Even though this is from an album released in 1969, I would struggle to find a piece of music anywhere with lyrics more timely for today than these. Steppenwolf was, at that time of the Viet Nam war, considered to be in the genre of 'Protest Music', and if you read the lyrics along with the video, you will see why.
wdym childish gambino had the world in a choke hold with ‘this is america’ maybe you just don’t open your eras to listen? all people are filled with truth and lies it’s up to you to seek the natively upon what’s given
Lead singer John Kay was a German Refugee at age 4, and his mother flee from East Germany to West Germany. Kay's youth is spent in Hannover, listening to U.S. Armed Forces Radio. 1958: He, his mother and stepfather move to Toronto, where Kay begins listening to American radio, including country music.
Bassist Nick St Nicholas (Klaus Karl Kassbaum) was also an immigrant, born in Plon, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany and moved with his family to Canada after world War 2.
I'm a subscriber to this channel, BECAUSE you guys are real and you get it. I'm 64, and the line "We don't know how mind our own business, 'cause the whole world has to be just like us", has stuck with me throughout my life. Thank you for your reaction to this song. It is SO MUCH APPRECIATED.
I'm so glad that you listened to this. I bought this album when I was 13 and 55 years later it still gives me chills. I usually listen to Monster monthly. Such an ominous song. Thank you.
I sang this song’s chorus as a child, the Vietnam war, the horror of inhuman violence. We are the ones we are waiting for. I cried like a baby in a grandma’s body. The wail of the guitar. The pain. We are here now. Again. And Again. Thank you for sharing this anthem with us. To the person who suggested this to A & D, ❤👵🏻✌🏼
Steppenwolf was a reflection of the times in which they lived. They knew what a complete farce the Vietnam War was and wrote many songs exposing the military industrial complex for the "monster" it truly was. John Kay is a one of a kind lyrical genius.
I was a teenager when this song was first released and this really helped my social conscience grow and develop! One of the most important songs to come out of the late 1960's. Excellent reaction!
I haven't heard this song in a long time. My elders and especially my great uncles played these popular songs back in the '70s. I am surprised by how much the Steppenwolf song "Magic Carpet Ride" is known by young people I meet in everyday life.
I grew up in the 60's and 70's. Steppenwolf was my #1 band at the time. As a 13 year old in 1969 I was exposed to all the news regarding the Vietnam war and protests. I knew the meaning of this song at that time, and today I can see that it still applies.
I watched this video and listened to "Monster" with mixed emotions. I am an American, and I cane of age in the turbulent 60s and 70s, when this record was made. One of the things I've learned in my 71 years of life is the answer to the question you asked: "Who is the Monster?" Answer: it's me. It's us. The longing for freedom and the tendency to laziness and greed are not unique to any one culture or people. And unfortunately for America, we are following the same road that led every other great empire to its demise. Kingdoms come and they go. There is only one King and one Kingdom that will last forever.
I am 66 years old and my take on the subject is a reflection of US history at the beginning when the Constitution was first drafted. That first publish document stated that the government would protect private property, of the wealthy, and look after the interests of wealthy landholders and slaveowners. It did not go over well with the general public and Shay's Rebellion broke which was defeated by the private armed forces of the wealthy elites. After that the Bill of Rights was written and placated most people. The "Monster" in my opinion is the capitalist class in which the government looks after their interests and not all that much of ordinary people. The "Monster's" tool is the government. Since capitalism is in decay, the tool is making life more difficult for ordinary people and fascism is on the rise which is also a capitalist tool.
