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
Hibernation
Ted Nugent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To what I got to say.
There's hope for tomorrow,
Ooh,we're workin'on today.
Well,it happened long time ago,
In the new magic land.
The Indian and the buffalo,
The Indian needed food,
He needed skins for a roof.
But he only took what they needed,baby.
Millions of buffalo were the proof.
Yeah,its all right.
But then came the white man,
With his thick and empty head.
He couldnt see past the billfold,
He wanted all the buffalo dead.
It was sad...It was sad.
Oh yeah...yes indeed.
Oh yes,
it happened a long time ago,baby.
In the new magic land.
See,the Indian and the buffalo,
They existed hand in hand.
The Indians,they needed some food,
And some skins for a roof.
They only took what they needed,baby.
Millions of buffalo were the proof,yeah.
But then came the white dogs,
With their thick and empty heads.
They couldnt see past the billfold.
They wanted all the buffalo dead.
Everything was SO sad.
When I looked above the canyon wall,
Some strong eyes did I see.
I think its somebody comin' around
To save my ass,baby.
I think...I think he's comin' around
To save you and me.
Boys......
I said, above the canyon wall...
Strong eyes did glow.
It was the leader of the land,baby.
OH MY GOD,
The GREAT WHITE BUFFALO.....
LOOK OUT!!!! LOOK OUT!!!!!!!
Well,he got the battered herd.
He led em cross the land.
With the Great White Buffalo,
They gonna make a final stand.
The Great White Buffalo,
Comin'around to make a final stand.
Well,look out here he comes.
The great white buffalo,baby.
The Great White Buffalo....
Look out,here he comes.
He's doin'all right.
Makin'everything all right.
Yeah,yeah,yeah....
The song "Hibernation" by Ted Nugent is about the extinction of the buffalo and the impact of white settlers on Native Americans. The first verse presents a hopeful message, suggesting that we can work towards a better future, but the rest of the song focuses on the past and the ways in which humans have caused harm to nature and others.
The second verse describes how the Native Americans lived in harmony with nature and took only what they needed, but the arrival of white settlers changed everything. These newcomers saw the buffalo as expendable resources rather than living beings and killed them en masse. The buffalo were essential to the Native Americans for both food and shelter, and the loss of these animals caused great harm to their way of life.
The climax of the song is when the "Great White Buffalo" appears, which represents a symbol of hope for a better future. It is unclear exactly who or what the Great White Buffalo is, but it can be interpreted as a force of nature that is more powerful than the greed and destruction of humans, or perhaps a leader who will guide people towards a new way of living in harmony with nature.
Overall, "Hibernation" is a song that promotes environmentalism and highlights the negative impact of humans on nature and indigenous cultures.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, listen everybody,
Ted Nugent is addressing the listeners and asking them to pay attention to what he is about to say.
To what I got to say.
Ted Nugent believes that he has something important to say, and he wants people to listen to it.
There's hope for tomorrow,
Ted Nugent believes that despite the problems of today, there is hope for the future.
Ooh, we're workin' on today.
Ted Nugent is implying that people need to work hard in order to make things better in the future.
Well, it happened long time ago,
Ted Nugent is referring to an event in the distant past.
In the new magic land.
Ted Nugent is talking about a place that was once beautiful and full of wonder.
The Indian and the buffalo,
Ted Nugent is discussing the relationship between Native Americans and buffalo.
They existed hand in hand....
Ted Nugent is implying that the Native Americans and buffalo once coexisted peacefully and harmoniously.
The Indian needed food,
Ted Nugent is explaining that Native Americans depended on the buffalo for survival.
He needed skins for a roof.
Ted Nugent is saying that Native Americans used buffalo hides to make homes and clothing.
But he only took what they needed, baby.
Ted Nugent is suggesting that Native Americans only took what they required from the buffalo and respected the animals.
Millions of buffalo were the proof.
Ted Nugent is pointing out how many buffalo were still present in this period which suggests the Native eating habits were in line with their ecosystem.
But then came the white man,
Ted Nugent is introducing Caucasians into the narrative.
With his thick and empty head.
Ted Nugent is suggesting that Caucasians were ignorant and foolish in their choices.
He couldnt see past the billfold,
Ted Nugent is criticizing Caucasians, who he feels were driven only by greed and money
He wanted all the buffalo dead.
Ted Nugent is accusing Caucasians of hunting buffalo to extinction without any regard for the animals.
It was sad...It was sad.
Ted Nugent is lamenting the loss of buffalo and the people who depended on them.
Oh yeah...yes indeed.
Ted Nugent is emphasizing that he really believes in what he is saying and that it is significant in some way.
Oh yes,
Ted Nugent is expressing agreement with what he just said.
See, the Indian and the buffalo,
Ted Nugent is repeating the statement he made earlier.
They existed hand in hand.
Ted Nugent is saying that once there was a balance between humans and nature.
