When asked what the title of this song meant, the composer
Doug Ingle responded, "It was an
accident. A total accident."
Ingle recalls that after the release of their first album 'Heavy' the band had gone through some
membership changes and wasn't doing well financialy. "We pretty much counted on groupies for food."
Ingle hadn't eaten in three days and had consumed a gallon of
wine while composing a new track. Another band member,
Ron Bushy, had heard the new track, but Ingle wouldn't tell him the title of it. "I didn't want to offend the
Christian community or other religious philosophies."
Bushy was getting upset with his reluctance and Ingles finally caved in and "Blurted it out under the influence," 'In the Garden of Eden.'
The next day Bushy ran into Ingles and told him, "I really like that
title, 'In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida'."
Ingles recalls, "geez, that's not what I said."
The Best of Iron Butterfly; Light and Heavy Liner Notes 1993 Rhino Records