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
Spontaneous Combustion
Ted Nugent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm so nervous I feel sick - I hope I don't come off like a jerk
I went all out, I washed my hair
I searched and found some clean underwear
She's so hot I can't resist
I don't know what I'll do if she gives me that first kiss
Spontaneous, spontaneous, combustion, combustion
Spontaneous, spontaneous, combustion, combustion
I can't wait to tell everybody everything
I'm bustin' right out of my skin
I can't wait to tell everybody everything
Now I'm at the part that I really hate
I know her dad knows what I anticipate
I'm sweating from the moment I shake his hand
He can read my mind, I know he understands
She said they liked me, but I felt absurd
I found the nerve but I lost the words
I'm just a geek a few hours from bliss
I'm gonna explode when she gives me that first kiss
Spontaneous, spontaneous, combustion, combustion
Spontaneous, spontaneous, combustion, combustion
I'm bustin' right out of my skin
I can't wait to tell everybody everything
I'm bustin' right out of my skin
I can't wait to tell everybody everything
It's so close I can taste it
I just hope that I don't waste it
She's so close, hope I don't show it
Excited I don't wanna blow it
Spontaneous, spontaneous, combustion, combustion
Spontaneous, spontaneous, combustion, combustion
I'm bustin' right out of my skin
I can't wait to tell everybody everything
I'm bustin' right out of my skin
I can't wait to tell everybody everything
Spontaneous, spontaneous, combustion, combustion(
I'm bustin' right out of my skin)
Spontaneous, spontaneous, combustion, combustion(
I'm bustin' right out of my skin)
Spontaneous, spontaneous, combustion, combustion(
I'm bustin' right out of my skin)
Spontaneous, spontaneous(
I can't wait to tell everybody everything)
Combustion, combustion(
I'm bustin' right out of my skin)
Spontaneous, spontaneous(
I can't wait to tell everybody everything)
Combustion, combustion
Spontaneous, spontaneous(
I can't wait to tell everybody everything)
The lyrics to Ted Nugent's song Spontaneous Combustion talk about the nerves and excitement of a young man who is getting ready to go on a date with a girl he really likes. He is so nervous that he is afraid of coming off as a jerk. He has prepared himself as much as possible and even searched for clean underwear. The nervousness and excitement build up so much that he feels like he is about to burst at the seams. He is worried about meeting her father and what he may think of him. He hopes to impress her family and doesn't want to make a fool of himself. The song expresses the excitement and anticipation of young love and the feeling of being on the brink of something life-changing.
The lyrics use the metaphor of spontaneous combustion to convey the intensity of the singer's emotions, which he feels are so strong that he might literally burst into flames. The use of repetition, with the chorus repeating "spontaneous combustion," emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the singer's feelings. The singer feels like he is ready to tell everybody everything, and emphasizes his eagerness to share his excitement with the world.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on my way but I don't know what to do or where to go
I'm heading to see someone but I'm feeling uncertain about what to say or do when I get there
I'm so nervous I feel sick - I hope I don't come off like a jerk
I'm very anxious and worried that I'll seem foolish or awkward in front of the person I'm going to see
I went all out, I washed my hair
I made an extra effort to look and feel my best for this occasion
I searched and found some clean underwear
I took care of all aspects of my personal hygiene, including changing my underwear
She's so hot I can't resist
I'm very physically attracted to the person I'm going to see and find it hard to contain my desire
I don't know what I'll do if she gives me that first kiss
I'm excited and nervous at the prospect of kissing the person I'm going to see
Spontaneous, spontaneous, combustion, combustion
The emotional energy I'm feeling is building to a point of explosive intensity
I'm bustin' right out of my skin
I'm feeling so overwhelmed with emotion that it's physically affecting me
I can't wait to tell everybody everything
I'm eager to share my experience with others and talk about what happened
Now I'm at the part that I really hate
I've reached the part of the visit that makes me very uncomfortable
I know her dad knows what I anticipate
I'm worried that the person's father is aware of my intentions and is judging me
I'm sweating from the moment I shake his hand
I'm so anxious that my physical symptoms are becoming visible
He can read my mind, I know he understands
I feel like the father is able to perceive my thoughts and intentions
She said they liked me, but I felt absurd
The person I'm visiting has said that their family likes me, but I feel awkward and out of place regardless
I found the nerve but I lost the words
I managed to gather the courage to speak up, but now I'm struggling to articulate myself
I'm just a geek a few hours from bliss
I feel like an awkward outsider who is out of their depth, but I'm hoping that things will improve soon
I'm gonna explode when she gives me that first kiss
I'm anticipating the moment when the person I'm visiting will make a romantic advance, and I'm feeling overwhelmed with excitement
It's so close I can taste it
I'm very near to achieving my desired outcome, and I can sense that victory is near
I just hope that I don't waste it
I'm worried that I'll misstep or make a mistake that will ruin my chances of success
She's so close, hope I don't show it
Despite my intense feelings of attraction, I'm trying to remain composed and not reveal my emotions too overtly
Excited I don't wanna blow it
I'm extremely excited by the possibilities of what might happen, but I'm trying not to let my excitement overwhelm me
Writer(s): T. Nugent
Contributed by Lila H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.