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Steppenwolf — Magic Carpet Ride
Album: The Second
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 727









Released: 1968
Length: 4:17
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I like to dream
Yes, yes, right between my sound machine
On a cloud of sound, I drift in the night
Any place it goes is right
Goes far, flies near
To the stars away from here

Well, you don't know what we can find
Why don't you come with me, little girl, on a magic carpet ride?
You don't know what we can see
Why don't you tell your dreams to me? Fantasy will set you free

Close your eyes, girl
Look inside, girl
Let the sound take you away

Last night I held Aladdin's lamp
And so I wished that I could stay
Before the thing could answer me
Well, someone came and took the lamp away
I looked around
A lousy candle's all I found

Well, you don't know what we can find
Why don't you come with me, little girl, on a magic carpet ride?
Well, you don't know what we can see
Why don't you tell your dreams to me? Fantasy will set you free

Close your eyes, girl
Look inside, girl
Let the sound take you away

You don't know what we can find
Why don't you come with me, little girl, on a magic carpet ride?
Well, you don't know what we can see
Why don't you tell your dreams to me? Fantasy will set you free
Comments (93)add comment
Ah the memories, indeed.  I think it was 1980 or 81...they played at a farm in rural PA...outdoors, next to an above ground pool by the farmhouse.  It was muddy all around and I had a full plaster cast on my leg...but the sun was shining and they sounded great. Fun, fun.
Posted 3 years ago by chuck02    [ Reply ]
 apd wrote:
You know you're a Star Trek dork when your first association with this song is...
 
...riding an ICBM mod into orbit with a hungover James Cromwell.
Posted 3 years ago by odriscoll    [ Reply ]
Ah the memories!  What I love here is that you can see all the lyrics that we used to fake, poorly.  There is nothing like a B3 and Leslie in the right hands.  
Posted 3 years ago by jerund    [ Reply ]
 von_Hayek wrote:
Star Trek: First Contact  {#Cool}
 
good lord. the use of this song in that film was so friggin' cheesy.
Posted 3 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
 dziebell wrote:
The rule in my car is:  Crank this one up!  Always.  Stop talking and roll the windows down.
Wisecrowe wrote:

I think this is an actual law on the books. At least I've always been under that impression. I always obey!
 
Triple the agreement...and windows down EVEN if it's cold outside.  This is a 9 for me, almost a 10...Long Live RP!!
Posted 6 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 dziebell wrote:
The rule in my car is:  Crank this one up!  Always.  Stop talking and roll the windows down.
 
I think this is an actual law on the books. At least I've always been under that impression. I always obey!
Posted 6 years ago by Wisecrowe    [ Reply ]
The rule in my car is:  Crank this one up!  Always.  Stop talking and roll the windows down.
Posted 6 years ago by dziebell    [ Reply ]
To me only a weak 7 
Posted 6 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
To me, musically, this classic is a 7. But as a vital track to the music of its time and my own personal journey in those years (and Steppenwolf's others handful of other timeless deep cuts), it's an 8. Should we have two separate rating scales? 
Posted 6 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
I shouldn't rate it so highly, but this song has one of my silliest, glory-days memories associated with it, and it never fails to make me grin like a maniac.
Posted 12 years ago by sa1157    [ Reply ]
Bill usually does brilliant segues but that one doesn't work for me.
Posted 12 years ago by gillespp    [ Reply ]
 jasonv wrote:
Man, I don't come to RP to hear something like this when it's a staple of classic rock radio.
 
What you said
Posted 12 years ago by NeuroGeek    [ Reply ]
Man, I don't come to RP to hear something like this when it's a staple of classic rock radio.
Posted 12 years ago by jasonv    [ Reply ]
 DigitalJer wrote:
Gotta be among the top 10 penultimate classic rock / rock songs out there.  Gritty, pointed, mystical, determined, and unapologetic.  Love it.
 
Great tune, but is it really the next-to-last classic rock song?
Posted 12 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Mars Bonfire
Posted 12 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
i had one of the releases of this 16 greatest hits on vinyl (i think it would have been the 1980 release), and if my memory is still there the "magic carpet ride" version on my release had at least a minute chopped off making it barely longer than three minutes.  obviously the version cut down for the 7" 45.
Posted 13 years ago by xpanurmind    [ Reply ]
When are organs going to make a re-entry into music?  I miss that percussive, slapping keyboard.  Let's start a band!
Posted 13 years ago by jberko    [ Reply ]
 Blaggart wrote:
It's a description of the Lambda Chi Alpha secret college fraternity initiation. At least, that's what John Kay says - although not publicly. Any article you read will refute this followed by dozens of comments providing support. The video (no longer on You Tube) nails it.

 

Yeah, I remember hearing that from another Lambda Chi. I always figured it for an urban legend, the same way everyone who went to a suburban high school in Ohio in 1988 said their school was the model for the movie "Heathers."  We used to say that at my school, too, of course.


