BORN TO BE WILD
STEPPENWOLF
SONGWRITER: MARS BONFIRE
WHERE: LIVE AT FARM 1986
COUNTRY: CANADIAN-AMERICAN
ALBUM: STEPPENWOLF
LABEL: DUNHILL
GENRE: HARD ROCK
YEAR: 1968
"Born to Be Wild"
is a song written by Mars Bonfire and first performed by the band Steppenwolf,
The song is often invoked in both popular and counter culture to denote a biker
appearance or attitude. It is sometimes described as the first heavy metal song,
and the second verse lyric "heavy metal thunder" marks the first use
of this term in rock music (although not as a description of a musical style).
Steppenwolf is a
Canadian-American rock band, prominent from 1968 to 1972. The group was formed
in late 1967 in Los Angeles by lead singer John Kay, keyboardist Goldy McJohn,
and drummer Jerry Edmonton (all formerly in Jack London & the Sparrows from
Oshawa, Ontario). Guitarist Michael Monarch and bass guitarist Rushton Moreve were
recruited by notices placed in Los Angeles-area record and musical instrument
stores.
Steppenwolf sold over 25
million records worldwide, released eight gold albums and 12 Billboard Hot 100 singles,
of which six were top 40 hits, including three top 10 successes: "Born to
Be Wild", "Magic Carpet Ride", and "Rock Me".
Steppenwolf enjoyed worldwide success from 1968 to 1972, but clashing
personalities led to the end of the core lineup. Today, John Kay is the only original member,
having served as the lead singer since 1967.
Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
I like smoke and lightning
Heavy metal thunder
Racin' with the wind
And the feelin' that I'm under
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wanna die
Born to be wild
Born to be wild
Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way
Yeah Darlin' go make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wanna die
Born to be wild
Born to be wild.