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.
The Night Time's For You
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The gown you wear blows in the wind
You're one of the devils best friends
Your burning eyes are doin' me in
The Night Time's for you, yeah the Night Time's for you
The Night Time's for you, yeah the Night Time's for you
And take away everything that I own
Talk in symbols and signs
That goes beyond anything that I've known
Repeat Chorus
Does the night give you power just to rule over me
I've been waiting for the hour 'til your chains set me free
Set me free, set me free, set me free
Repeat
Full moon shines in your eyes, a bell tolls
Keeps ringin' the hour
The birds you keep, scream to be free
And like a bird I'm under your power
Repeat Chorus
The lyrics of Steppenwolf's song "The Night Time's For You" depict a sensual and mysterious woman who is described as one of the devil's best friends. The song is about the power play that exists between the woman and the singer, with the woman holding all the cards and the singer being under her spell. The lyrics talk about symbolism, sin, and everything that the singer owns being taken away by this powerful woman. The chorus repeats the words "The Night Time's for you" which implies that the woman has power and control during the night time. The song suggests that the woman gains power during the night and uses it to control and manipulate the singer. He is waiting for the hour when her chains will set him free but is unsure when that will be.
The singer goes on to describe how the full moon shines in her eyes, and he can hear the ringing of a bell. In addition, the birds that the woman keeps in captivity scream to be set free. It is suggested that the singer feels like one of these birds who are trapped under her power.
Overall, the song's lyrics paint the picture of a woman with dark desires and a thirst for power, which she gains during the night time.
Line by Line Meaning
You're hair hangs under black silk
Your hair is sleek and black, flowing softly against your skin, which is covered in black silk. This creates an unworldly and mysterious atmosphere around you.
The gown you wear blows in the wind
Your gown flutters in the wind, as if it has a will of its own. This gives you an ethereal presence, and makes you seem like a powerful and otherworldly being.
You're one of the devils best friends
You have a wicked and scheming mind, and you're willing to use it to achieve your goals. This makes you a valuable ally to those who seek to do harm.
Your burning eyes are doin' me in
Your eyes are intense and passionate, and they seem to have a hypnotic effect on me. I'm drawn to you, even though I know that you're dangerous.
You think up evil and sin
You're not afraid to imagine the darkest, most wicked things you could do to others. This makes you a formidable opponent, and a terrifying presence to those around you.
And take away everything that I own
You're willing to use your power and influence to cause me harm, even if it means taking away things that matter to me. This makes you a ruthless and deadly enemy.
Talk in symbols and signs
You speak in a cryptic, mysterious language that is difficult to decipher. This gives you an air of mystique, and makes it hard for me to predict what you'll do next.
That goes beyond anything that I've known
Your words and actions are so strange and unexpected that they seem to defy explanation. I can't make any sense of what you're doing, and that terrifies me.
Does the night give you power just to rule over me
The darkness of the night seems to imbue you with a sense of power and control. This makes you even more dangerous, as you have the ability to manipulate and dominate me when the sun goes down.
I've been waiting for the hour 'til your chains set me free
I'm trapped by your power and control, but I'm also waiting for the moment when I'll finally be free of you. I long for the day when I'll be able to break the chains that bind me to you.
Full moon shines in your eyes, a bell tolls
You seem to be in your element when the moon is full, and its light shines in your eyes. This is a moment of transformation for you, and it seems to signal some kind of change or transition.
Keeps ringin' the hour
The sound of a bell tolling seems to be a constant presence around you. It's as if time is marching on relentlessly, and there's no escape from the inevitability of what's to come.
The birds you keep, scream to be free
Even the birds that you keep around you seem to be crying out for freedom, as if they sense the danger and darkness that lurks within your soul. You're surrounded by chaos and turmoil, and it's clear that you're not someone to be trifled with.
And like a bird I'm under your power
I'm just as trapped as the birds that surround you, held captive by your will and unable to escape. You have me under your spell, and I'm completely at your mercy.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARS BONFIRE, MORGAN ANDERSON CAVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bill Reid
Jerry's drums are always right on target. The guy was one of the best in rock from that era... a key part of the classic Steppenwolf sound.
Jimi Mac Sheen
Awwww ๐ฅJerry we miss you
moshomaniac1
This is one of my favorite songs by Steppenwolf that nobody talks about.
batpatriot76Q
just became brand new steppenwolf fan. better late than never
pottery27
Man Goldie can sure rock a Hammond B3 and a Leslie!! I'm a guitar nut but the mighty B3 just grabs my balls everytime!!!!
alex casadei
En pocas palabras, IMPRESIONANTE, gran tema!
Michael Farmer
I was singing this entire album by the time I was 6. My Mom was a Steppenwolf fan.
moshomaniac1
Gotta love steppenwolf
Daniel Vanmeter
Best kind of rock athem/tune to dance & go out to a bar during the 1971 year when this was released from their 'For Ladies Only" album!!!:);)
jack jc
my favourite track from this album,the night's time for me!!