Posted 13 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
You know you're a Star Trek dork when your first association with this song is...
Posted 13 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
 superfido wrote:


Those guys do (did) far too many drugs for sure.  Especially caveman to the far left.
 
Rogaine.
Posted 13 years ago by fingerpin    [ Reply ]
another shot of Bill Brilliance....I have always loved this song (in 4th grade when it came out)(Born to be Wild was our anthem)(when the Parents were not within earshot, we cranked up The Pusher)
Posted 13 years ago by fatcatjb    [ Reply ]
Love Steppenwolf... Sherman, set the way-back machine to summer 1968...
Posted 13 years ago by tphord    [ Reply ]
DigitalJer wrote:
Gotta be among the top 10 penultimate classic rock / rock songs out there. Gritty, pointed, mystical, determined, and unapologetic. Love it.
It's a description of the Lambda Chi Alpha secret college fraternity initiation. At least, that's what John Kay says - although not publicly. Any article you read will refute this followed by dozens of comments providing support. The video (no longer on You Tube) nails it.

Posted 13 years ago by Blaggart    [ Reply ]
Have not heard this for awhile. Did not think I would here this on RP.   Nice
Posted 13 years ago by crnkan    [ Reply ]

Posted 13 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
Gotta be among the top 10 penultimate classic rock / rock songs out there.  Gritty, pointed, mystical, determined, and unapologetic.  Love it.


Posted 13 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
There is a scary moment when one can hear the influence the vocalista has had on the Bon Jovi affected growl. Apologies for typing the words Bon and Jovi in this most esteemed of forums
Posted 13 years ago by dyharenas    [ Reply ]
 kjf06 wrote:
This seems to be sped up vs my AM radio memories
 
Naw...you've just slowed down.

Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Nice seguay from Snow Patrol "lifeboats" to this, Bill.....great job, as always, Thanks
Posted 14 years ago by repeat108    [ Reply ]
 Peace_tode wrote:
I don't know what it is about this song, but it has the support of the masses. I can appreciate almost any song, but this one just makes me wonder. I played it as a musician and it is as simple as it gets. Repetitive and boring. I know it was the S*** in it's day, and I played it not too far removed from then. But I think this one is just lame. Steppenwolf has others more worthy of airplay. This one I can live without.
 

I'm with you, Peace. I'm all for happy music, but after the next few times, this song looses it's appeal.
Posted 14 years ago by jckearney    [ Reply ]
Gotta love the wailing Hammond B3.
Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 peter_james_bond wrote:
Wolf
 
Beautiful!

Posted 14 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
That tempo shift from Snow Patrol to Steppenwolf was sublime, Bill! {#Notworthy}
Posted 14 years ago by robco1    [ Reply ]
Same speed. If you remember it from the AM days your metabolism is just a bit slower now. kjf06 wrote:
This seems to be sped up vs my AM radio memories
 


Posted 14 years ago by topcat    [ Reply ]
Very nice!!  Really great set this morning , Bill!!  Thanks!!

Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
According to AMG the compilation "16 Greatest Hits" was issued by MCA in 1973.
Posted 15 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Love this song. I saw them live around '72 in Chitcago and the concert was so bad most people walked out on it by halfway through. Must have been the drugs...
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
From here to there eventually...
Posted 15 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
Watch out for those magic carpet burns

Posted 15 years ago by MJMJ    [ Reply ]
This seems to be sped up vs my AM radio memories
Posted 15 years ago by kjf06    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:
Back then we all looked like that...
  Yep, and that includes the Women.{#Drunk}

Posted 15 years ago by SweTex    [ Reply ]
 RadioDoc wrote:
Back then we all looked like that...
 

apparently i like the well-drugged look!
Posted 15 years ago by songbirdfemme    [ Reply ]
 von_Hayek wrote:

Star Trek: First Contact  {#Cool}

 
IMO, one of the corniest uses of music in a movie ever. As bad as Kirk, Spock and McCoy singing bad campfire songs in one of the earlier films
Posted 15 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
Yea Baby Yea
Posted 15 years ago by HBROCK    [ Reply ]
Wolf
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
superfido wrote:
Those guys do (did) far too many drugs for sure. Especially caveman to the far left.
Back then we all looked like that...


Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Thanks RP for lifting the mood with a Magic Carpet Ride!
Posted 15 years ago by LastChance    [ Reply ]
{#Puke}
Posted 15 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Never fails to make me stop in my tracks and start the toe tappin'
Posted 15 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]

Star Trek: First Contact  {#Cool}


Posted 15 years ago by von_Hayek    [ Reply ]
"In a white room, with black curtains..."

