or his face? I think those are the same things as holly's, my sister, kim's and samantha h.'s!

Erik was born on August 11, 1950, in Pekin, Illinois, in the Central area. His wife, Gail, got married together in the 1070's or 80's, however he joined "IRON BUTTERFLY" as the guitarist in 1967, at age 17, their first album, "Heavy", in 1967, their second album, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", in 1968, the third, "BALL", in 1969 until Braunn disbanded in 1970. the band broke up in 1971, they just broke up, in 1971.

Brann's final assignment from 1996's "iron butterfly reunion: live."

Erik Braunn died of Myocardial Infarction on July 28, 2003, in California, in the Pacific area, in 2003!
Jennifer from Landis, NcOctober 31, 2007, "the Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy" in "Billy Vida", Billy gives them song notes from Billy, the song note says "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", long version, like "The Simpsons: Bart Sells his Soul" did it!
Jennifer from Landis, NcErik Brann, he was a guitarist, his hair that lokks like Holly Christina Davis's hair, his face that looks like my sister, Kimberly Michelle Milem Evans's face, and his eyes are look like Samantha Rena Tallman's eyes, and Samantha Cowan's eyes, and Samantha Leah Harkey's eyes, too!

He and his band, Iron Butterfly, on the stage and/or on stage and/or stages, and off, too, before death comes to his heart, no, seriously, before his death in 2003.

His wife, Gail Brann, wanted to marry her future husband, Erik Brann, they've been married together until his death of heart failure on july 28, 2003, his wife, Gail, cried.
Jennifer from Landis, NcThe video called "The Legend of Iron Butterfly," or movie it is, it's got Paul Ben Victor as Doug Ingle, Jeff Goldblum as Ron Bushy, the Preston dude as Lee Dorman, and Rick Brown (Sarah's husband) as the late Erik Brann, and other actors and actresses as other characters, too, in this 2009 film!
Mark from Mchenry, IlHey, Dave from Minneapolis. I read that Eric Braun died of heart failure on July 28, 2003 at the age of 52.
Carolyn from Saint Louis, MoWhen I was a kid, I was at a slumber party with my neighborhood girlfriends. The big sister (college at the time) put this record on and told a story about a woman being BURIED ALIVE !!
If the story is told while listening to the song. It is pretty believable !!
Every time I hear the DRUMS, I think of a NAILS being hammered into a pinewood box. The creepy guitar SCREAMS and FINGERNAILS scratching. The organ LOWERING the box in the ground.
At the end, he does it again (serial killer).
-Carolyn, Saint Louis, MO
Chaim from Sarina, Australiahey, does anyone know what type of guitar Erik brann used in the song.
Marissa from Reynoldsburg, OhThere are so many different stories about the title.
From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida_%28song%29):
"the liner notes on 'the best of' CD compilation state that drummer Ron Bushy was listening to the track through headphones, and couldn't hear correctly; he simply distorted what Doug Ingle answered when Ron asked him for the title of the song (which was originally In-The-Garden-Of-Venus). An alternate version of the story, as stated in the liner notes of the 1995 re-release of the In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida album, states that Ingle was drunk when he first told Bushy the title, so Bushy wrote it down. Bushy then showed Ingle what he had written, and the slurred title stuck."
Cody from Oklahoma City, OkOne of my favorite lengthy songs. Right up there with "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V)", "Machine Gun", "Free Bird", and "Mountain Jam".
Joshua from La Crosse, WiSlayer covered this song (albeit not all 17 minutes of it) in the late 1980s.
Phil from Pomona, CaAwsome song. I saw Iron Butterfly at the old Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California in 1968. It was my first true "rock concert". They had the same light show as featured on the cover of the album "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". There were lots of "herbal enhancements" and other goodies being passed around. Ron Bushy's live drum solo lasted as long as the entire song on the album. They also played all of the songs from that album as well as many from their first album, "Heavy". Hellofa show!
Phil Parker, Pomona CA
George from Oc, MdActually there was a segment on the old Smothers Comedy Show, where some indepedent film maker did a piece called History of the US in 5 minute. The pictures were all stills and would flash up to the beat of the drum solo in the middle of the song. Would love to see it again
Nils from Oslo, NorwayActually, the vocalist, Doug Ingle, snivels "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida", but whether it is supposed to be In A Garden Of Eden or not is unsure, because Ingle was high on LSD, and therefore he cannot remember (that is also why he's snivelling). That's one explanation. The other is that their drummer was listening to the track after they had recorded it, and when their manager asked him what it was called, he wasn't really sure, so he called it what he thought Ingle was singing.
The Simpsons episode is really good too. And it's hilarious when the organist dies from exhaustion

