First Listen to Iron Butterfly - In a Gadda Da Vida (REACTION) 

1968 was definitely in the middle of the Psychedelic rock era. I was 8 years old. I got to be raised in the 60s and 70s - the best two decades for music. Lucky me.

When this was released, most radio stations would not play a 17 minute song. The shorter versions were edits for radio play. The full version appears on the LP.

I had to laugh when you said "I haven't been focusing on the drums."

I was 7 years old when this came out (1968), and I lobbied hard and got the album for chistmas. I must have worn it out, but I still have the vinyl.

Everyone had this album tucked away. Played at so many partys. I was 14 years old, hanging with college kids in a small theater where I used to help out. After rehearsal one night, someone slipped this onto the sound system. Someone turned on the strobe light -- I watched the girls dance... and joined in. It was in fact one of those 'You will not be the same after this' moments. You must realize - there was no heavy metal, there was no pick scraping, there were no drum solos in rock, at least not highlighted and solo like this. So glad you have repeated listening to this dirty gem on your own. It was a game changer - everybody should have it as part of their life soundtrack. Nice job - no real analysis needed for this one!

I knew you'd like this when I saw it come up. I was hoping you'd get to this song sooner or later; imagine my delight when it was "sooner". This song was a touchstone of psychedelic music and psychedelic culture. Uncountable legions of fifty-year-olds were conceived while this played. I think the most memorable time I watched someone hear "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" for the first time was my junior year of High School. I played it for an organ-obsessed friend of mine who was looking in all our record collections for any albums with significant organ use. He was absolutely floored, and and immediately had me copy it onto 8-track so he could play it in his car. That day, I also turned him on to the Allman Brothers, which was close as a guy who idolized Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman ever let himself get to Southern Rock. When my friends went cruising, ours was the car blasting out "Tarkus" or "Heart Of The Sunrise" while everybody else in the parking lot was playing "Free Bird" and "Walk This Way". My Grandma got me this album for my tenth birthday - she had no idea what it was (literally said "I don't know what it is"), but I'd asked, so she swallowed her reservations and bought me this weird-looking record. I'd heard it when my local "underground" radio station played it sometimes late at night, and I was transported in a way that music had never done for me before. It opened one of the most important doors in my life, one which I still walk through as often as I can. That Christmas was the only time I ever got to show my 8-months-older-and-a-thousand-times-cooler cousin Rickey something cool that he'd never heard. He not only got the album, he also got an electric guitar (a Silvertone, with the amplifier built into the guitar case). Next time I saw him the following summer he and a couple of guys were trying to bang out "Magic Carpet Ride" in the garage. I hadn't considered this, but "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" was probably one of the most influential songs guiding my musical tastes going forward. Because I'd already embraced what could be considered one of the first prog-rock albums, by the time Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull came into my life, I was more than ready. Also, the guitar and organ on this song (along with Led Zeppelin and Jefferson Airplane) made me comfortable with Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Uriah Heep as soon as I heard them. I think the funniest use of the song I ever saw was in The Simpsons. During one of Rev. Lovejoy's interminable sermons, Bart snuck over to the organ and, when the organist wasn't looking, replaced her sheet music with what he'd labelled "In The Garden Of Eden", composed by I. Ron Butterfly. When the song begins, Homer turns to Marge and says, "Do you remember when we used to make out to this hymn?" Cut to the end of the song, and the exhausted organist collapses over her keyboard. Note on the album itself: don't even bother with side 1. Only a glutton for punishment would play the other side of this album more than once. When I got the deluxe remastered CD a couple of years back, I tried to play side 1, just to see if it was as bad as I remembered. It was actually worse.

Not sure if you know but their lead guitarist Eric Brann was only 17, great tslent

I saw them back in 1969 at the Shady Grove Music Fair in Maryland. The drum solo lasted 20 minutes. The whole song sounds like you are traveling on a magic carpet searching for the garden of eden.

This is the MOTHER of all psychedelic, stoner songs. You have a cool dad, who must have a cool dad..because this is MY generations music....and I’m your grandma’s age....Saw them live in Denver in 1969 or 70.......very cool....and yeah..everyone was very “mellow”....😁😉

When you’re stoned, you don’t think about how long it is....just get lost in it.

Daniel, Iron Butterfly was one of the bands that influenced all Heavy Metal sound afterward. Proto-Metal if you will. Keep up the great work! Loving the channel.

