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.
Hootchie Kootchie Man
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The gypsy woman told my mama
On the day I was born
Oh, you got a boy child comin'
Oh Lord, he's gonna be a sun of a gun
He's gonna make those pretty women
You know, he's gonna make 'em jump and shout
What it's all about
Yeah, you know I'm here
And everybody knows I'm here
I'm your Hoochie Coochie man
Oh Lord, Everybody knows I'm here
I got a black cat bone
Lord I got a mojo too
I got little John, the conquered
Oh baby, I'm gonna mess with you
I'm gonna grab those pretty women
I'm gonna grab 'em by the hand
You know, the whole wide world gonna know
Oh Lord, I'm your Hoochie Coochie man
Yes, you know I'm here
Everybody knows I'm here
On the seventh hour
Oh Lord, on the seventh day
I tell you on the seventh month, child
Hey, the seven doctors say
Now he was born for luck
I said, baby, don't you see
I got seven hundred dollars darlin'
Don't you mess with me
Because I'm here
Everybody, everybody knows I'm here
I'm you Hoochie Coochie man
Hey, I tell you, everybody knows I'm here
© Hoochie Coochie Music (BMI)
The Steppenwolf's song Hootchie Kootchie Man is a classic blues song that depicts the persona of a mythical healer and miracle maker. The song starts with a reference to a gypsy woman who told the singer's mother on the day he was born about the remarkable abilities of her child. The Hootchie Kootchie Man is a powerful figure who is highly respected and hasn't been called upon except when needed. The song also talks about the Hootchie Kootchie Man's immense strength over women and how he can make them "jump and shout" with just his presence.
The song's lyrics also reference some traditional elements of African-American folklore that are believed to help the Hootchie Kootchie Man perform miracles. These elements include a black cat bone, mojo, and Little John, the conquered. These elements were supposed to help the Hootchie Kootchie Man hold immense power and dominate others, making people believe in his abilities.
Overall, the song portrays the Hootchie Kootchie Man as a larger-than-life character who seems to possess supernatural powers. He is highly respected, and everybody knows about him and his abilities.
Line by Line Meaning
The gypsy woman told my mama
A psychic woman told my mother
On the day I was born
The day of my birth
Oh, you got a boy child comin'
The child you bear will be a son
Oh Lord, he's gonna be a sun of a gun
Oh God, he's going to be an energetic young man
He's gonna make those pretty women
He will attract many beautiful women
You know, he's gonna make 'em jump and shout
He will excite and energize them
The whole wide world gonna wonder
The entire world will be curious
What it's all about
About the reason and purpose of his actions
Yeah, you know I'm here
You already know I am present
And everybody knows I'm here
Everyone is aware of my presence
I'm your Hoochie Coochie man
I am the performer of the Hoochie Coochie dance
I got a black cat bone
I have a lucky charm
Lord I got a mojo too
I have another lucky charm
I got little John, the conquered
I have another lucky charm named Little John
Oh baby, I'm gonna mess with you
Oh darling, I will tease you
I'm gonna grab those pretty women
I will physically embrace attractive women
I'm gonna grab 'em by the hand
I will hold their hands
You know, the whole wide world gonna know
The entire world will know about my actions
Oh Lord, I'm your Hoochie Coochie man
Oh God, I am the performer of the Hoochie Coochie dance
On the seventh hour
At the seventh hour of the day
Oh Lord, on the seventh day
Oh God, on the seventh day of the week
I tell you on the seventh month, child
I am telling you on the seventh month of the year
Hey, the seven doctors say
The seven medical professionals confirm
Now he was born for luck
He was born to bring good fortune
I said, baby, don't you see
I said, darling, do you not realize
I got seven hundred dollars darlin'
I have seven hundred dollars, my dear
Don't you mess with me
Do not provoke me
Because I'm here
Because I am present
Everybody, everybody knows I'm here
Everyone is aware of my presence
I'm you Hoochie Coochie man
I am the performer of the Hoochie Coochie dance
Hey, I tell you, everybody knows I'm here
Hey, I am telling you, everyone is aware of my presence
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: WILLIE DIXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Captain Joe (Best Radio 947)
Undoubtebly the best rendition of this blues standard, with a high degree of psychedelia...
Ray Scott
This song was made for the people at the time. My generation can still dig it. 72 and counting.
Tom Mc Conville
Count me one too at 72 Ray
NitrousNinja
I'm a blues lover who is very fussy and hard to please. I found this Steppenwolf rendition of "Hoochie Coochie Man" to be top shelf. Excellent electric blues here! I think higher of them now then I ever did before.
RONALD POKATILOFF
Great rhythm with the heavy bass. Lead them by the hand in the original words. Very artistic ensemble playing!
Roberto Luiz
The best version of this song , no doubt about it! What a sound!!
Lee Eisenstein
Saw them back in the day, at the Catalyst in Santa Cruz. They blew the roof off the place. By the end of the show, the audience was in total pandemonium. John Kay's vocals were phenomenal.
Fred Flint
If you hear this version of Hoochie Coochie first, then all others will pale by comparison. They literally made this song their own. I don't mean to take anything away from muddy waters, he is good, but all the extra instrumentation of this version makes it awesome. Deep down, funky awesome.
MrZootalores
Respect. teenage high school guitarist Michael Monarch did serious shit to make this album great; he made a lotta $ for Muddy you weekend critics...
PatiMelts
Jeff healy did pretty good