Incense And Peppermints

Strawberry Alarm Clock's 'Incense And Peppermints' is a quintessential psychedelic rock song from the late 1960s, a period marked by social upheaval and a quest for deeper meaning. The lyrics are a kaleidoscope of abstract imagery and social commentary, reflecting the countercultural ethos of the time. The song opens with a juxtaposition of 'good sense' and 'innocence' against the backdrop of 'cripplin' mankind,' suggesting a critique of societal norms and the loss of innocence in a world fraught with complexity and corruption.

The recurring phrase 'Incense and peppermints' serves as a metaphor for the sensory overload and the quest for enlightenment that characterized the psychedelic experience. The line 'Turn on, tune in, turn your eyes around' echoes Timothy Leary's famous mantra, urging listeners to expand their consciousness and question the status quo. The song's chorus, 'Who cares what games we choose? Little to win, but nothing to lose,' encapsulates a sense of existential freedom and the futility of societal games, encouraging a break from conventional thinking.

The lyrics also touch on themes of political disillusionment and the absurdity of rigid ideologies. Phrases like 'Beatniks and politics, nothing is new' and 'A yardstick for lunatics, one point of view' highlight the cyclical nature of political and social movements, suggesting that true change requires a shift in perspective rather than adherence to any single ideology. The song's repetitive, almost hypnotic structure, punctuated by the whimsical 'Sha la la' refrain, reinforces its dreamlike quality, inviting listeners to lose themselves in its psychedelic soundscape while contemplating its deeper messages.