Album: Steppenwolf (1968)

Charted: 18 2

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• Get your motor runnin'
  Head out on the highway
  Lookin' for adventure
  And whatever comes our way
  
  Yeah, darlin', go make it happen
  Take the world in a love embrace
  Fire all of your guns at once and
  Explode into space
  
  I like smoke and lightnin'
  Heavy metal thunder
  Racin' with the wind
  And the feelin' that I'm under
  
  Yeah, darlin', go make it happen
  Take the world in a love embrace
  Fire all of your guns at once and
  Explode into space
  
  Like a true nature's child
  We were born, born to be wild
  We can climb so high
  I never wanna die
  
  Born to be wild
  Born to be wild
  
  Get your motor runnin'
  Head out on the highway
  We're lookin' for adventure
  And whatever comes our way
  
  Yeah, darlin' go make it happen
  Take the world in a love embrace
  Fire all of your guns at once and
  Explode into space
  
  Like a true nature's child
  We were born, born to be wild
  We can climb so high
  I never wanna die
  
  Born to be wild
  Born to be wild Writer/s: Mars Bonfire
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 52

• Stephen from AustraliaI agree with Paul from Montgomery, Al. The lyrics DON'T include the word "Darlin'". The first sentence in the second verse of the song is "Yeah, I gotta go make it happen".
  