One of my favorite bands and I saw them live 9 times throughout the late 60’s, 70’s and early 80s. Check out The Ostrich, ( voter apathy) Renagade ( draft dodgers going to Canada) Snow Blind Friend (cocaine addiction) Fun Fact- The were really anti drugs in the days of Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll. Check out. The Pusher, Don’t Step On The Grass Sam. Who Needs You ( toxic relationship) Hippo Stomp fun and a very addictive beat. Lots more one of the best live bands I ever saw and I saw many great bands Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath Rolling Stones too many to list and Steppenwolf was right up there! Rock On Stay Safe God Bless!🙏🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
GLAD THAT YOU HAVE COME ACROSS THIS GREAT BAND. THEY ARE A BEDROCK OF ROCK MUSIC, SOME FUN SONGS N SOME WITH SERIOUS MESSAGES. MAGIC CARPET RIDE, PINBALL WIZARD N THE PUSHER, TO NAME A FEW. ROCK ON 👊🖖
Not an expert on John Kay or Steppenwolf, but i believe Johns father died before he was born ( about 1944 ) and then his mother escaped the east ( Germany ) ahead of the advancing Russian army and Socialist anarchy. Settling in the USA John couldnt speak English and Americans couldnt pronounce his German surname, so he became John Kay......devoted to HEAVY rock and a pioneer of Heavy, Heavy Metal and Psychedelic Rock. Recommend " Magic Carpet Ride " and " The Pusher ".....also " Born To Be Wild ", except many rock fans are now alergic to the last song because everyone who CAN'T sing tries to sing it at Karaoke. Many Karaoke venues in Australia have banned the much loved song. lol
Great song and very thoughtful reaction.I bought this 45, or single, as a 17 year old, loved it's sound + message then. The ending chorus, pleading w leaders to get their heads out of their butts still rings true in2024. Keep up your good presentations.
Hi new subscriber is here Thanks for your reaction guys ;) Thumbs Up. Since I Love your reaction here's my request... Please react to a girl band named 4TH IMPACT at the British X Factor a Filipino Girl Group singing "BANG BANG" No.1 most Viewed on X Factor History.
My teen years were in the late 60s and everything referenced in this song is still relevant today. Nothing much has changed. Different wars, more hate, hypocritical christianity. Peace out.
I had this album and although I treated my vinyl very well, this one fell on its edge and I was no longer able to play all of it. To make it easy, I'll just copy some information about this band. The Sparrows was a Canadian blues rock band of the 1960s. Notable for being the first group to bring musician John Kay into the mainstream, the Sparrows later morphed into the popular heavy rock group Steppenwolf.
Thank you for reviewing this! I’m 66, and this song has always been revered by me. If you get a chance to check out the original artwork, it’s fantastic! 😊♥️✌🏼
By the end of the 1960's, the Post War Baby Boom was at its peak, young people were everywhere & when the Vietnam War was peaking, there was a "Youth Rebellion" where "The Establishment" was seen as the enemy & nothing they said was trusted. They began to question everything, but most especially politicians. Bands like Steppenwolf began to give their bitter doubts voice in music...
The singer of Steppenwolf John Kay (Joachim Krauledat) is German and had to flee East Prussia with his mother during World War II as a child. They lived in East Germany for a short time and fled to West Germany and were shot at at the border. Then they lived in West Germany for a few years. He had experienced war himself and therefore had a particularly critical view of the wars that America fought. Kay's mother married a Canadian and he came to Canada as a teenager. Today, a song like that probably wouldn't be successful in the US because it's unpatriotic. By the witches the text means the witch hunt in Salem, which ended with 15 death sentences. The settlers had once fled religious persecution to America and brought the witch craze with them.
@@terrycunningham8118 I've seen some reactions to Monster from young Americans who were quite disturbed by the lyrics. He's pretty critical of America. As a European, I can of course see this wrong.
@@fixzeichner5592 I understand. I would offer that instead of being critical, they are being honest about the past and expressing concerns that some of the worst impulses that were present at the beginning of America might be rising again today. I don't think that reflection implies a lack or patriotism. It's interesting today that America is a highly polarized society partly because of an unwillingness to have an honest reckoning with the past, and in order to avoid that reckoning there are those who would follow charlatans and leaders with anti-democratic agendas partly because those leaders tell them that the reckoning is unnecessary or even a bad thing. They also wrap those impulses in a particularly virulent patriotism.
changes happen easy and fast.. birth, death, hope, hopelessness.. you name it, it can be here one day, and gone the next.. good or bad, dont worry, it will pass eventually
I'm often surprised how over the years this song has come back to my mind , triggered by whatever is going on currently. We don't appear to have learned a damn thing.
