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.
Do Or Die
Steppenwolf Lyrics
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Got nothin' more to show ya, there ain't no more to say
You know the mess we made, it just will not go away
It's what we get for acting like a herd of sheep and swine
It's time to pay the piper and we're running out of time
We got to change the way we do the things we do
And we need everyone aboard to make it through
It's do or die, we got to turn the ship around
It's do or die, we got to learn or we'll go down together
There ain't no captain here to teach us how to steer
There's just the crew, that's me and you
There ain't no easy answer, there ain't no magic tricks
It can't wait until tomorrow, you can't fix it in the mix
Come join the rainbow warriors, help us fight this dirty war
The enemy is everywhere, he's waitin' right behind your door
We got to hold the line or go down in defeat
Do what you can to help, take only what you need
It's do or die, we got to turn the ship around
It ain't no lie, we're 'bout to burn, we're 'bout to drown
It's do or die, we got to learn or we'll go down together
There'll be no Calvary to come and set us free
There's just the sea and you and me
The song "Do or Die" by Steppenwolf speaks of the urgency for change and a call for action in the face of imminent disaster. The lyrics suggest that humanity has reached a point where there is no more space for errors, and it is time to take responsibility for the mess we created. The lines "Got nothin' more to show ya, there ain't no more to say, You know the mess we made, it just will not go away" signify that the damage has been done, and there is no turning back.
The chorus "It's do or die, we got to turn the ship around, It ain't no lie, we're 'bout to burn, we're about to drown, It's do or die, we got to learn or we'll go down together" brings out a sense of urgency and the need for immediate action before it's too late. The song emphasizes the importance of change, as the current situation is unsustainable and will only result in destruction. The lyrics also suggest that everyone has a role to play in making a change and overcoming the challenges ahead.
Overall, "Do or Die" is a song that calls for unity, resilience, and proactive action, especially when the times are tough. It suggests that taking responsibility for our actions and working together towards a common goal is the only way forward in such a situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Got nothin' more to show ya, there ain't no more to say
We have exhausted all possible solutions and explanations, and there is nothing left to present or discuss.
You know the mess we made, it just will not go away
The problems and consequences of our actions have lingered and continue to persist, and ignoring them will not make them disappear.
It's what we get for acting like a herd of sheep and swine
Our willingness to blindly follow others and behave without thought or care has led to our current predicament.
It's time to pay the piper and we're running out of time
We must face the consequences of our actions before it is too late, and time is rapidly running out.
We got to change the way we do the things we do
We need to alter our behavior and decisions if we want to achieve a different outcome and avoid repeating past mistakes.
And we need everyone aboard to make it through
Every individual must be involved and committed to achieving a successful outcome. No one can succeed alone.
It's do or die, we got to turn the ship around
Our situation is dire, and we must take immediate action to reverse our course and avoid disaster.
It ain't no lie, we're 'bout to burn, we're about to drown
Our future is filled with danger and uncertainty, and we must act swiftly to save ourselves from a fiery or watery demise.
It's do or die, we got to learn or we'll go down together
Our only chance at survival is to adapt and evolve as a group, or else we will all face ruin and failure.
There ain't no captain here to teach us how to steer
We must rely on ourselves and our collective knowledge and experience to navigate our way through our troubles.
There's just the crew, that's me and you
We are the only ones who can make a difference and affect change. We must work together as a team.
There ain't no easy answer, there ain't no magic tricks
Solving our problems and overcoming our challenges will not be effortless or quick, and there is no easy solution or shortcut.
It can't wait until tomorrow, you can't fix it in the mix
We need to act immediately and with purpose, and mere talk or superficial solutions will not suffice.
Come join the rainbow warriors, help us fight this dirty war
We need enthusiastic and willing supporters to join us in our cause and battle the forces that seek to hold us back.
The enemy is everywhere, he's waitin' right behind your door
The obstacles and adversaries that block our path are scattered all around us, and we must be vigilant and prepared at all times.
We got to hold the line or go down in defeat
We must not falter or retreat in the face of adversity, or else we risk losing everything and facing ultimate failure.
Do what you can to help, take only what you need
We must all pitch in and contribute what we can to the cause, while being mindful and respectful of the resources we have.
There'll be no Calvary to come and set us free
We cannot expect anyone else to rescue us from our problems or save us from our mistakes. We must rely on ourselves and each other.
There's just the sea and you and me
We are adrift in a vast and uncertain world, and we must work together to navigate our way through it and reach a safe harbor.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN KAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ralphreinhardt6020
Pretty damn good tune ! 😎👍