Born to Be Wild: Difference between revisions

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"'''Born to Be Wild'''" is a song written by [[Mars Bonfire]] and first released as a single by [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]]. Although the lyrics do not specifically mention motorcycles, the song is often invoked in both [[Popular culture|popular]] and [[Counterculture of the 1960s|counter]]culture to denote a [[motorcycle|biker]] appearance or attitude since being featured in the 1969 film ''[[Easy Rider]]''. Sometimes, "Born to Be Wild" is described as the first [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] song, and the second-verse lyric "heavy metal thunder" marks the first use of this term in rock music (although not as a description of a musical style, but rather a motorcycle).<ref name="Grdn">{{cite news |last1=Dave Simpson |title=How we made Steppenwolf's Born to Be Wild: Interview |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/31/how-we-made-steppenwolf-born-to-be-wild |access-date=20 September 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=31 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first= Robert |last= Walser |year= 1993 |title= Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music |publisher= [[Wesleyan University Press]] |isbn= 978-0-8195-6260-9 |url= https://archive.org/details/runningwithdevil00wals |url-access= registration}}</ref>
"'''Born to Be Wild'''" is a song written by [[Mars Bonfire]] and first released as a single by [[Steppenwolf (band)|Steppenwolf]]. Although the lyrics do not specifically mention motorcycles, the song is often invoked in both [[Popular culture|popular]] and [[Counterculture of the 1960s|counter]]culture to denote a [[motorcycle|biker]] appearance or attitude since being featured in the 1969 film ''[[Easy Rider]]''. Sometimes, "Born to Be Wild" is described as the first [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] song, and the second-verse lyric "[[Heavy metals|heavy metal thunder]]" marks the first use of this term in rock music (although not as a description of a musical style, but rather a motorcycle).<ref name="Grdn">{{cite news |last1=Dave Simpson |title=How we made Steppenwolf's Born to Be Wild: Interview |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/31/how-we-made-steppenwolf-born-to-be-wild |access-date=20 September 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=31 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|first= Robert |last= Walser |year= 1993 |title= Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music |publisher= [[Wesleyan University Press]] |isbn= 978-0-8195-6260-9 |url= https://archive.org/details/runningwithdevil00wals |url-access= registration}}</ref>


==Composition==
==Music and lyrics==
Mars Bonfire wrote "Born to Be Wild" as a [[Sentimental ballad|ballad]].<ref name="AM">{{cite web|first= Hal |last= Horowitz |title= Born to Be Wild – Song Review |publisher= [[AllMusic]] |url= http://www.allmusic.com/song/born-to-be-wild-mt0002632723}}</ref> Bonfire was previously a member of [[The Sparrows (band)|the Sparrows]], the predecessor band to Steppenwolf, and his brother was Steppenwolf's drummer. Although he initially offered the song to other bands — [[The Human Expression]], for one<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title= The Human Expression: Love at Psychedelic Velocity |year= 1994 |publisher= Collectables Records}}</ref> — "Born to Be Wild" was first recorded by Steppenwolf in a sped-up and rearranged version that [[AllMusic]]'s Hal Horowitz described as "a roaring anthem of turbo-charged riff rock" and "a timeless radio classic as well as a slice of '60s revolt that at once defines Steppenwolf's sound and provided them with their shot at [[AM broadcasting|AM]] immortality".<ref name="AM"/>
Mars Bonfire wrote "Born to Be Wild" as a [[Sentimental ballad|ballad]].<ref name="AM">{{cite web|first= Hal |last= Horowitz |title= Born to Be Wild – Song Review |publisher= [[AllMusic]] |url= http://www.allmusic.com/song/born-to-be-wild-mt0002632723}}</ref> Bonfire was previously a member of [[The Sparrows (band)|the Sparrows]], the predecessor band to Steppenwolf, and his brother was Steppenwolf's drummer. Although he initially offered the song to other bands — [[The Human Expression]], for one<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title= The Human Expression: Love at Psychedelic Velocity |year= 1994 |publisher= Collectables Records}}</ref> — "Born to Be Wild" was first recorded by Steppenwolf in a sped-up and rearranged version that [[AllMusic]]'s Hal Horowitz described as "a roaring anthem of turbo-charged riff rock" and "a timeless radio classic as well as a slice of '60s revolt that at once defines Steppenwolf's sound and provided them with their shot at [[AM broadcasting|AM]] immortality".<ref name="AM"/>


