Lovely Meter

Album: At Your Birthday Party (1969)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • One of two ballads on Steppenwolf's third album, At Your Birthday Party, "Lovely Meter" is played with two acoustic guitars and harmonium. The song was written by Gabriel Mekler, who produced the album, and it was sung by bass player Nick St. Nicholas. John Kay didn't participate much in this album so the other band members and Mekler have a larger presence. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Petr - Brno, Czech Republic

Comments: 3

  • Randy from Fayettevile, Ar"At Your Birthday Party" was a much anticipated album in 1969. I had gone crazy over Steppenwolf's first two LPs because they were so good. The graphics art on this LP was really wild and zonked out. This LP was certainly different from it's predecessors because of John Kay's minor involvement. I never heard why he did that. Anyway, one of the real stand-out songs on this LP is "Jupiter's Child" a really strong Steppenwolf-type rocker with amazing vocals by John Kay, with great guitar & drum work! Songfacts should devote a separate site to "Jupiter's Child" because of it's musical quality. It was included in their more recent CD "Steppenwolf's Greatest Hits." Back in 1969, the album came out as a "fold out" album. Usually, double albums used "fold out" to hold the two vinyl discs, but on this LP it was used for the wild graphic art & liner notes with the one disc. It was a favorite on the FM underground radio stations popular in the late 60s and early 70s. Very strange radio format. Underground radio played a lot of controversial & powerful music, which meant there was a lot of Steppenwolf. Especially in the underground radio stations in & around Kansas City area.
  • Petr from Brno, Czech RepublicJerry Edmonton sang "She'll Be Better", another ballad on this album. But "Lovely Meter" was sung by Nick St. Nicholas. It was told in the interview with Nick St. Nicholas:
    "Q: "Lovely Meter" written by Gabriel Mekler and featured on the Birthday album is a beautiful ballad that you sang lead vocal on. Can you tell us a little bit about that song?
    A: When I heard the melody, I fell in love with it but wanted to have John or somebody else sing it. Nobody wanted to sing it because, like you mentioned in your question, the melody was too beautiful. Steppenwolf was more raw & Harley and Davidson crunch guitar with twilight supernatural spin-doctor whirly B3 Hammond overtones. Well, we drew straw. I ended up with the short straw. I first sang the song in Swedish. They all thought that was funny. Some ended up on the floor laughing. Gabriel insisted we get serious. Most of whoever was there, left & went home. I then did the vocal tracks in English with a Canadian accent."
  • Daniel from Seattle, WaIn point of fact, it is Jerry Edmonton, the drummer, singing on this song. Nick St Nicholas joined just prior to this album, but Edmonton's vocals can be heard on the group's previous album, STEPPENWOLF THE SECOND, singing on "28" and "Faster Than the Speed of Life."
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.