Top 10 Strawberry Alarm Clock Songs

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Strawberry Alarm Clock, a psychedelic rock band from Glendale, California, was formed in 1967. They gained fame with their hit single “Incense and Peppermints” and are known for their acid rock, psychedelic pop, and sunshine pop styles. The band’s history involved members from Thee Sixpence and Waterfyrd Traene merging. The original lineup included Ed King, Michael Luciano, Lee Freeman, Gary Lovetro, Steve Rabe, and Gene Gunnels, with Randy Seol and Mark Weitz joining later. The band’s name change coincided with Seol bringing in songwriters Bunnell and Steve Bartek.

“Incense and Peppermints,” produced by Frank Slay, became a significant hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was initially a B-side, but its popularity led to a re-release with it as the A-side. The band faced lineup changes and stylistic shifts over the years. They toured with notable acts like the Beach Boys and Buffalo Springfield and had unique stage elements like “magic carpets” and wrist gas jets for drummer Seol.

Through the late 1960s and early 1970s, the band saw more changes, with Bunnell and Seol leaving and new members joining. They shifted towards a blues rock style and continued to produce music, including the albums “Wake Up…It’s Tomorrow” and “Good Morning Starshine.” Despite lineup changes and challenges, the band left a lasting impact on the psychedelic rock scene.

The band went through a breakup and brief reunions, with members pursuing various projects. They reformed in the 1980s and 1990s, continuing to perform and record new material. In the 2000s, they released a new album, “Wake Up Where You Are,” and continued to make live appearances. The band’s legacy includes their contribution to the psychedelic rock genre and their enduring hit “Incense and Peppermints.”

# 10 – The Birdman of Alkatrash

Launching our top 10 Strawberry Alarm Clock tracks, is the cool rocking tune “The Birdman of Alkatrash.” It’s interesting to note that “Incense and Peppermints” was initially the B-side to Thee Sixpence’s fifth single, “The Birdman of Alkatrash,” issued by All-American Records in April 1967. However, “Incense and Peppermints” caught the attention of Los Angeles radio stations more than the A-side, leading to its unexpected rise in popularity. Realizing its potential, Uni Records, under MCA (now Universal Music Group), took it nationwide, flipping the sides in a May 1967 re-release. This move aligned with the band’s transition to Strawberry Alarm Clock, a change spurred by the existence of a local band with a similar name.

# 9 – Good Morning Starshine

I will never forget the scene in Hair where they were all driving in a convertible and Beverly D’Angelo’s character began singing the song “Good Morning Starshine.” It’s one of the most feel-good scenes I have seen in any motion picture. If you have never seen the motion picture Hair, I would highly recommend it. It’s a very different version from the one below, which is pretty awesome, too.

# 8 – Barefoot in Baltimore

Strawberry Alarm Clock’s “Barefoot in Baltimore” was unveiled in 1968 on the band’s album The World in a Sea Shell. This track stands out as one of the heartfelt offerings from The World in a Sea Shell, yet it retains the gentle and playful essence pervasive throughout the album. In “Barefoot in Baltimore,” “Barefoot” is portrayed as someone meandering through Baltimore and along the shores of Chesapeake Bay, soaking in the vibrant street-party atmosphere. The song is distinctively light and engaging, characterized by its brief yet intriguing verses filled with quirky descriptions and occasionally disjointed scenes.

#7 – The World’s On Fire

I love the psychedelic opening of this grand track from the Strawberry Alarm Clock. You might not hear it, but there’s something about the bass line that reminds me of The Knack’s “My Sharona.” Of course, this one came out over ten years before The Knack’s classic song. Can you dig that organ solo? “The World’s On Fire” is distinguished as one of the most notable tracks from Strawberry Alarm Clock’s 1967 album Incense and Peppermints.

#6 – Pretty Song from Psyche-Out

With its creative title and vibrant energy, “Pretty Song from Psyche-Out” is a highlight in Strawberry Alarm Clock’s discography. This beautifully melodic track is included in the band’s album Wake Up…It’s Tomorrow (1968). The song’s unique charm is enhanced by minor key changes and unusual phrases, contributing to its slightly dreamy quality and setting it apart as a distinctive ballad. Its lyrics reflect the 1968 film Psych-Out with a highly poetic flair.

