At Your Birthday Party Songs Ranked
At Your Birthday Party is the third studio album by Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf. The album was released in March 1969, by ABC Dunhill Records. It was the first Steppenwolf album to feature bass player Nick St. Nicholas; and the last album to feature guitarist Michael Monarch, who left the band in August 1969. Although it was less critically acclaimed than their successful first two albums, Steppenwolf and The Second, it contains a few well-known hits, such as “It’s Never Too Late” and “Jupiter’s Child”, as well as “Rock Me,” which had been featured in the 1968 film Candy. Although the band would be very successful in the early 1970s, At Your Birthday Party would be their last top ten albums and features their last top ten single. The album showcases Steppenwolf coming out of, but not yet completely abandoning, the psychedelia of The Second and stepping into the distinctive hard rock of their later releases. Here are all of At Your Birthday Party songs ranked.
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13. Happy Birthday
“The album concludes with a simple-yet-beautiful tune entitled “Happy Birthday”. While some may regard these tracks as filler, I regard them as the “diamonds in the rough” that give the album its spark.”
12. Mango Juice
“Mango Juice” is actually the song that’s the most different. It’s an xylophone, piano and flute instrumental (and not a well-executed one either). Still, despite its sloppiness, I like it.”
11. Sleeping Dreaming
“There are some controversial messages here that have been overlooked and over-shadowed throughout time by all the other over marketed and exploited recording artists of the late 60’s and early 70’s, while Steppenwolf remains more musically relative with emphasis on moody textures, dynamic modern day grit rock and lyrically more on the mark than a great deal of their counterparts.”
10. God Fearing Man
“God Fearing Man” covers the topic of trust and God through John Kay’s passionate vocal work. Of course it’s a thing of beauty. I wouldn’t expect anything less! I must be a Steppenwolf fanboy in the worst kind because I’m having trouble finding flaws with this stuff.”
See more: Steppenwolf Albums Ranked
9. It’s Never Too Late
It’s Never Too Late” showcases exactly why I think so highly of John Kay’s singing style- even during the verse melodies, he goes the extra mile to deliver a heartfelt, emotionally devastating touch of magic. It’s masterful! The uplifting style makes it irresistible too. You can’t hate it, seriously!”
8. Rock Me
“Rock Me” is more upbeat awesomeness. Just a really terrific rock song- it never tries to be flashy, but instead illustrates that Steppenwolf can pull off a regular rock song and make it highly enjoyable thanks to exceptional vocals and clean guitar playing.”
7. Round and Down
“Round and Down” is upbeat in a country/rock way that totally reminds me of the Byrds around the time they switched into their country rock phase. The jam at the end is brief and simplistic and captures the feeling of trains passing through a mountainous area, so it’s cool.”
6. Cat Killer
“A little more experimental in the studio, maintaining their great bouncy grooves, their rock and roll, with funky Goldy McJohn keyboard touch adding to their guitar based sound with John Kay upfront..some sweet ballads here but the band rocks on in their signature sound of heavy metal thunder.”
5. Lovely Meter
“It’s a strangely, Bob Dylan-like eerie haunting ballad thingy. By FAR the song that stands out the most on the entire At Your Birthday Party album.”
See more; Steppenwolf Songs Ranked
4. She’ll Be Better
“She’ll Be Better” is a really sincere and beautifully sung ballad not much different from a Mick Jagger-style late 60’s Stones ballad, which is a pretty high compliment on my scale since I LOVE classic Stones!”
3. Chicken Wolf
“Chicken Wolf” has a groovy rhythm and vocals that are sort of bluesy and sort of… something else. The lyrics are about, well, who really knows. I just don’t get this stuff lyrically, haha. “
2. Jupiter Child
“The music ranges from great to filler, but I agree with others that it improves over time. Like Jupiter Child —lots of power and energy and some super drumming by the late Jerry Edmonton.”
1. Don’t Cry
“Don’t Cry” cuz it’ll be alright- I’ll continue to write reviews, don’t worry! Not a bad song but certain elements TOTALLY remind me of a Frank Zappa song that I’ll never remember because the guy has like, over a hundred albums and thousands of songs.”
