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.
28
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She?s cryin', isn?t it funny
I turned her without any money
She?s 28 years old tonight
I told her not to fear, it?s all very right
She listened and came to my side
She slowed down right with the tide
She told me she?s wormin? her knees
I touched her, she?s started to breathe
She opened and let in the breeze
She?s 28 years old tonight
I told her not to fear
It?s all very night
Silk on silk
Feather and light
Make the black out of the night
Silk on silk
Feather and light
Make the black out of the night
She?s 28 years old tonight
I told her not to fear
It?s all very night
They?re talkin?, talkin? about Molly
She?s cryin', isn?t it funny
I turned her without any money
Next morning, two nights after
She woke up, grinning with laughter
I kissed her, she came at me faster
She?s 28 years old tonight
I told her not to fear
It?s all very night
Silk on silk
Feather and light
Make the black out of the white
Silk on silk
Feather and light
Make the black out of the white
Repeat?
The song "28" by Steppenwolf describes a sexual encounter between the singer and a woman named Molly, who is 28 years old. The lyrics suggest that the encounter was spontaneous and without any financial exchange, which suggests that it was consensual. The singer tells Molly not to fear and assures her that everything is alright. Molly then expresses her desire to be with the singer and they engage in sexual activity. The use of descriptive language, such as "silk on silk, feather and light" suggests that the encounter was sensual and pleasurable for both parties.
The repetition of "Silk on silk, feather and light, make the black out of the night" throughout the song emphasizes the idea that the sexual encounter was a passionate and intimate experience. The line "She told me she’s wormin’ her knees, I touched her, she’s started to breathe" further emphasizes the physical pleasure of the encounter.
Overall, the song portrays a consensual and passion-filled sexual encounter between two adults. The lyrics celebrate the physical and emotional aspects of sexual experiences and portray it as a natural and positive aspect of human behavior.
Line by Line Meaning
They're talkin', talkin' about Molly
People are gossiping about Molly
She's cryin', isn't it funny
Molly is crying and it's possibly ironic
I turned her without any money
I seduced her without any financial payment
She's 28 years old tonight
Molly is celebrating her 28th birthday tonight
I told her not to fear, it's all very right
I comforted her by saying that everything is okay
She listened and came to my side
Molly followed and stood by me
Then whispered she wanted to ride
Molly expressed her desire to have sex
She slowed down right with the tide
Molly matched her pace with that of the waves in the ocean
She told me she's wormin' her knees
Molly said that she's experiencing excitement and anticipation
I touched her, she's started to breathe
My touch made Molly start breathing heavily
She opened and let in the breeze
Molly opened up to me and allowed herself to feel free
Silk on silk, feather and light, make the black out of the night
The smoothness of silk against silk, and the lightness of feathers, can make the darkness of the night disappear
She's 28 years old tonight, I told her not to fear, it's all very night
I reassured Molly that her age is not a problem and everything is alright
Next morning, two nights after, she woke up, grinning with laughter
Two nights later, the morning after, Molly woke up smiling and laughing
I kissed her, she came at me faster
I kissed Molly and she became more eager for sexual activity
Silk on silk, feather and light, make the black out of the white
Similar to before, the smoothness of silk and lightness of feathers can make the white appear bright
Repeat?
The song repeats the same themes over and over again
Contributed by Jacob K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Philip Kassabian
on Move Over
A really great song.
Philip Kassabian
on It's Never Too Late
Yet another great Steppenwolf song.
Philip Kassabian
on Jupiter's Child
Wow what an excellent song.
Philip Kassabian
on Born to Be Wild
Wow a great song love it.
Scott
on Happy Birthday
It is I hope you read your story book NOT WRECK YOUR STORY BOOK.