Born to Be Wild

Born to Be Wild is a foundational text for heavy metal harmony. It eschews functional V-I resolutions in favor of bIII-IV-I and bVII-I movements. By using chords derived from the E minor pentatonic/Dorian scale over an E major tonal center, it creates the 'heavy' grit that defined the biker-rock sound. The simplicity of the I-bIII-IV progression allows the driving rhythm and aggressive organ/guitar textures to dominate.

Written by Mars Bonfire (Dennis Edmonton), a former member of The Sparrows with John Kay. After leaving the band, Bonfire offered the song to several other groups, including The Human Expression, who rejected it. He eventually showed it to his brother Jerry Edmonton (Steppenwolf's drummer) and John Kay, who initially viewed it as a mid-tempo ballad before the band transformed it into a hard-driving rock anthem.

Steppenwolf's 1968 hit 'Born to Be Wild' became the definitive soundtrack for freedom and motorcycle culture following its use in the film Easy Rider. It bridged the gap between hard rock and the birth of heavy metal with its iconic riff and gritty vocal delivery.