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.

Faster Than The Speed Of Life
Steppenwolf Lyrics

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Ride the waves of everlove
Let them throw you on the beach
Gathering experience
While it's still in your reach

Faster faster
Faster than the speed of life
Faster faster

Faster than the speed of life

Summer nights of secret fun
Moving farther out each day
Like a shooting star you're flying
Burning up what's in your way

Faster faster
Faster than the speed of life
Faster faster
Faster than the speed of life

Screaming through the walls of inhibition
Past the stream, you're breaking free
There you stand, attained and in confusion
Spread your arms and come to me

Faster faster
Faster than the speed of life
Faster faster
Faster than the speed of life
Faster faster faster

Faster faster faster
Faster than the speed of life

Overall Meaning

The first verse of the song suggests that one should embrace the unpredictable nature of life and let it take them on a ride. The phrase "Ride the waves of everlove" can be interpreted as a metaphor for living life to the fullest and experiencing everything it has to offer. The line "Let them throw you on the beach" suggests that the journey may not always be easy, but one should use the experiences as a chance to learn and grow. The phrase "Gathering experience while it's still in your reach" emphasizes the idea of taking advantage of opportunities before they pass by.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Faster than the speed of life," emphasizing the idea that life moves fast and one should keep up with it. The second verse describes the experience of having fun and living life to the fullest during the summer months, where one can enjoy freedom and adventure. The line "Like a shooting star you're flying, burning up what's in your way" suggests that one should take risks and push past their limitations in order to fully experience life.

The final verse of the song suggests that breaking free from inhibitions can lead to confusion, but it's all a part of the journey. The line "Spread your arms and come to me" implies that one should embrace the chaos and continue to move forward.

Overall, the lyrics suggest that life is unpredictable and moves fast, but one should embrace the journey, take risks, and gather experiences to fully live and grow.

Line by Line Meaning

Ride the waves of everlove
Embrace the ups and downs of love.

Let them throw you on the beach
Let yourself get swept away by love, even if it takes you to unexpected places.

Gathering experience
Take in all that life has to offer.

While it's still in your reach
Seize the opportunities that come your way while you still can.

Faster faster
Life moves quickly, so keep up.

Faster than the speed of life
The pace of life can seem overwhelming, but you must adapt to keep up.

Summer nights of secret fun
Enjoy the carefree moments of summer.

Moving farther out each day
Experience life to the fullest and push beyond your comfort zone.

Like a shooting star you're flying
Move quickly and brightly through life, making the most of every moment.

Burning up what's in your way
Overcome obstacles and challenges with determination.

Screaming through the walls of inhibition
Break free from self-imposed limitations and take risks.