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.
Rock Me
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I would share her sorrow
For all the men that tried to treat her wrong
Though just a baby
A waiting her tomorrow
It's rock me baby, rock me baby
All night long
She needs an answer to her confusion
Someone to guide her with tenderness
But if she's asking for a solution
All that she gets
You know it's something like this
I don't know where we come from
I don't know where we're going to
But if all of this should have a reason
We would be the last to know
So let's just hope there is a promised land
Hang on till then as best you can
Everybody's ills you know it
Fills her with compassion
That's why she tries to save the world alone
She helps the needy in her own fashion
And tries to give them all her own
She needs an answer for her confusion
Someone to guide her with tenderness
But when she's asking for a solution
All that she gets you know it's something like this
I don't know where we come from
I don't know where we're going to
But if all of this should have a reason
We would be the last to know
So let's just hope there is a promised land
Hang on till then as best you can
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
In the song "Rock Me" by Steppenwolf, the lyrics tell the story of a young woman who is seeking comfort and guidance through her confusion and pain. The singer, who seems to be a compassionate friend or lover, is asked to join her in her sorrow and rock her throughout the night. The woman seems to have experienced mistreatment by men and has taken it upon herself to try to save the world alone, by helping the needy in her own way. However, she is still seeking a solution to her confusion, and the singer recognizes that he may not be able to fully provide that for her.
The chorus of the song, "I don't know where we come from, I don't know where we're going to, but if all of this should have a reason, we would be the last to know. So let's just hope there is a promised land, hang on till then as best you can," illustrates a theme of existential uncertainty and the search for meaning in life. The singer admits that he doesn't have all the answers, but encourages the woman (and perhaps himself) to hold on until there is some sort of resolution or understanding.
Overall, the song conjures a mood of melancholy and longing for connection and understanding. It recognizes the pain and suffering that exist in the world, but also the potential for hope and redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
She asked me maybe
I would share her sorrow
For all the men that tried to treat her wrong
She has been mistreated by men in the past and is seeking someone who can empathize with her and share her pain.
Though just a baby
A waiting her tomorrow
It's rock me baby, rock me baby
All night long
Despite her youthful naivety, she longs for comfort and seeks solace in the pleasures of life, symbolized by the idea of being rocked all night long.
She needs an answer to her confusion
Someone to guide her with tenderness
But if she's asking for a solution
All that she gets
You know it's something like this
She seeks guidance and answers for her troubled state of mind, but often finds herself disillusioned with the results she receives, leading her to feel even more lost.
I don't know where we come from
I don't know where we're going to
But if all of this should have a reason
We would be the last to know
So let's just hope there is a promised land
Hang on till then as best you can
Life is full of mysteries and uncertainties, and it's unlikely that we'll ever truly understand our place in the world. Rather than despairing over this, we should hold onto the hope that there is a better future waiting for us in the afterlife.
Everybody's ills you know it
Fills her with compassion
That's why she tries to save the world alone
She helps the needy in her own fashion
And tries to give them all her own
Her empathy for others is so strong that she feels compelled to help those in need, even if it means doing so on her own and with her own resources.
She needs an answer for her confusion
Someone to guide her with tenderness
But when she's asking for a solution
All that she gets you know it's something like this
Despite her best efforts, she continues to feel lost and alone, with no clear answers to her questions or anyone to help guide her.
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
Rock me baby, rock me baby all night long
The chorus symbolizes a desire for comfort and security, a wish to be held through the night and protected from the uncertainties of the world.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Kay
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.