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.
Hold On
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If the heart is a lonely hunter
Then the mind is a loaded gun
Sometimes it begins to wonder
If the love you seek is on the run
All day you've been thinkin' 'bout the coming night
It's the only time you really fear
For you're alone in this wilderness
Hold on, never give up, never give in
Stay young and believe in your chance to win
Hold on, never give up, never give in
Stay young and don't ever betray your dreams
A rough night in the daily jungle
And it's tough times on the nightly news
Somehow you ignore the rumble
Of the heart that's shakin' in your shoes
"Someday", you just keep on sayin'
"Someday, I will find a way to live my dream"
But there's no guarantee
Still, you got hope and your fantasy
Hold on, never give up, never give in
Stay young and believe in your chance to win
Hold on, never give up, never give in
Stay young and don't ever betray your dreams
Keep on dreaming, keep on scheming
Stay fast and young, your time will come
Keep on hoping, keep on coping
Stay fast and young, your time will come
Keep on believing, keep on achieving
Stay fast and young, your time will come
© 1986 Rambunctious Music (ASCAP),
Michael John Music (BMI),
Attlebrat (BMI)
The lyrics of Hold On by Steppenwolf reflect the struggles of the mind and the heart while navigating through life towards a desired goal. The song begins by comparing the heart to a lonely hunter and the mind to a loaded gun. It suggests that while the heart yearns for love, the mind is always on guard against any potential threats. The lyrics continue to describe the fear one might feel about the future and the unknown. The chorus urges the listener to hold on, never give up and never give in. It emphasizes the importance of staying young at heart and believing in one's ability to achieve their dreams.
The second verse speaks of the daily struggles and the constant negative news that surrounds us. It highlights how easy it is to ignore our inner turmoil while we try to survive in the real world. The inner voice continues to yearn for the realization of one's dreams and hopes. The chorus once again emphasizes the importance of holding on, staying young, and never betraying one's dreams. The song ends with a series of encouraging phrases that emphasize staying positive and believing in oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
If the heart is a lonely hunter
The heart often feels isolated in its search for love and belonging.
Then the mind is a loaded gun
The mind is powerful and capable of either helping or hurting oneself and others.
Sometimes it begins to wonder
The mind sometimes questions whether the love one seeks is worth pursuing.
If the love you seek is on the run
If the love you desire is unavailable or out of reach, it can be a painful experience.
All day you've been thinkin' 'bout the coming night
The anticipation of the night can be both exciting and fear-inducing, as it represents the unknown.
It's the only time you really fear
The night can be scary because it represents the uncertainties of the future.
It holds no tenderness
The night can be harsh and unforgiving, without offering any comfort or solace.
For you're alone in this wilderness
The night can be a lonely and desolate place, where one feels disconnected from others.
Hold on, never give up, never give in
Persevere, even when times are tough and it seems like you're not making progress.
Stay young and believe in your chance to win
Maintain a youthful spirit and optimism, and trust that you will ultimately succeed.
A rough night in the daily jungle
The daily grind can be tough and unforgiving, presenting its own unique challenges.
And it's tough times on the nightly news
The media often reports troubling news, further adding to the sense of uncertainty and fear.
Somehow you ignore the rumble
You push past the anxieties and fears, choosing not to give in to them.
Of the heart that's shakin' in your shoes
Despite feeling fear in your heart, you remain determined to press forward.
"Someday", you just keep on sayin'
You hold onto the hope that someday your dreams will come true, even when it seems unlikely.
"Someday, I will find a way to live my dream"
You remain optimistic that you will ultimately achieve your goals.
But there's no guarantee
Success is never guaranteed, no matter how much hope or effort you put in.
Still, you got hope and your fantasy
Despite the uncertainties, you hold onto your dreams and aspirations.
Keep on dreaming, keep on scheming
Continue to dream big, and make strategic plans to achieve those dreams.
Stay fast and young, your time will come
Remain determined and optimistic, because someday you will succeed.
Keep on hoping, keep on coping
Hold onto hope, and find healthy ways to deal with the difficulties that come your way.
Stay fast and young, your time will come
Believe that you will ultimately succeed, no matter how tough the journey may be.
Keep on believing, keep on achieving
Believe in yourself and your abilities, and continue striving towards your goals.
Stay fast and young, your time will come
Hold onto hope and optimism, because someday you will achieve your dreams.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALEX NASH, HAMISH KAY, JAMIE ROBERTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@LarryConley1943
I have loved John Kay and Steppenwolf for a long time, and I still draw inspiration from their words and work!
@GerryLayton1
Brilliant! This song came out on the "Rock & Roll Rebels" CD in 1987 and I heard this song just when I needed to hear it. Still one of my Steppenwolf faves.
@SouthCarolinaPicker
.. I read where JohnKay said the "Rock & Roll Rebels" LP was intended to be a spec demo for the record label, but it was released anyway! Which is why they "up-dated/remixed/remastered" most of it for the "Feed The Fire" release.. and you are so right .. this is a terrific track .. and (f memory serves) was the last charting single for these guys
@Ujuani68
Just the best. Nobody beats John Kay!
@LarryConley1943
Super song! Everyone needs this advice from time to time, but it is especially valuable for young people.
@SouthCarolinaPicker
.. I'm in 100% agreement .. This is a terrific song with a great message
@lesschoenberger3070
This song should've been a hit, I could hear it in a movie soundtrack. Great song!
@rogerblanton2639
Damn right
@toneyisaiah408
From the 1987 album, Rock And Roll Rebels.
@LarryConley1943
Just offered this to a friend who was feeling down and out. Hope he hears it clear enough!