Anatomy of the greatest song ever written

‘Born to be Wild’ by Steppenwolf

Welcome to this totally Wacky music Wednesday on a day that starts with “T”....It’s Thuesday? Tursday? Muesday?.... I think, I don’t know- I was hoping for cucumbers, it’s not important.. I’m your wacky host, Joshua, and we’re gonna tickle your earholes with something of a magical sort. Imagine coasting down the highway all decked out in leather, it’s 1968, and you’ve got places to be, and responsibilities to leave in the dust…

Today’s musical journey brings us to what I have long considered the greatest song ever written, recorded, and listened to. How long?  Ages… Ok, like maybe 2 hours, but seriously.. I heard this track pop up at the gym this morning and whatever moment in the existence of space and time hit me, came in like a ton of bricks. Steppenwolf’s classic is likely the greatest song ever created. 

Steppenwolf’s lead singer, John Kay, who was not a motorcycle enthusiast nor ever really rode them due to his poor eyesight, has the perfect range for this tune. He had a gruff style to the opening which perfectly accompanied the machine gun guitar riffs. I actually loved how when the chorus comes around you can hear his voice strain to reach the higher notes. It’s like there is this anti-establishment build that climaxes with this anthem mixing rock organ, guitar and a high that cannot be matched.

Speaking of Rock Organs, holy crap is Goldy McJohn’s keyboarding skills top notch! I’ve grown up memorizing the incredible drums, and killer guitars but never really recognized the incredible rock organ parts. McJohn’s work is incredible, focus on it when you’re listening to this. Why aren't there more organ solos in music?

The song was actually the inspiration of Steppenwolf drummer, Jerry Edmonton’s brother Dennis. On a walk in Hollywood they saw a poster in a window that said ‘Born to Ride’ with a picture of a motorcycle on it. Ironically the band took an old riff from John Hammond, sped it up a bit and created the magic you hear today!  Ironically, the song was transformed from demo to near completion in an afternoon!

Also even more hilariously the record label executives didn’t care for the song at all, and were against ever releasing it as a single! The song was such a huge hit it was featured in 1969’s film “Easy Rider”