The single version differs noticeably from the album version with a different vocal take by Kay used for the first verse of the song and differing instrumental balances. The single version is also much shorter than the album version, with a running time of 2 minutes and 55 seconds (the album version is 4 minutes and 25 seconds long).
Magic Carpet Ride
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Right between the sound machine
On a cloud of sound I drift in the night
Any place it goes is right
Goes far, flies near
To the stars away from here
Well, you don't know what we can find
On a magic carpet ride
Well, you don't know what we can see
Why don't you tell your dreams to me
Fantasy will set you free
Close your eyes, girl
Look inside, girl
Let the sound take you away
Last night I hold Aladdin's lamp
And so I wished that I could stay
Before the thing could answer me
Well, someone came and took the lamp away
I looked around, a lousy candle's all I found
Well, you don't know what we can find
Why don't you come with me, little girl
On a magic carpet ride
Well, you don't know what we can see
Why don't you tell your dreams to me
Fantasy will set you free
Close your eyes, girl
Look inside, girl
Let the sound take you away
You don't know what we can find
Why don't you come with me, little girl
On a magic carpet ride
Well, you don't know what we can see
Why don't you tell your dreams to me
Fantasy will set you free
The song "Magic Carpet Ride" by Steppenwolf is a psychedelic classic that describes a journey on a magic carpet, a symbol of transcendence and escape from the mundane. The lyrics extol the power of music and imagination to lift one's spirit and expand one's consciousness. The first stanza sets the stage for the dreamlike atmosphere of the song, with the singer inviting the listener to "dream" and "drift in the night" on a "cloud of sound" that takes them "any place" they want to go. The second stanza encourages the listener to explore the unknown and share their innermost desires with the singer, who promises that "fantasy will set you free."
The chorus is a catchy refrain that invites the listener to join the singer on the magic carpet ride, which is presented as a metaphor for the experience of music and the expansiveness of the mind. The third stanza introduces an Arabian Nights reference, suggesting that the magic carpet ride represents a journey to a exotic and magical realm, where wishes can come true. However, the stanza also suggests that the transcendent experience is not without risks and setbacks, as the singer's wish to stay in the dreamlike state is thwarted by the loss of the lamp, a symbol of illumination and enlightenment.
Overall, the song "Magic Carpet Ride" is a celebration of the power of music and the imagination to lift us out of our everyday existence and give us a glimpse of a higher reality. The lyrics encourage the listener to open themselves up to new experiences, to share their dreams and desires, and to embrace the unknown with a sense of wonder and excitement. The song's upbeat melody, catchy chorus, and psychedelic sound have made it a classic of 1960s rock and an anthem for those who seek to escape the limitations of the physical world and explore the infinite possibilities of the mind.
Line by Line Meaning
I like to dream, yes, yes
I enjoy escaping into a world of imagination
Right between the sound machine
In the midst of music, my mind wanders
On a cloud of sound I drift in the night
I am transported by the music, losing myself in it
Any place it goes is right
The music can take me to any place, and it feels right
Goes far, flies near
The music can take me on a journey far away or close by
To the stars away from here
The music can take me to a place far away from my reality
Well, you don't know what we can find
There are endless possibilities on this journey
Why don't you come with me, little girl
Join me on this adventure
On a magic carpet ride
Let the music take us on a ride like magic
Why don't you tell your dreams to me
Share your own imaginative world with me
Fantasy will set you free
Imagining can be liberating
Close your eyes, girl
Shut out the world and focus on the music
Look inside, girl
Reflect on your thoughts and emotions during the experience
Let the sound take you away
Allow the music to transport you
Last night I hold Aladdin's lamp
In my dream, I possessed a magical artifact
And so I wished that I could stay
I wanted the dream to continue forever
Before the thing could answer me
Before my wish could be fulfilled
Well, someone came and took the lamp away
The dream came to an end
I looked around, a lousy candle's all I found
Reality was a disappointment in comparison to the dream
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Kay, Rushton John Moreve
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.