Biz, I haven’t heard this song in prob bout 50 yrs. Just out of High school waiting for the results of draft for Vietnam Nam at our favorite bar. Brings back memories of friends here and gone. Tough days indeed. Thanx my friend
They were the late 60s true stoner vibe anti intrusive government band with great riffs and awesome lyrics . Always on point with the commentary issues of that time that still are relevant right now ..
You did it!!! Thank you so much 😊 The song is clearly about the United States Government coming after marijuana, and how the band is against making weed illegal.
It shows how drastically different pot is from hard drugs when a band like this will come out with a song like 'The Pusher', and also a song like this. In favor of weed, NOT hard drugs!
@Guido Sarducci - agree, many great ones. From here to There Eventually is another one that doesn’t get reacted to. Or the entire Steppenwolf Live album. One of the best live albums ever.
In John Kay's book he talks about a conversation he and Jimi Hendrix were having about the guitar riff in this song. John said "it's just a simple little thing" and Jimi said "yeah, but I kinda like it". And on their 1970 "Live" album John talks about "Uncle Sam hanging up a half a million tourists and they scored 3 joints....big deal!". I think a LOT of people liked it!!
I started smoking 53 years ago at age 14 in Oklahoma, and they HATE weed. (Bible Belt) Now I'm in NY and you can smoke it anywhere it's legal to smoke cigarettes. And if weed makes you paranoid, you need Indica. But just in the evening when there's not much to do. lol
John's song is actually commentary about the late Joe Pyne, who was, during his career, a very controversial TV talk show host. That's the "Joe" in the song he refers to as being anti-weed, along with the colorful "Sam"....the government. (Uncle Sam). And it made sense, we were wasting billions on the "war on drugs"....and netting zilch.
The "Sam" mentioned in the verses was then Los Angeles mayor Sam Yorty "I was elected by the masses", a moderate until he became mayor. He eventually went hard to the right. I also believe "Sam" was a bit of a double meaning, i.e. Uncle Sam and Mayor Sam Yorty.
Great tune. Gov't Mule does a great cover of this song. You should check out the song Panama Red by the New Riders of the Purple Sage. It's a comical song about a potent strain of weed.
Jerry did all the singing in their song '' in hope a garden'' if you get a chance , it is really mellow but worth it. Oh yeah, it's on the At your birthday album.
Hey Biz. Thanks for reacting to this one, it brings back great memories. We used to do this in one of my cover bands and it got a great reaction from the crowds. Peace.
I love the gag when they get busted in the end. This song does a good job of pointing out propaganda from both sides. Good and bad. Very well done song. Yes I believe he is talking about the government with them either picking it up and legalizing it or banning it out right. I feel the song makes it to be a personal thing, let people choose to do what they want to. Don't get involved, leave us smokers be. Another amazing Steppenwolf song is The Ostrich please review that one. I feel you'd really dig the lyrics!
Albums by Steppenwolf, the Airplane and Country Joe *WERE* our social media back then! People bought 'em, got their friends over and said "Hey listen to this". (The album sleeves were handy for rolling joints on too...)
Was raised among white supremacists in my family. Never saw things the same as them. Thank you so much sir for being legit. Love to see enthusiasm for good music in today's divided world. Subscribed for sure.
One of my best friends got 15 years for selling an ounce to an undercover. He did 8 years and got out when they changed the law to less time for two ounces or less. That was in the early 70's.
My favorite band back in the day! I’ve got every album. Edit: When Illinois legalized weed, the governor pardoned more than 11,000 and almost half a million qualified to have their records expunged. The IL attorney general acknowledged that black Illinoisans would most benefit because they were most likely to have been convicted.
Lead singer John Kay said that he picked up the idea of trading lead vocals with drummer Jerry Edmonton from Sam and Dave. This was back when there was A LOT of what George Clinton called "cross-pollenation" between musical genres and artists. People were more open to absorbing musical ideas from others instead of just "wearing" their music as some kind of pseudo-fashion statement...
Great tune and so relevant still in certain parts of the USA, I've been enjoying cannabis since 1971 and now enjoy it legally here in Massachusetts. It costs less to buy now, especially with the dispensary sales, than I could ever dream of buying this cheap off my dealers for 4 decades. And it is better, all flower, no seeds or sticks, with all the specs listed on the package. At least that is one thing better in 2023, not much else. At least we still have all this great music to still listen to. More Steppenwolf please, try Monster for another great epic. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎸🎹🎶
Your explanation that you used to do it but it made you too paranoid and also you couldn't get things done, but every single one of your homes still do it - reminds me of a great line by comedian Mitch Hedberg. "I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too." Musically I love 3 things about this song: 1) John Kay trades vocal lines with another band member to great effect, 2) the bridge is amazing, ethereal and otherworldly, and 3) that thick harsh organ at the end followed by the acted out bust. Great way to end it and drive the lyrics home.