So well done it's just as uncomfortable to listen to today as it was back in 1969. America's sons and daughters will fight our monsters until the end! V
Hola...!!!... Saludos desde la CDMX 🇲🇽....me fascinan sus videos...me gustaría que reaccionen al grupo INXS con la canción New Sensation del concierto Live Baby Live...Please...!!!... Congratulations and tank you so much...!!! Mi nombre es Ricardo Maldonado...🖐️😃
Even though this is from an album released in 1969, I would struggle to find a piece of music anywhere with lyrics more timely for today than these. Steppenwolf was, at that time of the Viet Nam war, considered to be in the genre of 'Protest Music', and if you read the lyrics along with the video, you will see why.
Lyrics meant something back then and people listened. Now it's all fluff.
wdym childish gambino had the world in a choke hold with ‘this is america’ maybe you just don’t open your eras to listen? all people are filled with truth and lies it’s up to you to seek the natively upon what’s given
@badatti2d
Lead singer John Kay was a German Refugee at age 4, and his mother flee from East Germany to West Germany. Kay's youth is spent in Hannover, listening to U.S. Armed Forces Radio. 1958: He, his mother and stepfather move to Toronto, where Kay begins listening to American radio, including country music.
Bassist Nick St Nicholas (Klaus Karl Kassbaum) was also an immigrant, born in Plon, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany and moved with his family to Canada after world War 2.
@@jeffjohnson9911 Yea I should have looked into his life story by now
I'm a subscriber to this channel, BECAUSE you guys are real and you get it. I'm 64, and the line "We don't know how mind our own business, 'cause the whole world has to be just like us", has stuck with me throughout my life. Thank you for your reaction to this song. It is SO MUCH APPRECIATED.
Yes yes yes! This is an excellent song! Too few channels react to this.
Steppenwolf was one of my favourite bands! Incredible live! Monster is a Masterpiece! Title track from the album of the same name. GREAT album!❤
Congrats on playing this song. I had forgotten about Monster and remember hearing it it it came out. TY for reminding me. 😀
I'm so glad that you listened to this. I bought this album when I was 13 and 55 years later it still gives me chills. I usually listen to Monster monthly. Such an ominous song. Thank you.
I sang this song’s chorus as a child, the Vietnam war, the horror of inhuman violence. We are the ones we are waiting for. I cried like a baby in a grandma’s body. The wail of the guitar. The pain. We are here now. Again. And Again. Thank you for sharing this anthem with us. To the person who suggested this to A & D, ❤👵🏻✌🏼
Steppenwolf was a reflection of the times in which they lived. They knew what a complete farce the Vietnam War was and wrote many songs exposing the military industrial complex for the "monster" it truly was. John Kay is a one of a kind lyrical genius.
Same as it ever was. Love this song. It doesn't get as much love as it deserves. Thank you for listening to it.
Love all of your reactions, but especially this one. How true these old songs are, so things never change much , just get more obvious. Thank you.
It's one of "THOSE SONGS" that word for word still applies today in American life and culture
Love this band, this one is a classic. Yes it's still important today.
The shared human experience... we don't seem to learn from the past and are therefore doomed to repeat it
I was a teenager when this song was first released and this really helped my social conscience grow and develop! One of the most important songs to come out of the late 1960's. Excellent reaction!
I haven't heard this song in a long time. My elders and especially my great uncles played these popular songs back in the '70s. I am surprised by how much the Steppenwolf song "Magic Carpet Ride" is known by young people I meet in everyday life.
I've been hoping someone would find this song. I still knew most of the lyrics after all these years.
Luv you guys....luv Steppenwolf :)
8:26 8:27 8:27 8:28 8:30 8:31 8:31 8:32 8:33
Yes yes yes I have been requesting this song for a long time to various reactors. ❤❤❤❤
I enjoyed your intelligent and insightful discussion about this deep song.
Sixty years later. The monster that must be fed.
I grew up in the 60's and 70's. Steppenwolf was my #1 band at the time. As a 13 year old in 1969 I was exposed to all the news regarding the Vietnam war and protests. I knew the meaning of this song at that time, and today I can see that it still applies.
