I heard Thursday that you were gone
You had a song that was real long
"Gadda-Da-Vida" never dies
That song you gave, with Butterfly
(Iron Butterfly)

You were my age
(When) Those riffs you played
Had one band saved
Erik was your name
And on that day a child was born
August 11, 'fifty-something
You played "Vida's" riff a billion times
Because of you, heavy metal was fine


The songs you riffed, you made me feel like "Vida" was for me
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" is a really big part of me
The words you wrote, though your songs did not go to #1
The songs you played, still the Iron Butterfly carries on


You were my age
(When) Those riffs you played
Had one band saved
Erik was your name