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.
In Hopes Of A Garden
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The scent of a smile
A long summer's day love
Quickly dissolves away
In hopes of a garden
The scent of a smile
A long summer's day
We'll use our hopes as a place
Come with me
Come with me
Come with me
The opening lines of Steppenwolf's song, "In Hopes of a Garden," describe a fleeting love that seems to have dissolved quickly. The scent of a smile and a long summer's day love are powerful metaphors that hint at the temporary nature of love and life itself. However, the singer still holds on to hope, which is symbolized by a garden. A garden is a hopeful place where life blooms and thrives despite the challenges of the world. The singer implores the listener to join them in this hopeful place, where their dreams and aspirations can take root and grow.
The repetition of the first two lines and the chorus, "We'll use our hopes as a place," is a reminder that life is often full of disappointments and difficulties, but hope can be a refuge and a place where one can find strength and resilience. By inviting the listener to come with them to this garden, the singer is offering a sense of companionship and solidarity in the face of life's struggles.
Overall, "In Hopes of a Garden" is a song about finding hope in the midst of uncertainty and transience. It's a reminder that even though life can be fleeting, it's still worth cherishing and nurturing.
Line by Line Meaning
In hopes of a garden
Looking forward to a beautiful garden filled with flowers and plants
The scent of a smile
Fragrance that reminds us of a pleasant smile
A long summer's day love
Love and affection that lasts all day during summer
Quickly dissolves away
Sadly, the love doesn't last long and fades away quickly
We'll use our hopes as a place
We will create our own world and hope for better things to come
Come with me
Join me on this journey towards finding hope and happiness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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Debbie Lane
George Biondo's voice and lyrics on this are beautiful! He really added something special to the band.
Michael Johnson
Right on girl!!!!
Prone2Thrill
Thank you! I believe this is the only song he wrote and sang solo for Steppenwolf.
Stephen Howes
@Prone2Thrill Jaded Strumpet also from the same album, but he did sing a lot of supporting vocals with John Kay on "Steppenwolf 7"
sun flower
my favorite two minute song in the whole world.great album too,but weren't they all! in my opinion one of the most underrated and underplayed bands in history
low down
Me too
Prone2Thrill
Awesome to hear that. My dad would be proud to hear that. Think I'll mention it next time.
5jerry1
Everything by this band was incredible.
Boris Bulkin
my favorite song from this album
Debra Fadely
i had this album. i love it. thank you for posting these songs. lovely.