This is way before Black Sabbath.

Great reaction to this!!!! My older cousin gave me this album as a present in 1969 when I was 10 years old. The organ player and singer was Doug Ingle, whose father was a church organist. The guitar player was Erik Brann, and was 17 years old when they recorded this. Again, great reaction video!!!

First time I ever heard this song , I was about your age and I listened to it over and over and over again

You need to hear the Moody Blues - “Nights in White Satin” make sure it is the long version- around 11-12 minutes Wonderful orchestration!

Fell in love with this song as a 5 year old. Still love it. Go look for a clip of The Simpsons where Bart slips the music sheet of this song to the church organist. Funny. "Hey Marge, remember when we made out to this hymn?"

And that's why you listen to the original length song! You mentioned you wanted to turn it up as far as you could. I remember many nights spent in a darkened room lit by candles, lava lamps and black lights, in a slightly altered state, listening to this through the BIG Altec Lansing speakers turned up so loud you felt every drumbeat and bass note in your chest. Many times on my radio show I followed it with Deep Purple's " Smoke on the Water." Amazing songs, amazing memory. Thank you and your dad!

This was the 1st time i ever encountered a song that was the whole side of a record.

It was first officially certified a Platinum and 4× Multi-Platinum album in the United States on January 26, 1993.

I was in college when this came out, and you nailed it exactly when you said it was a trip song.

Great reaction,...true story,...the track you just heard was done in one take.The band didn’t know they were being recorded.The producer said run through it once for a sound check.Hit the record button,.....then went to an upstairs booth.If you listen closely,..you can hear towards the middle,..to the end,..the musicians toggling volume controls on effects or something.When they finished the producer called them into the booth and said i want you to hear some thing.Hence,...one take.....it is so raw sounding.Its genius.Thanks,..great reaction...glad you enjoyed it,....

The riff of "In a Gadda Da Vida" is one of the most iconic ones in rock music.

Santana was probably after Butterfly. I heard that Jeff Beck claims to have heard them play this song at a bar in 1967 in California. The guitarist for this band, during this time, was a teenager. I think the natural precursor to their sound, certainly the organ, is Bach.

I love the switch in timing in the middle of the drum solo, it’s so smooth

"A ballad without words" You spot on nailed it!

Released - June 14, 1968 Recorded - May 27, 1968 I was born in 1951. Grew up listening to this kind of music.

When I was in grade school and learning to play drums, everyone was impressed by anyone who could play this drum solo. Actually, it's very easy to play, but what made the drum solo great is that it sustained a rhythm, it was melodic and had hooks that developed over time. It's still my favorite rock drum solo. It was groundbreaking in its time. A rite of passage.

For those of you who ever wondered about Bach playing in a heavy metal band.

You’re the first reactor I’ve seen who caught the God Rest Ye Merry reference around 19:32! Apparently, the organist was a trained church organist. It’s so good to see younger generations catching on to the great music of the late 60s through 70s.

Just subbed 8/29/20 7:30pm Northern California wine country 67 Yrs old white guy rocker- enjoying today’s youth appreciating our music! WE USED TO SLOW DANCE TO THIS!

Altered state of consciousness

This is the version the radio DJ put on when he had to go to the bathroom or take a smoke...lol

Excellent review, Daniel! (Many months later. Lol) Your joy and appreciation of great music always impresses me. I love your patience, and how you savor every moment. That is a rare virtue nowadays. You have great taste, and exceptional insight. You're getting quite the education with your channel. Too bad you can get college credit. ;) You have tought me so much. Thank you for that!

Yes! I was 15 years old in 1968 and bought this album. I called it the "electric elephant". Great minds think alike. Because the title is about The Garden of Eden, I interpreted the electric elephant part as the Devil making an entrance.

1968. I was 16. Went to my first high school dance. They played this 17 minute version. Prior to that, I only heard the shorter versions that were allowed on the radio stations. So, I asked a girl named Meg to dance. The song kept going, and going, and after a bit, the other couples on the dance floor dropped out to rest. It was like a scene from one of those movies. Meg and I were the only ones out there. Made it through, but oh, what a memory. Thanks, Daniel. you took me back yet again! (And yes, I AM that old! lol) Oh yeah, we called it "the elephant," too.

