At the beginning of his career–before he was a solo artist–Kenny Rogers was was with The New Christy Minstrels.  After a while, however, he left the Minstrels to lead “The First Edition…who released  a smattering of Great Songs during the late ‘6t0s and early ’70.s…including  1968’s “Just Dropped In to See What Condition my Condition is In… a song so far away from Kenny’s later country and Pop hits, it’s almost shocking.

“Just Dropped in” was a psychedelic rock song written by Mickey Newberry and first recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis…but The First Edition turned it it into a counter culture anthem, complete with reverse riffs, a compressed  guitar solo with tremolo effects by Glen Campbell, no less(!)…altered vocals, mind-bending lyrics..and an overall hard rock edge.

As a Single, “Just Dropped In” immediately started climbing The Hot 100…but when The First Edition performed it on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour– who had the perfect audience for it– it really took off…reaching #5 on The Hot 100…and #3 in Canada!

Yeah–oh yeah…”I Just Dropped In (to See What Condition my Condition is In).”..was a Great Song of 1968-Thanks to Kenny Rogers and The First Edition.