I'm pretty certain "Sam" was Los Angeles mayor, Sam Yorty, "I was elected by the masses!". Mayor Yorty and TV host Joe Pyne "Obnoxious Joe" hated the counterculture. The band is singing about a TV show, The Joe Pyne Show, where the host would bring on "controversial" guests, then attempt to rip them apart years before Wally George.
4:10 LOL ya dude you're not alone. I was started stopping weed as a SENIOR in highschool... At a certain point you don't need it anymore. Compared to other psychoactive "drugs" it is mild, but it's psychoactive nonetheless... it's all subjective.
Weed is classified the same as heroin. I can tell you that its way different . Ever since the 30's it's been the same according to them. I haven't heard anyone listening to their song '' Sparkle Eye's '' it's fire.
Since you are on the weed subject... just for chits n giggles you should review the movie.... Reefer Madness, btw I don’t smoke weed any longer it makes me paranoid too!
It's like nwa two decades before nwa became a group. I think they should have done this. But they had kinda anti-drug lyrics so it wouldn't match with the rest songs they had in their first records.
This former artisited Jon Kay, of the grps, steppewolfs, it's similarly of a nother former artisited Jim Morrison, the door's, both of lead singer's, are poets, writer's, or they just sangs it's I was a teenagers, that's area's 1968s 13s yrs, old and it's was a heavy trips that's time's,
I'm the same way I smoked weed since I was a teen into my late 20's and I was getting too paranoid when I smoked it and so I quit but I am all for it because it's not harmful like the government tried to say it was and that is why it's legal in most states and it's legal in Canada and I think it's a good thing that it should be legal everywhere because it's a plant it's natural it's not man made like meth or pills.
just watched DMC get interviewed by MANCOW and he mentioned he went down a STEPPENWOLF rabbit hole.. now here i am.. DMC is 💯 credited for getting me off the demokkkrat plantation... God Bless
Biz, I haven’t heard this song in prob bout 50 yrs. Just out of High school waiting for the results of draft for Vietnam Nam at our favorite bar. Brings back memories of friends here and gone. Tough days indeed. Thanx my friend
They were the late 60s true stoner vibe anti intrusive government band with great riffs and awesome lyrics . Always on point with the commentary issues of that time that still are relevant right now ..
You did it!!! Thank you so much 😊 The song is clearly about the United States Government coming after marijuana, and how the band is against making weed illegal.
It shows how drastically different pot is from hard drugs when a band like this will come out with a song like 'The Pusher', and also a song like this. In favor of weed, NOT hard drugs!
The Liquor Lobby in DC has been spending millions since the 1930's to keep weed illegal...
One of Steppenwolf's best songs
Check out their "Monster / America" song. Got to have the Shlyrics pulled up.
Definitely! Please react to Monster / America. True masterpiece
Yes please!
I was gonna ask if you've done monster yet? Please do, you won't be dissapointed.
@@ricksloop1075 Possibly their best tune...I say possibly because there are so many great ones...
@Guido Sarducci - agree, many great ones. From here to There Eventually is another one that doesn’t get reacted to. Or the entire Steppenwolf Live album. One of the best live albums ever.
"The message is dope", you said.
Indeed, it is! 😁✌
In John Kay's book he talks about a conversation he and Jimi Hendrix were having about the guitar riff in this song. John said "it's just a simple little thing" and Jimi said "yeah, but I kinda like it".
And on their 1970 "Live" album John talks about "Uncle Sam hanging up a half a million tourists and they scored 3 joints....big deal!".
I think a LOT of people liked it!!
what the hell does Jimi Hendrix know about guitar riffs, anyway....
My first concert !!! Crazy protest time..you have to do 'Monster'. Welcome to
I started smoking 53 years ago at age 14 in Oklahoma, and they HATE weed. (Bible Belt)
Now I'm in NY and you can smoke it anywhere it's legal to smoke cigarettes.
And if weed makes you paranoid, you need Indica.
But just in the evening when there's not much to do. lol
One of my favorite bands saw them 3 times when they were at their peak.
"Rock Me" is another great hit by Steppenwolf. But agree with most of the others that "Monster" should be next.