  The error in the lyrics above seems to be due to a 'Google' translation (audio-to-text) of the 'Easy Rider' video on the Steppenwolf website. The Google Translator is notoriously inaccurate, and should NOT be relied upon for accurate song lyrics.
• Damian from MarylandI wonder how much income this song has generated for the writer as of today. Seems like I've been hearing it everywhere for 50 years.
• Jack from WorthingtonIn 68-69 I was into the mini bike craze with a dream of becoming a drag racing star. The bikes were fun but the racing career fell short after three years. Speed cost money and I couldn’t go quick enough. Born to be Wild and Vehicle by Blood Sweat and Tears were fitting songs for me at the time.
• Kev from Rogers, ArThe first arcade video game that I remember (1971 or 72?) was a motorcycle skills game that featured this song.
• Phillip BradyMars Bonfire is the name used by Canadian Steppenwolf band member Dennis Edmonton. Great song, also done by the late, great Wilson Pickett in 1668. I must say (being a baby-boomer) that Pickett had several hit songs in the '60's, and was one of the unsung heroes of the days of Motown music popularity. Also, a bit on the side, that when Steppenwolf made their (maybe only? 1969??) appearance on the Ed Sullivan variety show, John Kay said who influenced him, and also that the best bands (Beatles and others) were deserving of the sucess that they had all earned. John kay was an amazing man, who was color blind, and sensitive to light. His signature sunglass wearing he did mainly for his vision health.
• Gill from OregonI can still remember a TV interview with the writer, and he said it was about cars, not bikes. "Fire ALL of your guns at once" not fire both of your guns.
• David B from IndiaCan you Analyse this song as the quintessential song od the 1960's counter culture?
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 20, 1968, Steppenwolf performed "Born To Be Wild" on the Dick Clark ABC-TV network Saturday-afternoon program 'American Bandstand'...
  At the time the song was at #39 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; five weeks later it would peak at #2* {for 3 weeks} and it spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
  It reached #1 {for 1 week} on the Canadian RPM Singles chart...
  * The three weeks "Born To Be Wild" was at #2, the #1 record for those three weeks was "People Got To Be Free" by the Rascals; while in Canada it was "Born To Be Wild" that knocked the Rascals out of the #1 spot.
• Jennifur Sun from RamonaLove Jerry and Goldys contributions to this.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 17th 1969, Steppenwolf performed "It's Never Too Late" on the CBS-TV program 'The Ed Sullivan Show'...
  June 1st, 1969 was its last day on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; it had peaked at #51 {for 1 week} on May 18th and stayed on the chart for 5 weeks...
  The song was their fourth charted record; their first three all reached the Top 10; "Born To Be Wild" {#2 for 3 weeks}, "Magic Carpet Ride" {#3}, and "Rock Me" {#10}...
  And on the same 'Sullivan' show the Canadian-American quintet also performed a medley of 'Born To Be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride"...
  Sadly, two band members have passed away; bassist Rushton Moreve in 1981 and drummer Jerry Edmonton in 1993...
  May both R.I.P.
• Cyberpope from Richmond, CanadaIn 2004, Paris Hilton asked Steppenwolf to use this as part of her show, The Simple Life 2. Steppenwolf adamantly denied. (Yet another reason, if another were needed, to like Steppenwolf!)
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 4th 1968, Steppenwolf performed "Born To Be Wild" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
  One month later on July 7th, 1968 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #70; and on August 18th it peaked at #2 (for 3 weeks) and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
  The band's next two releases after "Born To Be Wild" also made the Top 10; "Magic Carpet Ride" (#3, also in 1968) and "Rock Me" (#10 in 1969), between 1968 and 1974 they had thirteen records to make the Top 100...
  The three weeks it was at #2; the #1 record for those three weeks was "People Got To Be Free" by the Rascals...
  In 1969 Wilson Pickett covered the song; his version stayed on the Top 100 for 4 weeks, peaking at #64 (it peaked at #41 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart).
• Paul from Montgomery , AlI'll need to get the sheet music to be sure but I think he is saying "yeah I got a go and make it happen" not Darlin. The people that think "I like smoke and lightning , or smoking lighting is about ''pot smoking'' is taking it out of context of the song. He is bring into the song all the elements of nature - wind, thunder, lightning and smoke everything but rain which wouldn't be to exciting. He is like a true ''NATURES'' child.
• Raunchy from Tulsa, OkI've loved this Steppenwolf hit since its release in 1968 when I was drafted into the Army & sent to Fort Bragg, NC. Steppenwolf hit with a huge impact back in '68 & '69 and much was written about them back then. Then when "Magic Carpet Ride" topped the charts I knew I was a fan forever. Then their single "Rock Me" zoome into the Top Ten. Their albums were well-produced sonic nuggets to be played loud & louder!!! Now, in 2013 I keep up with Steppenwolf and John Kay on their Facebook site & website. Check both out for lots of history on the band, discography, & tours. Rock me....Steppenwolf.
• Paul from Croydon, PaI would love, love, LOVE to be able to see an early video of this song that I recall seeing but once, and have not been able to find again, despite numerous searches. What really caught my attention was the unique way the keyboardist, Goldy McJohn made his Hammond go one step beyond in obtaining the super-cool, classic organ sound on this song. To me, this sound, and the method of obtaining it, is nothing short of the pinnacle of psychedelia. You see, (and I'm assuming this was Goldy's invention or idea), in the video, it shows the organ's horn-shaped speaker placed directly behind a large, spinning wheel. Within gthe wheel was a cut-out in the shape of a drop of water, viewed sideways. Picture one half of the "ying-yang" being cut out of this wheel. During the organ solo, Goldy depressed his foot on a pedal that would vary the rotating speed of the wheel. Listen to the organ solo once more with this in mind, and you can just picture what I'm saying here. The resulting "pulsing" of the sound, which clearly varies in speed, was the result. To me, this ingenious, creative step helps to really MAKE the song fit right in with the times and helps this piece become truly deserving, in every sense of the word, a CLASSIC rock anthem.
• James from Burlington, NjSaw an interview with John Kay during a visit to Daytona Bike Week. When asked about the tie in to motorcycles he said that's what it had become. He also said because he is legally blind he had never ridden a motorcycle and that they actually scared him.
• James from Burlington, NjI had a friend who had 63 Ford Falcon, this was the used car that Mars had purchased. My friend had an article/interview laminated for display that he used when he would go to car shows that was specific about the song and the car. Said it was the first road vehicle for the band.
• Wade from Leamington, OnMet a guy who claims to have written this song and sold it for $100 to buy groceries for his family. Not credited anywhere that i can find. Legend in his own mind? I have heard of this happening with other songs but it is usually the publishing rights given away for nothing but the original author is still credited, even though they get no money. Has anyone else heard this regarding this song? The songwriter has always been Mars to the best of my knowledge. Thanks.
• Jason from Denver, CoDoes anyone remember that the 80's metal band RAVEN covered this with Udo Dirkschneider of ACCEPT on backround vocals?
• Greg from Westfordshire, IrelandHinder's cover version of this song is used as NASCAR on NBC's theme song.
• Cyberpope from Richmond, CanadaThere's a shockwave flash animation circulating that spoofs this song; it's about the aging baby boomer generation ironic change from this song's generation's supposed wildness to their now, "Bald, Tubby, Mild"
  Regardless, "Born to be Wild" will always stand as THE original hard rock anthem! Nothing says hard rockin' and motorbikes like Steppenwolf right here!
  
