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.
You Wall's Too High
Steppenwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't seem to reach you, can't set you free
If you can hear me, follow the sound
And help me tear your wall down to the ground
Everyone gets hurt sometimes
Everybody plays the game
If you don't win the first time
Rocks and bricks can't help you
You can't hide behind your wall
Why don't you try to jump it little girl
I'll catch you if you fall
Ah, sometimes early in the mornin'
Without warnin' you'll realize
That you ain't too wise
With your head bowed down you go downtown
Watch an old lady hit the ground
Lots of people standin' round
But nobody seems to know her
You're an hour late when you reach your floor
Ah, and everybody tells you
That your boss is sore
Watch the clock for seven more
Then go flyin' through the door
Back home again the day is gone
You're safe and sound but still alone
And when the night falls around your walls
Ah, tell me don't you ever wish to go outside
Follow the lights and go outside
You'll be alright, just go outside
The song "Your Wall's Too High" by Steppenwolf is a poignant reflection on the barriers that people put up between themselves and others. The title itself refers to the metaphorical walls that individuals build around themselves, walls that can be impenetrable to others. The lyrics suggest that such walls can create a sense of isolation and loneliness, and that breaking down those walls is the key to finding meaningful connections with others.
The opening lines of the song, "Your wall's too high, I can't see, can't seem to reach you, can't set you free," set the tone for the rest of the piece. The singer is expressing frustration at the distance that exists between them and the person they're speaking to, a distance that is defined by a metaphorical wall. The singer then suggests that if the person can hear them, they should follow the sound and help tear down the wall. This line is a call to action, a plea for the person to break down their own barriers and connect with the singer.
The second half of the song emphasizes the theme of breaking down walls even further. The lyrics suggest that everyone experiences pain and hardship at some point, and that the only way to succeed is by persisting and trying again. The final lines of the song are encouraging, urging the listener to "go outside" and follow the lights, as a way of finding a sense of purpose and connection with the world.
Overall, "Your Wall's Too High" is a powerful and introspective song that reminds us of the importance of connection and breaking down barriers in our relationships with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Your wall's too high, I can't see
Your emotional barriers are too strong that I can't see who you truly are
Can't seem to reach you, can't set you free
I am unable to connect with you and help you break free from your emotional walls
If you can hear me, follow the sound
If you can sense my genuine care, try to listen to me and my guidance
And help me tear your wall down to the ground
Join me in breaking down your inner walls so you can experience freedom and connection
Everyone gets hurt sometimes
Pain and hurt are part of the human experience that we all encounter at times
Everybody plays the game
We all go through life struggles and challenges, regardless of our individual circumstances
If you don't win the first time
It's okay to experience failure in your journey, but keep trying
Come back and try again
Persevere and attempt again, keeping faith in a positive outcome
Rocks and bricks can't help you
Tangible things cannot heal your inner pain or prevent emotional walls
You can't hide behind your wall
You cannot continue to shield yourself from others and life experiences, or your wall will remain unbreakable
Why don't you try to jump it little girl
Take a courageous leap and go beyond your comfort zone, regardless if you're afraid or not
I'll catch you if you fall
I will support you if you struggle in your journey to overcome your inner walls
Ah, sometimes early in the mornin'
Sometimes, we have sudden realizations and epiphanies about ourselves and our lives
Without warnin' you'll realize
Some realizations come unexpectedly
That you ain't too wise
We aren't always wise in our choices or actions
With your head bowed down you go downtown
Feeling discouraged, you move slowly and drearily through your day
Watch an old lady hit the ground
You witness unexpected events that make you think about your own fragility
Lots of people standin' round
Other people might be nearby, yet nobody seems to really understand
But nobody seems to know her
Others might appear to be strangers or mysterious, like a lady on the street
You're an hour late when you reach your floor
Your schedule might not align with others, and you feel like an outsider or tardy
Ah, and everybody tells you
People might have expectations or opinions about you, whether you want to hear them or not
That your boss is sore
Your professional life is not perfect, and you encounter difficulties there as well
Watch the clock for seven more
By habit, you count down the minutes until the end of the day
Then go flyin' through the door
Once it's finally over, you quickly leave the office and rush home
Back home again the day is gone
You retreat to a safe space at home, yet the day has still passed with its own struggles
You're safe and sound but still alone
Despite being in a secure environment, loneliness and isolation persist
And when the night falls around your walls
When the darkness of night arrives, so do your emotional barriers
Ah, tell me don't you ever wish to go outside
Do you ever long to experience and explore more of the world?
Follow the lights and go outside
Take the opportunity to venture outside, with courage and optimism
You'll be alright, just go outside
Even if it's new or scary, know that you can handle it and grow from the experience
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN KAY
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.