The 15 Best Ted Nugent Songs of All Time
As longtime fans of Ted Nugent, we’ve listened to and appreciated his discography over the years. We also admit that some of their best songs have been the first ones on his albums. We are also waiting for Ted Nugent’s farewell tour “Adios Mofo ’23” which will happen this year too. In this article, we will detail a list of the songs that Ted Nugent has as his fans’ favorites of all time.
Ted Nugent, born on December 13, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, is a prominent American rock musician, guitarist, and songwriter. He achieved fame as the lead guitarist of the rock band The Amboy Dukes in the 1960s before embarking on a successful solo career. His music is known for its high-energy, guitar-driven sound, often characterized by his distinctive riffing and wild stage presence.
Nugent’s career spans several decades and has produced numerous hit albums, including “Cat Scratch Fever” and “Free-for-All,” which cemented his status as a rock icon. He is also recognized for his dynamic live performances and his love for hunting, which is often reflected in his music and persona.
Apart from his music career, Nugent has been an outspoken advocate for conservative and libertarian causes, with his views on gun rights, hunting, and politics often making headlines. He has also been involved in various philanthropic endeavors, supporting veterans’ causes and wildlife conservation.
Throughout his career, Nugent has faced controversies for his controversial statements and actions. However, he has remained a polarizing figure in the rock music industry, admired by his fans for his guitar prowess, energetic performances, and outspokenness, while drawing criticism from others for his controversial views. As a rock musician, Ted Nugent has sold millions of albums and continues to tour and record music. His legacy as a rock icon and his contributions to the world of rock music, both as a musician and a controversial musician.
The Most Liked Ted Nugent Songs
In addition to his successful music career, Ted Nugent has been known to share his great songs from bands like The Amboy Dukes, Damn Yankees, Damnocracy, and his solo career.
We have listed the best 15 Ted Nugent songs of all time (randomly):
What are the best songs of Ted Nugent?
- Stranglehold
- Wango Tango
- Free for All
- Cat Scratch Fever
- Great White Buffalo
- Stormtroopin’
- Hey Baby
- Snakeskin Cowboys
- Motor City Madhouse
- Wang Dang Sweet Poontang
- Just What the Doctor Ordered
- Need You Bad
- Yank Me, Crank Me
- Hammerdown
- Star Spangled Banner
Ted Nugent‘s upcoming farewell tour “Adios Mofo ’23” will start this Summer. Here is what Nugent thinks about his last tour:
“This is my last tour. But I’ll always play music. I’ve got new records I’m gonna make. I can’t wait to unleash some of these new songs.”
Ted Nugent has 18 solo albums, 7 albums with The Amboy Dukes, and 2 albums with Damn Yankees. Check out our 15 best and favorite Ted Nugent songs below!
1. Stranglehold
“Stranglehold” is a well-known rock song by a famous American musician Ted Nugent. It serves as the debut single and opening track on his eponymous first album released in 1975.
Derek St. Holmes delivers the powerful vocals, though Nugent himself takes the lead on the verse that goes, “Sometimes you wanna get higher.” Nugent has openly acknowledged that “Stranglehold” was co-written by Rob Grange, who unfortunately did not receive any share of the song’s success.
2. Wango Tango
Ted Nugent has marked his name in rock and roll with hits like “Wango Tango.” Written and produced by Nugent himself, this song has become one of his most well-known tracks. Despite peaking at #86 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Wango Tango” has remained a staple in Nugent’s electrifying live performances, thrilling audiences for years with its signature sound.
3. Free for All
Ted Nugent takes his place in rock and roll history with chart-topping hits like “Wango Tango.” Nugent’s own creation, this iconic song has become synonymous with his musical legacy, earning its place as one of his most renowned tracks.
Despite reaching #86 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Wango Tango” has reached its chart position and has continued to captivate audiences for years with its electrifying energy and distinctive sound, making it a fixture in Nugent’s unforgettable live performances.
4. Cat Scratch Fever
Ted Nugent‘s “Cat Scratch Fever” stands tall as his third studio album, released on May 13, 1977, under Epic Records. Notably, Derek St. Holmes, who had departed the band while recording their album “Free-for-All,” made a triumphant return as the principal lead singer for this album after rejoining for touring in 1976.
This song “Cat Scratch Fever” also achieved multi-platinum certification from the RIAA, solidifying Nugent’s stature in the rock music genre. Ted Nugent wasted no time in following up with his subsequent album, “Double Live Gonzo!,” which hit the shelves just a year later.
5. Great White Buffalo
“Double Live Gonzo!” is a dynamic live album by renowned American hard rock guitarist Ted Nugent, initially released as a double LP in 1978. Alongside electrifying live renditions of tracks from Nugent’s previous albums, this double album also features thrilling original live material, such as “Yank Me, Crank Me” and “Great White Buffalo.”
6. Stormtroopin’
Ted Nugent’s self-titled debut studio album marks the striking emergence of this American rock musician as a solo artist. Released in September 1975 under Epic Records, this album served as Nugent’s inaugural offering following his departure from his former group, The Amboy Dukes.
Showcasing Nugent’s natural talent and detailed style, this album served as a definitive statement of his musical prowess, setting the stage for his illustrious solo career that would follow. One of his songs Stormtroopin’ is the most-listened song among Ted Nugent’s songs.
7. Hey Baby
Intrigue and controversy surround the songwriting credits of Ted Nugent’s debut album, as revealed in Martin Popoff’s revealing book, “Epic Ted Nugent.” While all songs are credited to Nugent for writing and arranging, except for “Hey Baby,” which is credited to Derek St. Holmes, Nugent himself admits that “Stranglehold” was co-written by Rob Grange, who did not receive any royalties.
