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.
Chicken Wolf
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tellin' me how proud you are
Some clown just handed you
A shiny little silver star
You say, over there, the men are brave
While the chickens stay away
Cause they're all too much afraid
To fight for somethin' they should believe in
They won't follow when your whistle blows
Won't come runnin' when your rooster crows
Don't eat the same old crow until their minds have gone
They don't fear the squawk of the little silly chicken hawk
Uh, uh huh, help us clean our own backyard
Before you go to preach abroad
Believe me it won't be easy
As you well know, not every bird can roam the sky
I see your wings, man, but can you fly?
All I see when I look down, something jumpin' on the ground scratchin' dirt
Cluckin' in the barnyard, tell me, could that be you?
In that case, lay another egg
Try to save yourself from the bar-be-cue
The song "Chicken Wolf" by Steppenwolf is a sarcastic commentary on the ideals of the Vietnam War era. The song is directed toward a military man who has just received a silver star, an award given for valor in combat. The singer scoffs at the soldier's pride, stating that the real bravery lies not in fighting a war, but in standing up for one's own beliefs. The soldier's praise of his comrades as brave is met with the implication that they were being forced to fight, as they were too afraid to stand up for themselves.
The chorus of the song further reinforces this message, stating that the soldiers will not blindly follow orders, nor will they be swayed by patriotic rhetoric. The imagery of chickens is used throughout the song to symbolize cowardice and conformity, while the singer presents himself as an outsider who refuses to bow to authority. The final line, "In that case, lay another egg / Try to save yourself from the bar-be-cue", suggests that those who continue to blindly follow orders will ultimately suffer the consequences.
Overall, "Chicken Wolf" is a scathing critique of the military-industrial complex and the societal pressures that lead people to conform rather than think for themselves. It is a powerful reminder to question authority and to stand up for what one believes in.
Line by Line Meaning
You comin' here
You have come to my place
Tellin' me how proud you are
Boasting about your achievements
Some clown just handed you
You were awarded
A shiny little silver star
A medal or badge
You say, over there, the men are brave
You claim that men in other places are courageous
While the chickens stay away
The timid people avoid participating
Cause they're all too much afraid
Because they fear
To fight for somethin' they should believe in
To stand up for their convictions
I'm sorry friend, you've got it backwards
I regret to inform you that you are mistaken
They won't follow when your whistle blows
They will not blindly follow your orders
Won't come runnin' when your rooster crows
They will not automatically respond when you call
Don't eat the same old crow until their minds have gone
Do not try to manipulate them or take advantage of their gullibility
They don't fear the squawk of the little silly chicken hawk
They are not intimidated by those who talk big but have no substance
Uh, uh huh, help us clean our own backyard
Address our problems before trying to solve other issues
Before you go to preach abroad
Before attempting to influence others
Believe me it won't be easy
It will not be a simple task
As you well know, not every bird can roam the sky
Not everyone has the same abilities
I see your wings, man, but can you fly?
You may appear capable, but can you really succeed?
All I see when I look down, something jumpin' on the ground scratchin' dirt
You look like a chicken, scratching the ground
Cluckin' in the barnyard, tell me, could that be you?
Are you a talkative, cowardly chicken?
In that case, lay another egg
Your behavior is cowardly, lay low and do not engage
Try to save yourself from the bar-be-cue
Protect yourself from danger
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN KAY, MICHAEL MONARCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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.