7.
Posted 15 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
I don't know what it is about this song, but it has the support of the masses. I can appreciate almost any song, but this one just makes me wonder. I played it as a musician and it is as simple as it gets. Repetitive and boring. I know it was the S*** in it's day, and I played it not too far removed from then. But I think this one is just lame. Steppenwolf has others more worthy of airplay. This one I can live without.
Posted 15 years ago by Peace_tode    [ Reply ]
 driver8 wrote:

 

Those guys do (did) far too many drugs for sure.  Especially caveman to the far left.
Posted 15 years ago by superfido    [ Reply ]
I remember dancing around the room to this when I was a wee lad with the AM transistor turned all the way up!{#Dancingbanana}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananajam}
Posted 16 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
We used to do a dance routine to this song doing the Four Corners.

Posted 16 years ago by CCinSB    [ Reply ]
                                              9


Posted 16 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
Step in this!{#Cool}
Posted 16 years ago by xc_para_puravida    [ Reply ]
had to log in to give it a ten!

Posted 16 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
I keep looking for the eleven button.  Sweet!
Posted 16 years ago by Ericac    [ Reply ]
Here wo go, yees {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 16 years ago by nalle    [ Reply ]
 lsherida wrote:
OK, creepy. I just downloaded this the night before last... Just sort of fell in love with it when Zefram Cochrane fired off the first warp core listening to it. :)

 
that was a great scene, I laughed until I stopped.

Posted 16 years ago by Ag3nt0rang3    [ Reply ]
#1 biker band :)
Posted 16 years ago by DigitalJer    [ Reply ]
OK, creepy. I just downloaded this the night before last... Just sort of fell in love with it when Zefram Cochrane fired off the first warp core listening to it. :)
Posted 16 years ago by lsherida    [ Reply ]
Never knew this was in the RP mix. Once every few months is ok for this.
Posted 16 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by driver8    [ Reply ]
rah wrote:
i'm usually the last to complain about this, but i actually just checked to see if i had tuned into a "classic rock!" station by accident...
It was no accident. If you're here, you have absolutely tuned in. And it's a very fine thing. "Classic" - that's one way to describe the rock station we locals refer to as Earth. Welcome!
Posted 16 years ago by ellenaut    [ Reply ]
93vx800 wrote:
Never expected to hear this on RP! Bill is full of surprises. What will be next?
Posted 16 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
I do feel for that poor whale being tortured in the background ;-)
Posted 16 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Never expected to hear this on RP! Bill is full of surprises. What will be next?
Posted 16 years ago by 93vx800    [ Reply ]
i'm usually the last to complain about this, but i actually just checked to see if i had tuned into a "classic rock!" station by accident...
Posted 16 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
Inamorato wrote:
The organ is an absolute hodge-podge, strained through a Leslie.
I've thought that too. Kinda sounds like they didn't really write a part for the organ and Goldy jammed along on his coffee break.
Posted 16 years ago by inindian    [ Reply ]
"You don't know what you can find . . ." (listening here on RP) Top-notch. Dragged me back a bit when I was an idiot. Getting better at it these days.
Posted 16 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
oldviolin wrote:
Posted 16 years ago by orpheus    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by oldviolin    [ Reply ]
I wouldn't want to live on a steady diet of nothing but '70's music, but damn!! So much of it was so friggin' GOOD!! Fits perfectly with "eclectic!"
Posted 16 years ago by philbertr    [ Reply ]
runningtwig wrote:
Excellent transition from Chris Isaak - Gone Ridin'.
noticed that too. well done, bill.
Posted 16 years ago by slydevil    [ Reply ]
I can't believe I'm hearing this. Steppenwolf was my first band I got into back in jr. high in Germany. Loved it. Make it a mimosa morning
Posted 16 years ago by spiritman    [ Reply ]
Love it! Let it rock, Bill!
Posted 16 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
Excellent! :-) 11!
Posted 16 years ago by smehan55    [ Reply ]
The organ is an absolute hodge-podge, strained through a Leslie.
Posted 16 years ago by Inamorato    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by Honeyman    [ Reply ]
This is out of the park...
Posted 16 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Wow -- this is the first time this has been played on RP?! Kewl. Neil
Posted 16 years ago by NeilBlanchard    [ Reply ]
Excellent transition from Chris Isaak - Gone Ridin'.
Posted 16 years ago by runningtwig    [ Reply ]
Great segue from Chris Isaak. Crank it!
Posted 16 years ago by iam_overlord    [ Reply ]
FANTASTIC....Can't believe it hasn't been on RP before. It is truly GOD LIKE!
Posted 16 years ago by Ericac    [ Reply ]
Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride Chris Isaak - Gone Ridin' Wow, now that is one brilliant segue!
Posted 16 years ago by rtkmusic    [ Reply ]
sdn wrote:
This song seems vaguely familiar.
It's from team America.
Posted 16 years ago by El_Penguino    [ Reply ]
Where's my Harley?
Posted 16 years ago by 2Hawks    [ Reply ]
Best listened to on an 8-track in a car for best rocking-out potential.
Posted 16 years ago by UltraNurd    [ Reply ]
Oh. my. god.
Posted 16 years ago by ellenaut    [ Reply ]
This song seems vaguely familiar.
Posted 16 years ago by sdn    [ Reply ]