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.
Jaded Strumpet
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"That are mean and know they're demons."
"Diamonds are sequins, don't knock them on their ass."
"I got a high struttin' floosy."
"She's clean, and always choosy."
"She got her way to the head of her class."
"And they call her Jaded Strumpet."
"You know that girl sure blows trumpet."
"Got a hootchie cootchie thrill bed."
"You treat her right, she might show you that."
(END CHORUS):
"Now she won't have the worlds permission
to please her needs and disposion."
"She does what she wants and she'll say what she feels and if you try to catch and scold her. You'll do your best that you won't bore her."
"She don't need ya just to pay for meals."
"And they call her Jaded Strumpet."
"You know that girl sure blows trumpet."
"Got a hootchie cootchie thrill bed."
"You treat her right, she might show you there."
"And if you think she'll let you ride her, only two words can discribe her."
"Please don't you ever drive her, she's really quite a lily in her own way."
(repeat chorus)
The lyrics of Steppenwolf's "Jaded Strumpet" are about a woman who is independent and unapologetic about her desires and needs. She is described as a "mean demon" who knows how to take care of herself and won't be dictated by anyone. The singer has a fascination for women like her, who are strong-willed and confident. He specifically talks about a woman who he calls the "Jaded Strumpet," who is a high-class and choosy "floosy" who is always at the head of her class.
In the chorus, the "Jaded Strumpet" is hailed for her talent in "blowing trumpet" and having a "hootchie cootchie thrill bed." She is portrayed as a woman who is in control of her own sexuality and who can give pleasure to those who treat her right. The lyrics also emphasize that this woman doesn't need anyone to pay for her meals or to validate her existence.
Overall, the song celebrates a type of woman who was not often celebrated in mainstream culture during the time it was written. It presents an alternative view of femininity that is empowering and liberating.
Line by Line Meaning
You know, I got a thing for women.
I have a preference for women.
That are mean and know they're demons.
I like women who are assertive and confident.
Diamonds are sequins, don't knock them on their ass.
Don't underestimate or undervalue women because of their appearance.
I got a high struttin' floozy.
I have a flashy and confident girlfriend.
She's clean, and always choosy.
She takes care of herself and is selective in her choices.
She got her way to the head of her class.
She is successful and accomplished.
And they call her Jaded Strumpet.
She has a reputation for being cynical and promiscuous.
You know that girl sure blows trumpet.
She is skilled and talented.
Got a hootchie cootchie thrill bed.
She has a seductive and exciting personality.
You treat her right, she might show you that.
If you treat her with respect, she may open up to you.
Now she won't have the worlds permission
She doesn't need anyone else's approval.
to please her needs and disposition.
She will satisfy her own desires and follow her own path.
She does what she wants and she'll say what she feels and if you try to catch and scold her. You'll do your best that you won't bore her.
She speaks her mind and won't be controlled or restricted. If you try to constrain her, you'll risk losing her interest.
She don't need ya just to pay for meals.
She is independent and doesn't rely on anyone else for financial support.
And if you think she'll let you ride her, only two words can describe her.
She won't be a passive partner in a relationship. Two words can describe her: assertive and independent.
Please don't you ever drive her, she's really quite a lily in her own way.
Don't try to take control of her, because she is unique and special in her own way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JERRY EDMONTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
totallyunmemorable
The lyric that you find at every lyric site are just incredibly wrong. This is much closer, pretty much dead on.
Jaded Strumpet
You know I got a thing for women
That are lean and know their 'deemer (redeemer)
Diamonds and sequins don't knock them on their ass
I got a high struttin' floozy
She's clean and always choosy
She caught her way to the head of her class
And they call her jaded strumpet
You know that girl sure goes trumpin'
She's got a hootchie cootchie trophy
You treat her right and she might show you there
Now she won't ask the world's permission
To please her needs and disposition
She does what she wants and she says what she feels
And if you try to catch and hold her
Then do your best that you won't bore her
She don't need ya just to pay for her meals
And if you think she'll let you ride her
Only two words can describe her
Please, don't you overdrive her
She's really quite a lady in her own way
L Short
Jaded Strumpet
You know I got a thing for women
That are lean and know their demon
Diamonds and sequins don't knock them on their ass
I got a high struttin' floozy
She's clean and always choosy
She caught her way to the head of the class
And they call her jaded strumpet
You know that girl sure blows trumpet
She's got a hootchie cootchie throat, yeah
You treat her right and she might show you that.
Now she won't ask the world's permission
To please her needs a disposition
She does what she wants and she says what she feels
And if you try to catch and hold her
Then do your best but you won't ball her
She don't need ya just to pay for her meals
And if you think she'll let you ride her
Only two words can describe her
Please, don't you overdrive her
She's really quite a lady in her own way
Michael Farmer
I was singing this entire album by the time I was 6. My Mom was a Steppenwolf fan. Once I was an adult, I was able to take her to a Steppenwolf concert before she passed away from breast cancer at the age of 60.
George Biancosino Jr.
Thank you for uploading these singles from For Ladies Only. Not that I don't already have several copies on vinyl and CD. To me this album, "7", "Monster" were at a time despite personnel changes the band was really gelling together musically. I love the mixture and texture of this song as well as the whole album.
Tom Lanning
SUPERSIXTIES SUPERBAND STILL SPEAK FOR TODAYS CULTURE AND TIMES TO COME. STEPPENWOLF GOD BLESS THE BAND PURE LEADERS OF HUMAN RIGHTS!!!
Santiago Sánchez Blanco
Magistral Steppenwolf.Enormes.Hara 36 o 37 años que tengo este álbum en vinilo.
steve screws
The greatest rock and roll band that ever existed john kay musical genius always had the greatest musicians.
bill caldwell
My Uncle turned me onto this album in 1975 when I was a freshman.
Gary Davis
This band is burned into my very soul
Stoian Paul
VERY NICE THIS SONG !
Paul Bennethum
I think most of us have known a woman or two like this. Well, at least if we're lucky we have.
Steve Mostek
the critics hated this song & persecuted the 'wolf for it - but jerry was just being honest