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
Wrong Side Of Town
Ted Nugent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na, Na, Na...
When Johnny hit the big time
He wuz livin’ on the hard line
Movin’ up on the wrong side of town
He wuz lookin’ for salvation
From a desperate situation
It’s some place you don’t wanna go
You only end up on skid row
When you live with the vice and the snow
You know
Caught in a trap in the danger zone
Gonna take you down
Caught up on the wrong side of town
Livin’ on the edge of a broken dream
Swim or drown
Caught up on the wrong side of town
Na, Na, Na...
Yeah, Johnny lost direction
Then he gave into corruption
And he died on the streets with his dreams
Maybe Johnny took it all for granted
Maybe heaven is a place for hell
Oh, who’s sorry now
Ted Nugent's song 'Wrong Side of Town' tells the story of a man named Johnny who was initially struggling to make ends meet and living in a rough area. However, he eventually hit the big time and moved up in the world, finding himself on the wrong side of town where drugs, violence, and danger were rampant. Though he found himself caught in the trap of the danger zone, he was unable to escape the vices that came with his newfound success. The song highlights the fact that such a lifestyle comes at a heavy cost, with many ultimately losing everything as a result of their actions.
Johnny's tragic story serves as a warning to listeners about the importance of making the right choices in life. The lyrics suggest that Johnny's eventual downfall was a result of him taking his success for granted and becoming ensnared in a life of corruption and vice. Nugent delivers these lyrics with searing vocals and an energetic musical performance that adds to the urgency and intensity of the song.
In summary, Ted Nugent's 'Wrong Side of Town' is a cautionary tale about the dangers of wealth and success, warning listeners that it's important to remain humble and grounded regardless of one's fortunes. The song reminds us that success can come at a steep price and that it's essential to choose wisely when considering the path to take in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Caught up on the wrong side of town
Being in a bad part of town where things are dangerous and not going well
When Johnny hit the big time
When Johnny achieved success
He wuz livin’ on the hard line
He was living a tough life
Movin’ up on the wrong side of town
Trying to make it in a bad area
He wuz lookin’ for salvation
He was looking for a way out of his problems
From a desperate situation
From a dire or hopeless situation
But the peer pressure lost what he found
But the pressure from his peers caused him to lose what he had found
It’s some place you don’t wanna go
It's a place that should be avoided
You only end up on skid row
You will end up in a state of poverty and desperation
When you live with the vice and the snow
When you live with drug addiction and the negative consequences that come with it
Caught in a trap in the danger zone
Being stuck in a dangerous situation
Gonna take you down
Will cause you to fail or face negative consequences
Livin’ on the edge of a broken dream
Living a life where hopes and dreams have been shattered
Swim or drown
Either succeed or fail completely
Yeah, Johnny lost direction
Johnny became lost and unsure where to go
Then he gave into corruption
Then he allowed himself to become corrupt
And he died on the streets with his dreams
And he died homeless and without achieving his dreams
Maybe Johnny took it all for granted
Perhaps Johnny did not appreciate what he had
Maybe heaven is a place for hell
Perhaps even a good life can turn out bad
Oh, who’s sorry now
Oh, who regrets this now
Contributed by Matthew W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.