10 Songs That Started Hard Rock
4. Born To Be Wild - Steppenwolf
Coming from the States in the late 60's, Steppenwolf were taking what was known as the typical rock sound of the day and toughened it up to more dangerous proportions. While other bands at the time were talking about the Summer of Love, John Kay and co. brought a sound that was more forceful than the rest.
Written around the freewheeling lifestyle of life on the road, the song is absolutely propulsive with the guitar's throaty screech coupled with the disorienting sound of the drums. Though the instrumentation presents the basis of the tune, the song really comes to life with Kay's entrance, as he barks like a rottweiler as he tells his tale of youthful rebellion. Kay was never one for subtlety, as he verbally beats you up and telling you how things are going to play out living the wild life.
The tune also has the credential of using the phrase "heavy metal thunder" long before the modern music genre was even a thought in rockers' minds. Offering the perfect counterpart to the British Invasion, "Born to Be Wild" took rock from heavier flirtations to a sound that was absolutely dripping with menace.