And by the way, this is one of the songs that really ushered psychedelic rock, not heavy metal.
Michael from Ephrata, WaI was born in 1965. My mother was seventeen at the time. This tune was my lullabye. I still play it from time to time to drive my wife out of her mind.
Melissa from Fairborn, OhI love the long version the most because I love the drum solo part because it is a 17 minute song.
Fraz from Nowhere, CanadaI'm not sure if this is true or not but i was talking to Danny weiss (I dont really know him, he just lives near my area and he knows my dad) and he claims that he wrote the song "In a gadda-da-vida". Is this true or is it possible that he was just drunk and forgot that the other one wrote it?
Dalton from Columbus, Gaawesome i love the bass at the beginning a classic rock ( yes, it is what i call 'classic') staple, it shall never be forgotten, i first heard it on manhunter
Dave from New York, NySummer of '69...Tanglewood MASS ... soon after IAGDV was on the charts.

These are the artists I saw at Tanglewood that summer: IRON BUTTERFLY, JANIS JOPLIN, THE WHO, JEFFERSON AIRPLANE, BB KING, TIM HARDIN, JONI MITCHELL, PAUL BUTTERFIELD.

Who - of all these artists - got the most insane reception? And who -of all these artists - had about 50 MASS State Troopers lining the front of the stage at the end of the show to prevent a full scale meltdown?

IRON BUTTERFLY! After Ron Bushy did an extended IAGDV drum solo, the place (held about 20,000 in shed and lawn) went absoolutely beserk! Beserk! As a new concert goer, I was blown away. And - obviously - will remember it always.
Davida from Sacramento, CaI was born in 1973 and my parents were both musicians and loved the song, they loved it so much my name is Davida lol..Davida in California
Fyodor from Denver, CoThe story about the title being written wrong doesn't make sense unless they re-recorded it after that incident to match the new title which seems unlikely. As a kid, I'd heard about the song and about its reputedly great drum solo for years before I actually heard the song. I was quite letdown by the drum solo.
George from Richmond, VaThis one was the best song for taking a "trip". One of the greatest acid songs.....
Spencer from Los Angeles, CaOh mah gawsh, one of my favorite songs ever. It was the first song I ever learned how to play on the bass (the bass line at the beginning is awesome and easy). I also love the lyrics, and how corny they sound :-D

I don't get why people think this song is creepy and/or Satanic...it's really not. It's more fun.

