1968 — If you were in high school, you listened to the Top 40, waiting for your favorite song to come on the radio — probably a little transistor radio about the same size as a deck of cards — and maybe you had a single earpiece in your ear so you wouldn’t bother your parents. It might have looked a lot like this:
And when Iron Butterfly’s “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” came on, you were probably like,
“Ohmigod! I hope it’s the long one!” You and all your friends.
Lyrics from SongMeanings
“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” written by and Douglas Ingle
*
In-a-gadda-da-vida, honey,
Don’tcha know that I love you?
In-a-gadda-da-vida, baby,
Don’tcha know that I’ll always be true?Oh, won’tcha come with me,
And take my hand?
Oh, won’tcha come with me,
And walk this land?Please, take my hand…
Let me tell ya now.
In-a-gadda-da-vida, honey,
Don’tcha know that I love you?In a gadda da vida, baby,
Don’tcha know that I’ll always be true?
Oh, won’tcha come with me,
And take my hand?Oh, won’tcha come with me,
And walk this land?
Please, take my hand…
Let me tell ya.Two, three, four!
In-a-gadda-da-vida, honey,
Don’tcha know that I love you?
In-a-gadda-da-vida, baby,
Don’tcha know that I’ll always be true?
In-a-gadda-da-vida, baby,
Don’tcha know that I’ll always be true?Oh, won’tcha come with me,
And take my hand?
Oh, won’tcha come with me,
And walk this land?Please, take my hand…
Let me tell ya now.
In-a-gadda-da-vida, honey,
Don’tcha know that I love you?In a gadda da vida, baby,
Don’tcha know that I’ll always be true?
Oh, won’tcha come with me,
And take my hand?Oh, won’tcha come with me,
And walk this land?
Please, take my hand…
Let me tell ya.Two, three, four!
In-a-gadda-da-vida, honey,
Don’tcha know that I love you?
In-a-gadda-da-vida, baby,
Don’tcha know that I’ll always be true?
Do you remember what In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was supposed to mean?
Space, Time, and Raspberries 
WOW! Haven’t heard this since 1974- thank you for the memory!!
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You’re welcome. It tickles me that this brings back so many memories to those of us who were discovering this music at it’s birth.
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You know, this was one of my favorite songs! Meaning,” In the garden of Eden.” Oh, and we loved our transistor radios. Those ear phones came in handy when we were supposed to be sleeping, but wanted to listen to the station that had spooky stories late at night. At least that’s what I did
.
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I didn’t listen to spooky stories, but Dad could hear everything from my room through the air vent, apparently, and didn’t appreciate the same music I did. 😉
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Yep, you’re right: In the Garden of Eden!
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I can only relate in terms of the eighties… We listened to the top 40 songs and had to wait for the radio to play our favorite songs.
I loved the lyrics to this song; although I don’t believe I’ve heard it before. Thanks so much for playing along and sharing some great memories of music!
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Thanks for providing the forum, Helen! I’m guessing your parents didn’t play Oldies for you. 🙂
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My parent’s idea of the oldies is the Rat Pack (well, some of them anyway) and Mozart. They aren’t too much into rock and roll. I had to discover that on my own. 😊
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Swing music and Mozart are great, but they sure aren’t the only kinds of music. Here’s to discovery!
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Absolutely! 😉
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I’m very familiar with the song but have no idea what it means. Googling to find out would be cheating. I’d rather have you enlighten us. BTW, I don’t remember finding the answer to your mystery photo. Hmm?
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I agree about the cheating, but I’ll wait till tomorrow to add the answer here if no one else posts it before then. 😉
(And you’re right about the mystery picture, too. I’ll figure out the best way to share it, and let you know where it is!)
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Marcia, Kim was right. “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” meant “In the Garden of Eden”.
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Oh yes! I vaguely remember that. “Kim” wouldn’t by chance be your sister, Kim?
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That’s my understanding! 😉
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OMG, YES!!!! I was there!!! And I love this song! My boyfriend in high school played lead guitar in a band, and they always played this!!!! But no, I don’t remember, or never knew, what it meant. Just that it was the most awesome song. Thanks for the memory!!!
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You’re welcome. I’m happy to connect with a sister of my soul!
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Kim got it right — it meant “In the Garden of Eden”.
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