Steppenwolf is a rock band which formed in Los Angeles, California, United … Read Full Bio ↴Steppenwolf is a rock band which formed in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1967. The band originally consisted of John Kay (vocals, guitar), Michael Monarch (guitar), Rushton Moreve (bass), Goldie McJohn (keyboards) and Jerry Edmonton (drums). The band is best known for their hit singles "Born to be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride". They were named after the novel Der Steppenwolf by German author Hermann Hesse.

Frontman John Kay's mother escaped with him at age 4 from Soviet occupied East Germany, an event recounted in the song "Renegade" on the album Steppenwolf Seven. His family resettled in Hannover, West Germany, before moving to Canada in 1958. Kay is partially blind, hence the use of dark glasses

In 1968, Nick St. Nicholas replaced Moreve as bass player.

Steppenwolf had its origins in the Toronto blues band Sparrow, which was formed in 1964 and played coffeehouses in Yorkville. By 1967 they had settled in San Francisco.

Steppenwolf rocketed to fame after their third single, "Born to Be Wild" was used in the movie Easy Rider, as well as "The Pusher". The former song may have coined the term "heavy metal". This was followed by several more hits, including "Magic Carpet Ride" from Steppenwolf the Second, and "Rock Me" from At Your Birthday Party. Many fans consider their double album Steppenwolf Live [an extended single album in the UK] the best of Steppenwolf's releases. Monster and For Ladies Only were the band's most political albums, and are still fondly remembered by fans as two of the best rock & roll snapshots of the attitudes of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The band broke up in 1971, and Kay pursued a solo career. Steppenwolf reformed in 1974 with the album Slow Flux, and disbanded in 1976. Afterwards, several versions of the band toured North America until Kay reformed the official version of the group in 1980.

John Kay released a solo album in 2001.

01 Sookie Sookie
Steppenwolf Lyrics

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Let it hang out baby, let it hang out now, now na-na now
Let it hang out baby, everybody work out
Sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, Sue

Let it hang out baby, do the Baltimore jig
Let it hang out baby, boomerang with me
Sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, Sue

Really got it bad child, drink a bottle of turpentine
When you wake up in the morning, feelin' kinda fine
Let it hang out baby, let it hang out now, now na-na now

You better watch your step girl, don't step on that banana peel
If your foot should ever hit it, you'll go up to the ceiling
Hang it in baby, hang it in baby
Sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, Sue

Let it hang out baby, let it hang out now, now na-na now
Let it hang out baby, everybody work out

Hang it in baby, hang it in baby, hang it in baby
Sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, Sue

Overall Meaning

"Let it hang out baby, let it hang out now," is a call to action for listeners to let loose, be themselves, and express themselves freely. "Everybody work out" further emphasizes this idea of releasing repressed energy and dancing to the music. "Sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, Sue" is likely a reference to a woman, perhaps someone the singer is dancing with or hoping to dance with.

"Do the Baltimore jig" and "boomerang with me" are just fun, playful phrases that encourage dancing and movement. "Really got it bad child, drink a bottle of turpentine" is possibly a reference to someone who is so caught up in the music and dancing that they're willing to do anything to keep the feeling going. "When you wake up in the morning, feelin' kinda fine" suggests that the singer feels good after a night of dancing and forgetting their troubles.

"You better watch your step girl, don't step on that banana peel / If your foot should ever hit it, you'll go up to the ceiling" is a humorous reminder to be careful and not let anything get in the way of enjoying the moment. "Hang it in baby, hang it in baby" is an encouragement to keep going and not give up, while "let it hang out baby, let it hang out now" brings the song back to the idea of letting loose and dancing freely.

Overall, "Sookie Sookie" is a fun, playful song about dancing and enjoying the moment. The lyrics can be interpreted as a call to action for listeners to let go of their inhibitions and express themselves freely.

Line by Line Meaning

Let it hang out baby, let it hang out now, now na-na now
Be confident and show off your true self to the world without any hesitation

Let it hang out baby, everybody work out
Let everyone witness your true abilities and skills

Sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, sookie, Sue
A nonsensical phrase used to fill up the lyrics and create catchy rhymes

Let it hang out baby, do the Baltimore jig
Get your body moving and grooving in a funky and lively manner

Let it hang out baby, boomerang with me
Come back to me and be a part of my exciting lifestyle

Really got it bad child, drink a bottle of turpentine
Feeling intense pain and desperation, resorting to harmful and irrational behavior

When you wake up in the morning, feelin' kinda fine
Despite the troubles of life, you can still find joy and positivity in small things

You better watch your step girl, don't step on that banana peel
Be cautious and avoid any potential danger or negative consequences

If your foot should ever hit it, you'll go up to the ceiling
Even the smallest of mistakes or misfortunes can have drastic and unexpected consequences

Hang it in baby, hang it in baby
Stay strong and persevere through tough times

Let it hang out baby, let it hang out now, now na-na now
Don't be afraid to express yourself and let your true personality shine

Everybody work out
Encourage everyone around you to be active and energetic

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Don Covay, Steve Cropper

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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