Steppenwolf is a rock band which formed in Los Angeles, California, United … Read Full Bio ↴Steppenwolf is a rock band which formed in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1967. The band originally consisted of John Kay (vocals, guitar), Michael Monarch (guitar), Rushton Moreve (bass), Goldie McJohn (keyboards) and Jerry Edmonton (drums). The band is best known for their hit singles "Born to be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride". They were named after the novel Der Steppenwolf by German author Hermann Hesse.

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.

Lovely Meter
Steppenwolf Lyrics

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Turn on you lovely meter and see me.
They sent you here right special to please me.
We came to conclusions, and sailed a sailor night,...

(Chorus)
It seems like another time, another time..
One time left to be,
One time left to be,

Yeah one time left for me.

I kissed your fragrant bosoms, completely.
We swam across the waters, to calm the sea
Softly spoken words of dreams, gently touch your mind...

(Repeat chorus)

Overall Meaning

The song "Lovely Meter" by Steppenwolf has an intense and poetic quality that is not immediately clear upon listening. The opening lines "Turn on you lovely meter and see me, they sent you here right special to please me" suggest a certain level of narcissism and control, particularly in the word "sent" which implies that the woman is there for the explicit purpose of pleasing him. However, the use of the word "lovely" suggests that there is a certain beauty or value to this woman beyond her ability to please, and the fact that he is asking her to "see" him suggests a desire for intimacy, understanding, and connection.

The second verse follows a similar pattern, with the singer describing physical intimacy with the woman in terms that are both sensual and possessive. However, there is also a sense of vulnerability, as they "swam across the waters to calm the sea" and "softly spoken words of dreams gently touch your mind." These lines suggest a need for comfort and escape, and the use of the word "dreams" implies a desire for something beyond the mundane or ordinary.

Line by Line Meaning

Turn on you lovely meter and see me.
Activate your emotional sensor and perceive my essence.

They sent you here right special to please me.
They specially sent you to gratify my desires.

We came to conclusions, and sailed a sailor night,...
We reached conclusions and navigated through a challenging night...

(Chorus)
Refrain that signifies a different era.

It seems like another time, another time..
It appears to belong to a different epoch.

One time left to be,
Only one opportunity remains,

Yeah one time left for me.
Yes, only one chance persist for me.

I kissed your fragrant bosoms, completely.
I passionately kissed your floral chest, wholeheartedly.

We swam across the waters, to calm the sea
We swam through the waters to pacify the turbulent nature.

Softly spoken words of dreams, gently touch your mind...
Gently spoken idealistic words touch your thoughts...

(Repeat chorus)
Refrain that signifies a different era.