The Pusher was written by Hoyt Axton. Steppenwolf made it a hit. I got this album when I was in the 9th grade from the Columbia record club. It was one of the first albums I bought.
Steppenwolf Slow Flux album was my first album purchase in 1974. Only had it for a month as a girl from Wisconsin, US stole it from me. Still mad! Had the greatest hits on 8-track.
I can see my black light on my bureau, the smell of incense and a half smoked joint as I insert the 8track tape into my Elgin 8track/AM/FM stereo. 🤣🤣🤣✌️😎
Harri, as has been said, this song was written by Hoyt Axton. You might not recognize his name, but though he was primarily a country singer, he wrote songs for many genre of the day, including Rock and Pop. In fact, he also wrote Never Been To Spain and Joy TO The World, which were awesome, huge hits for Three Dog Night, as well as hits for Ringo Starr, John Denver, Glen Campbell, Joan Baez and ... If you've even seen movies, such as Gremlins (played the lead role's father, who acquires/steals Gizmo), or 25 other films, and maybe the 50 TV shows, you've seen him doing bit characters.
That's not to say I don't like it, it's my favorite song of theirs! It's just sad to see the worries of the prior generation coming true. There is a monster on the loose, and it's got our head into a noose. But we just keep on walking.
Written in 1964 by Hoyt Axton about his own personal problems, and still relevant today . Years later Hoyt wrote " Snowblind Friend about the loss of a member of his band . John Kay also knew the guy , so Steppenwolf recorded that song also . There is a video of them in the studio during the recording session .
Wow! This is one of those that I fondly call “A blast from the past!” It’s just one of those great songs that had a powerful message delivered in a raw, passionate way. Thanks so much Harri and Scott! 🌺✌️
Whenever I hear this, I always remember the time my sister left this 8-Track in my dad's car. What a relief we felt when it was playing the song that was right after this one.
I'm amazed that you hadn't reacted to this song yet. great song, great reaction. When this came out, I was a teen and fascinated with the counterculture. Thank God I never met the pusher
this song was in the airport scene in the beginning of EASY RIDER. they were buying their coke from the pusher - who was a surprise guest in the movie - PHIL SPECTOR. perfect role for him. hard to imagine that JACK NICHOLSON would outlive both PETER and DENNIS. ride in peace boys.
John Kay recorded this song with his Canadian band "The Sparrow" before moving to the USA and forming Steppenwolf ua-cam.com/video/eBo5GL48xP8/v-deo.html
"Born To Be Wild" had the first reference to "Heavy Metal" in rock .... I like smoke and lightnin' Heavy metal thunder Racin' with the wind And the feelin' that I'm under ....They were cutting edge at a time when everything was new.
Brings back my younger years, not just the song. A lot of people don't realize the difference between a drug dealer and a pusher, but they are completely different animals.
For those interested, Axton's most lasting contributions were songs made famous by others: "Joy to the World" (Three Dog Night) and "Never Been to Spain" for both Three Dog Night and Elvis Presley, "Greenback Dollar" for the Kingston Trio, "The Pusher" and "Snowblind Friend" for Steppenwolf, and the "No No Song" for Ringo Starr. Axton gets the "Lucky Dog" award because he guest starred on WKRP trying to marry Jennifer (Loni Anderson).
I had this album but my mom would not let me play it. When I was alone at home, I would get it out and play The Pusher. I would crank it up and you could hear it all over the neighborhood. As someone has posted, it was written by Hoyt Axton, he was a great talent. He also wrote a similar song, Snowblind Friend, which was also recorded by Steppenwolf. It was at least able to be played on the radio. The Pusher was not played on radio. I believe it was in the move Easy Rider
Written by the late Hoyt Axton (Joy to the World, Never Been to Spain, Snowblind Friend, many others) who knew a thing or two about drug addiction first hand.
John Kay put his entire career on the line when they released this song ~ considering we were at the height of the counter culture with the majority of Steppenwolf's fan base believing getting high was cool ~ Paul Revere & the Raiders took the same gamble with their song"Kicks"
Such a coincidence for me that you would play this song now. I lost my little sister last week due to the ravages of decades of drug use.... I learned very young never to get involved in the drug scene....
Great reaction, Harri. And you called it well on the mood and structure of the song. I was about 10 when this came out in the late 60s, and to this day it makes me thankful for the upbringing and guidance of my parents. I'm blessed to have never been a part of the drug scene of the day.
