This was the very first popular song to use the words “Heavy Metal” in the lyrics! In context, the phrase was actually “Heavy Metal Thunder” and was referring to the sound of Motorcycles as used in the counter-culture film Easy Rider,” Starring Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper. But the song was so ear catching and successful, that “Heavy Metal” actually became synonymous with the style of music it evoked.

The film was a massive success with young people during the Vietnam War era…and so was the song–reaching #2 on The Hot 100…and selling well over a million copies…but that was only the beginning

.”Born to Be Wild” spent several years on Rolling Stone’s list of the  500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It also reached #29 on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years…100 songs survey of the top tunes in American cinema..and in 2018, it was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

And here’s a fun fact for you: According to Steppenwolf’s John Kay, when songwriter Mars Bonfire first introduced him to the song, it was a folk ballad about life on the open road.; One thing led to another…and “Born to Be Wild” became the iconic heavy metal classic that still gets us revved up today!