Born to Be Wild

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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 HotScript error: No such module "String".100 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 numberScript error: No such module "String".129 on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.[7] Also in 2004, it finished at numberScript error: No such module "String".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.).[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]

Personnel

Personnel taken from Mixonline.[11]

Charts

Weekly charts

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Year-end charts

Chart (1968) Position
Canada (RPM Top Singles)[15] 14
US Billboard Hot 100[16] 31
Chart (1990) Position
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17] 47
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 57

Certifications

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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.[19] In 2002, it was covered by Kim Wilde and released as a nonalbum single. Her cover reached number 84 in Germany[20] and number 71 in Switzerland.[21] Belgian singer Tanja Dexters also covered the song in 2002. Her version peaked at number 21 in Belgium.[22]

Other artists who covered this song include Hinder,[23] Etta James,[24] Link Wray,[24] Slade,[25] The Cult,[26] INXS,[24] Ozzy Osbourne with Miss Piggy,[27] Bruce Springsteen,[24] Slayer,[28] Blue Öyster Cult,[24] Status Quo,[24] Fanfare Ciocărlia,[29] Krokus,[30] Wilson Pickett,[24] and La Renga.[31]

Charts

Rose Tattoo version

Chart (1985) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[19] 25

Kim Wilde version

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Chart (2002) Peak
position

Tanja Dexters version

Template:Single chart
Chart (2002) Peak
position

See also

References

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