==Release and reception==
According to ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock Magazine]]'', the track was the first in history to incorporate the word "[[Heavy metals|heavy metal]]" into its lyrics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dome |first=Malcolm |last2=Ling |first2=Dave |last3=Ewing |first3=Jerry |last4=updated |first4=Geoff Bartonlast |date=2020-03-30 |title=The 30 albums that built heavy metal |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-30-albums-that-built-heavy-metal |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Louder |language=en}}</ref>
"Born to Be Wild" was Steppenwolf's third single off their [[Steppenwolf (Steppenwolf album)|self-titled debut album]], and became their signature song, reaching number two on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot{{nbsp}}100]] singles charts. It was kept from the number-one spot by "[[People Got to Be Free]]" by [[the Rascals]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title= The Hot 100 |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date= 24 August 1968 |access-date= 16 December 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1968-08-24}}</ref> In 2004, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' placed "Born to Be Wild" at number{{nbsp}}129 on its [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|500 Greatest Songs of All Time list]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title= The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (1–500) |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/2 |archive-date= August 20, 2006 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060820114448/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/2}}</ref> Also in 2004, it finished at number{{nbsp}}29 on [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs]] survey of top tunes in American cinema. In 2009, it was named the 53rd-best hard rock song of all time by [[VH1]] (It had ranked 40th in the 100 Greatest Songs of Rock and Roll by VH1 nine years earlier.).<ref>{{cite web|first= Andrew |last= Winistorfer |title= VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs list only slightly less annoying than their hip-hop list |website= Prefix Magazine |date= 5 January 2009 |access-date= 3 January 2021 |url= http://www.prefixmag.com/news/vh1s-100-greatest-hard-rock-songs-list-only-slight/24504/}}</ref> In 2018, the song was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in a new category for singles.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Gary |last= Graff |title= Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inducts Songs for the First Time, Including 'Born to Be Wild' & 'Louie Louie' |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date= April 14, 2018 |access-date= April 15, 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8333912/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-inducts-songs-born-to-be-wild-louie-louie}}</ref>
 
==Release and commercial performance==
"Born to Be Wild" was Steppenwolf's third single off their [[Steppenwolf (Steppenwolf album)|self-titled debut album]], and became their signature song, reaching number two on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot{{nbsp}}100]] singles charts. It was kept from the number-one spot by "[[People Got to Be Free]]" by [[the Rascals]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title= The Hot 100 |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date= 24 August 1968 |access-date= 16 December 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1968-08-24}}</ref>  
 
== Reception and legacy ==
In 2004, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' placed "Born to Be Wild" at number{{nbsp}}129 on its [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|500 Greatest Songs of All Time list]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title= The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (1–500) |magazine= [[Rolling Stone]] |url= https://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/2 |archive-date= August 20, 2006 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060820114448/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/500songs/page/2}}</ref> Also in 2004, it finished at number{{nbsp}}29 on [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs]] survey of top tunes in American cinema. In 2009, it was named the 53rd-best hard rock song of all time by [[VH1]] (It had ranked 40th in the 100 Greatest Songs of Rock and Roll by VH1 nine years earlier.).<ref>{{cite web|first= Andrew |last= Winistorfer |title= VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs list only slightly less annoying than their hip-hop list |website= Prefix Magazine |date= 5 January 2009 |access-date= 3 January 2021 |url= http://www.prefixmag.com/news/vh1s-100-greatest-hard-rock-songs-list-only-slight/24504/}}</ref> In 2018, the song was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in a new category for singles.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Gary |last= Graff |title= Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inducts Songs for the First Time, Including 'Born to Be Wild' & 'Louie Louie' |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date= April 14, 2018 |access-date= April 15, 2018 |url= https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8333912/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-inducts-songs-born-to-be-wild-louie-louie}}</ref>
 