#5 – Sit with The Guru

From the album Wake Up…It’s Tomorrow (1968) comes the striking hit “Sit with The Guru.” This song is notable for its bright and poppy atmosphere, layered over assertive guitar riffs. The song’s enchanting melodic vocals contribute significantly to its appeal, marking it as a favorite among many Strawberry Alarm Clock tracks. The combination of rich vocals, hippie-inspired lyrics, intense guitar work, impressive drumming, and harmonious keyboards culminates in a track that is both memorable and delightful.

#4 – Tomorrow

On their second album, Strawberry Alarm Clock built upon the success of Incense and Peppermints with even stronger songwriting and enhanced musicianship. These qualities are prominently displayed in the track “Tomorrow.” This song stands out with its distinctive sound characterized by fuzzy organ and guitar riffs, solidifying its status as one of Strawberry Alarm Clock’s most remarkable psychedelic masterpieces. “Tomorrow” lyrically offers a sense of hope, suggesting that the future may hold brighter days, especially in the context of the singer addressing a partner amidst relationship challenges.

#3 – Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow

“Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow,” the opening track on Side Two of Incense and Peppermints (1967), encapsulates Strawberry Alarm Clock’s ability to create a rich, yet fluid, psychedelic experience. The song begins with an upbeat flute melody, quickly joined by distinctive bongo beats. Its lyrics serve as a perfect reflection of the blissfully immersive music, tinged with a hint of sarcasm. The highly evocative character of “Rainy Day Mushroom Pillow” has established it as one of Strawberry Alarm Clock’s finest songs and a perennial favorite in their live performances.

#2 – Curse of the Witches

Strawberry Alarm Clock unveils a darker facet with some of their music, leading to genuinely eerie outcomes. A prime illustration is “Curse of the Witches” from their second album, Wake Up…It’s Tomorrow. This track, characterized by its somber tone, stands out as the band’s most sinister-sounding psychedelic rock ballad. Its slow, haunting ambiance amplifies the song’s chilling effect, showcasing the band’s adeptness at navigating through complex thematic territories.

#1 – Incense and Peppermint

“Incense and Peppermints,” a defining track by the Los Angeles-based psychedelic rock ensemble Strawberry Alarm Clock, is officially attributed to songwriters John S. Carter and Tim Gilbert. However, the song originated from an instrumental concept by bandmates Mark Weitz and Ed King. Released in May 1967 by Uni Records as the A-side of a single, it soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, claiming the number one spot for a week before descending the charts. Despite its success in the United States, the single didn’t chart in the United Kingdom. The song gained further recognition by featuring in the film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and the fictional biopic Daisy Jones and the Six.

Before “Incense and Peppermints” made waves, Strawberry Alarm Clock, initially known as Thee Sixpence, had released four singles with All-American Records. The recording of “Incense and Peppermints” saw some contention over the lyrics penned by Carter, leading to Greg Munford, a friend of the band, stepping in for lead vocals while the band provided background harmonies. Despite significant contributions from Weitz and King, producer Frank Slay awarded the songwriting credits exclusively to Carter and Gilbert, sidelining Weitz and King. Notably, King would later achieve fame with the 1970s Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The track first appeared as a B-side but gained traction on local Los Angeles radio stations, prompting Uni Records, a subsidiary of MCA (now Universal Music Group), to re-release the single with “Incense and Peppermints” as the A-side. This strategic move, coupled with a name change to “The Strawberry Alarm Clock” to avoid confusion with a similarly named local band, propelled the song to national success. It spent 16 weeks on the Billboard chart, peaking at #1 in late November 1967 and was certified gold by the RIAA in December of the same year for selling one million copies.

The song also charted in other countries, including Australia and Canada, and finished the year strongly in several year-end charts, highlighting its widespread appeal and enduring legacy in the psychedelic rock genre.