Photo: By ABC / Dunhill Records (Billboard, page 21, 13 March 1971) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
From 1968 to 1972, Steppenwolf had become one of the most popular rock and roll bands in the world. John Kay left the band in 1972. In 1974, the band reformed and released a series of albums until they broke up once again in 1976. Over the years John Kay has released solo albums while also issuing new music under the name John Kay and Steppenwolf.
Our top 10 Steppenwolf Songs list takes a look at the band’s glory years during the early 1970’s. During that time period, they had become one of the most important bands in history while delivering authentic rock and roll that served as a soundtrack for the tumultuous times of the Vietnam Era.
# 10 – A Girl I Knew
We start out our Top 10 Steppenwolf Songs list with the band’s first ever single release. The song “A Girl I Knew,” was released as a single in 1967. The song would appear a few months later on the band’s debut album entitled Steppenwolf in 1968.
# 9 – Who Needs Ya
The song “Who Needs Ya,” was released on the band’s seventh album titled appropriately Steppenwolf 7. The song was written by John Kay and Larry Byrom. “Who Needs Ya,” was released as the album’s only single. The song’s killer opening guitar lick was simply to die for. Great track, and one of the most underrated Steppenwolf songs in their catalog.
# 8 – Move Over
In 1969, Steppenwolf released their fourth album called Monster. The first single released from the album entitled “Move Over,” had a bass line very reminiscent of the great Motown track “Get Ready.” It’s interesting when listening back to this great rock music how all musical genres at the time significantly influenced each other. Many rock bands like Steppenwolf and Creedence Clearwater Revival seemed to be heavily influenced by the Motown sound in their rock rhythms.
# 7 – Chicken Wolf
“Chicken Wolf, “may not be one of the most popular Steppenwolf songs. but in our book it’s one of their best. The song was released on the band’s third album entitled At Your Birthday Party. The album was released in 1969.
# 6 – Hey Lawdy Mama
“Hey Lawdy Mama,” was a single released by Steppenwolf in 1970. The song can be found on many of the greatest hits vinyl albums and cds that were released over the years by the band’s record company.
# 5 – The Pusher
As we continue our Top 10 Steppenwolf songs list, we turn to one of the band’s most popular songs. The iconic track “The Pusher,” was released on the band’s 1968 debut album entitled Steppenwolf. Along with the legendary song “Born To Be Wild,” the track “The Pusher,” was also included on the Easy Rider Soundtrack.
# 4 – Straight Shootin’ Woman
If you’re a long-time Steppenwolf fan, odds are this is one of your favorite Steppenwolf songs. If you are just a casual fan, you may have never heard of this smoking track. Now you have!
# 3 – Rock Me
There really is no doubt as to which are the most popular three Steppenwolf songs. With many bands, the most popular songs do not always translate to the band’s best songs. However, with Steppenwolf, it would be hard to argue that the next three were not their best. The great song “Rock Me,” was released on the band’s third album entitled At Your Birthday Party. It was the album’s lead-off single.
# 2 – Magic Carpet Ride
When Steppenwolf was faced with the task of having to follow up one of the biggest rock and roll songs of all time in “Born To Be Wild,” they stepped up to the plate and hit one way out of the park with “Magic Carpet Ride.” The song was released on the band’s second album brilliantly titled The Second. “Magic Carpet Ride,” reached the number three position on the Billboard music charts in 1969.
# 1 – Born To Be Wild
If we were to define the classic rock era of the late 1960’s by songs, “Born To Be Wild,” would be one of the most important tracks selected in defining an era of music. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and The Doors all defined that era of music in so many ways. Steppenwolf’s “Born To Be Wild,” stood with the best of them.
Updated March 17, 2022
Top 10 Steppenwolf Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. 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However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. 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It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. 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