I watched this video and listened to "Monster" with mixed emotions. I am an American, and I cane of age in the turbulent 60s and 70s, when this record was made. One of the things I've learned in my 71 years of life is the answer to the question you asked: "Who is the Monster?" Answer: it's me. It's us. The longing for freedom and the tendency to laziness and greed are not unique to any one culture or people. And unfortunately for America, we are following the same road that led every other great empire to its demise. Kingdoms come and they go. There is only one King and one Kingdom that will last forever.
I am 66 years old and my take on the subject is a reflection of US history at the beginning when the Constitution was first drafted. That first publish document stated that the government would protect private property, of the wealthy, and look after the interests of wealthy landholders and slaveowners. It did not go over well with the general public and Shay's Rebellion broke which was defeated by the private armed forces of the wealthy elites. After that the Bill of Rights was written and placated most people.
The "Monster" in my opinion is the capitalist class in which the government looks after their interests and not all that much of ordinary people. The "Monster's" tool is the government. Since capitalism is in decay, the tool is making life more difficult for ordinary people and fascism is on the rise which is also a capitalist tool.
The 70s west coast country rock feel about the guitars is masterpiece in such a deep and thought provoking protest song.
Yes, The Monster, The Beast, same name, same human condition throughout time.
Revelations of John while on Patmos.
One of my favorite bands and I saw them live 9 times throughout the late 60’s, 70’s and early 80s. Check out The Ostrich, ( voter apathy) Renagade ( draft dodgers going to Canada) Snow Blind Friend (cocaine addiction) Fun Fact- The were really anti drugs in the days of Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll. Check out. The Pusher, Don’t Step On The Grass Sam. Who Needs You ( toxic relationship) Hippo Stomp fun and a very addictive beat. Lots more one of the best live bands I ever saw and I saw many great bands Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath Rolling Stones too many to list and Steppenwolf was right up there! Rock On Stay Safe God Bless!🙏🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
This song and The GREEN FIELDS OF FRANCE. Move me to heartbreak 💔. Thank You. Love You Y'all.
GLAD THAT YOU HAVE COME ACROSS THIS GREAT BAND. THEY ARE A BEDROCK OF ROCK MUSIC, SOME FUN SONGS N SOME WITH SERIOUS MESSAGES. MAGIC CARPET RIDE, PINBALL WIZARD N THE PUSHER, TO NAME A FEW. ROCK ON 👊🖖
Well timed and thought provoking.
Just goes to show hasn’t stopped yet
They’re coming by the thousands today too maybe they will hear some steppenwolf in the welcome center
I have not heard this song since the 1970's, I bought the album in a local candy store for $1.00 thanks for playing it .
Not an expert on John Kay or Steppenwolf, but i believe Johns father died before he was born ( about 1944 ) and then his mother escaped the east ( Germany ) ahead of the advancing Russian army and Socialist anarchy.
Settling in the USA John couldnt speak English and Americans couldnt pronounce his German surname, so he became John Kay......devoted to HEAVY rock and a pioneer of Heavy, Heavy Metal and Psychedelic Rock.
Recommend " Magic Carpet Ride " and " The Pusher ".....also " Born To Be Wild ", except many rock fans are now alergic to the last song because everyone who CAN'T sing tries to sing it at Karaoke.
Many Karaoke venues in Australia have banned the much loved song. lol
Great song and very thoughtful reaction.I bought this 45, or single, as a 17 year old, loved it's sound + message then. The ending chorus, pleading w leaders to get their heads out of their butts still rings true in2024. Keep up your good presentations.
Hi new subscriber is here Thanks for your reaction guys ;) Thumbs Up.
Since I Love your reaction here's my request... Please react to a girl band named 4TH IMPACT at the British X Factor
a Filipino Girl Group singing "BANG BANG" No.1 most Viewed on X Factor History.
"BANG BANG" by 4th Power (Now 4th Impact) Link : th-cam.com/video/H7YRRaOgpUk/w-d-xo.html
For more Steppenwolf relevance check out The Pusher.
This song should be blasted over loudspeakers in every major city in this country....
