The song was covered by the American progressive rock band Tool during a few of their performances in 1998. The song was covered by Oklahoma band Cross Canadian Ragweed as a hidden track on their 2004 album Soul Gravy.
It has been featured in the films Dazed and Confused, Rock Star, Invincible, Superbad, and Bad News Bears as well as the television shows Supernatural, Entourage and House. It is also on the V-ROCK radio station in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. It is a playable track in Guitar Hero World Tour, and in the guitar career it is an encore played after defeating Nugent in a guitar battle. However, the version in World Tour censors the word "bitch" and "higher" whenever they were spoken, and the song is a different recording. Also, Pro Wrestler Kevin Von Erich used this song as his entrance music in World Class Championship Wrestling.
It is also featured over the end credits of the Entourage episode Sorry, Ari, as all Entourage episodes have a tradition of ending with a different song.
The song is played when kicker Mike Nugent of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers comes on to attempt a field goal.
It has been ranked 31st greatest guitar solo of all time by Guitar World.
It is also the intro music for the Detroit Tigers.
It was teased by the band Phish during Mike's Song at the Murat Theatre in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 13, 1993, available on Live Phish Downloads: 08.13.93.
Stranglehold
Ted Nugent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a dog in heat
You tell it's me by the clamor now, baby
I like to tear up the streets
Now I've been smoking for so long
You know I'm here to stay
Got you in a stranglehold, baby
The road I cruise is a bitch now, baby
You know you can't turn me 'round
And if a house gets in my way, baby
You know I'll burn it down
You ran that night that you left me
You put me in my place
I got you in a stranglehold, baby
And then I crushed your face
Yeah, sometimes you gonna get higher
And sometimes you gotta start low
Some people think they gonna die someday
I got news, you never got to go
Come on, come on up
Come on, come on up
Come on, come on up
Come on, come on up
Come on, come on, come on, come on, baby
Come on, come on, come on, come on up
Come on, come on, come on, come on, baby
Come on, come on, come on
Road I cruise is a bitch now
You know you can't turn me 'round
and if a house gets in my way
You know I'll burn it down
You ran that night that you left me
You put me in my place
I got you in a stranglehold, baby
And then I crushed your face
The lyrics of Ted Nugent's song "Stranglehold" show the singer's intense and aggressive love for his partner. Comparing himself to a dog in heat, he describes how he tears up the streets and how the road he's on is a challenge to anyone. He also warns his partner that he has her in a "stranglehold" and advises her to get out of the way.
The singer is confident in his abilities to navigate life's challenges and overcome obstacles. He also acknowledges that life can be unpredictable, with its ups and downs, and warns that some people think they'll die someday, but he has news for them as they never have to go. In the end, he reiterates his love for his partner, emphasizing that no matter what happens, he will always stay true to her.
Interestingly, "Stranglehold" was a significant hit for Nugent, peaking at number 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1976. It's also been used in various films, TV shows, and video games throughout the years, including the opening scene of the video game "Guitar Hero: World Tour." The song's guitar solo, which lasts for over eight minutes, is considered one of the most famous and influential of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I come again now, baby
I'm back and ready for action
Like a dog in heat
Eager and aggressive
You tell it's me by the clamor now, baby
I make a lot of noise and commotion
I like to tear up the streets
I enjoy causing chaos and destruction
Now I've been smoking for so long
I'm an experienced and dedicated smoker
You know I'm here to stay
I'm not going anywhere
Got you in a stranglehold, baby
I have you under my control
You best get out of the way
You need to move or suffer the consequences
The road I cruise is a bitch now, baby
The journey I'm on is difficult
You know you can't turn me 'round
You can't stop me from doing what I want
And if a house gets in my way, baby
If an obstacle stands in my path, I'll destroy it
You ran that night that you left me
You fled in fear when you left me
You put me in my place
You humiliated me
I got you in a stranglehold, baby
I have you under my control
And then I crushed your face
I got revenge on you in a brutal way
Yeah, sometimes you gonna get higher
Life has its ups and downs
And sometimes you gotta start low
Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom
Some people think they gonna die someday
Some people fear death
I got news, you never got to go
I have good news, you don't have to die
Come on, come on up
Join me and rise up
Come on, come on, come on, come on, baby
Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go, my love
Come on, come on, come on, come on up
Let's go up together
Come on, come on, come on, come on, baby
Let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go, my love
Come on, come on, come on
Let's go, let's go, let's go
Road I cruise is a bitch now
The journey I'm on is difficult
You know you can't turn me 'round
You can't stop me from doing what I want
And if a house gets in my way
If an obstacle stands in my path, I'll destroy it
You ran that night that you left me
You fled in fear when you left me
You put me in my place
You humiliated me
I got you in a stranglehold, baby
I have you under my control
And then I crushed your face
I got revenge on you in a brutal way
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ted Nugent
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rburrows7786
After I got back from Vietnam, I landed a job playing security at concert venues. We’d escort acts from the plane to the stage etc etc. I met a lot of groups. Ted was the only one that treated us like his equal, very cool. He talked to us. Invited us to his trailer pre show. Food. No drinking as he never drank. What a great guy. Took pics with us, autographs. Can’t say enough good things about him. 99% of the other acts I covered were complete assholes. One guy we were told don’t look at him or talk to him or he’ll get upset. People can say what they want about Nugent, but he was a very nice genuine guy
@Music2Desire
Thank you for serving (volunteer or not) back when so many were against people that wore the uniforms. My sweetie is retired USAF (Vietnam era) and also a big Ted Nugent fan. I love to hear that guys like Nugent can still remember how to be a real person, not just a 'rock star'.
@jimreynolds8160
Smart dude, too. I've heard him take on liberal political pundits and bury them. He is rarely asked to do interviews because he tears 'em apart.
@lakerat1980
He is....not was😂😊
@darqman82
This used to be one of the hard rock songs in the rotation at our barracks parties in Germany. Beer, 🍺 booze 🥃 along with a few of smokable items. 😈 Great memories!
@mikepawntee2425
"was" is the correct tense.
@russellnickman8231
I don't always listen to Ted, but when I do, so do the neighbors.
@jefferyparchman1392
They probably show their appreciation of good music by inviting the cops over
@peterherard8207
I don't always learn my lesson , but when I do , you can bet your ass it was the hard way
@markreaves8086
Uncle Ted is BAD to the bone!!!!!