Written by Hoyt Axton after one of his friends died of a drug overdose. Axton has written songs for many artists, including Elvis Presley, The Byrds, and Three Dog Night.
This was popularized by a Canadian group called The Sparrows, who played it as a long jam during their concerts. Steppenwolf recorded a much shorter, more radio-friendly version.
Along with Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild," this was featured in the 1969 movie Easy Rider, starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. The film is considered a landmark of '60s counterculture, and using this song in the movie was important because it portrayed the downside of doing drugs.
Source: Song Facts
The Pusher
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O' Lord, I've popped a lot of pills
But I've never touched nothin'
That my spirit could kill
You know, I've seen a lot of people walkin' 'round
With tombstones in their eyes
But the pusher don't care
Ah, if you live or if you die
God damn, The Pusher
God damn, I say The Pusher
I said God damn, God damn The Pusher man
You know the dealer, the dealer is a man
With the love grass in his hand
Oh but the pusher is a monster
Good God, he's not a natural man
The dealer for a nickel
Lord, he'll sell you lots of sweet dreams
Ah, but the pusher ruin your body
Lord, he'll leave your, he'll leave your mind to scream
God damn, The Pusher
God damn, God damn the Pusher
I said God damn, God, God damn The Pusher man
Well, now if I were the president of this land
You know, I'd declare total war on The Pusher man
I'd cut him if he stands, and I'd shoot him if he'd run
Yes I'd kill him with my Bible and my razor and my gun
God damn The Pusher
God damn The Pusher
I said God damn, God damn The Pusher man
The lyrics of Steppenwolf's "Pusher" describe a narrator's experience with drug use and the distinction between a dealer and a "pusher." The singer confesses to smoking weed and taking pills, but insists that they have never touched anything that could kill their spirit. They have seen people around with "tombstones in their eyes", portraying the deadening effect that drugs can have on one's spirit. Meanwhile, amidst all of this, the pusher remains indifferent to the fate of their customers, either dead or alive.
In the following verses, the relationship between the dealer and the pusher is further explored. While the dealer may provide some temporary solace via "sweet dreams," the pusher is portrayed as something of a monster, ruining both body and mind. The final verse takes on a more violent tone, with the singer wishing to declare war on the pusher and destroy him completely.
On the whole, the song often strikes a cautionary and anti-drug note, warning against the dangers of addiction and the lack of care provided by those who sell drugs on the street. It also highlights the horrific consequences of addiction: the deadening of the spirit, the ruination of both the body and the mind. The powerful refrain of "God damn, the Pusher man" adds extra weight and emotion to the song, raising it to a kind of anthem for those struggling with addiction and for those who wished to steer them away from it.
Line by Line Meaning
You know I've smoked a lot of grass
I have consumed marijuana frequently
O' Lord, I've popped a lot of pills
I have taken many types of pills such as prescription drugs, recreational drugs and over-the-counter drugs.
But I've never touched nothin'
I have never taken anything that is harmful to my spirit
That my spirit could kill
I have never taken anything that would destroy my soul
You know, I've seen a lot of people walkin' 'round
I have observed many people who are wandering aimlessly
With tombstones in their eyes
They display a dead look in their eyes
But the pusher don't care
The individual who supplies the drugs does not care if the user lives or dies
Ah, if you live or if you die
The drug dealer does not care if the user lives or dies
God damn, The Pusher
I am verbally attacking the drug dealer
God damn, I say The Pusher
I am cursing the drug dealer
I said God damn, God damn The Pusher man
I am strongly condemning the drug dealer
You know the dealer, the dealer is a man
The drug dealer is a human being
With the love grass in his hand
He possesses or sells marijuana
Oh but the pusher is a monster
The drug dealer is likened to being a monster
Good God, he's not a natural man
The drug dealer is not behaving by natural human standards
The dealer for a nickel
The price of the drug costs a small amount
Lord, he'll sell you lots of sweet dreams
The dealer will sell you the illusion of happiness
Ah, but the pusher ruin your body
The drug dealer will destroy your physical well-being
Lord, he'll leave your, he'll leave your mind to scream
The dealer will leave your state of mind in a dangerous and harmful state
Well, now if I were the president of this land
If I were the president of the United States
You know, I'd declare total war on The Pusher man
I would declare war against the drug dealer
I'd cut him if he stands, and I'd shoot him if he'd run
I would take severe physical action against the drug dealer
Yes I'd kill him with my Bible and my razor and my gun
I am emphasizing the extent of physical force I would use against the drug dealer
God damn The Pusher
I am cursing the drug dealer
I said God damn, God damn The Pusher man
I am strongly condemning the drug dealer
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Hoyt Wayne Axton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sonofprovence
I am 56 and am so glad folks in their 70s are still around and listening to this great music. Cheers to you all.
@cherylrose7398
Hey thanks Dude. My in-laws are in their mid 80’s and still listen to it!
@eberhardmaus8258
Fully agree...I'm 76 years of age...so "don't Bogard" etc.
Good old feelings yeah.
@Pressplay_Media_EU
@@eberhardmaus8258 little feat reference I bet 🤔 I could be mistaken. but Im 36 an still stuck on this. Fun fact: it's better than dubstep
@McSquirts
Baby boomers aint going nowhere for a long time. My dad is 68 and that dude still puts more work in that I do at 23.
@mikeoltedal5383
Thanks
@johnschick5827
I'm so grateful this music was a part of my life growing up as a young man in the 60's & 70's. You youngsters out there missed the gig of a lifetime! Long live the age of Aquarius!
@klhpkns56
👍😉
@vandalking8341
I am 16 years old and Steppenwolf is one of my favorite R'n'R bands and one of my favorite bands in general! Their music always makes me feel good! The 60's really ruled!
@danielgolus4600
Can't argue with that!