westcoaster

Right, so I'm listening to their Gold Disk 1 and one of the songs is Don't Step on the Grass, Sam.

I can't help but think it is a targeted protest song and their singing about a specific person in US politics. Unfortunatly I am too young to know who they are talking about here. Any ideas?





Print: Steppenwolf - Don't Step on the Grass, Sam Lyrics print version

Words and music by John Kay

Starin' at the boob tube, turnin' on the big ****
Tryin' to find some life in the waste land
Fin'ly found a program, gonna deal with Mary Jane
Ready for a trip into hate land
Obnoxious Joe comes on the screen
Along with his guest self-righteous Sam
And one more guy who doesn't count
His hair and clothes are too far out

While pushin' back his glasses Sam is sayin' casually
"I was elected by the masses"
And with that in mind he starts to unwind
A vicious attack on the finest of grasses

Well it's evil, wicked, mean and nasty
(Don't step on the grass, Sam)
And it will ruin our fair country
(Don't be such an ---, Sam)
Well, it will hook your Sue and Johnny
(You're so full of bull, Sam)
All will pay that disagree with me
(Please give up you already lost the fight, alright)

Misinformation Sam and Joe
Are feeding to the nation
But the one who didn't count counted them out
By exposing all their false quotations
Faced by a very awkward situation
This is all he'd say to save the day

Well it's evil, wicked, mean and nasty
(Don't step on the grass, Sam)
And it will ruin our fair country
(Don't be such an ---, Sam)
Well, it will hook your Sue and Johnny
(You're so full of bull, Sam)
All will pay that disagree with me
(Please give up you already lost the fight alright)

You waste my coin Sam, all you can
To jail my fellow man
For smoking all the noble weed
You need much more than him
You've been telling lies so long
Some believe they're true
So they close their eyes to things
You have no right to do
Just as soon as you are gone
Hope will start to climb
Please don't stay around too long
You're wasting precious time

Repeat Chorus

© Copyright MCA Music (BMI)
All rights for the USA controlled and administered by
MCA Corporation of America, INC

Clayten

You are from Surrey, we/ you did not have a dog in this fight. Let it go and just listen to the beat. Many Canadians (thousands) went there on on their own volition. 100 did not come back.
Let all the people that went there and did not come back rest in peace and be honored by us.
I have responded to this in all respect, to all that have been there .

westcoaster

There was no disrespect intended in any way with my initial post nor none is meant with this one, but I find your reply very confusing.
I thought I knew what the song was about, perhaps I don't. This was part of the clarity I was seeking.

Sometimes it is nice to know the history behind something....

If anyone doesn't feel comfortable responding in this post or by PM you can email me at westcoasterz@gmail.com

westcoaster

I guess this is one of those questions that was seamingly quite innocent on the surface, but scratch a little deeper....

Thanks,

jthorpe

WOW. I'm lost by this response as well. The song was partly about Harry Anslinger (SAM), who was in charge of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics starting in 1930 and running until 1962. He played a huge role in how the US criminalized Marijuana.

The song was a plea from John Kay (Steppenwolf lead) to the government to de-criminalize marijuana in 1968. Other songs such as the pusher were about heroin. etc. etc.

Again, I'm really confused by the other response you got. I am lost on that one.

AkTallPaul

Jacks right....and thanks.

chaikwa

And here I was thinkin' it was just ME that was lost. Glad I ain't alone this time!

chaikwa.

displacedtexan

Jack's right, but I think Clayten was thinking it was about Vietnam.

Here "Uncle Sam" is the government.

PistolWhipt

Yeah ... I was thinking Vietnam as well. I know what Mary Jane USUALLY means but thought it was being used in reference to the traitor Jane.

Jack .... did you actually know that trivia or did you Google it ??

Seen Steppenwolf 3 different times ... twice on base. Always a good show.

PISTOL

jthorpe

hahah, both. The only reason I knew about THIS song is because I read a story about "The pusher" a couple years ago. They talked about heroin and in that article, they mentioned this song. Many people thought it was about sailors not being able to walk on the grass. Some thought it was about Vietnam etc.

I knew the purpose, but had to google to get the old man's name again. Lol

westcoaster

...... and now I know!

Thankyou!

Clayten

OK I was at a Christmas party last night. What the heck was I saying
I'm going to hide under the covers now.

AkTallPaul

Clayten you might have been thinking about Sam Stone, byJohn Prine.
There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes...

displacedtexan

That is a good song. Pretty much all his are though...

Hankpac

I don't know if the Golden recording has the same ending as the original album, but that song ends with the sounds of the police breaking in doors, including the bathroom door with a flush at the end. Pretty funny, except the very first time you hear it. Stoned. Back in the late 60's.