The Indians, they needed some food,
Ted Nugent is reiterating the Native Americans’ dependence on the buffalo for their food supply.
And some skins for a roof.
Ted Nugent is saying that Native Americans continued to use buffalo hides for their homes and clothing.
They only took what they needed, baby.
Ted Nugent is emphasizing that the Native Americans only took what they had to, and not much more.
Millions of buffalo were the proof, yeah.
Ted Nugent is reminding us that the buffalo were plentiful when Native Americans lived alongside them.
But then came the white dogs,
Ted Nugent is again emphasizing the arrival of the Caucasians.
With their thick and empty heads.
Ted Nugent is again communicating his dislike of Caucasians and their decision-making process.
They couldnt see past the billfold.
Ted Nugent believes Caucasians would not spare anything in the pursuit of profit.
They wanted all the buffalo dead.
Ted Nugent is suggesting that Caucasians hunted the buffalo to extinction without any regard for the animals.
Everything was SO sad.
Ted Nugent is experiencing sadness about the disappearance of the buffalo and depredation caused by Caucasians.
When I looked above the canyon wall,
Ted Nugent is describing a scene of natural beauty.
Some strong eyes did I see.
Ted Nugent is saying that he saw somebody who seemed strong and able.
I think it's somebody comin' around
Ted Nugent is hopeful that someone is finally coming to help.
To save my ass, baby.
Ted Nugent thinks that this person could save him from danger or difficulty.
I think...I think he's comin' around
Ted Nugent is repeating what he said before.
To save you and me.
Ted Nugent thinks this person could save all those who were affected by the loss of buffalo.
Boys......
Ted Nugent is addressing boys or men in his audience, possibly encouraging them to take action.
I said, above the canyon wall...
Ted Nugent is repeating what he already said at the beginning of this verse.
Strong eyes did glow.
Ted Nugent is reiterating the strength and determination he saw in the person who seemed to be approaching.
It was the leader of the land, baby.
Ted Nugent is saying that the person he has spotted appears to have some kind of authority.
OH MY GOD,
Ted Nugent is indicating that he is surprised or shocked by something extraordinary that he is seeing.
The GREAT WHITE BUFFALO.....
Ted Nugent is dramatizing the arrival of somebody significant, possibly representing hope or change.
LOOK OUT!!!! LOOK OUT!!!!!!!
Ted Nugent is urging people to take notice of the significant occurrence and be ready for any changes that may occur.
Well, he got the battered herd.
Ted Nugent is referring to the person who was leading the buffalo that were in danger.
He led 'em cross the land.
Ted Nugent is suggesting that this person was a savior of sorts for the buffalo.
With the Great White Buffalo,
Ted Nugent is describing this person as being connected to the buffalo in some symbolic way.
They gonna make a final stand.
Ted Nugent is saying they will not compromise on the protection of the buffalo this time.
The Great White Buffalo,
Ted Nugent is describing this person, possibly as a symbol of hope or progress.
Comin' around to make a final stand.
Ted Nugent is suggesting that this person is coming to make a stand against the destruction of the buffalo.
Well, look out here he comes.
Ted Nugent is excited about the arrival of someone who will bring change.
The great white buffalo, baby.
Ted Nugent is emphasizing the importance of this person arriving.
The Great White Buffalo....
Ted Nugent is again referring to this person as a powerful symbol.
Look out, here he comes.
Ted Nugent is suggesting that this person has the ability to change things for the better.
He's doin' all right.
Ted Nugent is saying that he likes what he is seeing and that the situation is on the right track.
Makin' everything all right.
Ted Nugent is saying that this person has the ability to fix things and make everything right again.
Yeah, yeah, yeah....
Ted Nugent is expressing agreement with what he has just said in the previous lines.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: T. NUGENT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
topper jack
I feel the same way. Ted is criticized, but this is one of the very best live r&r albums of all time! The energy of this album is unsurpassed.
john rizzo
Sure is
john taylor
Feel the same omg I have missed this album so much I live this song and the rest of double live gonzo awesome
bonzo22
@john taylor Was non-stop adrenaline pumping Rock back in the day. I first heard this on a cassette, which I still own today lost in my basement somewhere. Great stuff!!!
Scott Fortner
Use to listen to it every morning before school out of my bedroom window sitting on the front porch of my parents house after they left for work. Outside getting my morning attitude adjustment
Corban Eubanks
Uncle Ted
Spartacus0616
I grew up listening to this album. Even to this day, it brings back many childhood memories. My two favorite cuts of this album are, "The Great White Buffalo" 🐃
And "Hibernation". Fantastic album all together.
Ranseler
This album - and this song particularly - are a HUGE part of my childhood. Insane how this holds up even today.
BS
Mine too. Saw him this past summer at Club Casino in Hampton Beach NH. I'm 54. Felt like I was 16 again.
John Cooper
Agree. Used to play drums to this when I was 16-18. I'm 55 now.