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.
Morning Blue
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pours its arms around we two
Past my doorway were those heartbeats
Or a drummer and his drum
No more sleepin' left in me
I thought that I hear footsteps
But they fade away
'Cause people should be laughin'
Every chance they get
Morning blue
Puts an end to all my dreaming
Morning blue
Still comes around and brings me down
Now the morning bright blue cold
Pours its arms around me alone
After waking was I dreaming
Or a killer and her love
Morning blue
Puts an end to all my dreaming
Morning blue
Still comes around and brings me down
Morning blue
Is that a voice that I keep hearing
Or empty dreams
That she'll return with gentle hands to wake me
When it's over,
When it's over.
The song "Morning Blue" by Steppenwolf is a haunting and introspective tune that speaks to the pain and confusion of waking up in the morning after experiencing heartbreak. The opening lines describe the comfort and warmth of love, but quickly give way to anxiety and fear as the singer thoughtlessly wonders if the heartbeats he hears outside are those of his lost love or merely a drummer. This sense of uncertainty and unease permeates the rest of the song as the singer struggles to come to terms with the end of the relationship and the melancholy reality of his current situation.
The repeating refrain of "morning blue puts an end to all my dreaming, still comes around and brings me down" serves to underscore the emotional weight of the singer's struggle. He is unable to escape the pain of his heartbreak, even in his dreams, and is forced to confront it each morning as he wakes up alone. The final stanza suggests that the singer still holds onto the hope that his love will return to him, but is uncertain if it's just an empty dream or if there's any chance of a happy ending.
Overall, "Morning Blue" is a deeply personal and affecting song that speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the difficulties of moving on. Through its introspective lyrics and haunting melody, it captures the raw emotion and pain of lost love while also hinting at the possibility of hope and renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
In the morning sun's golden warmth
The sun shines warmly in the morning, bringing light and energy to the start of a new day.
Pours its arms around we two
The warmth of the sun envelops two people in a comforting embrace.
Past my doorway were those heartbeats
The singer hears heartbeats outside their door and wonders if it's a person or simply a drummer playing music.
Or a drummer and his drum
The sound of the heartbeats is compared to that of a drummer and his drum.
No more sleepin' left in me
The artist is wide awake and cannot fall back asleep.
I thought that I hear footsteps
The singer thinks they hear footsteps but they quickly fade away.
But they fade away
The footsteps that the singer thought they heard disappear into the distance.
Got to stand up and face the day
The artist needs to get up and start their day, facing whatever challenges come their way.
'Cause people should be laughin'
The artist believes that people should be happy and filled with joy.
Every chance they get
People should take every opportunity to enjoy life and find happiness.
Morning blue
The singer is feeling sad and down in the morning, represented by the blue tint of the sky.
Puts an end to all my dreaming
The artist's sadness in the morning interrupts their peaceful dreams and brings them back to reality.
Still comes around and brings me down
Despite the singer's efforts to stay positive, their morning sadness continues to weigh them down.
Now the morning bright blue cold
The morning sky is now a bright blue color, but it still feels cold and unwelcoming.
Pours its arms around me alone
The singer feels isolated and alone in the cold and unwelcoming morning.
After waking was I dreaming
The artist questions whether what they experienced after waking up was real or a dream.
Or a killer and her love
The artist compares their morning experience to that of a relationship with a killer, possibly indicating that the situation is dangerous and unstable.
Is that a voice that I keep hearing
The singer hears a voice and wonders if it's real or a figment of their imagination.
Or empty dreams
The singer considers the possibility that the voice they hear is simply a product of their dreams, rather than something real.
That she'll return with gentle hands to wake me
The artist hopes that someone they miss deeply will return to them and gently wake them up.
When it's over,
The artist longs for a point in time when their sadness and hardship are over and they can find peace.
When it's over.
The artist repeats their desire for things to be blissful and calm in the future.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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.