In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida is the second studio album by the American rock band Iron Butterfly, released in June 1968. It is most known for its title track, a 17-minute composition which occupies the whole of Side B.
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 14, 1968 | |||
Recorded | First half of 1968 (side two was recorded on May 27, 1968) | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | ||||
Length | 36:15 | |||
Label | Atco | |||
Producer | Jim Hilton | |||
Iron Butterfly chronology | ||||
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Singles from In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida | ||||
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The In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard albums chart.[1][2] It sold more than eight million copies within its first year of release,[3] outselling every record in the history of recorded music to that time,[4] and achieved worldwide sales of over 30 million copies.[a] It was the biggest selling album for the year 1969 in the US.[12] For a number of years it was the biggest selling item in Atlantic Records' catalogue.[13] It was officially certified a Gold album in 1968 in the United States, then on January 26, 1993, it was certified 4× Platinum.[14]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [15] |
Rolling Stone | Negative[16] |
Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [17] |
In a retrospective review for AllMusic, Stephen Thomas Erlewine calls the title track "the epitome of heavy psychedelic excess," and feels that the rest of the songs "qualify as good artifacts."[15] It was voted number 783 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums.[18]
All tracks are written by Doug Ingle, except "Termination", by Erik Brann and Lee Dorman.
Side one
Side two
A "deluxe edition" of In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida was released in 1995. It included material from newly discovered first-generation master tapes, bonus recordings, and a 36-page booklet with photos. This re-release includes three versions of "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida": the 17:05 studio version; the 19-minute live version from Iron Butterfly's Live (which includes a short organ intro), and the 2:52 single edit. The deluxe edition also includes a new cover, similar to the original, but with a moving butterfly flapping its wings and the band members jamming to the song.
Iron Butterfly
All arrangements by Iron Butterfly
Technical
Chart (1968–1970) | Position |
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Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[20] | 14 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[21] | 5 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[22] | 11 |
US Billboard 200[1] | 4 |
Chart (1969) | Position |
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US Billboard 200[12] | 1 |
Year | Single | Chart | Position |
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1968 | "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" | US Billboard Hot 100[23] | 30 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[24] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada)[25] | Gold | 50,000^ |
France (SNEP)[26] | Gold | 100,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[27] | Platinum | 500,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[28] 2001 release |
Silver | 60,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[29] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000^ |
Summaries | ||
Worldwide | — | 30,000,000[a] |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
US singles
Overseas singles