• Lars from Copenhagen, DenmarkMars Bonfire wrote this evergreen after passing by a shop with a poster with some bikers. The poster read "Born to ride".
  The original version with Sparrow is a hippie-like ballad, but top producer the late Gabriel Mekler gave it that special kick which turned it into the greates biker song of all time". It should be rated in the top 10 on Rolling Stone Magazines list.
• Guy from Wellington, New ZealandWay cool song. Fantastic voice, brilliant riff, soaring tune. If I could ride a bike this is what I'd want pounding my eardrums -- long straight road, blue sky, babe on the pillion, blond hair in the slipstream. Yeah!
• Lester from New York City, NyBTBW was also Slade's encore song in the early '70s.
• Nancy from Sillysneakers, MnAll I have to say is:
  "Head out on the highway...
  lookin' for adventure
  and whatever comes our way..."
• Jp from Camarillo, Cayou should have let paris i used to baby sit her things change
• Street Strategist from Hong Kong, Hong Kong"Born to be Wild" is number 4 in the list called "Sounds at the Speed of Music: 50 Rock Anthems at 100 kph"
• Michelle from Minesota, Mni like this song why did they put these lines in it shoot all of your guns off at once and explode into space
• George from Ottawa, CanadaI know that is will be hard to believe, but in an interview with John Kay when the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was producing the rock documentary called "Heart of Gold" (yes, the Neil Young song title), John said that the song had originally been written to be sung as a ballad but after having tried to sing it that way, Steppenwolf decided that it did not work as aballad and that it had to have a harder edge and so, they made it into an early heavy metal cut (even before the Heavy Metal genre existed as it eventually was born out of this song's lyrics, as explained elsewhere on this page).
• Warrinder from A Town, CanadaTo correct misinformation already put forth, John did not form Sparrow. The band already existed fronted by Jack London and knwon as Jack London and the Sparrows. After John joined they became Sparrow then after Mars left they became Steppenwolf. John Kay now tours with a band called John Kay and Steppenwolf, with none of the original members.
• Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScThis song will be remembered for a long time.
• Hugh from Kansas City, MoAlso used in the late 70s movie "Modern Problems".....it is heard as the gay motorcycle gang (Road Reamers)rides to the aid of Mull's character.
• Rob from Vancouver, CanadaBOC would bring a harley on stage when they covered this tune(usually an encore).
• John from St. James, Li, NyI had heard that this song was written to celebrate the writer getting his first car. Did anyone ever hear this story?
• Kim from Orlando, FlI love my instrumental ringtone of "B-T-W" on my cell!! Sounds much better than an annoying ring sound & I have alot of rings!!! I never tire of the song!!!
• Andy from Hamilton, CanadaYou can find the cults version of this in the 100 Worst Guitar riffs list....Pfff pathetic
• Oskar from Bilbao, SpainThe Cult make a good cover of this classic in their album "Electric".
• Greg from Erie, PaAC/DC covered it, too. And by the way, Belarus
• Dave from Latham , NyA classic, and it's great. However, the bass can clearly be hitting a wrong note at 2:22. He does not move to the prechorus with the band and instead stays on the main riff. Interesting.
• Ross from Independence, MoThis is #129 on Rolling Stone's list of greatest songs.
• Agustin from South Pasadena, CaThe writer of "Born to be Wild", Mars Bonfire, is a fanatic outdoorsman and has climbed hundreds of peaks in Southern California mountain ranges.
• G.w. from Stratford, CanadaActually, in a recent interview done in Canada, John Kay said that he was born in East Prussia, now called Belaruse (sp?) and he immigrated to East Germany shortly after with his mother. From there they escaped to West Germany then on to Oshawa, Ontario. John formed the band 'The Sparrow' in that city. Band member Dennis Edmonton (Mars Bonfire) wrote the song 'Born To Be Wild'.
• Pat from Las Vegas, NvIncidentally, John Kay is still touring with Steppenwolf. They were giving a free Concert on Fremont Street, and we were lucky to hear "Born to be Wild" and "Snowblind Friend." Both were excellent; they've lost none of their power. I have no idea how many of the original members are still with the band.
• Omar from London, EnglandVery good song by a fantastic band! They have also written magic carpter ride and monster,america
  John kay the lead singer was born in germany and raised in canada. His voice is incredible.
• Shoni from Saginaw, MiThank you to Melanie, who obviously has a very good taste in movies:)
• Shana from Pembroke, Canadathis song is just classic
• Jacquie from Somewhere, Canadawas featured in The Never Ending Story
• Dave from Cardiff, WalesThis song has always been regarded as a rock classic in the UK since it was first released over here in 1969. Surprisingly, it failed to chart either in 1969 or on re-releases in 1979 and 1988. It didn't become a hit in the UK until 1998, when it reachged No.30. The song was also a UK hit for The Cult in 1987.
• Jason from Wylie, Txits been in lots of movies including armed and dangerous a 1985 movie starring john candy and eugene levy
• Josh from Santa Barbara, CaThis song was also in the movie of the same name
• Brett from Edmonton, CanadaIt's been in EVERYTHING, love.
• Melanie from Gatineau, Canadathis song was also on the movie "wild america" with devon sawa and jonathan taylor thomas

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