Vol V, Issue 9 – Journey to the center of the mind (01 Sept 2020)

For the love of rock

Vol V, Issue 9 – Journey to the center of the mind (01 Sept 2020)

www.intheloveofrock.com

 

Name of song– Journey to the center of the mind

Band – The Amboy Dukes

Writers– Ted Nugent & Steve Farmer

Release year– 1968

Album – Journey to the Center of the Mind

Peak chart positions

# 16 – Billboard Charts

# 19 – Canadian Charts

                         Journey to the center of the mind

 “The Amboy Dukes” may not have had series of hit numbers to their credit, but their contribution to the genre of psychedelic rock is just enormous. Formed in 1964 in Chicago by Ted Nugent, the band soon relocated to Detroit and from there, they soared into the world of psychedelic acid rock. Interestingly, their name was derived from one of The Rolling Stones cover band in Detroit, who had just disbanded, who themselves had picked up the name from the title of a novel by Irving Shulman. Their debut album and second album “Journey to the Center of the Mind” were most successful ones among the total eight albums produced during their career. Except for Ted Nugent, the band had several line-up changes, and ultimately got disbanded in 1975. Although they had only one hit single, they did shape the psychedelic rock and also helped engineer the solo careers of its members.

With their debut album “The Amboy Dukes” in 1967, they gained attention of the rock fans. The album had cover versions, including a blues classic “Baby! Please Don’t Go,” and originals by team of Ted Nugent and Steve Farmer, giving incredible momentum to a fresh rock debut band. The second album “Journey to the Center of the Mind” comprised of more original psychedelic numbers and helped the band establish as prominent stars in the psychedelic rock. It is an interesting fact that Ted Nugent, the leader of a prototype psychedelic rock band, claims never to have done drugs!

“Journey to the center of the mind” was the only hit single in their career. An amazingly crafted acid song about a trip, the song perhaps can’t be more psychedelic than it is. Penned by Farmer and Nugent, the song opens with attractively with creaky rhythm by Steve, rocking bass by Greg Arama and beating drums by Dave Palmer. Nugent’s stereotype guitar skill is undoubtedly the highlight of the song. The song describes the psychedelic trip where a person gets the chance to know oneself and enjoy the fantasies of his mind. A peaceful, self content song of an acid tripper, the song definitely is the zenith of Nugent’s guitar playing. Haunting rhythm with driving bass and skillfully melodious lead, the song actually defined the psychedelic and hippie era of the late sixties.

Yes, there is no doubt that “The Amboy Dukes” shaped the career of Ted Nugent and various other members, the actual gift that they have given to the world is this wonderful journey to the centers of our minds!!!! In fact, this journey to the center of the mind is never going to end…..just close your eyes, and begin the journey towards your mind…

Happy listening!!!

Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com

 

            Journey to the center of the mind
Leave your cares behind
Come with us and find
The pleasures of a journey to the center of the mind
Come along if you care
Come along if you dare
Take a ride to the land inside of your mind

Beyond the seas of thought
Beyond the realm of what
Across the streams of hopes and dreams where things are really not
Come along if you care
Come along if you dare
Take a ride to the land inside of your mind

But please realize
You’ll probably be surprised
For it’s the land unknown to man
Where fantasy is fact
So if you can, please understand
You might not come back
Come along if you care
Come along if you dare
Take a ride to the land inside and you’ll see
How happy life could be
If all of mankind
Would take the time to journey to the center of the mind
Would take the time to journey to the center of the mind
Center of the mind

Lyrics link-https://genius.com/The-amboy-dukes-journey-to-the-center-of-the-mind-lyrics

Video link- https://youtu.be/a7Af3K9UUB4