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
Paralyzed
Ted Nugent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You lost your emotions. You're paralyzed
Amputate your logic, you're hypnotized
You show no emotion. You're paralyzed
Don't you know you crucify yourself, oh, no
And know you been spending your nights alone
The lights are on but there's nobody home
You don't know where you come from. You're not too wise
You got nowhere to run to. You paralyzed
Can you feel your body? Can you move your eyes?
Can you feel your heartbeat? Well, are you paralyzed?
Paralyzed
The lyrics to Ted Nugent's song "Paralyzed" are about a person who has lost their emotions and felt hypnotized, resulting in them being paralyzed. Nugent is on a "mission of mercy" and testifying to the individual that they are killing themselves and no one else. The verse "amputate your logic" indicates that the person has lost their ability to think critically, contributing to their paralysis. Nugent warns that the person is crucifying themselves and has nowhere to run, indicating a sense of hopelessness.
The chorus of the song asks whether the individual can feel their body, move their eyes, and feel their heartbeat. It is as if he is asking them to snap out of it to get their emotions back and make a change. The line "you spent your nights alone" could suggest that the person has isolated themselves, almost as if they are further deepening their paralysis. Nugent's message is a warning that a person can lose themselves through their actions and emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on a mission of mercy. I gotta testify
I am here to help and share my message with the world
You lost your emotions. You're paralyzed
You are unable to feel or show any emotions
Amputate your logic, you're hypnotized
Stop overthinking and overanalyzing things, don't be controlled by your thoughts
You show no emotion. You're paralyzed
You are emotionally numb and unable to respond to situations accordingly
Don't you know you crucify yourself, oh, no
You are hurting yourself by not allowing yourself to be emotionally available and expressive
You're killin' you and nobody else
Your lack of emotion is causing harm to yourself, not to others
And know you been spending your nights alone
You are isolating yourself and not seeking help or support from others
The lights are on but there's nobody home
You may physically be present, but you are not emotionally available or engaged
You don't know where you come from. You're not too wise
You lack self-awareness and may not fully understand your own background or experiences
You got nowhere to run to. You paralyzed
You feel trapped and unable to escape your emotional numbness
Can you feel your body? Can you move your eyes?
A rhetorical question asking if you are truly present and connected to your own body and surroundings
Can you feel your heartbeat? Well, are you paralyzed?
Another rhetorical question asking if you are truly alive and if you are allowing yourself to feel and experience emotions
Paralyzed
The repeating lyrical phrase that emphasizes the overall theme of emotional numbness and immobility
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Theodore Nugent
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brandon Hendrix
Another winner from Ted's golden age ('75-'81--after that you're on your own).
Nugent's politics? Couldn't care less. (For the record, I'm one of those Right on some issues, Left on others--type guy.) Hunting? Is what it is. Not something I would do personally but I'm not a vegetarian either so it would be hypocritical to say it's "wrong". His outrageous arch-conservative political statements? Ted's a showman and it's ALL part of the show, baby! I don't take them that seriously. (Though I can do without the "God Bless America" shtick, save that for the phony politicians Ted, will ya?)
All I care about is he can sing like a mofo, has a knack for writing killer riffs, and plays guitar like hellfire!
It doesn't get mentioned enough is the Nuge was one of the last survivors of the incredible Detroit rock & roll scene (eg--Stooges, MC5, Alice Cooper, Bob Seger, Grand Funk (yeah, I know they were the black sheep and were from Flint but still) etc--all of whom either broke up or went solo and did different styles of music) and his music--at least his 70's stuff carried on that tradition.
So, in other words, just get up, get funky, leave the politics at the door (I know Ted doesn't but remember: part of the show), and just enjoy the skull-shredding music of the Motor City Madman and some of the best kick-ass American rock & roll ever.
Darth Fuzztone
Probably my favorite Ted song. The way is builds up to that scream at the end is badass.
Willy Maykit
11 years later and I'm still here.
Raymond Ross
You know when your 6-year-old daughter adores this song-- I love this song!
Jinnifer M
AWESOME!!! 😍
C. C.
This is the tune I break out whenever someone tells me they hate Nugent. It always ends with 'Well, I still can't stand his politics, but godDAMN that's an incredible song!'
Mike Piccolo
Lové thé intensity
BadSneakers
I had a wreck heading back from a party and when the car finally came to a stop this song was still blaring! I had to pull it out of 8 track thing before getting out of car
Corey Keer
I love Ted !!!!
Emmett Burnes
ROCK ON TED 🇺🇸🇺🇸🤘 MY HERO!!!
Elena Simonazzi
Great Ted.Great Rocker!