I had that album also! Missed it a great deal. I recently managed to buy a new electronic copy of it. Slow Flux had a bunch of very relevant songs on it. Justice Don’t Be Slow, Children of the Night, Smokey Factory Blues, Morning Blue all great songs. Snow Blind Friend, Tenderness, I’m Asking, and Shackles and Chains are other Steppenwolf tracks I love.
This lyrics in this song are thought provoking and worrying enough without the video. It just reinforces the message. Unfortunately not all stories have a happy ending as portrayed here
I’ll never forget when Janis Joplin died of an overdose. The image of her being brought out of the hotel on a stretcher and covered by a sheet will haunt me forever. And I had just bought her latest single- and her last- Me and Bobby McGee. So sad and completely unnecessary. Hope whoever sold her the stuff was really proud of himself 🙁
I interpret this song as a man who is very angry over the loss of friends or loved ones due to drugs. He rightly blamed the drug pushers. Nowadays we have advanced to drug cartels. It is shameful. It seems to be a war we are losing.
First time I heard this song was when the movie Easy Rider came out. I saw the movie in the theater, and it blew me away. I went out and bought. the soundtrack album the next day. Every song on the soundtrack to Easy Rider should get a listen from you. You will love it. I promise/
You make an excellent point. However, it's a sad point. Many of Steppenwolf's songs are still relevant today. We haven't changed much since the 70s in so many ways. I was hoping to at least see pot legalized where I live while I'm still alive. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Be well.
I bought this album when it cam out in 1968. I was 12 years old...almost 13. Even tho we had weed & pills around us at that time, it was still a lot safer. A simpler time....
Naturally, the local AM radio stations wouldn't play this one but a few of us got the album and so I got to listen to it at my best friend's house. And you know the difference between the dealer and the pusher? The dealer is small-time, maybe a friend of a friend and he just sells weed. The dealer sells the hard stuff, at this time, heroin. His goal is to get more people hooked so he has more steady customers. The pusher doesn't care about anything or anyone, just the money.
Just a story. The first time I got an opportunity to watch Easy Rider, it was coming on late night television. When it was almost time, the television went off. All I got was the white noise. When the movie was over, the television came back on. It was very strange. Saw it years leter.
Time to "Choose Your Own Adventure", Harry - just like the old books. Do you want to go down the Steppenwolf rabbit hole? Or, the Hoyt Axton rabbit hole? Or, "The Pusher" rabbit hole? It's the shortest one.
Love this song! I don't know about the video or who made it but when I hear this song all I see is the opening of "Easy Rider" and a couple cool dudes with their choppers, not some clown driving around in a Kia. It doesn't fit for me.
Am banned it! We didn't have Videos then so I don't know about this video? it's a Slow Blues!"Born to be Wild!"Opens "Easy Rider!"Steppenwolf's Major Hit!
Go back and watch the movie again . The Pusher is the first song in the movie during the drug buy at the airport . BTBW is the second song played as they head out on the highway on their choppers .
My father had the the LP (I don´t like the term "Vinyl") in the 60s when I was a child and I loved it... this song was in the soundtrack of "Easy Rider". What I don´t like here is that stupid visualiation with lots of hookers (just to have blonde women in the flick) and a guy smoking cigarettes in a modern Ute. This is NOT about pimps, jeez. Love your reviews btw Harri...
Ah yeah 16 years old tripping balls helping install a new floor in an ancient house. Just steppenwolf was one of the tapes, jimi hendrix and the doors too. Grandparents house, looking back everything was asbestos not to mention my dzadi worked at hooker and the love canal atrocity. I was a kid so recreational drugs and alchahol mighta helped? I dunno. Good song though.
The Pusher was written by Hoyt Axton. Steppenwolf made it a hit. I got this album when I was in the 9th grade from the Columbia record club. It was one of the first albums I bought.
What a cool kid you were! 😊
Steppenwolf Slow Flux album was my first album purchase in 1974. Only had it for a month as a girl from Wisconsin, US stole it from me. Still mad! Had the greatest hits on 8-track.
I still owe them money, I think.
Man, steppenwofl was something else for their time. They were really pushing the envelope of what was considered "radio-friendly".
Best band of the late 60's by far. Hard edge vocals by John Kay and heavy metal guitar riffs. But the lyrics of all their songs were so poignant 👍
That howl of the guitar , is perfect.....wow..
AM would not play it and only a few FM stations did.
the most popular song of the rock era that was never played on the radio.
"The more things change, the more they stay the same...."
