Classic Pop Icons

Steppenwolf’s timeless rocker “Born To Be Wild” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “Born To Be Wild” was released in January 1968 on the band’s debut album “Steppenwolf.” It was also released on single six months later, backed with “Everybody’s Next One.”

“Born To Be Wild” is a superbly crafted song featuring inspired performances from all concerned. There is plenty going on, but nothing superflous as each element is carefully considered and adds a great deal to the recording.

In a 1992 interview on Merrell Fankhauser’s California Music, songwriter Mars Bonfire said that he was inspired to write the song after walking down Hollywood Boulevard and seeing a poster with a motorcycle on it and the tagline “Born to Ride.” The recording was originally written as a folk ballad, but the band transformed it into a hard rock anthem which celebrates the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle and freedom of the open road.

The song introduced the term “heavy metal” to rock music via the lyrics:

The term “heavy metal” actually refers to a motorcycle, rather than a music style. This association between the song and bikers was cemented in 1969 when it was used on the soundtrack of the counterculture movie classic “Easy Rider.”

If Steppenwolf had only recorded “Born To Be Wild,” they would have assured themselves a place in rock history.

Steppenwolf – “Born To Be Wild”

Authorship

“Born To Be Wild” was written by the Canadian musician Mars Bonfire, who was born Dennis Edmonton. He had been a member of the band The Sparrows, which became Steppenwolf, but left to go solo before the change of name. His brother, Jerry, was Steppenwolf’s drummer.

Recording date/location

“Born To Be Wild” was recorded in the fall of 1967 at American Recording Co. Studio, Studio City, California.

Musicians

The following musicians featured on “Born To Be Wild”:

• John Kay – lead vocals, guitar
• Rushton Moreve – bass guitar
• Michael Monarch – guitar
• Goldy McJohn – organ
• Jerry Edmonton – drums.

Chart performance

“Born To Be Wild” was Steppenwolf’s first and biggest US hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 18, 1968. The band would chart a further 12 times on the Hot 100, but only “Magic Carpet Ride” (#3) and “Rock Me (#10) would reach the top 10.

“Born To Be Wild” was the only UK hit for Steppenwolf. It charted twice, reaching number 30 in July 1969 and number 18 when re-released in February 1999.

The album on which “Born To Be Wild” appeared, “Steppenwolf,” reached number six in the US and topped the chart in Canada.

Covers

Many hard rock bands have covered “Born To Be Wild,” usually with fairly average and predictable results. The original remains the definitive cut, but the following cover from a 1960s soul great is worthwhile.

Wilson Pickett – “Born To Be Wild”

Wilson Pickett’s cover of “Born To Be Wild” came out of sessions at Fame Recording Studios in December, 1968 with a band that included Duane Allman on guitar and founding members of the Muscle Shoals rythmn section, Roger Hawkins and David Hood, on drums and bass, respectively. There are excellent contributions from each of the musicians, but it is Pickett’s raw and powerful vocal that really drives the song forward. Some fine horn work also adds a touch of soul to the proceedings.

The cover appeared on Pickett’s 1969 album “Hey Joe” and was also released on single, peaking at number 64 on the Hot 100.

There will be a new Song of the Week on June 13.

Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild” is on the album “Steppenwolf” and many compilations, including the 2-CD set “Steppenwolf Gold.”

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