Another great journey will be Moody Blues’ - “Nights in White Satin” !!

Speaking of guitar riffs - Have you listened to "Layla" by Derek and the Dominos yet? Eric Clapton, Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, and Jim Gordon (with Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band contributing outstanding guitar work on this track). Interesting back story with this song too.

I'm coming to party late, sorry-but the guitar is being run thru a classic "fuzz box". The first ones were lime green and about the size of 2 cigarette pkgs stacked and gave the distortion to the guitar. Also there is a "wah-wah peddle" which gives the ....wah, wah sound. Classic electronics for psychedelic rock era. Thanks Daniel for listening to the sound of my youth with me!!

How about Deja Vu or Carry On by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young? That whole album is super-dee-duper.

I always thought that that weird animal screeching was the sound that Mothra made in the Godzilla movies. Go Mothra!

Been a long time since I heard any version, but not even sure if or when I heard this one before. Got the same "aha" moments you did, "let nothing you dismay", and the elephant. Thanks.

You are the first reactor that I've seen react to this song. I've begged others to, but nada. Thank you! The guitar and drum solos in this song are amazing and should be played to every child ever born beginning in the womb. I'm so glad to see your reaction and appreciation! Edited: I always thought the part where the "elephant" comes in is symbolic of the snake tempting Eve. All of the lyrics could be the snake tempting Eve rather than Adam talking to Eve or a man talking to his "love". Maybe that's too spot on, but it's a way to look at it.

You nailed everything from the musical elements to the imagery to the 'sounds like'. And yes, definite Black Sabbath and Santana moments, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

You have so much great music to listen to! Let us older rockers recommend songs! ENJOY!

Hi, Daniel! Enjoyed listening with you again. Returned after listening with you my first time, because your observations and insights were thoughtful, interesting, & I wanted to repeat the experience. Good stuff! Yeah, Iron Butterfly pulled off a great one with this arrangement. Reportedly, it was just at first a simple song that Organist, Vocalist, & Songwriter, Doug Ingle, had written, whose arrangement evolved over numerous engagement performances, with the band continually incorporating new ideas. When the band went into the recording studio to put the song to tape, the producer hadn't arrived yet. So, the recording engineer suggested that the band do some playing, for checking sound levels. The engineer started recording, the band started playing the song, and the engineer left the recording studio. The band was fresh, all alone, in a relaxed warm-up frame of mind, spontaneously playing a well-developed arrangement which each band member knew like the back of their hand. By the time the producer arrived, and the recording engineer returned, the band had performed the entire composition. The band's "Sound Check" was so good, that it became the "Master Take" released, which you heard! The band's record label was now in a quandary; what to do with a 17 minute recording? After much discussion, the label took a chance and had the entire 17 minute recording of In A Gadda Da Vida fill up Side 2 of the band's new 2nd album of the same title. The label's gamble paid off! International sales of Iron Butterfly's In A Gadda Da Vida album were so huge, the Atlantic label created a new award for the album's sales, The Platinum Record Award. Because the song's recording was so long, one radio Dee Jay first created his own edited short version, for airplay on his station. The Atlantic label also put out a radio-Dee-Jay-friendly edited short version, to further promote sales via radio airplay. Though radio airplay of shorter versions may have promoted the song some, there were many listeners who had only heard a short version, had heard all this hype about what a great piece it was, and who weren't aware of the 17 minute version, which is what all the accolades were about. As a result, many of those short-version-only listeners, thought the praises were much ado about nothing, and ridiculed the song. But time has settled the worth of this wonderful piece, and it's lovely to see new generations discovering it!

The drum solo in the middle was meant to simulate the sound of a human heartbeat. I've always liked this song. I heard it for the first time in 1975 when I was 14. It sounded dated to me. But I listen to it now and I have the reaction that it sounds so stereotypically psychedelic that you almost think it couldn't have actually been written in the real 1960's. . It's as if a rock musician born in 1990 was asked to write "a 1960's psychedelic song" and came up with this.

I believe the different lengths of versions the song was for air play on the radio, my guess. I saw them play this for over 20 minutes live!

My young friend, Congratulations, you have now joined every teenager with a guitar from the last 50 years. I MUST learn this riff!! I LOVE it!

The story goes that the tune was called " In the Garden of Eden" but they misunderstood what was being told to them and they recorded it as "In a Gadda Da Vida" Take it for what it's worth...