In 2021, staff writers at ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock Magazine]]'' expressed the belief that "Born to Be Wild" is "probably the first real metal track."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dome |first=Malcolm |last2=Ling |first2=Dave |last3=Ewing |first3=Jerry |last4=updated |first4=Geoff Bartonlast |date=2020-03-30 |title=The 30 albums that built heavy metal |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-30-albums-that-built-heavy-metal |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Louder |language=en}}</ref>


==Charts==
==Charts==

Latest revision as of 14:35, 14 June 2025

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"Born to Be Wild" is a song written by Mars Bonfire and first released as a single by Steppenwolf. Although the lyrics do not specifically mention motorcycles, the song is often invoked in both popular and counterculture to denote a biker appearance or attitude since being featured in the 1969 film Easy Rider. Sometimes, "Born to Be Wild" is described as the first heavy metal song, and the second-verse lyric "heavy metal thunder" marks the first use of this term in rock music (although not as a description of a musical style, but rather a motorcycle).[1][2]

Music and lyrics

Mars Bonfire wrote "Born to Be Wild" as a ballad.[3] Bonfire was previously a member of the Sparrows, the predecessor band to Steppenwolf, and his brother was Steppenwolf's drummer. Although he initially offered the song to other bands — The Human Expression, for one[4] — "Born to Be Wild" was first recorded by Steppenwolf in a sped-up and rearranged version that AllMusic's Hal Horowitz described as "a roaring anthem of turbo-charged riff rock" and "a timeless radio classic as well as a slice of '60s revolt that at once defines Steppenwolf's sound and provided them with their shot at AM immortality".[3]

According to Classic Rock Magazine, the track was the first in history to incorporate the word "heavy metal" into its lyrics.[5]

Release and commercial performance

"Born to Be Wild" was Steppenwolf's third single off their self-titled debut album, and became their signature song, reaching number two on the [[Billboard Hot 100|Billboard HotTemplate:Nbsp100]] singles charts. It was kept from the number-one spot by "People Got to Be Free" by the Rascals.[6]

Reception and legacy

In 2004, Rolling Stone placed "Born to Be Wild" at numberTemplate:Nbsp129 on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.[7] Also in 2004, it finished at numberTemplate:Nbsp29 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema. In 2009, it was named the 53rd-best hard rock song of all time by VH1 (It had ranked 40th in the 100 Greatest Songs of Rock and Roll by VH1 nine years earlier.).[8] In 2018, the song was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in a new category for singles.[9]

In 2021, staff writers at Classic Rock Magazine expressed the belief that "Born to Be Wild" is "probably the first real metal track."[10]

Charts

Weekly charts

<templatestyles src="Col-begin/styles.css"/>

Year-end charts

Chart (1968) Position
Canada (RPM Top Singles)[14] 14
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 31
Chart (1990) Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[16] 47
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[17] 57

Certifications

Template:Certification Table Top Template:Certification Table Entry Template:Certification Table Entry Template:Certification Table Entry Template:Certification Table Entry Template:Certification Table Entry Template:Certification Table Entry Template:Certification Table Bottom

Cover versions

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In 1985, the song was covered by Australian band Rose Tattoo. Their version peaked at number 25 in Australia.[18] In 2002, it was covered by Kim Wilde and released as a nonalbum single. Her cover reached number 84 in Germany[19] and number 71 in Switzerland.[20] Belgian singer Tanja Dexters also covered the song in 2002. Her version peaked at number 21 in Belgium.[21]

Other artists who covered this song include Hinder,[22] Etta James,[23] Link Wray,[23] Slade,[24] The Cult,[25] INXS,[23] Ozzy Osbourne with Miss Piggy,[26] Bruce Springsteen,[23] Slayer,[27] Blue Öyster Cult,[23] Status Quo,[23] Fanfare Ciocărlia,[28] Krokus,[29] Wilson Pickett,[23] and La Renga.[30]

Charts

Rose Tattoo version

Chart (1985) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[18] 25

Kim Wilde version

Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chart
Chart (2002) Peak
position

Tanja Dexters version

Template:Single chart
Chart (2002) Peak
position

See also

References

Template:Reflist

Template:Steppenwolf Template:Hinder Template:Kim Wilde Template:2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Template:Authority control

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