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
Primitive Man
Ted Nugent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fire burnin hot
The clan had all assembled
Fanned the flames of God
The witch doctor had spoken
The children hid in fear
The chief and all his warriors
They sacrificed the deer
Well, you sing with me baby
The bravado for your soul
Top of the pecking order
You know I'm in control
See its dog eat dog
With the violence in the air
Let's keep it simple baby
You know damn well I care
I'm a primitive man
Doin what I can
Well, I'm a modern man from hell
With a duty on my mind
Takin care of family
You know the job is mine
King of my castle
Don't you dare tread on me
Cause if you cross that sacred line
I'll blow you all away
I'm a primitive man
Doin what I can
I'm a primitive man
Doin what I can
You should have seen me comin
Was now all-free to go
Boys knew winter was comin
Buffalo drive movin with the wind
White man he had no spirit
Civilization, the curse of man
Civilization, the curse of man
I'm a primitive man
Doin what I can
I'm a primitive man
Doin what I can
I'm a primitive man
Doin what I can
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
I'm a primitive man
Doin the best I can
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Oh, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Ah, Ya, Oh, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Oh, Whoa, Oh, Whoa, Whoa
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Oh, Whoa, Oh, Whoa, Whoa
Oh, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Ya Ya, Oh, Whoa
Oh Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Ah, Ya, Oh, Whoa, Whoa, Oh, Whoa
Oh, Whoa, Whoa, Who
The lyrics of Ted Nugent's song "Primitive Man" depict the savagery and brutality of human civilizations, both past and present. The song starts with a dark and eerie scene, as the clan assembles around a midnight fire. The witch doctor speaks ominously and the children are afraid. The warriors sacrifice a deer to appease the gods, while the chief sings about his control over the others.
The chorus of the song shifts to a modern man's perspective, as he boasts about his duty to take care of his family and protect his territory. He warns others not to cross him, or they will face the consequences. The song then returns to the primitive imagery, with a reference to a buffalo drive, a key element in the survival of native peoples in North America.
Overall, the lyrics suggest that despite the ways in which humans have evolved technologically, there is still a primal force within us that drives us to compete, dominate, and fight for our survival. Nugent seems to suggest that this is both a strength and a weakness of humanity, and that there is something inherently fascinating and powerful about our wild nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it happened after midnight
This event occurred at or after midnight.
Fire burnin hot
The fire was burning at a high temperature.
The clan had all assembled
Members of the clan had all come together in one place.
Fanned the flames of God
The clan increased the intensity of the fire, as if they were serving a deity.
The witch doctor had spoken
The clan listened to the words of the witch doctor.
The children hid in fear
The young members of the clan were scared and concealed themselves.
The chief and all his warriors
The highest authority figure and all his military personnel were present.
They sacrificed the deer
The clan killed and offered up a deer to their deity.
Well, you sing with me baby
Join me in singing, baby.
The bravado for your soul
Exuding confidence so as to benefit your very essence or being.
Top of the pecking order
At the highest level of a hierarchy.
You know I'm in control
You understand that I am the one with authority and influence.
See its dog eat dog
The situation is highly competitive or even ruthless.
With the violence in the air
Violence, as an abstract concept, is present in the environment or atmosphere.
Let's keep it simple baby
Let's make things easy or uncomplicated, baby.
You know damn well I care
You are fully aware that I care deeply.
I'm a primitive man
I am a person who is primitive in nature or character.
Doin what I can
I am striving to accomplish what I am capable of.
Well, I'm a modern man from hell
I am a contemporary individual from an undesirable or distressing situation.
With a duty on my mind
I am preoccupied by an obligation or responsibility.
Takin care of family
I am ensuring the well-being of my family.
You know the job is mine
You know that the responsibility belongs to me.
King of my castle
I am the ruler or the most powerful individual in my domain.
Don't you dare tread on me
You had better not violate my rights or provoke me.
Cause if you cross that sacred line
If you transgress the boundary that is deemed sacred, then...
I'll blow you all away
...I will use force and violence to eliminate you all.
You should have seen me comin
You would have benefited from being able to anticipate my arrival.
Was now all-free to go
There were no obstacles to prevent me from leaving.
Boys knew winter was comin
These boys were aware that winter was approaching.
Buffalo drive movin with the wind
The movement of the buffalo herd was facilitated by the wind blowing in a certain direction.
White man he had no spirit
Caucasian humans lacked a certain intangible quality or essence.
Civilization, the curse of man
The development and advancement of human society was actually detrimental to its well-being.
I'm a primitive man
I am a person who is primitive in nature or character.
Doin what I can
I am striving to accomplish what I am capable of.
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Interjection used to express surprise, enthusiasm or to call attention to something.
Oh, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Interjection used to convey strong feelings of expectation or disappointment.
Ah, Ya, Oh, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Interjection used to indicate interest, agreement, disagreement, or frustration.
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Interjection used to express surprise, enthusiasm or to call attention to something.
Oh, Whoa, Oh, Whoa, Whoa
Interjection used to convey strong feelings of expectation or disappointment.
Oh, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa
Interjection used to convey strong feelings of expectation or disappointment.
Ya Ya, Oh, Whoa
Interjection used to indicate mild surprise or agreement.
Ah, Ya, Oh, Whoa, Whoa, Oh, Whoa
Interjection used to indicate interest, agreement, disagreement, or frustration.
Oh, Whoa, Whoa
Interjection used to convey strong feelings of expectation or disappointment.
Contributed by Owen T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.