Strawberry Alarm Clock Ignites the Senses with “Incense and Peppermints”

“Incense and Peppermints” is a song by the American psychedelic rock band Strawberry Alarm Clock. It was released in 1967 as their debut single and became their most famous and enduring song. The song is celebrated for its psychedelic sound and catchy melody.

Lyrically, “Incense and Peppermints” is a song that reflects the counterculture and psychedelic themes of the 1960s. The lyrics convey a sense of surrealism and free-spiritedness, with abstract and poetic imagery. The song’s chorus, with the repeated line “Good sense, innocence, cripplin’ mankind,” captures the theme of liberation and the rejection of societal norms.

Musically, the song is characterized by its jangly guitar, swirling organ, and the distinctive vocals of Greg Munford and Ed King. The song’s arrangement creates a dreamy and kaleidoscopic atmosphere, making it a quintessential example of the psychedelic rock genre.

“Incense and Peppermints” became a major hit for Strawberry Alarm Clock and received critical acclaim for its trippy sound and catchy hook. It’s often associated with the psychedelic era of the late 1960s and remains a beloved track in the history of psychedelic rock music. The song’s whimsical and otherworldly quality has made it an enduring favorite among fans of the genre and a representation of the era’s spirit of experimentation and freedom.