My teen years were in the late 60s and everything referenced in this song is still relevant today. Nothing much has changed. Different wars, more hate, hypocritical christianity. Peace out.
I had this album and although I treated my vinyl very well, this one fell on its edge and I was no longer able to play all of it. To make it easy, I'll just copy some information about this band.
The Sparrows was a Canadian blues rock band of the 1960s. Notable for being the first group to bring musician John Kay into the mainstream, the Sparrows later morphed into the popular heavy rock group Steppenwolf.
Thank you for reviewing this! I’m 66, and this song has always been revered by me. If you get a chance to check out the original artwork, it’s fantastic! 😊♥️✌🏼
By the end of the 1960's, the Post War Baby Boom was at its peak, young people were everywhere & when the Vietnam War was peaking, there was a "Youth Rebellion" where "The Establishment" was seen as the enemy & nothing they said was trusted. They began to question everything, but most especially politicians. Bands like Steppenwolf began to give their bitter doubts voice in music...
Great reaction guys! Really enjoy your work.
The singer of Steppenwolf John Kay (Joachim Krauledat) is German and had to flee East Prussia with his mother during World War II as a child. They lived in East Germany for a short time and fled to West Germany and were shot at at the border. Then they lived in West Germany for a few years. He had experienced war himself and therefore had a particularly critical view of the wars that America fought. Kay's mother married a Canadian and he came to Canada as a teenager. Today, a song like that probably wouldn't be successful in the US because it's unpatriotic. By the witches the text means the witch hunt in Salem, which ended with 15 death sentences. The settlers had once fled religious persecution to America and brought the witch craze with them.
I disagree... that song is one of the most patriotic things I've ever heard.
@@terrycunningham8118 I've seen some reactions to Monster from young Americans who were quite disturbed by the lyrics. He's pretty critical of America. As a European, I can of course see this wrong.
@@fixzeichner5592 I understand. I would offer that instead of being critical, they are being honest about the past and expressing concerns that some of the worst impulses that were present at the beginning of America might be rising again today. I don't think that reflection implies a lack or patriotism.
It's interesting today that America is a highly polarized society partly because of an unwillingness to have an honest reckoning with the past, and in order to avoid that reckoning there are those who would follow charlatans and leaders with anti-democratic agendas partly because those leaders tell them that the reckoning is unnecessary or even a bad thing. They also wrap those impulses in a particularly virulent patriotism.
changes happen easy and fast.. birth, death, hope, hopelessness.. you name it, it can be here one day, and gone the next.. good or bad, dont worry, it will pass eventually
Great reaction, I think if we could get rid of greed and pride this whole world better a place
They just saying we have to live together
Dont step on the grass sam funny song about cannabis laws in 60s, also snowblind friend, the pusher all good.
Magic carpet ride
I'm often surprised how over the years this song has come back to my mind , triggered by whatever is going on currently. We don't appear to have learned a damn thing.
Some people sing songs....some people have something to say !
Here in America we are hoping that "America/Legal System" is fighting for our sons and daughters.
Just an FYI - The live version on their live album is actually a much better listening experience.
..and the monster is now on the loose again 😢
Try Magic Carpet Ride next. Psychedelia at it's best.
I remember that the song was banned from being played on the radio...just saying:)
The Monster is Fascism, and it it is also us.
A powerful political song that is sadly as relevant today as when it was written. Thanks for an interesting review.
So well done it's just as uncomfortable to listen to today as it was back in 1969. America's sons and daughters will fight our monsters until the end! V
Hola...!!!... Saludos desde la CDMX 🇲🇽....me fascinan sus videos...me gustaría que reaccionen al grupo INXS con la canción New Sensation del concierto Live Baby Live...Please...!!!... Congratulations and tank you so much...!!!
Mi nombre es Ricardo Maldonado...🖐️😃
The RnR Hall of Cash is a joke...
About the people that still try to screw it up.
It it is happening right now in Gaza, over 23,000 dead half of them children, in the name of God.
5:18 5:22 5:31 5:36
The missing factor is God! That is what/who America was intended to be founded on.
I like the lyrics of this song, they carry the truth, I just don't like the music. Dylan was able to give great messages without hurting my ears.