Yes, a Top 10 hit that REALLY should get a LOT more radio play then it does!!
The full album version!
🎸💯 Steppenwolf is a very cool band‼🔥
"Don't Step on the Grass" is another of their very unique cuts‼Psychedelic‼☮ ❤ 🎶
John's song is actually commentary about the late Joe Pyne, who was, during his career, a very controversial TV talk show host. That's the "Joe" in the song he refers to as being anti-weed, along with the colorful "Sam"....the government. (Uncle Sam). And it made sense, we were wasting billions on the "war on drugs"....and netting zilch.
The "Sam" mentioned in the verses was then Los Angeles mayor Sam Yorty "I was elected by the masses", a moderate until he became mayor. He eventually went hard to the right. I also believe "Sam" was a bit of a double meaning, i.e. Uncle Sam and Mayor Sam Yorty.
Please do "Monster" by Steppenwolf! Awesome song!!!
One of the most haunting riffs in all of Rock and Roll!
Please react to Monster by Steppenwolf. It's long, but could have been written for today's world instead of the Vietnam war era.
Great song!
VERY TRUE NEIGHBOR!
Just said the same thing to my wife.
Great tune. Gov't Mule does a great cover of this song.
You should check out the song Panama Red by the New Riders of the Purple Sage. It's a comical song about a potent strain of weed.
Weed is legal in Canada. I don't think we're any crazier now then before it was legalized.
Drummer Jerry Edmonton on co lyrics. Dude could sing. I wish John Kay would've have included his voice a few more times.
Jerry did all the singing in their song '' in hope a garden'' if you get a chance , it is really mellow but worth it.
Oh yeah, it's on the At your birthday album.
Jerry also sang "Faster Than The Speed Of Life" and "28" on The Second LP.
Hey Biz. Thanks for reacting to this one, it brings back great memories. We used to do this in one of my cover bands and it got a great reaction from the crowds. Peace.
I love the gag when they get busted in the end. This song does a good job of pointing out propaganda from both sides. Good and bad. Very well done song. Yes I believe he is talking about the government with them either picking it up and legalizing it or banning it out right. I feel the song makes it to be a personal thing, let people choose to do what they want to. Don't get involved, leave us smokers be.
Another amazing Steppenwolf song is The Ostrich please review that one. I feel you'd really dig the lyrics!
My musical childhood in a nutshell.... ( my parents had no idea! lol)
Great Tune, great protest song. Still holds up 55 yrs later. I love it and i dont even smoke weed!
Song was way before it’s time. They didn’t even have Google back then and they knew it was wrong for it to be illegal.
Albums by Steppenwolf, the Airplane and Country Joe *WERE* our social media back then! People bought 'em, got their friends over and said "Hey listen to this". (The album sleeves were handy for rolling joints on too...)
The Liquor Lobby in DC has been spending millions since the 1930's to keep weed illegal...
I’m guessing BigPharma has for a while as well.
same with me !! pot makes me think TOO MUCH!!! YES ITS UNCLE SAM!!!IM IN MY LATE 60S NOW DONT NEED TIOSMOKE IT GREAT SONG!!
Say “ uncle “- Sam
Was raised among white supremacists in my family. Never saw things the same as them. Thank you so much sir for being legit. Love to see enthusiasm for good music in today's divided world. Subscribed for sure.
Thanks fam
☮️💙💙💙🔥good morning
Up yours Uncle Sam ! Power to the people !
I haven't heard this song in decades, thanks.
Great group! Do Monster/America Biz. You'll like it.
STILL an absolute classic ... As were STEPPENWOLF itself ! 🤙✊️👊🎸🥁🎵🎶
i always loved them and have a cd of their 30 best songs coming in two days!
One of my best friends got 15 years for selling an ounce to an undercover. He did 8 years and got out when they changed the law to less time for two ounces or less. That was in the early 70's.
Say, no more. They were current rock
I still have this album and love it.
This was a high school jam for me Biz, thanx for the memories, check out The Pusher
Same for me with weed, smoked tons for years, 70 till 2000. Now, same as you said.
Lol I don't know why but you make this song better with the head bobbing
😁😁
Good analyzation of marijuana and my experience was just like yours.... thank you for sharing this song.
You have to hear this banger from a almost forgotten band
Starz "Pull the Plug" you can thank me later this song is tuff!!
Great tune I've seen Starz a few times.. always great.
My favorite band back in the day! I’ve got every album.
