“It was a story about a breakup I was going through, and that situation where it's gotten into your head too much. Partially because somebody else is telling you that you're only hearing what you want to, and that puts you in a little bit of a tailspin.” »read more
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About a drug dealer. It is one of the first songs to deal with harsh realities of drug use, and condemns "the pusher" as a heartless criminal who is only after your money.
Written by Hoyt Axton after one of his friends died of a drug overdose. Axton has written songs for many artists, including Elvis Presley, The Byrds, and Three Dog Night.
This was popularized by a Canadian group called The Sparrows, who played it as a long jam during their concerts. Steppenwolf recorded a much shorter, more radio-friendly version.
Along with Steppenwolf's "Born To Be Wild," this was featured in the 1969 movie Easy Rider, starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. The film is considered a landmark of '60s counterculture, and using this song in the movie was important because it portrayed the downside of doing drugs.
More songs about drugs
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Comments:
And then Sparrow morphed into Steppenwolf.
- Ern, Fresno, CA
This song ain't no SATIRE!???? It's down on Smack(Heroin) and up on M.J.) Don't step on the grass Sam). Simple, You probably read tons of Crap into Floyd songs,Huh?
- Ern, Fresno, CA
The 'pusher' in this case could be any sort of predator, exploiting people's weaknesses (and intensifying them as well) to assure his own greater gain, no matter what harm might befall his prey.
- Charles, Glenside, PA
don't forget Jack Nickleson. He also starred in Easy Rider
- Linda, omaha, NE
The actual name of the band was Jack London and the Sparrows. John Kay replaced Jack London and they became known as Sparrow.
- Warrinder, A Town, Canada
The Pusher sells hardcore drugs like Cocaine and Heroin. The Dealer sells less-addictive drugs, like pot and LSD: "You know I smoked a lot of grass. Oh Lord! I popped a lot of pills.But I've never touched nothin'That my spirit could kill."
- Johnny, Los Angeles, CA
IMHO, the song contrasts the Pusher, who will sell you drugs that leave your mind to scream and who doesn't care if you live or if you die; with the dealer, the man with the love grass in his hand who for a nickel will sell you lots of sweet dreams.
Rather than being a one dimensional screed against all drugs, i think the song points out that there are drugs that consume one's soul and drugs that lend themselves to enhancing life. Steppenwolf was pro marijuana legalization as in their song "don't step on the grass, Sam".
- snake, catasauqua, PA
Steppenwolf is really underrate, the Pusher is their best song.
- joe, Bethlahem, PA
I'm pretty sure the song is a satire. "I'd kill him with my bible, and my razor and my gun...." From the beards and their other lyrics (The Monster), I doubt that the guys owned any. Also, they contrast the "Dealer" and the "Pusher". The Dealer sells "sweet dreams" and "love grass" (not a "lump of grass" as in the lyrics here). The Pusher "is a Monster", is "not a natural man", and he "don't care if you live -- or if you die". Might the Pusher be a preacher?
- Mike, Hamilton, Canada
Actually, The Sparrow was the original name of the band that would morph into Steppenwolf after a few personnel changes. John Kay was the lead vocalists of both incarnations. The Dunhill album "Early Steppenwolf" includes a side-long 17+ minute version of The Sparrow take on "The Pusher"
- Tony, Westbury, NY