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.
Tenderness
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I bit her lips and bruised her arms
No I hadn't learned Tenderness
She asked "what does love mean to you?"
I grabbed her hair and pulled her down
I looked in her eyes and laughed
The love I feel is hard and fast
It's for a face and for one night
She said, she said all your women burn in your flame
And as it dies, as it dies, they'll leave you and seek revenge
She laughed and said "You'll go through hell
You'll live in lonely rooms unknown
And watch for my lost Tenderness"
I went from her to someone else and someone else
No, I couldn't be satisfied
She said, she said all you women burn in your flame
And as it dies, as it dies, they'll leave you and seek revenge
I wish that I could find her now
My love is soft, my love is warm
I'd take her to bed tenderly
Yes I'd take her to bed tenderly
The lyrics to Steppenwolf's song Tenderness are both dark and poignant. The male protagonist of the song appears to be incapable of loving someone tenderly, despite his female partner's attempts to show him how. He describes his love as "hard and fast," for one night only, and not something that he needs to own. Instead of responding with tenderness, he responds with violence, biting her lips and bruising her arms. His partner warns him that all of his women will eventually leave him and seek revenge for the way he has treated them.
The male protagonist of Tenderness is clearly struggling with intimacy and is unable to connect with his partner through tender affection. He is aggressive and violent towards her, attempting to dominate her physically instead of showing her love and tenderness. His partner clearly sees through his facade and warns him that he will be left alone and unfulfilled unless he can find tenderness within himself. Towards the end of the song, the male protagonist expresses regret for his behavior and longs for the woman who showed him tenderness.
This song is a commentary on toxic masculinity and the ways in which it can damage both men and women. The male protagonist's inability to show tenderness is presented as a character flaw that leads to loneliness and dissatisfaction. The song is a reminder that true intimacy requires mutual respect and tenderness, and that aggression and violence are not a substitute for emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
She tried to show me hw to love
She attempted to teach me how to love.
I bit her lips and bruised her arms
I hurt her physically by biting her lips and bruising her arms.
No I hadn't learned Tenderness
I was not capable of showing tenderness in a relationship.
She asked "what does love mean to you?"
She inquired about my definition of love.
I grabbed her hair and pulled her down
I physically overpowered her by grabbing her hair and pulling her down.
I looked in her eyes and laughed
I was being cynical and mocking while looking into her eyes.
The love I feel is hard and fast
The romantic feelings I have are intense and brief.
It's for a face and for one night
I am only interested in physical appearance and temporary relationships.
I don't need to own anyone
I have no desire to possess or control anyone.
She said, she said all your women burn in your flame
And as it dies, as it dies, they'll leave you and seek revenge
She warned me that all the women I have been with would eventually leave me and hold resentment towards me.
She laughed and said "You'll go through hell
You'll live in lonely rooms unknown
And watch for my lost Tenderness"
She laughed at my lack of ability to show tenderness and predicted that I would suffer through loneliness and longing for her warmth and love.
I went from her to someone else and someone else
No, I couldn't be satisfied
I kept moving on to new relationships even after her, but could not find satisfaction.
I wish that I could find her now
My love is soft, my love is warm
I'd take her to bed tenderly
Yes I'd take her to bed tenderly
I now realize the error of my ways and wish I could find her again to express my newfound ability to show tenderness and love, which is gentle and warm.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARS BONFIRE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ronaldgoebel2174
This band is so underrated and should be in the hall of fame easily. What great music they made.
@michaelhunter6202
I love the way they put their heart and soul into their music.
@vincekloss5802
Superbly done ... Thank you John and the boys of Steppenwolf.
@ronaldgoebel2174
For Ladies Only was the bad ass album of the 70's for all us stoners. Greatest band of all time.
@whispjohn
This band played at a festival in England in 1970, it still remains as a memory burned into my being. They were on the money that night,a fabulous show and there were loads of great bands at that 3 day party at Shepton Mallet showground.
@tonypazos5030
Played this song in high school rock band. Time went on, married , job , most sweet wife and I had daughter. Now I am age 60. I still play my classical guitar and remember this song. My life dedicated to education in health but I so long to create something for my self as an artist. Love this music it inspires me to paint again sing dance
@JF-Sebastian
I love this song. Thanks for uploading this and all the other Steppenwolf songs.
@guzziguy1000
Some intense lyrics from one of my favored albums. Take a close listen if you haven't already.
@davidayotte5589
Yep, still my favorite band.. a year later and I'm the only one commenting.. always the best lyrics and the music accompaniment is top notch
@RichardBowman-uf8ym
My favourite band