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.
Screaming Night Hog
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hear it scream on by your house
The highway sign is my only call
'Cause a demon deep inside keeps driving me to roam
Well, I'm nobody's slave, I'm nobody's master
Time is mine, morning, night and afternoon
And you hitch-hiking woman, when you see me coming
Jump on my back and let your hair come tumbling down
I'm going downtown to see my lady
I'm going downtown to tell her goodbye
I won't hang around, it's driving me crazy
I'll be out of town 'til the chilly winds start to blow
Out on my Night Hog somebody temptin'
Hear it scream on by your house
My rolling hog will hunt the night
And chase the road until it's time to strike
Well, I'm nobody's slave, I'm nobody's master
Time is mine, morning, night and afternoon
And you hitch-hiking woman, when you see me coming
Jump on my back and let your hair come tumbling down
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
The lyrics to Steppenwolf's song "Screaming Night Hog" seem to be describing the freeing feeling of the open road and a love for motorcycles. The singer of the song, who is likely the lead singer John Kay, is riding his "Night Hog" and enjoying the thrill of the ride. He sings of the "demon deep inside" that keeps driving him to roam, suggesting that he has a deep and internal desire for freedom and adventure. He also declares that he is "nobody's slave, I'm nobody's master", emphasizing his independence and self-reliance.
The lyrics also allude to a relationship with a "hitch-hiking woman", with whom he shares a physical connection: "Jump on my back and let your hair come tumbling down". However, he is also going downtown to say goodbye to his lady, which suggests that he is leaving a more serious relationship behind to pursue his love for the open road. The repetition of the line "hear it scream on by your house" creates a sense of rebellion and excitement that comes with riding a motorcycle, and the singer seems to revel in the freedom that comes with such an experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Out on my Night Hog, somebody temptin'
Riding my motorcycle at night, someone is tempting me to keep going.
Hear it scream on by your house
You can hear my motorcycle engine as I ride past your house.
The highway sign is my only call
I only have road signs to guide me as I wander aimlessly.
'Cause a demon deep inside keeps driving me to roam
I have an inner demon that compels me to keep traveling and exploring.
Well, I'm nobody's slave, I'm nobody's master
I am not beholden to anyone or anything; I am free to do as I please.
Time is mine, morning, night and afternoon
I have control over my time and do not answer to anyone else's schedule.
And you hitch-hiking woman, when you see me coming
When you see me riding my motorcycle, jump on my back and come with me.
Jump on my back and let your hair come tumbling down
Relax and enjoy the ride with me; let your hair flow wild and free.
I'm going downtown to see my lady
I am headed into the city to see my girlfriend.
I'm going downtown to tell her goodbye
I am saying goodbye to my girlfriend; we are breaking up.
I won't hang around, it's driving me crazy
Staying here is making me insane; I need to leave and move on.
I'll be out of town 'til the chilly winds start to blow
I will be gone until wintertime; the cold air will be my signal to return.
My rolling hog will hunt the night
My motorcycle is like a predator, prowling the night for adventure.
And chase the road until it's time to strike
I will chase the road until I find my next destination.
Yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm.
Yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm.
Yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: John Kay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Magic Wheelies
Every steppenwolf song is too short. These songs should all be twice as long. Such incredibly good jams.
Mark Pino
Yeah, when they opened things up, just great.
Kristle Pickles
Agreed. It's a tease.
GSGSongs
Most of those songs were for am radio and that is what were the stupid rules of the am waves๐ game
Captain Moretokin
not every song. they have quite a few that are long ones, monster is a long song .. sparkle eyes, dont step on the grass sam renegade are just a few.
The Magic Wheelies
@Captain Moretokin yeah I got to check these out
Bill Fuller
One of the greatest rock groups in the world! Way ahead of their time!
Kris Scanlon
Agreed you would letter see this kinda of hard pop rock in the early 80s with groups like Tom Petty/Heartbreakers...not leaning too far in the pop or progressive genres.
Joe Lewertow
Yet not in r&r hof
Professor
Definitely Bill ๐๐ป๐ฏ๐ธ