"Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" is a psychedelic rock song written by Mickey Newbury and best known from a version by the First Edition, recorded in 1967 and released to popular success in 1968. Said to reflect the LSD experience, the song was intended to be a warning about the dangers of using the drug.[1]
The song was first recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis, backed by members of the Memphis Boys, the chart-topping rhythm section at Chips Moman's American Sounds Studio in Memphis, on May 9, 1967.[2] The song appeared on Lewis' album Soul My Way, released November 1, 1967. Before Lewis' record was issued, on October 10, 1967, it was recorded by Teddy Hill & the Southern Soul as a single on Rice Records (Rice 5028 b/w "Stagger Lee") and produced by Norro Wilson.
| Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) | |
| Type: | single |
| Album: | The First Edition |
| B-Side: | Shadow in the Corner of Your Mind |
| Released: | January 1968[3] |
| Recorded: | October 1967 [4] |
| Genre: | Psychedelic rock[5] |
| Length: | 3:20 |
| Label: | Reprise |
| Producer: | Mike Post |
| Prev Title: | I Found a Reason / Ticket to Nowhere |
| Prev Year: | 1967 |
| Next Title: | But You Know I Love You |
| Next Year: | 1968 |
"Just Dropped In ..." was recorded by the First Edition (with Kenny Rogers on lead vocals) in October 1967, and peaked at number five[6] on the Billboard charts. It was Rogers' first top ten hit. The song captures the psychedelic era of the late 1960s with a hard rock edge that stands in stark contrast to much of the group's other music, which leaned towards country rock and emphasized harmony vocals.[7] Nonetheless, "Just Dropped In ..." led to the group's first national TV appearance on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
The song was the group's second single from their debut album, The First Edition. Producer Mike Post reversed a few riffs to create the intro; the guitar solo played by Glen Campbell was heavily compressed and a tremolo effect was used to achieve its sound. Another studio guitarist, Mike Deasy, provided the acoustic lead guitar parts. The track was recorded by Jimmy Valentine at "Valentine Recording Studios" located in Valley Village California.
When Rogers signed with United Artists Records, in the mid-1970s after the breakup of the First Edition, he re-recorded the track for his Ten Years of Gold album.
The First Edition version appears in: