Three Best Steppenwolf Songs From “At Your Birthday Party”

Steppenwolf - At Your Birthday Party (ABC Dunhill, 1969)

Leaving behind the blues covers of their debut and some of the psychedelia of their second album, Steppenwolf became a rock band of many colors on their third record. Here are the Three Best Steppenwolf Songs from At Your Birthday Party.

#3. “It’s Never Too Late”: With all due respect to their new addition on this album, bassist Nick St. Nicholas, Steppenwolf became much less funky with the departure of Ruston Moreve. This one, co-written by St. Nicholas and singer John Kay, was a marginally-successful single; more importantly, it’s the paradigm for the more anthemic sound that would fans would find throughout this record.

#2. “She’ll Be Better”: Drummer Jerry Edmonton wrote this one with producer Gabriel Mekler, handling the vocal duties, as well. Doesn’t exactly sound like Steppenwolf, which was a nice change. It’s a gospel-soul number and Goldy McJohn, as always, killed the keyboard parts.

#1. “Jupiter’s Child”: Written by Edmonton, Kay and guitarist Michael Monarch, “Jupiter’s Child” harkens back to the gritty blues rock of their first album. And really, that’s when Steppenwolf was at their best.