Monster
Steppenwolf Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of Kingdom and pope

Like good Christians some would burn the witches
Later some got slaves to gather riches
But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands, to court the wild
But she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

And once the ties with the crown had been broken
Westward in saddle and wagon it went
And till the railroad linked ocean to ocean
Many the lives which had come to an end

While we bullied, stole and bought a homeland
We began the slaughter of the red man

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
But she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

The Blue and Grey they stomped it
They kicked it just like a dog
And when the war was over
They stuffed it just like a hog

And though the past has its share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But its protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it's a monster and will not obey

The spirit was freedom and justice
And its keepers seemed generous and kind
Its leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won't pay it no mind
Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
Now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told

Yeah, there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into the noose
And it just sits there watchin'

The cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin' the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can't understand
We don't know how to mind our own business
'Cause the whole world's got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who's the winner we can't pay the cost

'Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into the noose
And it just sits there watchin'

America, where are you now
Don't you care about your sons and daughters
Don't you know we need you now
We can't fight alone against the monster

America, where are you now
Don't you care about your sons and daughters
Don't you know we need you now
We can't fight alone against the monster





America...America...America...America...

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Steppenwolf’s “Monster” are rich with social commentary and political criticism. The song describes the history of America, starting with the arrival of religious pilgrims and their pursuit for freedom and hope. However, it highlights the hypocrisy of these early settlers when they resort to burning witches and owning slaves to attain riches. The song then touches on the displacement and slaughter of Native Americans, brought about by Westward expansion.


The themes of social injustice and malfeasance are continued in the latter half of the song, where Steppenwolf shifts the focus on the contemporary issues plaguing American society. The police force, corruption, the greed of the government, and the misguided priorities of the people all contribute to the “monster” that the song refers to. The chorus emphasizes the need for America to be united and proactive in solving these pressing problems.


The song is poignant and insightful, exposing social ills and imploring listeners to take action. With its use of history, storytelling, and symbolism, “Monster” remains relevant to this day.


Line by Line Meaning

Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Referring to the pilgrims who came to America seeking religious freedom.


Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Describing the reason the pilgrims came to America.


Came to this country to build a new vision
The main reason the pilgrims came to America was to create a new society based on their own beliefs.


Far from the reaches of Kingdom and pope
Describing the distance the pilgrims wanted from the authority of old world monarchies and religious institutions.


Like good Christians some would burn the witches
A reference to the persecution of non-believers in early American history.


Later some got slaves to gather riches
A reference to the use of slaves for commercial gain in America's history.


But still from near and far to seek America
Despite America's troubled past, people from all over the world still sought out the opportunities it had to offer.


They came by thousands, to court the wild
Describing the mass migration to the American West, where people sought new opportunities and adventure.


But she just patiently smiled and bore a child
America is personified as a mother, giving birth to the hopes and dreams of those who sought out opportunity in the new world.


To be their spirit and guiding light
Elevating the idea of America into something noble and inspirational for those seeking to create a better life.


And once the ties with the crown had been broken
A reference to the American Revolution and the breaking of ties with England.


Westward in saddle and wagon it went
Describing the mass migration to the American West when the United States began to expand.


And till the railroad linked ocean to ocean
A reference to the completion of the transcontinental railroad, linking the east coast of America to the west.


Many the lives which had come to an end
Referring to the high cost and human toll of the westward expansion.


While we bullied, stole and bought a homeland
A reference to the treatment of Native Americans by the United States government and citizens.


We began the slaughter of the red man
Condemning the genocide of Native Americans in America's history.


The Blue and Grey they stomped it
A reference to the American Civil War and its impact on the country.


They kicked it just like a dog
Describing the brutality of the Civil War and its impact on the country.


And when the war was over
After the Civil War ended.


They stuffed it just like a hog
A metaphor for how the country treated the aftermath of the war and the people who suffered during it.


And though the past has its share of injustice
Acknowledging America's troubled history.


Kind was the spirit in many a way
Despite its troubled past, America is still viewed as a place with a generous and positive spirit.


But its protectors and friends have been sleeping
Referring to the passivity of American citizens and political leadership in addressing the country's current problems.


Now it's a monster and will not obey
Alluding to the problems facing America today and calling them a 'monster' that must be dealt with.


The spirit was freedom and justice
Describing the ideals that America was founded upon.


And its keepers seemed generous and kind
Acknowledging the good intentions of America's founders and early leaders.


Its leaders were supposed to serve the country
Describing the role of politicians in America and their responsibility to the people.


But now they won't pay it no mind
Condemning the current political leadership for ignoring their responsibilities to American citizens.


Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
Pointing out the complacency of American citizens in the face of political and social challenges.


Now their vote is a meaningless joke
Highlighting the erosion of democracy in America and the disenfranchisement of voters.


They babble about law and order
Mocking the simplistic rhetoric of politicians in the face of more complex issues.


But it's all just an echo of what they've been told
Condemning American society for its lack of independent thinking and critical analysis of political issues.


Yeah, there's a monster on the loose
Referring again to the challenge facing America today.


It's got our heads into the noose
Describing the danger of the problems facing America.


And it just sits there watchin'
Alluding to the passivity of American leadership in addressing the country's problems.


The cities have turned into jungles
Highlighting the problems facing urban areas in America...


And corruption is stranglin' the land
Pointing out the systemic corruption in America, which is preventing it from achieving its full potential.


The police force is watching the people
Alluding to the erosion of civil liberties in America and the creeping authoritarianism of the police state.


And the people just can't understand
Condemning American citizens for their inaction and lack of awareness of the problems facing the country.


We don't know how to mind our own business
Condemning America's tendency to interfere in the affairs of other countries while neglecting problems at home.


'Cause the whole world's got to be just like us
Critiquing America's cultural imperialism and tendency to impose its values and way of life on other nations.


Now we are fighting a war over there
Alluding to America's involvement in foreign conflicts and wars.


No matter who's the winner we can't pay the cost
Highlighting the economic and human cost of America's foreign interventions.


America, where are you now
the song ends with a plea to America to wake up to the problems facing the country and to fulfill its potential.


Don't you care about your sons and daughters
Highlighting America's responsibility to its own citizens and the importance of protecting them.


Don't you know we need you now
Acknowledging that America is still a beacon of hope for many, and that its citizens need to work together to address its current challenges.


We can't fight alone against the monster
Pointing out that the problems facing America are too large for any individual to tackle alone.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JERRY EDMONTON, JOHN KAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@thelakeman5207

Everyone loves "Born to be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride" and rightfully so, but IMO, "Monster" is Steppenwolf's best work. The lines "America, where are you now, don't you care about your sons and daughters...." still gives me goose bumps.

@martinschoech8156

I agree with you wholly. It still gets the hairs up on my neck, just like when I was a boy of 10 when I heard it first. Played this song to scratchy noise on that old record player. It always sits in my head day to day bits being sung out loud daily. It has always been my response to fascist racist ideations.❤

@KeithMcMullin-ek1wn

Donald Trump where are you now………..

@karlfisher1864

Corporate America doesn't approve of this. Surprise, surprise.

@irabeam7439

It's a f'n crying shame 😢

@thelakeman5207

@@KeithMcMullin-ek1wn - He's in court.

4 More Replies...

@gerfmon1

It's 2021 and the Monster is still out there. This song rings so true so many years later..

@johnvinga5446

The monster has only grown far more powerful over the past 52 years since the song was written.

@terrydougherty3599

It’s out of control 😡

@timodle1987

ome!!! My brother

More Comments

More Versions