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.
Straight Shootin' Woman
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could swear the sky was fallin'
He had them put-down blues from wond'rin'
Who his old lady was callin'
I said, "Keep your life and drown your sorrow
And survive the fire that burns you
If you just slow down and cool your temper
I got me a straight shootin' woman
She's right on all the time
But all my friends they got shot down
Women shot them from behind
Now those Hollywood women
They pack a pistol 'tween their toes
And when you've got your back turned 'round
They go shoot the man next door
So I believe, I believe
I believe I'll keep my lovin' at home
I believe, I believe, I believe
I'll keep my lovin' at home
Now, if you want (straight shooter)
To keep (straight shooter)
You better leave (straight shooter)
Your travelin' gun alone
Yeah, if you want (straight shooter)
To keep (straight shooter)
You better leave (straight shooter)
Your travelin' gun alone
Whoa, got me a straight shootin' woman
She's right on all the time
Got me a straight shootin' woman
She's right on all the time
She keeps her bed turned down
With clean sheets on
And I can get in it any ol' time
She keeps her cylinder greased and loaded
Just to ease my troubled mind
She's all mine
She's on my mind
Take her down
The song "Straight Shootin' Woman" by Steppenwolf is about the singer's friend who is experiencing relationship issues with his girlfriend. The singer advises his friend to calm down and listen to what he has to say, then proceeds to sing about his own "straight shootin' woman" who is always honest and faithful. He warns that other women, specifically "Hollywood women," are not to be trusted and may "shoot the man next door" when their backs are turned. The song ends with the singer proclaiming his love and devotion to his own woman and advising others to leave their "traveling guns" alone.
On one level, the song can be interpreted as a warning against infidelity and the dangers of trusting the wrong person. The singer's friend is feeling down because he suspects his girlfriend of cheating, and the singer warns of other women who might do the same. The singer's own woman, by contrast, is a trustworthy partner who is always there for him.
On another level, the song can be seen as a celebration of monogamy and commitment. The singer is proud of his relationship and values the trust and honesty that he and his partner share. He sings about the importance of keeping one's "lovin' at home" and not straying from a faithful partner.
Overall, "Straight Shootin' Woman" is a lively and catchy rock song that combines relationship advice with a warning about the dangers of straying from a committed relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I was feelin' so bad 'bout my best friend
I was really upset about my friend
I could swear the sky was fallin'
I felt like everything was going wrong
He had them put-down blues from wond'rin'
He was feeling down because he was worried about who his partner was talking to
Who his old lady was callin'
Who his partner was calling
I said, "Keep your life and drown your sorrow
I told him to keep going and forget about his problems
And survive the fire that burns you
And to persevere through difficult times
If you just slow down and cool your temper
If he just calms down
You might get off on what I'll tell ya"
He might feel better after hearing my advice
I got me a straight shootin' woman
I have a very honest woman
She's right on all the time
She is always correct
But all my friends they got shot down
All of my friends have been betrayed or deceived by the women they were with
Women shot them from behind
The women hurt them when they least expected it
Now those Hollywood women
These specific women from Hollywood
They pack a pistol 'tween their toes
They hide a gun between their toes
And when you've got your back turned 'round
They take advantage of you when you are not looking
They go shoot the man next door
They betray someone else while hurting you
So I believe, I believe
What I believe is
I believe I'll keep my lovin' at home
I believe I will not cheat and will only love one person
Now, if you want (straight shooter)
If you want someone who is honest
To keep (straight shooter)
To maintain that honesty
You better leave (straight shooter)
You should not bring
Your travelin' gun alone
Your habits of cheating around
Yeah, if you want (straight shooter)
If you want someone who is honest
To keep (straight shooter)
To maintain that honesty
You better leave (straight shooter)
You should not bring
Your travelin' gun alone
Your habits of cheating around
Whoa, got me a straight shootin' woman
I have a very honest woman
She's right on all the time
She is always correct
She keeps her bed turned down
She is always ready for me
With clean sheets on
She takes care of our home
And I can get in it any ol' time
I can be with her anytime I want
She keeps her cylinder greased and loaded
She is always ready to defend our relationship
Just to ease my troubled mind
To make me feel better
She's all mine
She is mine and no one else's
She's on my mind
I cannot stop thinking about her
Take her down
We belong together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JERRY EDMONTON
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.