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Born to Be Wild
1968 song by Steppenwolf From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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).[5][6]
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Music and lyrics
Mars Bonfire wrote "Born to Be Wild" as a ballad.[7] 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[8] — "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".[7]
According to Classic Rock Magazine, the track was the first in history to incorporate the word "heavy metal" into its lyrics.[9]
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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 singles charts. It was kept from the number-one spot by "People Got to Be Free" by the Rascals.[10]
Reception and legacy
In 2004, Rolling Stone placed "Born to Be Wild" at number 129 on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.[11] Also in 2004, it finished at number 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.).[12] In 2018, the song was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in a new category for singles.[13]
In 2021, staff writers at Classic Rock Magazine expressed the belief that "Born to Be Wild" is "probably the first real metal track."[14]
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
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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.[38] In 2002, it was covered by Kim Wilde and released as a nonalbum single. Her cover reached number 84 in Germany[39] and number 71 in Switzerland.[40] Belgian singer Tanja Dexters also covered the song in 2002. Her version peaked at number 21 in Belgium.[41]
Other artists who covered this song include Hinder,[42] Etta James,[43] Link Wray,[43] Slade,[44] The Cult,[45] INXS,[43] Ozzy Osbourne with Miss Piggy,[46] Bruce Springsteen,[43] Slayer,[47] Blue Öyster Cult,[43] Status Quo,[43] Fanfare Ciocărlia,[48] Krokus,[49] Wilson Pickett,[43] and La Renga.[50]
Charts
Rose Tattoo version
Kim Wilde version
Tanja Dexters version
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See also
References
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