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.
Lost And Found By Trial And Error
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because I found out that she's not the one
I'm looking for
So, once again I blame someone
Because I know that she can't use the love
I have in store
And now she's gone
And I'm glad her story ends
We could have parted just like friends
So, one more time I've played, lost the game
Another face in the past, without a name
Back in the night to find a light
And hoping this time I'll be right
I know you don't know me
But I need your company
Don't wanna be alone tonight
You can trust me girl
You'll be alright
Looked at me with big brown eyes
She said "yes" to my surprise
And now I call her in the morning
And I see her every night
I see her in the evening
And when I'm with her, I'm alright
The lyrics to Steppenwolf's Lost And Found By Trial And Error are an introspective reflection on the singer's romantic failures and the toll that these past relationships have taken on him. The singer speaks of hurting someone once again because he realizes that she is not the love that he seeks. He blames her for not being able to use the love he has in store, but in doing so reveals his own shortcomings as a partner. The relationship ends, and although the singer is relieved that it's over, he finds himself wishing that he had been kinder. The cycle repeats itself with the singer playing another game and losing once more.
In the second half of the song, the singer meets someone new and feels a sense of hope. He seeks her company and promises that she can trust him. He is surprised when she agrees to be with him and he is grateful for her companionship. Seeing her in the evening and every night gives him a sense of comfort and contentment.
The lyrics to Lost And Found By Trial And Error are an honest exploration of the singer's struggles with romantic relationships. He is flawed, but is still searching for love and connection. The repetitive nature of the song highlights how the singer's past experiences have shaped his present attitude towards love.
Line by Line Meaning
So, once again I hurt someone
I unintentionally caused emotional pain to someone
Because I found out that she's not the one
Because I realized that we were not compatible for a long-term relationship
I'm looking for
I'm searching for a partner who is a good match for me
So, once again I blame someone
I'm shifting responsibility for the break up onto someone else
Because I know that she can't use the love
Because I understand that the other person is not interested in having a deeper relationship
I have in store
I have feelings of love that I want to share with another person
And now she's gone
The other person has left my life
And I'm glad her story ends
I am content that our relationship is over
Still I wish I had been kinder
Despite my contentment, I feel remorseful about any hurt I caused
We could have parted just like friends
I wish we could have ended our relationship on good terms like friends do
So, one more time I've played, lost the game
This is another instance where my attempt at finding love has failed
Another face in the past, without a name
Another person who has come and gone from my life
Back in the night to find a light
I am searching for a beacon of hope in my loneliness
And hoping this time I'll be right
I am optimistic that I will find a good match in the future
I know you don't know me
I am a stranger to the person I am speaking to
But I need your company
I am seeking companionship from this person
Don't wanna be alone tonight
I do not wish to be alone for the evening
You can trust me girl
I am assuring the person that she can rely on me
You'll be alright
I am reassuring the person that she will be okay in my company
Looked at me with big brown eyes
The person made eye contact with me
She said 'yes' to my surprise
The person agreed to spend time with me
And now I call her in the morning
I have formed regular contact with this person
And I see her every night
I spend time with her every evening
I see her in the evening
I spend time with her at night
And when I'm with her, I'm alright
I feel content and happy when I am in her company
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN KAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
on Move Over
A really great song.
Philip Kassabian
on It's Never Too Late
Yet another great Steppenwolf song.
Philip Kassabian
on Jupiter's Child
Wow what an excellent song.
Philip Kassabian
on Born to Be Wild
Wow a great song love it.
Scott
on Happy Birthday
It is I hope you read your story book NOT WRECK YOUR STORY BOOK.