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
Tooth Fang & Claw
Ted Nugent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My time is short, but I'm here to stay
No politics will cure the grievin'
So I choose my life, but I choose it my way
(and) Just like the wolf, I'm getting hungry
The law of the land, it is my will
And I ain't got time for staying angry
Watch me kill
I'm gonna live tooth, fang, and claw
I'm gonna live, and I live my way
Watch me live tooth, fang, and claw
Watch me live an extra day
The red man he walked on a sacred hillside
The black man he runs through his Africa
But my daddy stalked the amber prairies
We all gotta live by nature's law
Watch me live
I'm gonna live tooth, fang, and claw
I'm gonna live, and I live my way
Watch me live tooth, fang, and claw
Watch me live an extra day
Oh yeah yeah yeah
Don't you worry about me
'cause I can and I will survive
I'm running with the pack babe
And like a lone wolf I am alive
Like my forefathers before me
I can use my own two hands
You best believe me
I can live off the land
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
The red man walked on a sacred hillside
And the black man still runs in Africa
Fred Bear he stalked the amber prairies
Me too
We all gotta live by nature's law
Live
I'm gonna live tooth, fang, and claw
I'm gonna live, and I live my way
Watch me live tooth, fang, and claw
And watch me live an extra day
I got ta got ta got ta live
Hey hey
Tooth, fang, and claw
Hey hey
Tooth, fang, and claw
Hey hey
Tooth, fang, and claw
Live, live
Hey hey
Tooth, fang, and claw
I got ta live
Hey hey hey hey
Tooth, fang, and claw
I'm alive I'm alive oh whoa
Hey hey hey hey
Tooth fang and claw
I got ta got ta got ta live
Spirit of the wild
The Ted Nugent song "Tooth Fang & Claw" is a tribute to the wild and a declaration of the singer's primal nature. Through the lyrics, Nugent expresses his belief that he doesn't have time for superficialities or politics. He chooses to live his life according to nature's laws, just like his forefathers before him. The song invokes the image of the wolf, a fierce predator who lives by his natural instincts and follows the law of the wild.
The lyrics also mention the red man, the black man, and Nugent's own father, as representations of different ways of life, each with its own connection to nature. However, despite their differences, they all live by nature's laws. Nugent is proud of his own heritage and feels a deep connection to the land, which he believes he can survive off of using his own two hands.
Overall, "Tooth Fang & Claw" celebrates the primal nature of humans and their connection to the wild. The song invites the listener to embrace their own wild side and live their life with passion and instinct.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't got time for make believin'
I don't have time to pretend or live in a fantasy.
My time is short, but I'm here to stay
My time on earth is limited, but I will make the most of it while I'm alive.
No politics will cure the grievin'
Political solutions cannot heal emotional pain or suffering.
So I choose my life, but I choose it my way
I will make my own decisions and live my life according to my own values and beliefs.
Just like the wolf, I'm getting hungry
I am driven by my natural instincts and desires, just like a wolf who needs to hunt to satisfy its hunger.
The law of the land, it is my will
I will act according to the laws of nature, which are my guiding principles.
And I ain't got time for staying angry
I don't have time to waste on negative emotions like anger.
But I got the time to make a kill
I will take the time that is necessary to hunt and kill for survival.
Watch me kill
See me in action as I hunt and kill to survive.
I'm gonna live tooth, fang, and claw
I will live my life by my natural instincts and use my physical abilities to survive.
Watch me live tooth, fang, and claw
Observe me as I thrive and survive in this harsh world using my teeth, fangs, and claws.
The red man he walked on a sacred hillside
Native Americans have always had a deep spiritual connection to nature and their environment.
The black man he runs through his Africa
Africans have also lived close to nature and have been able to survive with minimal resources.
But my daddy stalked the amber prairies
My father was a skilled hunter who used his abilities to survive on the open plains.
We all gotta live by nature's law
We must all learn to live in harmony with nature and respect its laws and limitations.
Don't you worry about me
You don't need to be concerned about my survival skills.
'cause I can and I will survive
I have the ability and determination to survive and thrive.
I'm running with the pack babe
I am part of a group that shares my values and beliefs.
And like a lone wolf I am alive
Even when I am alone, I can still thrive and survive with my instincts and abilities.
Like my forefathers before me
I come from a long line of people who have lived off the land and survived using their natural skills and abilities.
I can use my own two hands
I can rely on my own physical strength and skills to survive in any environment.
You best believe me
Trust my words and actions, as I have proven my ability to survive and thrive in this world.
Live, live
Emphasizes the importance of living life to the fullest and never taking life for granted.
I got ta got ta got ta live
I must continue to live and survive, no matter what challenges I may face.
Spirit of the wild
The awe-inspiring and unpredictable forces of nature that we must respect and understand.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
aktmjcor
Love me some old Ted. Tooth Fang and Claw along with Call of the Wild.....man my favorite beats still to this day. Im 48 and been rockin Ted since I heard Great White Buffalo when I was 14. Yeah Man!!!
Grizz Bear
Saw this live a few times. The one and only TED NUGENT!!!
Karl Power
Just rediscovered Ted after all these years. Still rockin in Australia 🇦🇺 👍👍👍
Donald Moffatt
Those who do not live "Tooth Fang and Claw" walk around wondering what the hell is missing in their lives.
John Barr
Love the thrill of the chase we eat deer squirrel all wild game in my house.
Adam Brennan-Smith
Couldn't have said it better myself!
John Dvorak
Donald Moffatt exactly
Keith Bunner
We need more songs off this album. This is an awesome album to have and to listen too. Keep Up the AWESOME work Ted! Songs like Primitive Man, Spirit of the Wild, Wrong Side of Town & I Shoot Back. I Live with a Tooth, Fang & Claw!
thorsten riedel
Ted is one of the best Rock guitarists ever
jaymc2112
Absolute hidden gem! love this!