"Stranglehold" is a single and the first track from Ted Nugent's self-titled 1975 album. The vocals are by Derek St. Holmes. However, the "Sometimes you wanna get higher" verse is sung by Nugent. Nugent admits that the song was cowritten by Rob Grange, who received no share.
"Stranglehold" – a guitar-driven track, over eight minutes long - set the stage for Nugent's career, its guitar solo having been recorded in a single take. “I used delays to create this really wild guitar duet with Ted," said producer Tom Werman. "It was like two guys were playing. I sent it off to Ted for his approval. He called me up and said, ‘I love what you did with Stranglehold – but don’t ever do that again without asking me.’”
'Stranglehold' has been ranked 31st greatest guitar solo of all time by Guitar World.
Here I come again now baby
Like a dog in heat
Tell it's me by the clamor now baby
I like to tear up the street
And I been smokin for so long
You know I'm here to stay
Got you in a stranglehold baby
You best get outta the way
Road I cruise is a bitch now baby
No you cant turn me round
And if a house gets in my way baby
You know I'll burn it down
You ran the night that you left me
You put me in my place
Got you in a stranglehold baby
You gonna crush your face
Yeah, sometimes you want to get higher
A sometimes you gotta start low
Some people think they gonna die someday
I got news you never got to go old
Come on, come on up
Come on, come on up
Come on, come on up
Come on, come on up
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
The road I cruise is a bitch now baby
You know you can't turn me 'round
Yeah and if a house gets in my way
You know I'll burn it down
You remember the night that you left me
You put me in my place
I got you in a stranglehold baby
Last night I crushed your face
Songwriters: Ted Nugent
Stranglehold lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc