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.
Move Over
Steppenwolf Lyrics
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Too much confusion and no solution
Everyone here knows your fear
You're out of touch and you try too much
Yesterday's glory won't help us today
You want to retire?
Get out of the way
The country needs a father
Not an uncle or big brother
Someone to keep the peace at home
If we can't get it together
Look out for stormy weather
Don't make me pay for your mistakes
I have to pay or my own
Yesterday's glory won't help us today
You want to retire?
Get ou of the way
I ain't got much time
The young ones close behind
I can't wait in line
If we can not wake you
Then we'll have to shake you
Though some say you'll only understand a gun
Got to prove them wrong
Or you will lose the battle
Don't you know we'll start a war
Which will be won by none
Yesterday's glory won't help us today
You want to retire?
Get out of the way
I ain't got much time
The young ones close behind
I can't wait in line
Move over
Come on, Move Over
Yesterday's glory won't help us today
You want to retire?
Get out of the way
I ain't got much time
The young ones close behind
I can't wait in line
"Move Over" is a song by Steppenwolf released in 1969 as part of their album "At Your Birthday Party". The song is a protest against the older generation's inability to provide effective leadership amidst a time of uncertainty and confusion. It contains a message of urgency, telling the elder generation to 'move over' and allow the younger ones to take charge and lead the country forward.
The first verse sets the tone for the song, “Things look bad from over here/ Too much confusion and no solution/ Everyone here knows your fear/ You're out of touch and you try too much”. The younger generation feels that the older generation is ineffective and that they are the only ones who can change the course of the nation. The chorus, “Yesterday's glory won't help us today/ You want to retire? Get out of the way,” talks about how the past achievements of the older generation are irrelevant now and how they should retire and let the younger generation lead.
The second verse goes a step further and says that the country needs a father figure, not just an uncle or big brother. “Someone to keep the peace at home” refers to how they require a leader who can unify the country and maintain peace within the nation. The final verse's lyrics, “Got to prove them wrong/ Or you will lose the battle/ Don't you know we'll start a war/ Which will be won by none” are about how if the older generation fails to step down and let the younger people lead, the country will be headed towards war, with no party benefitting from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Things look bad from over here
The situation seems dire when seen from my perspective.
Too much confusion and no solution
There is a lot of chaos and no clear resolution in sight.
Everyone here knows your fear
All of us can see that you are afraid of something.
You're out of touch and you try too much
You are disconnected from reality and attempt to do too many things at once.
Yesterday's glory won't help us today
Past successes cannot solve present problems.
You want to retire?
Are you thinking of stepping down from your responsibilities?
Get out of the way
If so, please step aside and allow someone else to take charge.
The country needs a father
We require a leader who can act as a protective and supportive figure.
Not an uncle or big brother
Although this person must be caring and nurturing, they cannot be too close or familiar.
Someone to keep the peace at home
We need an individual who can maintain order and harmony within our community.
If we can't get it together
If we cannot unify and work towards a common goal...
Look out for stormy weather
We must brace ourselves for difficult times ahead.
Don't make me pay for your mistakes
Do not force others to suffer the consequences of your errors.
I have to pay or my own
We must each take responsibility for our own actions.
I ain't got much time
I am running out of time to make a difference.
The young ones close behind
The newer generation is rapidly approaching and will soon take over.
I can't wait in line
I cannot afford to wait for others to act before I do.
If we can not wake you
If we cannot rouse you from your complacency...
Then we'll have to shake you
We will need to convince and motivate you to take action.
Though some say you'll only understand a gun
There are those who believe that force is the only way to get through to you.
Got to prove them wrong
We must demonstrate that violence is not necessary to effect change.
Or you will lose the battle
If we rely on aggression, we will not achieve our goals.
Don't you know we'll start a war
Do you not realize that confrontation will only lead to conflict?
Which will be won by none
A dispute benefits no one in the end.
Move over
Please step aside and let others take charge.
Come on, Move Over
Urging them to step aside even more strongly.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Written by: GABRIEL MEKLER, JOHN KAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Philip Kassabian
A really great song.
@walterfechter8080
This monumental tune was penned by a guy who fled tyranny as a young boy. John Kay's words still ring true!
@oceanstarlake
Steppenwolf were bad ass, all the bikers I knew listened to them in the early 80's. My most played records included them, early ZZ top, Black Sabbath etc.,
@joeking433
That's probably why they aren't in the Rock Hall of Fame. They had a biker reputation.
@railsedge5746
Who's listing to this during covid lock down.!!?
@Thomasgene
The Drums are great here!
@mixaliskokkinos1496
In all the songs of this Greatest Hits!The man is an absolute!
@railsedge5746
Who's listening and love it.??🤔
@mixaliskokkinos1496
Look out for stormy wearher...!my brother!Greetings from Greece
@Barry7777777
Yes, one of my favorite lead guitar solos of all time. Nothing terribly technical, just the right notes in the right places