1968 was a tough year for the U.S. but 69 was even tougher, and yet all these years later this still resonates...sadly
I can see my black light on my bureau, the smell of incense and a half smoked joint as I insert the 8track tape into my Elgin 8track/AM/FM stereo. 🤣🤣🤣✌️😎
The opening song to Easy Rider is Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf.
A classic hit for sure
No, this is the opening song followed by "Born to be Wild"
Yeah. First the drug deal with The Pusher then on the bikes with Born to be Wild.
@@blanewilliams5960 The video tape I saw years ago, started with them riding and Born to be Wild was the song. I was at a friend's house.
This song has a thousand times of attitude!
Harri, as has been said, this song was written by Hoyt Axton. You might not recognize his name, but though he was primarily a country singer, he wrote songs for many genre of the day, including Rock and Pop. In fact, he also wrote Never Been To Spain and Joy TO The World, which were awesome, huge hits for Three Dog Night, as well as hits for Ringo Starr, John Denver, Glen Campbell, Joan Baez and ...
If you've even seen movies, such as Gremlins (played the lead role's father, who acquires/steals Gizmo), or 25 other films, and maybe the 50 TV shows, you've seen him doing bit characters.
Now this one really brings back the memories and what a great movie. Thanks Scott and Harri.
❤ Just woke up its 7.30 am 😊 Having a look at what came in through the night
Like it Thank you Harri 🌼
Excellent!! Steppenwolf were one of my favourite bands from 1968 to 1972. ❤ Check out their song "Monster". It's a gem!!❤
That song is like the movie Idiocracy. It wasn't meant to be a blueprint, but every day we slip more into its maw
That's not to say I don't like it, it's my favorite song of theirs! It's just sad to see the worries of the prior generation coming true. There is a monster on the loose, and it's got our head into a noose. But we just keep on walking.
Well, I didn't really know anyone remembered this song except me. Thanks for the spin!
Great tune, excellent band never mind the video is not even from the period.
Their song Monster is about the forming of the US. Also try Don't Step On The Grass Sam.
Same guy who wrote “Joy to the World” recorded by Three Dog Night!
And "Mama Told Me Not to Come", also done by Three Dog Night
Written in 1964 by Hoyt Axton about his own personal problems, and still relevant today . Years later Hoyt wrote " Snowblind Friend about the loss of a member of his band . John Kay also knew the guy , so Steppenwolf recorded that song also . There is a video of them in the studio during the recording session .
Recorded Fall 1967, album released January 1968, used in the movie Easy Rider 1969, and released as a single in March 1970.
Written by the same man who wrote "Joy to the World."
That is part of the Easy Rider soundtrack. Peter Fonda, Jack Nicholson, Dennis Hopper.
Sookie Sookie by Steppenwolf is an underrated tune of theirs you should check out
I agree! And also Jupiter's Child
@@kinexkid Wasn't even thinking bout that one but your right!
I suggest Jupiter Child
@@davidkaiser6707 Along wit Snowblind Friend & The Ostrich
I second Jupiter's Child
These early Steppenwolf records are the best sounding records of all time
Wow! This is one of those that I fondly call “A blast from the past!” It’s just one of those great songs that had a powerful message delivered in a raw, passionate way. Thanks so much Harri and Scott! 🌺✌️
Love this Band!!!!!!!
Thanks Harry. Great review ❤❤🙏🙏
The only place you could hear this back in the day on the radio was very progressive FM stations.
Another good one is Snow Blind Friend ❤❤❤
Whenever I hear this, I always remember the time my sister left this 8-Track in my dad's car. What a relief we felt when it was playing the song that was right after this one.
great job Harri thank you so much
I'm amazed that you hadn't reacted to this song yet. great song, great reaction. When this came out, I was a teen and fascinated with the counterculture. Thank God I never met the pusher
Scott - I would not have recalled this classic Steppenwolf song, "The Pusher". Excellent submission choice!
this song was in the airport scene in the beginning of EASY RIDER. they were buying their coke from the pusher - who was a surprise guest in the movie - PHIL SPECTOR. perfect role for him. hard to imagine that JACK NICHOLSON would outlive both PETER and DENNIS. ride in peace boys.
Another great song from aCanadian band from Toronto Ontario, great reaction
John Kay recorded this song with his Canadian band "The Sparrow" before moving to the USA and forming Steppenwolf
ua-cam.com/video/eBo5GL48xP8/v-deo.html
@@c1jn7m61 thank you for the info, read awhile back origin Toronto
"Born To Be Wild" had the first reference to "Heavy Metal" in rock ....
