As a child, John Kay escaped from behind the Iron Curtain with his parents..

[Jonathan50]

John Kay is nowhere near as well known as is, say, Bruce Springsteen.

And yet the music he wrote and sang is, if anything, better known than Springsteen's, at least some of it is.

Here are a couple of the songs John Kay wrote and sang that are not as well known, I've had them in my collection since 1970.

http://www.steppenwolf.com/lyr/mnnster.html

Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of kingdom and pope
Like good Christians, some would burn the witches
Later some got slaves to gather riches

But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
And she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light

(snip)

Our cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin' the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can't understand
We don't know how to mind our own business
'Cause the whole worlds got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who's the winner
We can't pay the cost
'Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watching

(America)
America where are you now?
Don't you care about your sons and daughters?
Don't you know we need you now
We can't fight alone against the monster


http://www.steppenwolf.com/lyr/thstrch.html

We'll call you when you're six years old
And drag you to the factory
To train your brain for eighteen years
With promise of security
But then you're free
And forty years you waste to chase the dollar sign
So you may die in Florida
At the pleasant age of sixty nine

The water's getting hard to drink
We've mangled up the country side
The air will choke you when you breathe
We're all committing suicide
But it's alright
It's progress folks keep pushin' till your body rots
Will strip the earth of all it's green
And then divide her into parking lots

(snip)

You're free to speak your mind my friend
As long as you agree with me
Don't criticize the father land
Or those who shape your destiny
'Cause if you do
You'll lose your job your mind and all the friends you knew
We'll send out all our boys in blue
They'll find a way to silence you

But there's nothing you and I can do
You and I are only two
What's right and wrong is hard to say
Forget about it for today
We'll stick our heads into the sand
Just pretend that all is grand
Then hope that everything turns out ok

[B3Nut]

1. This one of his rocks too...

Too bad it's hard to find Steppenwolf's "Monster" album in stores, I only see it online at Amazon mainly...

From Here To There (Eventually) -

You've filled his house with things of gold
While handing crumbs to the old and poor
And then you preach about being pure
And wonder why we're laughing
In your old way you're trying to find us
But we can't follow what's behind us
Too much blind faith, it will blind us
Though sometimes it's a blessing

But I remember when I still embraced you
A little prayer would ease my mind
'Til I saw that you hide from the misery outside so I left you behind
But all the other teachings
That I've tried were 'bout the same
One grain of truth mixed with confusion caused by man
But since you're around anyway
May as well get you back on your feet again
Get right back up on your feet
Don't ya know we need somebody to
Do some work down in the street
You might just touch somebody
Start to think about today
Throw your robe and staff away
And break away from yesterday
Ah, tell me can we reach you
I don't know, still we got to go
From here to there eventually

While others die up against the wall
You take the time to tell us all
'Bout how we're not supposed to ball
You really are a riot
It's got nothin' to do with heaven or hell
What I do in bed, I'm not gonna tell
What I'm talking about you know damn well
You really ought to try it

Repeat Chorus
----

This tune kicks ass. Great B-3 part from Goldy McJohn, too. :)

Todd in Cheesecurdistan

[Jonathan50]

2. Yes, I like that one too..

But I was trying to be inclusive and I think that one is a little divisive.

[Jonathan50]

3. I almost forgot..

If you want to hear something exceedingly obscene, exceedingly funny and exceedingly true, go on Limewire and do a search for "frank zappa steve vai".

Not to mention it's exceedingly fine music as well.

They are both truly incredible guitarists and musicians.

Oh, while you're on Limewire do a search for "carlos santana amazing grace", that is incredible also.