Can a song that doesn’t mention motorcycles at all become the anthem of bikers around the world? It’s easy if the cinema interferes with the matter.
The famous track Born to Be Wild by the rock band Steppenwolf initially had nothing to do with motorcycles. The situation changed radically after he sounded in the cult film “Easy Rider”, which starred Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson.
Story and meaning of the song Born to Be Wild
The author of the song is Canadian rock musician Dennis Edmonton, better known under the pseudonym Mars Bonfire. He was not a member of Steppenwolf, but his brother Jerry played drums in the band. Also, Mars knew John Kay from The Sparrow, in which they played together.
Bonfire shared his memories of how he got the idea to write Born to Be Wild:
One day I was walking down Hollywood Boulevard and saw a poster in the window that said: Born to Ride. [«Рожденный ездить»] and a picture in which a motorcycle erupted like a volcano from the ground, and there was fire around. And I just bought my first car, a small used Ford Falcon.
It all came together in terms of text: the image of a motorcycle associated with freedom, and the joy that I felt from the first car and the ability to ride on my own, wherever I wanted.
According to John Kay, the history of the song was somewhat different:
He [Mars Bonfire] composed Born To Be Wild because he dreamed of making money on an American Motors Matador motorcycle. It would give him a sense of independence and freedom, thereby inspiring him to write a song. But he was not a fan of motorcycles. They are not mentioned in the song either. It says, “Get your motor running.” Anything can be meant here.
In fact, he was writing about a long-standing pastime of American teenagers: racing on the freeway, scaring ordinary drivers. The hit came at the right time: everyone around was talking about independence, a different lifestyle, an “alternative”, freedom from parental care … In a word, it suited the rebellious spirit of youth.
Recording and release
Mars Bonfire did not immediately bring the song to the musicians from Steppenwolf and even offered it to other bands, including The Human Expression. He later recalled:
Born to Be Wild did not immediately attract attention. Even the publishers at Leeds Music didn’t take it as the first or second song I brought them. They only got it because I got a job there as a staff writer. Luckily she fired with the Steppenwolf. But still it is more luck than achievement.
When the members of Steppenwolf took on the song, they were going to record it in the style of folk ballads. But in the process of working on the composition, it became clear that it needed to be accelerated and made heavier.
In 1968, Born to Be Wild was released as the third single from Steppenwolf’s debut album (the first being A Girl I Knew and Sookie Sookie).
Born to Be Wild in Easy Rider
Initially, her achievements in the charts were very modest. The real success came about a year later, when the song was featured in Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda’s Easy Rider.
The feature film, shot in the road movie genre, has become a landmark phenomenon in the world of cinema. No less delighted the audience was caused by the soundtrack, composed of rock hits of the sixties.
After the release of the legendary road movie, the song soared to number two on the Billboard Hot 100, topped a couple of Canadian charts and climbed high in the ratings of several other countries. Of course, bikers liked her and since then has been associated with motorcycles, the road, freedom and rock and roll.
Subsequently, cover versions of Born to Be Wild were performed by Slade, U2, Blue Oyster Cult, The Cult and other famous bands.
The song was included in the famous list of the 500 greatest tracks of all time according to Rolling Stone. She is also featured in other popular charts, including AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Songs and VH1’s list of the best hard rock songs.
Video of Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf
Below you can watch the online music video for the song Born to Be Wild by the rock band Steppenwolf.
Interesting Facts
- Born to Be Wild was the first famous song to use the phrase “heavy metal”. The authorship of the expression is attributed to the cult writer William Burroughs.
- Paris Hilton wanted to use Born to Be Wild in The Simple Life 2, but the members of Steppenwolf did not give permission.
- Apart from Easy Rider, the song is featured in several other notable films including Coming Home, Dr. Dolittle 2 and Speechless.
Born to Be Wild Lyrics by Steppenwolf
Get your motor running
head out on the highway
Lookin’ for adventure
And whatever comes our way
chorus:
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 lightning
heavy metal thunder
Racin’ with the wind
And the feelin’ that I’m under
Chorus
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 running
head out on the highway
Lookin’ for adventure
And whatever comes our way
Chorus
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
Lyrics of Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf Alternative
Start the engine
Pull out on the highway
In search of adventures
And everything that comes in your way
Chorus:
Yes, love, let it happen
Embrace the whole world with love
Fire all guns at once
And take off straight into space
I love smoke and lightning
Heavy metal in thunder
Race with the wind
And feel like I’m falling behind
Chorus
Like true children of nature,
We were born, born to live free
We can get so high
I don’t want to ever die
Born to live freely
Born to live free
Start the engine
Pull out on the highway
In search of adventures
And everything that comes in your way
Chorus
Like true children of nature,
We were born, born to live free
We can get so high
I don’t want to ever die
Born to live freely
Born to live free
Song quote
Every generation thinks that they were born to live in freedom and can consider this song their anthem
John Kay, Rolling Stone
