Ted Nugent recently revealed his approach to selecting songs for his live performances. He shared his perspective in a conversation posted on Shemane Nugent.
His wife Shemane Nugent asked him how he picks which songs to perform. The rock guitarist provided an unexpectedly candid response about his selection process.
“It’s based on my selfishness,” Nugent said. “What songs do I want to play? My choices for music has come from hanging out with music lovers.”
The musician elaborated on his connection with audiences and how it influences his performances.
“Because in a Ted Nugent concert, I’m the one with the audience every night,” he continued. “So when I unleash a great guitar lick, like in 1964, I can feel the energy and how people like this energy, this groove, this sonic, and this pattern. I am a fan of the music, so I relate. I am the audience. The audience is me.”
Nugent concluded by acknowledging both his extensive catalog and his appreciation for his fans.
“So, I’ve got so many cool songs,” he said. “How do I not play ‘Stranglehold’ and ‘Free for All’ every night. Thank you everybody for supporting this soul music career of mine. I love you people.”
This candid admission about his setlist selection process reflects Nugent’s long-standing approach to live performances throughout his decades-spanning career.
Setlist.fm documented that Nugent’s recent performances consistently feature his signature hits like “Stranglehold,” “Free-For-All,” and “Cat Scratch Fever.” This demonstrates how his personal preferences align with fan expectations. These songs have become staples in his live shows, appearing in nearly every concert across his touring history.
The rock veteran’s current touring schedule includes his Stranglehold 50th Anniversary Tour. This tour celebrates one of his most enduring compositions. Concert archives revealed that this tour regularly showcases these fan favorites alongside energetic jams. This emphasizes the balance between his artistic vision and crowd-pleasing elements.
Nugent’s approach to setlist curation has remained remarkably consistent throughout his career. Performance data shows that certain songs have appeared in hundreds of his concerts. Concerty reported that his most frequently performed tracks reflect both his personal attachment to the material and their proven ability to energize audiences.
This philosophy of “selfish” song selection has clearly served Nugent well. His touring career continues to draw dedicated fans who anticipate hearing these classic tracks that have defined his musical legacy for over five decades.
