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.
Rise and Shine
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It used to be when things weren't right
I do my share and join the fight
And would surely stand and speak my mind
Then I got lost along the way
I spent my time chasing my own tail
But I am here to say: I'm back to stay
For I've been searching for the man I used to be
And he was screaming back at me
"Rise and Shine, show your color
Now's the time, raise your hand
Rise and Shine, join your brother
Draw the line, take a stand"
I told my friend my change of heart
He wished me well with my new start
But then he turned away and slowly said:
"You know this world is such a mess
I'm tired of trying to help, I guess"
I said: "well, what you give is what you'll get
Somewhere inside you, lives the fighter I once knew
The battle's raging, it's never over
It's calling me, it's calling you"
"Rise and Shine, show your color
Now's the time, raise your hand
Rise and Shine, join your brother
Draw the line, take a stand"
The lyrics to Steppenwolf's song Rise and Shine reflect the struggle to find one's identity and purpose in a world that can feel chaotic and hopeless. The singer reflects on his past experiences of being an active participant in causes and events that mattered to him, but then losing himself along the way. However, he has now rediscovered his true self and is ready to speak out and take a stand once again.
The chorus serves as a call to action for the singer and for listeners. It urges them to rise up and take action, to show their individuality and come together with others to make a difference. The line "Draw the line, take a stand" reinforces the importance of standing up for what is right and not accepting the status quo.
The second verse features a conversation with a friend who has become disillusioned with the world and the idea of making a difference. The singer reminds his friend that the world needs fighters like them to make changes, and that it is up to each individual to make a difference in their own way.
Overall, the lyrics to Rise and Shine serve as a message of hope and a reminder that each individual has the power to make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
It used to be when things weren't right
In the past, when things were not right, I used to take action.
I do my share and join the fight
I used to take part in the fight and contribute my fair share.
And would surely stand and speak my mind
I was not afraid to stand up for what I believed in and vocalize my thoughts.
Then I got lost along the way
However, I strayed from that path as time passed by.
I spent my time chasing my own tail
Instead, I wasted my time chasing my own desires with no real purpose.
But I am here to say: I'm back to stay
Now, I am declaring that I am back to stay on track.
For I've been searching for the man I used to be
I have searched for the person I was before I lost my way.
I found him waiting, alive and well
And I have found him, alive and well, waiting to be awakened.
And he was screaming back at me
The person I once was is urging me to take action.
"Rise and Shine, show your color
He is telling me to rise up and show who I really am.
Now's the time, raise your hand
He is saying that now is the perfect moment to take action.
Rise and Shine, join your brother
He is encouraging me to join with others who share the same beliefs.
Draw the line, take a stand"
He is telling me to take a strong stance and make a clear statement.
I told my friend my change of heart
I shared my newfound attitude with a friend.
He wished me well with my new start
My friend wished me good luck with my new outlook.
But then he turned away and slowly said:
However, he showed reluctance and doubt towards my intentions.
"You know this world is such a mess
He expressed his displeasure with the current state of the world.
I'm tired of trying to help, I guess"
He was tired of trying to do good and help people.
I said: "well, what you give is what you'll get
I responded by telling him that you will receive what you put out into the world.
Somewhere inside you, lives the fighter I once knew
I tried to awaken the fighting spirit I once saw in my friend.
The battle's raging, it's never over
I reminded him that the fight never truly ends.
It's calling me, it's calling you"
The fight is calling out to both of us, and we should answer it.
"Rise and Shine, show your color
I repeated the advice I received earlier, urging him to take action.
Now's the time, raise your hand
I reminded him that there is no better time than now to act.
Rise and Shine, join your brother
I called on him again to unite with like-minded individuals.
Draw the line, take a stand"
I ended with a strong statement, telling him to make a powerful decision.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KAY WILK
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.