8 millions copies the first year and world wide more than 30 millions copies , one of the best drums performers i ever saw , and it was alive ,

This was the first rock song, with a drum solo. But it is also made like a jazz piece, with solos and everything, even with an oriental twist. On top of that, these kids (guitarist is just 17!!) know their instruments!

These guys played at my High School because apparently, the drummer went to our school, they had a light show old-style that looked like that album cover!

In the garden of Eden.....In a dada Vida STONED

Pink Floyd is going to be a blast. 🎵🎙🎧

When I was in high school in 68,69 and 70 almost every guy to play this drum solo on their textbooks or on their desk, and we did

When I was living in the dorm at college, I would often hear the opening organ notes blaring out at 3 a.m. from a guy's room down the hall and know I would not get any sleep for at least 17 minutes.

Name of song was accident guy was drunk when recording muffle out in a slur and it stuck

This is the sound a butterfly makes when it's flapping it's wings

Great suggestion from Dad. But you absolutely could play guitar like this and I think Dad now needs to buy you a WahWah pedal.

Just beamed into your channel, during the 1960's, radio stations only played the short versions. My generation was blown away when we heard to 17 minute version. One must have day glow posters, black lights everywhere and a strobe light for the full effect. 👍 The keyboard player was the singer and his father was a preacher, I suspect the church sounding part was a homage to his father. I heard those same notes the first time I heard this in 1968. The guitarist was 17 years old when this was recorded. After this drum solo ( the best in my opinion), many bands tried to emulate with their own drummer solos. Wah pedal it was. There is a Simpson episode where Bart swaps out the church lady's organ music from some church song to "In-na-goda-da-vida". Pretty funny!🤣 Regards!

Back in the days of vinyl records, this song took up the entire side of the album it was on.

It's always been my favorite drum solo. Very tribal. Kind of Ginger Baker-esque.

Considered one of the greatest rock songs of that era !

As far as I can remember their first L.P. was called "Heavy" by Iron Butterfly. It was the first music that was self described (then) as "Heavy Metal" and that and all of that type of music followed these guys

RIP drummer, Ron Bushy, who passed away this week at the age of 79.

They were supposed to play Woodstock, but couldn't get there without a helicopter. the producers were overwhelmed all ready, so Iron butterfly, joni Mitchell and several others never made it.

I was nine years old when this came out! It seemed so heavy and ominous to me then! But now I get the genius, of course! Another great review.....

You can tell the organist was classically trained. I think Cream lifted their riff for Sunshine of Your Love from this intro. This was a high school classic! Sounds like dinosaurs in the middle, doesn’t it? Notice how the drummer never gets a break. People were definitely on a “ trip” when listening to this !

They were looking for a band name of complete opposites. Hence Iron Butterfly!

As a freshman in college 1968 when this erupted, you can not imagine what an impact it had. The dorm room opposite ours faced married student housing, an enclave for grad students and new mothers, so of course at 1AM they felt it a must to share this distortion with them by placing their stereo speakers on the ledge outside their windows and blasting 'In A Godda Da Vida' to the world. I do not recall if they were expelled or not. THOSE tom toms. Tribal! Tell me Phil was not listening the those drums as a 17 yr old. This influenced countless bands. Acid Rock at its prime. Trippy for sure. Not only heavy metal but progressive rock were spawned. (great pick up on God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen) CLASSIC!

That was a great time period for music. I was 15, exploring all the different kinds of music coming out, finding what appealed to me. There was truly something for everyone.

Great reaction! this song was my introduction to Rock!, it was 1968 I was 6yrs old and my sister bought me this record as a birthday gift. The best thing about it was the Iron Butterfly formed in my hometown of San Diego Ca. I've heard this song live! so many times I've lost count. p.s. on side b of the 45, is a song so spooky, we used it as Halloween music

Classic DJ wants to pee and have a smoke song! You've got a great dad there! 42 years later...I'm reliving the first time i heard it through your ears, it's an honor, seriously! You make me proud Daniel!

A dark room a black light some posters and a dooby is the only way to truly enjoy this

3 minute version was for the singles' version, the 8 min version for the movie MANHUNTER(1986) the 17 minute version for the album. 1st of the long long drum solos.