I like smoke and lightnin'
Heavy metal thunder
Racin' with the wind
And the feelin' that I'm under
....They were cutting edge at a time when everything was new.
Such a terribly underrated band. Slow Flux is an album to check out
Brings back my younger years, not just the song.
A lot of people don't realize the difference between a drug dealer and a pusher, but they are completely different animals.
You never cieze to amaze me with the music you bring to the table my friend 👍
16 when I first heard this. Another side to the 60s scene. Lots of those tombstone eyes. Saw the group live...they rocked
For those interested, Axton's most lasting contributions were songs made famous by others: "Joy to the World" (Three Dog Night) and "Never Been to Spain" for both Three Dog Night and Elvis Presley, "Greenback Dollar" for the Kingston Trio, "The Pusher" and "Snowblind Friend" for Steppenwolf, and the "No No Song" for Ringo Starr.
Axton gets the "Lucky Dog" award because he guest starred on WKRP trying to marry Jennifer (Loni Anderson).
And wasn't he the dad in Gremlins?
I had this album but my mom would not let me play it. When I was alone at home, I would get it out and play The Pusher. I would crank it up and you could hear it all over the neighborhood. As someone has posted, it was written by Hoyt Axton, he was a great talent. He also wrote a similar song, Snowblind Friend, which was also recorded by Steppenwolf. It was at least able to be played on the radio. The Pusher was not played on radio. I believe it was in the move Easy Rider
Loved this one when it came out ❤❤❤❤
All kinds of groovy ✌
this was the most popular song that never got played on the radio. in hi school,we got kicked out of the football parade for playing this song
Gotta love John Kay's soulful vocals on this track. Not unlike Paul Rogers.
Damn...the pusha
A Classic.... First heard this when I was about 8 years old.
The 1st album I ever bought-when I was 9 - was Steppenwolf live. Side 2 was 20 plus minutes of " The Pusher".
Written by the late Hoyt Axton (Joy to the World, Never Been to Spain, Snowblind Friend, many others) who knew a thing or two about drug addiction first hand.
John Kay put his entire career on the line when they released this song ~ considering we were at the height of the counter culture with the majority of Steppenwolf's fan base believing getting high was cool ~ Paul Revere & the Raiders took the same gamble with their song"Kicks"
Such a coincidence for me that you would play this song now. I lost my little sister last week due to the ravages of decades of drug use.... I learned very young never to get involved in the drug scene....
I’m very sorry for your loss. May your sister be at peace.
Great reaction, Harri. And you called it well on the mood and structure of the song.
I was about 10 when this came out in the late 60s, and to this day it makes me thankful for the upbringing and guidance of my parents. I'm blessed to have never been a part of the drug scene of the day.
I had the Steppenwolf - Slow Flux album stolen from me by a girl from Wisconsin, US back in 1974. Still mad about it.
I had that album also! Missed it a great deal. I recently managed to buy a new electronic copy of it. Slow Flux had a bunch of very relevant songs on it. Justice Don’t Be Slow, Children of the Night, Smokey Factory Blues, Morning Blue all great songs. Snow Blind Friend, Tenderness, I’m Asking, and Shackles and Chains are other Steppenwolf tracks I love.
1968 and I would agree with your assessment of this song.
This lyrics in this song are thought provoking and worrying enough without the video. It just reinforces the message. Unfortunately not all stories have a happy ending as portrayed here
I’ll never forget when Janis Joplin died of an overdose. The image of her being brought out of the hotel on a stretcher and covered by a sheet will haunt me forever. And I had just bought her latest single- and her last- Me and Bobby McGee.
So sad and completely unnecessary. Hope whoever sold her the stuff was really proud of himself 🙁
Wonderfully Good 🎉❤
And then came THE STOOGES, HELL YEAH
This song is a testament to John Kay avoiding the drug scene already in it's prime time.👌
I interpret this song as a man who is very angry over the loss of friends or loved ones due to drugs. He rightly blamed the drug pushers. Nowadays we have advanced to drug cartels. It is shameful. It seems to be a war we are losing.
First time I heard this song was when the movie Easy Rider came out. I saw the movie in the theater, and it blew me away. I went out and bought. the soundtrack album the next day. Every song on the soundtrack to Easy Rider should get a listen from you. You will love it. I promise/
You make an excellent point. However, it's a sad point. Many of Steppenwolf's songs are still relevant today. We haven't changed much since the 70s in so many ways. I was hoping to at least see pot legalized where I live while I'm still alive. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Be well.