On the other hand, Derek St. Holmes claims that the entire band contributed to the songwriting, and Nugent took sole credit to avoid paying them royalties. The album’s backstory adds an extra layer of complexity to Nugent’s debut, leaving fans and critics alike intrigued by the true origins of the album’s songs and the dynamics within the band.
8. Snakeskin Cowboys
This song is to Ted Nugent’s self-titled 1975 album. This album served as Nugent’s inaugural offering following his departure from his former group, The Amboy Dukes.
One of his songs, Snakeskin Cowboys, is the most-listened song among Ted Nugent’s songs.
9. Motor City Madhouse
This song is belong Ted Nugent’s self-titled 1975 album. this album served as Nugent’s inaugural offering following his departure from his former group, The Amboy Dukes. One of his songs Motor City Madhouse is the most-listened song among Ted Nugent’s songs.
10. Wang Dang Sweet Poontang
The famous American rock musician Ted Nugent hit gold with his third studio album, “Cat Scratch Fever”. Released on May 13, 1977, via Epic Records, this album saw the return of vocalist Derek St. Holmes, who had previously left the band during the recording of their album “Free-for-All”, but returned as the principal lead singer for “Cat Scratch Fever”.
This album was a commercial triumph, earning multi-platinum certification from the RIAA. Fans were treated to Nugent’s signature blend of hard rock, showcased in tracks like the titular “Cat Scratch Fever” and the controversial “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang”. Nugent’s fiery guitar skills and powerful vocals were on full display, solidifying his status as a rock icon.
Following the success of “Cat Scratch Fever”, Nugent continued his musical prowess with the release of his next album, “Double Live Gonzo!”, the following year. The legacy of “Cat Scratch Fever” continues to endure, serving as a landmark release in Nugent’s illustrious career and a classic in the annals of rock history.
11. Paralyzed
Ted Nugent released his fifth solo studio album, “State of Shock”, in May 1979 via Epic Records. This album marked the end of a decade where Nugent’s hard-rocking, wildman persona propelled him to the top of the charts.
While “State of Shock” reached the U.S. Top 20 and was certified gold, it fell short of Nugent’s previous solo albums regarding platinum certification. Despite this, the album boasts a standout track in the form of the album opener, “Paralyzed”, which gained further popularity with a live performance on the TV show “Fridays” in 1980. The track also appeared on “Great Gonzos! The Best of Ted Nugent” the following year.
“State of Shock” showcases Nugent’s signature heavy metal sound, characterized by his blistering guitar riffs and commanding vocals. It is a testament to Nugent’s unwavering ability to captivate audiences with his electrifying brand of rock music. Although not reaching the same commercial heights as his previous albums, “State of Shock” remains a noteworthy release in Nugent’s discography, leaving an indelible mark on the rock music landscape.
12. Need You Bad
“Need You Bad” is a hard-hitting rock anthem crafted by the iconic American hard-rock musician, Ted Nugent. The song originally appeared on his fourth studio album, “Weekend Warriors”, and features the powerful lead vocals of Charlie Huhn.
With its catchy guitar riffs and rhythm, “Need You Bad” showcases Nugent’s prowess as a masterful guitarist and songwriter. The track’s electrifying energy and memorable hooks make it a standout on the “Weekend Warriors” album, which was released to critical acclaim.
As an accomplished musician known for his high-octane performances and unapologetic rock persona, Nugent’s “Need You Bad” is a testament to his enduring influence and impact on the hard rock genre. Its raw and unrelenting sound is sure to resonate with fans of Nugent’s distinctive style and fiery stage presence.
13. Yank Me, Crank Me
Originally released as a double LP in 1978, it features electrifying live performances of songs from Ted Nugent‘s previous albums and captivating original material played live, including tracks like “Yank Me, Crank Me” and “Gonzo.”
This double album showcases Nugent’s extraordinary guitar skills and high-energy stage presence, capturing his live performances’ raw power and excitement. From blazing guitar solos to adrenaline-pumping riffs, “Double Live Gonzo!” is a tour de force of hard rock excellence.
The album’s immense popularity is reflected in its impressive 3× Platinum status in the United States, a testament to Nugent’s music’s enduring appeal and impact. Fans of Ted Nugent’s iconic sound and exhilarating live shows will find “Double Live Gonzo!” to be a must-have addition to their rock music collection.
14. Hammerdown
Hammerdown is another song from Ted Nugent’s ‘Free-for-All’ the second studio album. It was released in October 1976 by Epic Records and was his first album to go platinum.
15. Star Spangled Banner
“The Star-Spangled Banner” is the revered national anthem of the United States. Its poignant lyrics originated from the poem “Defence of Fort M’Henry” written by Francis Scott Key, a 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, on September 14, 1814. Key penned the poem after witnessing the relentless bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812, while he was in Outer Baltimore Harbor in the Patapsco River.
Key’s inspiration for the poem came from the awe-inspiring sight of the U.S. flag, affectionately known as the Star-Spangled Banner, with its 15 stars and 15 stripes, proudly waving above the fort during the victorious moment for the United States.
“The Star-Spangled Banner” has since become a cherished symbol of American patriotism, representing the nation’s resilience, bravery, and pride. It is an enduring anthem that continues to evoke a sense of national pride and unity among Americans, a powerful tribute to the country’s history and values. Ted Nugent also recomposed and played this anthem again.