The Thirties jazz tune “Hey Lawdy Mama” had variations by Depend Basie, Louis Armstrong, Jack McDuff, and lots of others. However then, a lot later, alongside got here Steppenwolf with their very own authentic of the identical title, which gave the hard-rocking Californians one other Sizzling 100 entry.
The track had a lyric with most likely greater than a contact of actuality about it, with a narrative a couple of one night time stand and life on the street: “Baby, don’t you know, we’re leaving early in the mornin’/So long, I don’t know, we might be back next year.” It was written by the band trio of frontman John Kay, drummer Jerry Edmonton, and guitarist Larry Byrom.
The observe was uncommon amongst Steppenwolf singles in that it didn’t characteristic on any of their authentic studio albums. It was a brand new inclusion in Gold: Their Nice Hits, launched by ABC/Dunhill in 1971. That first retrospective included “Born To Be Wild,” “Magic Carpet Ride,” “Rock Me,” and the opposite anthems that had made the band one of many greatest rock sights of the late Nineteen Sixties.
Take heed to uDiscover Music’s Steppenwolf Finest Of playlist.
The Gold album had entered the Billboard rankings in March that 12 months, and reached a peak of No.24, turning gold the next April. On April 11, 1970, “Hey Lawdy Mama” debuted on the Sizzling 100 at No.77, rising to its No.35 peak in mid-Might. A second single from the compilation, “Screamin’ Night Hog,” was then launched, peaking at No.62.
“Hey Lawdy Mama” can be Steppenwolf’s penultimate US Prime 40 hit. They must wait greater than 4 years extra for the ultimate one, “Straight Shootin” Girl.” A rock technology later, “Mama” was coated in 1985 by punk band the Minutemen, and the Steppenwolf authentic can be included on one other compilation of their work.
Purchase or stream “Hey Lawdy Mama” on Born To Be Wild, The Finest Of Steppenwolf.