I think i used about 3 times the staples on the sub floor because it was " moving" so much fun.
I bought this album when it cam out in 1968. I was 12 years old...almost 13. Even tho we had weed & pills around us at that time, it was still a lot safer. A simpler time....
Great song! Thanks
Naturally, the local AM radio stations wouldn't play this one but a few of us got the album and so I got to listen to it at my best friend's house. And you know the difference between the dealer and the pusher? The dealer is small-time, maybe a friend of a friend and he just sells weed. The dealer sells the hard stuff, at this time, heroin. His goal is to get more people hooked so he has more steady customers. The pusher doesn't care about anything or anyone, just the money.
The dealer waits for you to ask. The pusher shows up without consent.
Kensington St. Philly.
Actually this is a message song...60's had lots of it brother Harri...
Just a story. The first time I got an opportunity to watch Easy Rider, it was coming on late night television. When it was almost time, the television went off. All I got was the white noise. When the movie was over, the television came back on. It was very strange. Saw it years leter.
Born to be Wild is good too.
On the soundtrack for “Easy Rider”
Time to "Choose Your Own Adventure", Harry - just like the old books. Do you want to go down the Steppenwolf rabbit hole? Or, the Hoyt Axton rabbit hole? Or, "The Pusher" rabbit hole? It's the shortest one.
When it came to soul robbers, seems Steppenwolf didn't take prisioners.
I had one eight track for the house and one for the car
You want a great song relevant today as many years ago. Listen to Ball of Confusion by The Temptations! I highly recommend it!
Love this song! I don't know about the video or who made it but when I hear this song all I see is the opening of "Easy Rider" and a couple cool dudes with their choppers, not some clown driving around in a Kia. It doesn't fit for me.
Did you know that they were Canadian Harri ?
wasent born to be wild that opened easy rider? could be wrong. been a long time
A great classic psychedelic rock song…..
Monster
I'm not sure anyone declared war on the pusher man back in 1964 when it was written
Never cared much for SW, the band. Enjoyed the book by HH
I still have the Easy Rider 8 track, just saw the movie on a flight, watch the movie if you haven't.
Another great bands of yesterday 😂😂
Never played on radio back in the day..too radical
And the use of the phrase "god d*mn".
It’s always so amusing to hear somebody psychoanalyze a blues song is if that would make it a better song. *ATL trombonist
Please react to Don Gibson “Sea of Heartbreak.”
Not exactly Lea Salonga and Michael Ball but historical in its own right. Happy 4/20!
Guess now it would be fentynl
If you thought "The Pusher" resonated you should listen to "Monster". The band was way ahead of their time, or truth be told, not much changes.
High level drug,guns,organs, precious metals,etc run 🧐🦉🌞
Since you don't mind "edgy" songs try the edgiest ever. Please listen to D.O.A. by Blookrock
✌🏼🫶🏼🤘🏼
This riff is so bluesy!
Am banned it! We didn't have Videos then so I don't know about this video? it's a Slow Blues!"Born to be Wild!"Opens "Easy Rider!"Steppenwolf's Major Hit!
Go back and watch the movie again . The Pusher is the first song in the movie during the drug buy at the airport . BTBW is the second song played as they head out on the highway on their choppers .
The Dealer would sell weed, psychedelics, and some pills. The Pusher would sell addictive drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Singer is german😊
My father had the the LP (I don´t like the term "Vinyl") in the 60s when I was a child and I loved it... this song was in the soundtrack of "Easy Rider". What I don´t like here is that stupid visualiation with lots of hookers (just to have blonde women in the flick) and a guy smoking cigarettes in a modern Ute. This is NOT about pimps, jeez. Love your reviews btw Harri...
The dealer is your buddy you buy some weed from. The pusher is that guy that shows up with the heroin and starts ruining lives
What the heck is with the weird modern video? This was in Easy Rider. One of the greatest movies ever.
I remember when this came out I was 13 or 14. Heavy stuff! This video is a distraction. There weren't videos back then!
Ah yeah 16 years old tripping balls helping install a new floor in an ancient house. Just steppenwolf was one of the tapes, jimi hendrix and the doors too. Grandparents house, looking back everything was asbestos not to mention my dzadi worked at hooker and the love canal atrocity. I was a kid so recreational drugs and alchahol mighta helped? I dunno. Good song though.