It's phoneticly sung. Like you said in your intro, it means in the garden of Eden. Guy's back in the day smoked fat ones listening to this!😝

That scraping sound is almost like Godzilla roar.

Not sure if anyone else has brought it up, but an interesting note: when Doug Ingle wrote it, he hadn't intended for it to run 17 minutes long; he simply knew there would be room for solos. It also appears in "Manhunter", the first Hannibal Lecter film, and Bart uses it as a prank church hymn in an episode of "The Simpsons".

To play guitar like these guys, it has to be an obsession with you. They say that Jimi Hendrix carried a guitar everywhere he went...everywhere including the bathroom. They say he played it constantly.

The guitarist was only 17 years old when playing this.

BTW, for a great riff, check out Deep Purple Smoke on the Water.

One does not pause the 17 minute version of this song! :)

There's a live version of this 17 minute song here on RU-vid. This is one of the first albums I ever bought when I was a young teen. The drum solo alone is what drew me into the song in the first place. I have this in my private YT playlist so I can easily access it when I want to go back to a simpler, more civil time in my world. Thanks, Daniel. And here's a link to the live video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-UIVe-rZBcm4.html (Yes, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is definitely in there! :) EDIT: And Yes, I've always heard elephants, too!

I've made this comment before, elsewhere, about this record, and I'll say it here. (And I stand by it, because I was a kid in junior high school school when this record came out, so I was there.) Although there had been records before with drums solos, especially in jazz, this recording ignited the extended drum solo in rock concerts from here on out. I remember it started with this song in school, then extended to other songs by high school. The extended drum solo is now a staple of rock concerts, these ~55 years later, fueled originally by this 1968 recording. Heck! Even a year later, Ringo "had" to do a solo on "Abbey Road." In Jan. 1969, Chicago recorded an extended drum solo for their debut LP.

When I first hear the organ solo, I envision a pharoah in a sarcophagus, being transported to his pyramid.

In high school I use to play drum solo using 2 architect scales on desk in drafting class. I know, weird but I was addicted to the song. The scales were beat oh don't ya know!

This came out the year I got out of the Navy, 1968.

I heard the Butterfly play this live at the Stampede Corral in Calgary, Canada on August 28, 1970.

Heavy Metal, 1969, pre Black Sabbath. Iron (heavy) Butterfly 🦋 The one section absolutely sounds like an elephant 🐘. Definitely a journey. What I really like is that the music takes you on a journey of your own interpretation. The Egyptian music takes you through time and the history of us all. Thank you, I've been a fan of this song since 1969 and have never tired of it.

LOL you're very first break I have to comment haven't really listened to the drums much I like to listen to them independently. Lol I can't help but think Just Wait!

This was 1968. Black Sabbath was years away. The organ is a Hammond B3, with tube amps. Each particular instrament had its own 'personality' due to the differences in tube quality over their life. The guitar is first heavily fuzzed, then later 'wahwahed'. He also uses attack delay. Not sure what style pickups are used, but it guitar is likely a Strat'

Bought this LP while a sophomore in HS. Good 6-7 years before Black Sabbath. Was really not into psychedelic music, but loved this song...

Great song , high school days of my past so memories flooding back . Check out so some Steppinwolf Pusher , full version if you get a chance .

Djs could take a bathroom break and grab a cup of coffee while this song played.

As a teen listening to this, I always closed my eyes. This song was so hypnotic.

Also featured in a Simpson episode where Bart swaps the church organist music with this piece "Wait a minute, this sounds like Rock and or Roll" "by I. Ron Butterfly"

The 30 minute one was on the long playing album and the shorter version was played on the radio. I never knew there was this version.

Cool dad request. If you are interested in a progressive lyrical whirlwind I suggest “supper’s ready” by Genesis.

Iron: dense, solid, heavy. Butterfly: ethereal, light. Iron Butterfly: heavy & light, at the same time... 1968. a special time in the history of Rock (n' Roll.) This piece was a statement. Heavy and light at the same time. It quickly became touchstone of overindulgence and was reviled almost at it's infancy. I think, over time, it's become more of a touchstone of a time, where it's meaning, it's importance has come into it's own. It IS a great song (piece of music) and it was a major milestone, which wasn't appreciated in it's own time. It was (perhaps unexpectedly) before it's time. Too much, too soon, in 1968.

Perhaps the first [?], and the best hard rock symphony.