Edit: When Illinois legalized weed, the governor pardoned more than 11,000 and almost half a million qualified to have their records expunged. The IL attorney general acknowledged that black Illinoisans would most benefit because they were most likely to have been convicted.
John Kaye has always been based as F !!!
been smoking weed since 74, and i'll smoke til i die. it was a major factor in my decision to relocate to california.
Lead singer John Kay said that he picked up the idea of trading lead vocals with drummer Jerry Edmonton from Sam and Dave. This was back when there was A LOT of what George Clinton called "cross-pollenation" between musical genres and artists.
People were more open to absorbing musical ideas from others instead of just "wearing" their music as some kind of pseudo-fashion statement...
You got to listen to steppenwolf live very good albums
Great tune and so relevant still in certain parts of the USA, I've been enjoying cannabis since 1971 and now enjoy it legally here in Massachusetts. It costs less to buy now, especially with the dispensary sales, than I could ever dream of buying this cheap off my dealers for 4 decades. And it is better, all flower, no seeds or sticks, with all the specs listed on the package. At least that is one thing better in 2023, not much else. At least we still have all this great music to still listen to. More Steppenwolf please, try Monster for another great epic. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎸🎹🎶
Your explanation that you used to do it but it made you too paranoid and also you couldn't get things done, but every single one of your homes still do it - reminds me of a great line by comedian Mitch Hedberg. "I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too." Musically I love 3 things about this song: 1) John Kay trades vocal lines with another band member to great effect, 2) the bridge is amazing, ethereal and otherworldly, and 3) that thick harsh organ at the end followed by the acted out bust. Great way to end it and drive the lyrics home.
Why isn't Steppenwolf in the Rock Hall of Fame there music always had a strong message
Magic carpet ride etc so many great toilet
Yes Uncle Sam. The government.
I'm pretty certain "Sam" was Los Angeles mayor, Sam Yorty, "I was elected by the masses!". Mayor Yorty and TV host Joe Pyne "Obnoxious Joe" hated the counterculture. The band is singing about a TV show, The Joe Pyne Show, where the host would bring on "controversial" guests, then attempt to rip them apart years before Wally George.
Hey! Got a tune for ya "Live from Daryl house song Caramel , episode 66 amos Lee. And Mutlu. Thank you ,!!
4:10 LOL ya dude you're not alone. I was started stopping weed as a SENIOR in highschool... At a certain point you don't need it anymore. Compared to other psychoactive "drugs" it is mild, but it's psychoactive nonetheless... it's all subjective.
I gave it up for the same reason as you after 30 years of wake-n-bake.
can you share the lyrics?
❤️🤗🍏
Weed is classified the same as heroin. I can tell you that its way different . Ever since the 30's it's been the same according to them. I haven't heard anyone listening to their song '' Sparkle Eye's '' it's fire.
Biden forgives weed -
Since you are on the weed subject... just for chits n giggles you should review the movie.... Reefer Madness, btw I don’t smoke weed any longer it makes me paranoid too!
For a little distasteful music, "Tenderness " by Steppenwolf.
Screw uncle Sam 😂
It's like nwa two decades before nwa became a group. I think they should have done this. But they had kinda anti-drug lyrics so it wouldn't match with the rest songs they had in their first records.
Oh yeah by the way he is talking about Uncle Sam the government
fear of weed
This is about vietnam war
This former artisited Jon Kay, of the grps, steppewolfs, it's similarly of a nother former artisited Jim Morrison, the door's, both of lead singer's, are poets, writer's, or they just sangs it's I was a teenagers, that's area's 1968s 13s yrs, old and it's was a heavy trips that's time's,
Trump agrees, the politicians are Corrupt.
He'd like this song😊
Indica bro.
About operation intercept, I believe 1969 Nixon closed the mexican borders to find drugs,was a complete failure.Nixon didn't fair well either lol.
4:36 ya brother but they're not making UA-cam videos reacting to shit like this!!! marijuana holds so many people back unfortunately.
Yeah I got a lot of their albums no we were more like pass that joint man
I'm the same way I smoked weed since I was a teen into my late 20's and I was getting too paranoid when I smoked it and so I quit but I am all for it because it's not harmful like the government tried to say it was and that is why it's legal in most states and it's legal in Canada and I think it's a good thing that it should be legal everywhere because it's a plant it's natural it's not man made like meth or pills.
smoke weed and be free
just watched DMC get interviewed by MANCOW and he mentioned he went down a STEPPENWOLF rabbit hole.. now here i am.. DMC is 💯 credited for getting me off the demokkkrat plantation... God Bless