“Born to Be Wild” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural phenomenon, an anthem of freedom and rebellion synonymous with the open road and the spirit of rock and roll. But the story behind this iconic track, penned by Mars Bonfire and immortalized by Steppenwolf, is as surprising as it is captivating. Far from the roar of motorcycles and the vastness of the highway, its origins lie in a humble Ford Falcon and the introspective moments of a songwriter searching for inspiration.
Mars Bonfire, born Dennis Edmonton, found himself in the vibrant, yet tumultuous, San Francisco music scene of the 1960s with his brother Jerry Edmonton in their band, The Sparrows. Amidst the psychedelic haze and the pursuit of musical success, Bonfire stepped away to focus on songwriting. It was during this period of self-discovery, fueled by creative exploration and introspection, that the seeds of “Born to Be Wild” were sown.
In a quest for solitude and inspiration, Bonfire acquired a used Ford Falcon, his trusty companion for journeys into the mountains and deserts surrounding Los Angeles. These drives became the crucible for his creativity. As he cruised in his Falcon, the rhythmic hum of the engine and the endless stretch of road sparked the initial riff of what would become “Born to Be Wild.” The opening lines, “Get your motor runnin’, head out on the highway / Lookin’ for adventure, and whatever comes our way,” were a direct reflection of these liberating drives, capturing the essence of escapism and the allure of the unknown.
The song’s genesis took a dramatic turn during one of these Falcon expeditions. Caught in a ferocious thunderstorm, Bonfire was forced to pull over, the road ahead transformed into a raging river. Observing the ominous, leaden sky, he wrestled with how to articulate the sheer power of the storm. Recalling his chemistry classes and the periodic table, the term “heavy metals” flashed into his mind. This unexpected connection gave birth to the now-legendary line: “I like smoke and lightning, heavy metal thunder!” Remarkably, this was before “heavy metal” existed as a distinct music genre, making Bonfire a potential inadvertent namer of a future musical movement.
Despite its raw energy and lyrical punch, “Born to Be Wild” initially faced rejection from publishers. It wasn’t until Jerry Edmonton reached out, mentioning the reformation of their band as Steppenwolf and their need for new material, that the song found its destined path. Bonfire, recently evicted for his enthusiastic guitar playing, hastily recorded a demo of “Born to Be Wild,” almost whispering the lyrics to avoid further noise complaints, the guitar barely audible. Fortunately, Steppenwolf recognized the song’s raw potential. Guitarist Michael Monarch, then only 17, masterfully brought Bonfire’s vision to life, solidifying the song’s powerful guitar riffs.
The impact of “Born To Be Wild Song” reached unforeseen heights when it was featured in the groundbreaking counter-culture film Easy Rider (1969). Director Dennis Hopper, seeking authentic music for his road movie, selected “Born to Be Wild” as the soundtrack for the iconic motorcycle riding sequences featuring Hopper and Peter Fonda on their choppers. This cinematic pairing cemented the song’s association with motorcycles, freedom, and rebellious spirit in the public consciousness.
Steppenwolf’s frontman, John Kay, offers another layer to the song’s narrative. He recounted the somewhat chaotic arrival of Bonfire’s demo – tossed through the letterbox, nearly devoured by a Great Dane named Tiffany. Despite the demo’s rough quality, Steppenwolf saw its inherent strength. For Kay, born in war-torn East Prussia and having experienced displacement and the shadow of Nazism, the song’s message of freedom resonated deeply.
Interestingly, record labels initially dismissed “Born to Be Wild” as a single. It was eventually released as a double-sided single with “Everybody’s Next One,” but radio stations overwhelmingly favored “Born to Be Wild,” propelling it up the charts and into rock history.
The legacy of “Born to Be Wild song” extends far beyond music charts and movie soundtracks. It has become a ubiquitous cultural touchstone, used in countless films and media. Even NASA has embraced its anthemic quality, using it to wake up space shuttle crews and, memorably, playing it as the soundtrack for the Mars rover Sojourner’s descent onto the Martian surface.
For Mars Bonfire and John Kay, “Born to Be Wild” has been transformative. Bonfire has been able to pursue his passions for hiking and outdoor adventures, embodying the very freedom he wrote about. Kay, alongside his wife, has dedicated himself to wildlife conservation, channeling the song’s enduring success into supporting endangered elephants – creatures “born to be wild” in the truest sense.
From its humble beginnings in a Ford Falcon to its status as a global rock anthem, “Born to Be Wild” is a testament to the unexpected journeys of creativity and the enduring power of a song that captures the universal yearning for freedom and adventure. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most iconic anthems are born not from grand designs, but from quiet moments of inspiration on the open road.
