Monster/Suicide/America

Was just listening to this and its amazing how it still applies 40 years later

(Monster)
Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of kingdom and pope
Like good Christians, some would burn the witches
Later some got slaves to gather riches

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
And she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

And once the ties with the crown had been broken
Westward in saddle and wagon it went
And 'til the railroad linked ocean to ocean
Many the lives which had come to an end
While we bullied, stole and bought our a homeland
We began the slaughter of the red man

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
And she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

The blue and grey they stomped it
They kicked it just like a dog
And when the war over
They stuffed it just like a hog

And though the past has it's share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But it's protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it's a monster and will not obey

(Suicide)
The spirit was freedom and justice
And it's keepers seem generous and kind
It's leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won't pay it no mind
'Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
And now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told
Yeah, there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watchin'

Our cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin' the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can't understand
We don't know how to mind our own business
'Cause the whole worlds got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who's the winner
We can't pay the cost
'Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watching

(America)
America where are you now?
Don't you care about your sons and daughters?
Don't you know we need you now
We can't fight alone against the monster

5,122 views 11 replies
Reply #1 Top

Great album by Steppenwolf,I still have it ....on vinyl even.:thumbsup:

Reply #2 Top

I remember this well. Steppenwolf, John Kay. You are showing your age my friend but that's right about the meaning of the song. Still rings true. There were other songs I loved in this vein. How about "Volunteers" by Jefferson Airplane? I loved that one too. Thanks for taking me back! :grin:

Reply #3 Top

"For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield is another song that still rings true today.(and yes,I'm an old school rocker,lol)

Reply #4 Top

Yeah.....these guys were awesome! And even got to party with them! Cool guys! B) And oh yeah....Earschplittenloudenboomer...Snowblind Friend...lots of great songs!

Reply #6 Top

Great album!   Was and still is a favorite I listen to regularly! 

And how about this one?...

 

POWER PLAY

 

What gives you the right, hey you,

To stand there and tell me what to do,

Tell me, who gave you the power to stop me from living like I do,

Remember, if you plan to stay, those who give can take away,

Dont bite the hand that feeds you!

Just one time wish I could be somewhere, where none of your trouble and lies, fill the air

I'm tired of your frozen smile and your face of tin,

We just might ought to hang up on you,

Turn the knob and do you in,

Remember, if you plan to stay, those who give can take away,

Dont bite the hand that feeds you!

Those in the dark, you know they're no longer blind,

They've broken from your stranglehold on their minds,

And those who can see don't need no help across the street,

Be careful who you're pushing 'round, they just might find you obsolete.

Well this jealous greed and vicious play, is grinding us like darn millstones and it can't be the only way.

 

Reply #7 Top

You know a couple of their bigger hits were actually written by Hoyt Atkins, you will remember him from the Movie "Gremlins"  He wrote the song "Pusher" "Snowblind Friend"  he also wrote "Joy to the world" by 3 Dog Night.

Reply #8 Top

You know a couple of their bigger hits were actually written by Hoyt Atkins

Interesting...I did not know that! B)

Reply #9 Top

Earschplittenloudenboomer.

That and 'Hippo Stomp', a couple of my fave Steppenwolf tunes. :smitten:

Reply #10 Top

I always put Born to Be Wild and the 85 Bears together. Thanks for this post. It will never die. :grin:

Reply #11 Top

You know a couple of their bigger hits were actually written by Hoyt Atkins, you will remember him from the Movie "Gremlins" He wrote the song "Pusher" "Snowblind Friend" he also wrote "Joy to the world" by 3 Dog Night.
Hoyt Axton's mother also wrote some famous songs including Heartbreak Hotel.