I love Iron Butterfly...
Rob from Vancouver, CanadaBecause Simpsons good...manhunter make my head hurt from using too more
Thomas from Vancouver, CanadaOnce I waqs on Ectasy and was listening to this song all night. It was my first time (and last) witht he drug and it turned into a horrible trip with hallucinations of my ftriends morphing into demons and the wall were emlting.
This song is an awesoem song but it gives em shivers down my spien when I listen to it.
Nick B. from Lancaster, OhThis song is awsome I love to bang my head to this all day.
Jen from Ontario, CanadaThis was also in Tim Allen's show "Home IMprovement" in a halloween episode
Myrna Maria from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, United StatesJust last night on a re-run of that cool TV series on WB "Supernatural", at the very beginning when a blond girl, all tied up and a little drenched in blood, is being held prisoner in a dark house where a devilish guy possesses the body of one of the stars of the series (Jen Ackles),and police start coming after him; this supreme masterpiece of heavy metal is very conveniently played while you see the girl´s agony and sheer panic. It really shook me, because its almost morbid how you enjoy the song when she is going throuhg hell...Must be the american TV magic!! The best in the world! I haven´t been able to stop singing the first verse of this song all day long. Its my first time writing here and I congratulate all you people for widening my horizons musicwise.
Ted from Glenview, IlI cannot believe that all of you nerds mention the fact that this song was in "The Simpsons", yet neglect to mention, save for Garry, that it is played during a pivotal scene of the film "Manhunter".
Billy from Otway, OhAnyone Seen Freddy's Dead? This Is In It.
Ben from Nottingham, EnglandI forgot to mention, this song was recently sampled by hip-hop artist Nas on the track 'Thief's Theme'.
Ben from Nottingham, EnglandIts been mentioned below, but thought i'd mention The Simpson's episode reference in more detail as its so funny! Bart is handing out hymn sheets for todays mass, with a cheeky grin on his face. We soon find out why: The 'hymn' he has handed out is actually In-a-gada-da-vida. Reverend Lovejoy annouces that the song is 'In the Garden of Eden' by I. Ron Butterfly!! The whole church signs the song, with Homer whispering to Marge "...remember when we used to make out to this hymn?"!! Mid-way thru, Lovejoy realises that they are all singing a rock song by saying "wait a minute, this sounds like rock and or roll" at which point he is hit on the head by a beachball. Nevertheless, they sing the whole song, complete with everyone holding candles in the air. By the end of the 17 mins duration, the organ player is so exhausted that she pretty much drops dead!! A classic scene and a great example of how The Simpsons is full of pop culture refrences that, if you understand them, make it even more funny.
Mike from Winnipeg, CanadaThis was also on Home Improvement when Tim, Jill and Mark tried to convince Brad and Randy that there are aliens.
Garry from Leeds, Englandhey you guys if you like this song watch the movie manhunter, you will go wild!!!!
garry
Dierk from Hamburg, GermanyThe Simpson's episode is No 132, the fifth episode in season 7. Now, get your DVD!
Stephen from Halesowen, EnglandThe Simpsons episode is "Bart Sells His Soul".
Carlo from Lima, Peruif you make a simple translation from the spanish word vida (life), you will see that the title means "In the garden of life", i think this could be reazon of the title.
Dave from Minneapolis, United Stateswhat ever happened to eric braun? I would imagine he's still in good health considering how much he "digs bananas".
Keith from Slc, UtAnytime you hear this song on the radio, the jock is making a "pit stop." Back in the days of carts we kept it in a glass case on the wall, a la "in case of fire." A jock who got desperate could pot it up (so to speak) and know that he had time to get to the building's washroom and not have to rush back before he got his business done. One jock, who considered himself "wasted in such a small market" discovered that someone had made him a special cartridge -- about 4 minutes into the song came the sound of a tape being eaten by the player, followed by the subaudible tone which cut in the studio mike. A few seconds after the sound effects, listeners all over the state heard the sound of the front door slamming open, a few choice words from a running DJ, who didn't know that the mike was potted up . . .
Matt from Rochelle Park, NjDoes Anyone know what season that episode of the simpsons is from?
Fiona from Napier, New ZealandWait a minute... this looks like rock and/or roll!
Kurt from Downers Grove, IlYes, the singer wrote it as "In the Garden of Eden" but when his bandmates asked him what it was called, he slurred "In A Gadda Da Vida" and the name stuck.
Joseph from Manteca, CaThe title of the song came from the lead singer's drunken singing of "In the garden of eden"...Im fairly sure...
Gonny from Faketown, GaI believe the original title was In the Garden of Eden but when they were writing it, they were so hammered it came out as In-A-Gada-Da-Vida so they wrote it out phonetically and it became the name of the song.
Jon from Mountain Home, IdYes Patrick is right. Good episode too.

You know, the version I have on my CD-RW is 17:06, I listen to it everytime, the drum solo, I play that on my helmet before I go up to bat in baseball. If my sources arent correct this song spent 140 weeks on the top 100, 81 of those it spent top 10. I personally think that is overly impressive, for a song that great to spend that long on the radio, but hey didnt pink floyd's dark side of the moon stay on for about 10 years? Great song, truely the classic rock and roll song ever made.
Patrick from Conyers, GaThis song was used in an episode of "The Simpsons" where Bart said there was no such thing as a soul, and to prove it, he sold his soul to Milhouse. Afterwards, strange things began to happen. The song was used in the beginning of the episode where Bart passed out the hymn for the day, which was titled respectively "In the Garden of Eden." The take on the name was "I. Ron Butterfly."

see more comments

More Songfacts:

When I'm 64The Beatles

In The Beatles' "When I'm 64," Paul McCartney asks a woman if she'll still be there for him when he's 64. In 2006, he got his answer when shortly before his 64th birthday, he and Heather Mills separated.

Me And Julio Down By The SchoolyardPaul Simon

Mickey Mantle and John Madden both appear in the video for "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard" by Paul Simon. Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane do a rap intro.

Stand By MeBen E. King

"Stand By Me" hit #4 in the US when it was released in 1961, then went to #9 in 1986 when it was used in the movie of the same name.

Rock The CasbahThe Clash

Barry Sonnenfeld, who would later direct the movies Get Shorty and Men in Black, was the director of photography on the "Rock the Casbah" video for The Clash.

We Will Rock YouQueen

Brian May wrote Queen's "We Will Rock You" so the crowds could participate in the song. They didn't have instruments, but they could clap their hands and stomp their feet.

Instant KarmaJohn Lennon

"Instant Karma" is one of John Lennon's most hopeful songs, written and recorded in one day at a time when he felt people were pulling together in a positive direction.