When it comes to classic biker songs, Born to be Wild should be the first one that comes to mind. Originally released in 1968, it represented the motorcycle lifestyle in both popular and counter culture. We can thank songwriter Mars Bonfire for creating the hit song, Steppenwolf for first performing it, and Gabriel Mekler for producing it.
It was the band's third single off their new album Steppenwolf, and the hard rock song was easily the most popular. It made its way to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles charts. Even in 2004, Rolling Stone magazine placed it at No. 129 on the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. The guitars are played perfect, and the vocals definitely get you pumped up and ready to go.
This song was created for those that were born to ride. It was made even more popular after it was famously featured as the theme song in the 1969 film Easy Rider, which eventually basically turned into a music video for the song. This song is better still better than a majority of the music being released today, even 50 years later.
Born to Be Wild Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
In whatever comes our way
[Chorus]
Yeah darlin', go and make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
[Verse 2]
I like smoke and lightnin'
Heavy metal thunder
Racin' with the wind
And the feelin' that I'm under
[Chorus]
Yeah darlin', go and make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
[Bridge]
Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wanna die
Born to be wild
Born to be wild
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 1]
Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
In whatever comes our way
[Chorus]
Yeah darlin', go and make it happen
Take the world in a love embrace
Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space
[Outro]
Like a true nature's child
We were born, born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wanna die
Born to be wild Born to be wild