Steppenwolf MONSTER 2008
In 1969, Steppenwolf released “Monster/Suicide/America,” a rock trilogy that told the story of America from its humble beginnings to its descent into corruption, militarism, oppression and apathy.
Musician and songwriter Scott Pettersen brings this classic up to date with a new musical performance and visual imagery that was not widely available in 1969. Nearly 40 years after it’s release, the lyrics to Monster are as relevant today as they were in the tumultuous ’60s.
MONSTER 2008
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
And once the ties with the crown had been broken
Westward in saddle and wagon it went
And 'til the railroad linked ocean to ocean
Many the lives which had come to an end
While we bullied, stole and bought our a homeland
We began the slaughter of the red man
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
The blue and grey they stomped it
They kicked it just like a dog
And when the war over
They stuffed it just like a hog
And though the past has its share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But its protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it's a Monster and will not obey
(Suicide)
The spirit was freedom and justice
And its keepers seemed generous and kind
Its leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won’t pay it no mind
'Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
And now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it’s all just an echo of what they've been told
Yeah, there’s a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there. Watching.
Our cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is strangling 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 world’s 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?
And don't you know, we need you now
We can't fight alone against The Monster
Words and music by John Kay, Jerry Edmonton, Nick St. Nicholas and Larry Byrom. © Copyright MCA Music (BMI)
Musical performance and video editing by Scott Pettersen
© 2008 Newspeak Publishing
Musician and songwriter Scott Pettersen brings this classic up to date with a new musical performance and visual imagery that was not widely available in 1969. Nearly 40 years after it’s release, the lyrics to Monster are as relevant today as they were in the tumultuous ’60s.
MONSTER 2008
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
And once the ties with the crown had been broken
Westward in saddle and wagon it went
And 'til the railroad linked ocean to ocean
Many the lives which had come to an end
While we bullied, stole and bought our a homeland
We began the slaughter of the red man
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
The blue and grey they stomped it
They kicked it just like a dog
And when the war over
They stuffed it just like a hog
And though the past has its share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But its protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it's a Monster and will not obey
(Suicide)
The spirit was freedom and justice
And its keepers seemed generous and kind
Its leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won’t pay it no mind
'Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
And now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it’s all just an echo of what they've been told
Yeah, there’s a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there. Watching.
Our cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is strangling 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 world’s 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?
And don't you know, we need you now
We can't fight alone against The Monster
Words and music by John Kay, Jerry Edmonton, Nick St. Nicholas and Larry Byrom. © Copyright MCA Music (BMI)
Musical performance and video editing by Scott Pettersen
© 2008 Newspeak Publishing
posted by Scott Pettersen at 9:31 AM
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