He got his start around 1965 when, as a teenager living in Chicago inspired by contemporary rock n roll, he formed the first version of The Amboy Dukes. The name harks back to a somewhat infamous exploitation novel of the time. When Nugent went back to his Michigan roots in 1967, he assembled what would be the classic line-up of the Dukes, and they built a reputation as a raucous group. Their 1968 album Journey to the Center of the Mind, the title track blasting into the top 20, brought the band national stardom, but they would become bogged down in inter-group conflicts that left the Nuge the sole constant member.
Going solo, Nugent achieve fame as a solo artist for an arena-ready mix of hard rock with blues and psychedelic influences, particularly getting a reputation for wild stage performances by antics such as playing dressed as Tarzan (with just a loincloth on). In the 80s, the Nuge even tried his hand at acting in a haunting episode of the TV drama Miami Vice. It received both a strong critical and fan response.
In 1989, he joined Tommy Shaw of Styx, Jack Blades of Night Ranger, and drummer legend Michael Cartellone to form the hard rock supergroup Damn Yankees, which produced the 90s chart toppers "Come Again", a Billboard's #1, and "High Enough", an emotional power ballad (backed by a string section no less). The latter track led to the creation of a popular music video, the song reaching #3 on the U.S. Hot 100 and #2 on the AOR charts. After the band's folding, the Nuge continued his solo career and even managed yet another stint in a rock supergroup, this one being the TV series produced Damnocracy
Outside of music, Nugent has gained fame and notoriety, leading to widespread controversy, for his support of hunting and for various conservative political causes. His comments vehemently blasting various public figures from Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have brought his name frequently to the headlines. He's also an important member of the NRA (National Rifle Association). He's written four books and numerous articles while also appearing many times in the news media, with his autobiography appropriately titled 'God, Guns, & Rock n' Roll.'
Besides a regular reality type show on cable showcasing Ted's outdoorsman skills, his most recent foray in music was the aformentioned reality television show, titled 'Supergroup', which resulted in the creation of band called Damnocracy. The band's other members were Sebastian Bach (formerly of Skid Row), Scott Ian (Anthrax) Jason Bonham ("Bonham", son of Zeppelin's John Bonham) and Evan Seinfeld (Biohazard). Though coming to an end quickly, it generated a large fan response.
Throughout his career, Nugent has climbed up the Billboard charts with multiple singles and albums. His latest album was titled 'Ultralive Ballisticrock', and he released it in 2013 through Frontiers Records. He continues to tour as of 2014, and plans for yet another album is in the works.
American rocker Ted Nugent has unveiled a lyric video for his new single “Come And Take It” from his upcoming studio album Detroit Muscle, which will be released via Pavement Music on April 29, 2022.
For photographs and more information see Ted Nugent's official website, www.TedNugent.com
Fred Bear
Ted Nugent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I felt right at home where I belong
I had that feelin' comin' over me again
Just like it happened so many times before
The spirit of the woods is like an old good friend
It makes me feel warm and good inside
I knew his name and it was good to see him again
Oh, Fred Bear, walk with me down the trails again
Take me back, back where I belong
Oh, Fred Bear, I'm glad to have you at my side, my friend
And I'll join you in the big hunt before too long
Before too long
It was kinda dark, another misty dusk
And it came from a tangle down below
I tried to remember everything he taught me so well
I had to decide which way to go
Was I alone or in a hunter's dream?
'cause the moment of truth was here and now
I felt his touch, I felt his guiding hand
The buck was mine, forevermore
Because of Fred Bear
I'll walk down these trails again
Take me back where I belong
Oh, Fred Bear, I'm glad to have you at my side my friend
And I'll join you in the big hunt before too long
We're not alone when we're in the great outdoors
We got his spirit, we've got his soul
He will guide our steps, he'll guide our arrows home
The restless spirit forever roams
Fred Bear, walk with me down the trails again
Take me back, back where I belong
Oh, Fred Bear, I'm glad to have you at my side, my friend
And I'll join you on the big hunt before too long
Oh, Fred Bear, walk with me down the trails again
Take me back, back where I belong
Oh, Fred Bear, I'm glad to have you at my side, my friend
And I'll join you in the big hunt before too long
In the wind he's still alive
In the wind he's still alive
In the wind he's still alive
In the wind he's still alive
In the wind, I hear, I hear Fred Bear
(I hear ya Fred,
Talk to me,
yea ,
its all right
lets go hunting baby
Say Fred, you go up on that ridge
And I'll go down in the swamp
We'll get that buck)
(Fred)
(If some of our teenage thrill seeker really want to go out and get a thrill.
Let them go up into the north west and let them tangle with a Grizzly bear
or Polar bear or brown bear and get that effect that will cleanse the soul
The lyrics to Ted Nugent's "Fred Bear" describe the singer's experience returning to the wilderness, a place where he feels he "belongs." The "spirit of the woods" is compared to an "old good friend" that warms and comforts the singer. He remembers his hunting mentor, Fred Bear, and the lessons he taught him about the wilderness. As he follows a buck that crosses his path, he feels Fred's presence and guidance, leading him to a successful hunt. The song shows the deep respect and affection hunters have for nature and their mentors.
