Born to Be Wild

Born to Be Wild is a rock song written by Mars Bonfire and known in its interpretation by the band Steppenwolf and the film Easy Rider. In the culture he is often associated with motorcycle driving rockers.

History

Sometimes Born to be Wild is referred to as the first heavy metal song ever, the text part "heavy metal thunder" mark the first use of the term "Heavy Metal". However, the use of this phrase in the literature is rather seen as a symbol for the sound of motorcycles, it was a " poetic accident" and had nothing to do with the later genre Heavy Metal.

The song was offered several other bands before Steppenwolf recorded it in 1968. Bonfire was a member of The Sparrows, the predecessor band of Steppenwolf, and his brother at the time was the drummer of Steppenwolf. Born to Be Wild was the second and most successful single of the band and reached # 2 on the Billboard Hot 100

The final breakthrough was reached "Born to Be Wild " with the film Easy Rider, where it accompanies scenes in which drive the main characters of the film with their chopper motorcycles on the American highways, especially on Route 66 The cult film and the now applicable as a biker anthem song have since been inseparable and widely quoted or parodied.

Achievements

The single debuted on July 20, 1968 in the Billboard Hot 100 and reached there place 2 In September 1968, the single received in the U.S. Gold status. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine placed the title at No. 129 in the list of 500 greatest songs of all time. In 2009, VH1 him number 53 in the list of the best rock songs of all time.

Meanwhile, many cover versions have been created.