Line by Line Meaning
There I was, back in the wild again
Returning to nature
And I felt right at home where I belong
Feeling at ease in the outdoors
I had that feelin' comin' over me again
Familiar emotions returning
Just like it happened so many times before
Reliving past experiences
The spirit of the woods is like an old good friend
Feeling a connection to nature
It makes me feel warm and good inside
Nature brings joy and comfort
I knew his name and it was good to see him again
Recognizing a familiar presence
'Cause in the wind he's still alive
Honoring a departed friend
Oh, Fred Bear, walk with me down the trails again
Invoking the memory of a friend
Take me back, back where I belong
Returning to a natural habitat
Oh, Fred Bear, I'm glad to have you at my side, my friend
Grateful for the companionship
And I'll join you in the big hunt before too long
Continuing the shared passion for hunting
Before too long
Excited for the next adventure
It was kinda dark, another misty dusk
Facing uncertain conditions
And it came from a tangle down below
Hearing sounds from an unknown source
I tried to remember everything he taught me so well
Recalling the wisdom of a mentor
I had to decide which way to go
Following instincts and intuition
Was I alone or in a hunter's dream?
Questioning reality
'cause the moment of truth was here and now
Facing a pivotal moment
I felt his touch, I felt his guiding hand
Feeling the presence of a friend
The buck was mine, forevermore
Achieving success through shared knowledge
Because of Fred Bear
Acknowledging the role a friend played in success
We're not alone when we're in the great outdoors
Feeling connected to the natural world
We got his spirit, we've got his soul
Honoring the friend's legacy
He will guide our steps, he'll guide our arrows home
Believing in the power of a departed friend's influence
The restless spirit forever roams
Remembering the spirit of a departed friend
In the wind he's still alive
Finding comfort in memory
In the wind, I hear, I hear Fred Bear
Hearing the voice of a departed friend
Say Fred, you go up on that ridge
Collaborating on a hunting plan
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TED NUGENT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sören
There I was, back in the wild again
And I felt right at home where I belong
I had that feelin' comin' over me again
Just like it happened so many times before
The spirit of the woods is like an old good friend
It makes me feel warm and good inside
I knew his name and it was good to see him again
"Cause in the wind he's still alive
Oh, Fred Bear, walk with me down the trails again
Take me back, back where I belong
Oh, Fred Bear, I'm glad to have you at my side, my friend
And I'll join you in the big hunt before too long
Before too long
It was kinda dark, another misty dusk
And it came from a tangle down below
I tried to remember everything he taught me so well
I had to decide which way to go
Was I alone or in a hunter's dream?
"Cause the moment of truth was here and now
I felt his touch, I felt his guiding hand
The buck was mine, forevermore
Because of Fred Bear
I'll walk down these trails again
Take me back where I belong
Oh, Fred Bear, I'm glad to have you at my side my friend
And I'll join you in the big hunt before too long
We're not alone when we're in the great outdoors
We got his spirit, we've got his soul
He will guide our steps, he'll guide our arrows home
The restless spirit forever roams
Fred Bear, walk with me down the trails again
Take me back, back where I belong
Oh, Fred Bear, I'm glad to have you at my side, my friend
And I'll join you on the big hunt before too long
Oh, Fred Bear, walk with me down the trails again
Take me back, back where I belong
Oh, Fred Bear, I'm glad to have you at my side, my friend
And I'll join you in the big hunt before too long
In the wind he's still alive
In the wind he's still alive
In the wind he's still alive
In the wind he's still alive
In the wind, I hear, I hear Fred Bear
(I hear ya Fred,
Talk to me,
Yea,
Its all right
Yea, lets go hunting baby
Say Fred, you go up that ridge
And I'll go down in the swamp
We'll get that buck)
(Fred)
(If some of our teenage thrill seekers really want to go out and get a thrill. Let them go up into the north west and let them tangle with a Grizzly bear or Polar bear or brown bear and get that effect that will cleanse the soul)
Robert Hesse
I'm 64 my son is 29 we've listened to this song every opening day of deer season since he was 12. Update: I'm 66 now and he's 31 and guess what we listened to it for the start of bow season 2022 in Tennessee, Uncle Ted! Wack and stack, and fry up some back straps, it doesn't get any better then this. Rock on!
Corey Colón
I'm 31 my step dad would be 51 and I remember him playing this when I was a kid been a opening day song for me since I started hunting on my own a few years back this and ac/dc shoot to thrill get a nice buck every time ❤
Garrett Romer
Good man dad does the same thing. I just turned 30 this year. I would go as far to say hunting saved my life from heroin addiction.
PepperjackZack
Same with me and my uncle, this year was the first time we didn’t :( I still played it though
Stale Pancakes 420
I'm 27. My pops introduced this song to me shortly after I completed hunters safety. I absolutely loved it and always have since that first time listening to it. Fast forward 10-15 years later and now my pops owns 40 acres of prime hunting land. I listen to this song every morning driving to his house to go sit in the woods. This song just makes me feel good
David Hill
Yes sir the first time I ever heard this song was actually the opening day of modern gun deer season and I had just got back in the truck from opening the gate. Greatest quarter mile to deer camp EVER
Johnny Lakewood
We played this at my dad's funeral. He loved this song. I can still feel him in the wind🌬❤
Tammy Bolen
One if my husband's favorite songs. He died 6 years ago yesterday. Fly high Wade
MrsObamasveggies
R.I.P Grandpa Fred. Taught me the spirit of the woods, how to be a good man, and dirty jokes that I didn't understand until years later. Miss you my friend.
Gregory Kinney
"Say Fred, you go up that ridge, and I'll go down in the... swamp. We'll get that buck", gives me goosebumps everytime I hear it.