Steve McQueen Music References

Happy Mondays popular song "Step On" has some interesting lyrics that may have been inspired by an interview with Norman Jewison (from Steve McQueen: A Man on the Edge) as he was describing an event with Steve McQueen.

Jewison said about McQueen, "He would say, you're twisting my melon, man, you're twisting my melon. You're getting me all mixed up...he used to say to me. He talked so hip I never knew what he was saying half the time."

You're twistin' my melon man, you know you talk so hip man
You're twistin' my melon man

The documentary was broadcast on PBS in 1988, and Step On was released in 1990. Here are the full lyrics to the song:

He's gonna step on you again, he's gonna step on you
He's gonna step on you again, he's gonna step on you
You're twistin' my melon man, you know you talk so hip man
You're twistin' my melon man

Hey rainmaker, come away from that man
You know he's gonna take away your promised land
Hey good lady he just wants what you got you know
He'll never stop until he's taken the lot
(Hey Hey he hey hey)

Gonna stamp out your fire, he can change your desire
Don't you know he can make you forget you're a man
Gonna stamp out your fire, he can change your desire
Don't you know he can make you forget you're the man
You're a man

You're twistin' my melon man, you speak so hip

Hey rainmaker he got golden plans I tell you
You'll make a stranger in your own land
Hey good lady he's got God on his side he got a double
Tongue you never think he would lie

(Oh he lied, oooh he's twistin' my melon man
(Oh he lied, oooh he's twistin' my melon man)

Gonna stamp out your fire, he can change your desire
Don't you know he can make you forget you're a man
Gonna stamp out your fire, he can change your desire
Don't you know he can make you forget you're the man
You're the man

He's gonna step on you again, he's gonna step on you
He's gonna step on you again, he's gonna step on you

Hey rainmaker, come away from that man
You know he's gonna take away your promised land
Hey good lady he's got God on his side he got a double
Tongue you never think he would lie

Gonna stamp out your fire, he can change your desire
Don't you know he can make you forget you're a man
Gonna stamp out your fire, he can change your desire
Don't you know he can make you forget you're the man
You're the man

You're twistin' my melon man, you know you talk so hip man
You're twistin' my melon man
(Hey Hey he hey hey)

He's gonna step on you again, he's gonna step on you again
He's gonna step on you again, he's gonna step on you again

Here are the lyrics to Sheryl Crow's song "Steve McQueen" from her CD C'Mon C'Mon.

Well I went to bed in Memphis
And I woke up in Hollywood
I got a quarter in my pocket
And I'd call you if I could
But I don't know why
I gotta fly

I wanna rock and roll this party
I still wanna have some fun
I wanna leave you feeling breathless
Show you how the west was won
But I gotta fly
I gotta fly

Like Steve McQueen
All I need's a fast machine
I'm gonna make it all right
Like Steve McQueen
Underneath your radar screen
You'll never catch me tonight

I ain't takin' shit off no one
Baby that was yesterday
I'm an all American rebel
Making my big getaway
Yeah you know it's time
I gotta fly

Like Steve McQueen
All I need's a fast machine
I'm gonna make it all right
Like Steve McQueen
Underneath your radar screen
You'll never catch me tonight

We got rockstars in the Whitehouse
All our popstars look like porn
All my heroes hit the highway
They don't hang out here no more
You can call me anytime
You can page me all night long
But you won't catch this freebird
I'll already be long gone

Like Steve McQueen
All we need's a fast machine
And we're gonna make it all right
Like Steve McQueen
All I need's a fast machine
I'm gonna make it all right
Like Steve McQueen
Underneath your radar screen
You'll never catch me tonight

(There's another version of this song with the line "You can call me on my cell phone," instead of "You can call me anytime". Thanks to Wendy from Richmond, VA for the info.)

In 1973 the Rolling Stones were about to release the album Goat’s Head Soup. Its release was held up initially because the last song was called Starf*cker and Atlantic Record chief Ahmet Ertegun said no way. He hated the song, the lyrics and the title. The Stones countered that they would name the song Star Star. Ertegun still said no as he really did not want the song released and cited that they would get sued by McQueen because of the lyrics of the last verse. The premise of the song is about a groupie with wide experience. Here is the last verse:

Yeah, Ali McGraw got mad with you
for givin' h**d to Steve McQueen,
yeah, and me we made a pretty pair,
fallin' through the Silver Screen.
Honey, I'm open to anything
I don't know where to draw the line.
Yeah, I'm makin' bets that you gonna get
John Wayne before he dies.

The Stones would not budge and Ertegun said “let’s send a copy to McQueen and if he okays it then the single could be released. He okayed it and the single was released. What is funny, is why Atlantic would not have insisted that McGraw also okay it however, no one could hear clearly what was actually said on the record. To most it sounds like Jagger speaking to the groupie saying ”yeah I’m really not mad with you for” Jagger did not clarify the matter and it slid past. Same with the John Wayne line. Most think that it says “your man” However, when one listens to the live bootlegs, the line is clearly Ali McGraw as well as John Wayne. Perhaps Steve okayed it for himself and Ali and no realized the John Wayne line.

The Drive By Truckers also have a song titled Steve McQueen. Here are the lyrics:

STEVE MCQUEEN

Steve McQueen Steve McQueen
When I was a little boy I wanted to grow up to be
Steve McQueen Steve McQueen
The coolest doggone motherscratcher on the silver screen

I’d drive real fast everywhere no one would ever catch me
and I’d kick your ass if you pissed me off so be careful what you ask me
and I’d never have an empty bottle or an empty bed
and as cool as Paul Newman is I bet Steve could whup his head

Steve McQueen............................

Bullitt was my favorite movie that I’d ever seen
I totaled my go-cart trying to imitate that chase scene
That Duster had six hubcaps, know what I mean
and I love the way they all flew off when it landed in that ravine

Steve McQueen............................

I really loved The Getaway back when I was eight
that pussy Alec Baldwin sucked in the remake
and speaking of pussy, I guess Steve got it all
He f**ked Faye Dunaway and he f**ked Ali McGraw

Steve McQueen Steve McQueen
When I was a little boy I wanted to grow up to be
Steve McQueen Steve McQueen
The coolest goddamn motherf**ker on the silver screen
(yee-haw)

(suddenly the scene turns slow and somber, as a campfire harp plays in the background)
I went to see The Hunter on my first date
The Hunter was the last movie Steve McQueen lived to make
They took my drivers license when I was just sixteen
the year Mesothelioma killed Steve McQueen

lyrics by Patterson Hood
music by Drive-by Truckers (Cooley, Hood, Howell, Lane, Neff, Stacy)
(c) 1998 Soul Dump Music

Here are the lyrics to (I JUST WANNA BE) YOUR STEVE MCQUEEN by Eytan Mirsky, from the movie The Tao of Steve:

I want to make, the Great Escape
and I confide, I want to speed
just like a Bullitt to your side.
I wanna be, the coolest man you've ever seen,
(I just wanna be) your Steve McQueen.

We'll get away, just like McQueen did with McGraw
when they were in
that groovy film by Peckinpah.
I wanna be, the coolest man you've ever seen,
(I just wanna be) your Steve McQueen.

Can't you see, the game we're gonna play?
Baby, I'm the hunter, you're the prey.

Black turtleneck, is all I'll ever have to wear
for you to say, "Let's start a Thomas Crown affair."
I wanna be, the coolest man you've ever seen,
(I just wanna be) your Steve McQueen.

Can't you see, that I will flip my lid
if I cannot be your Cincinnati Kid.

Our love will burn, and every minute it will grow
just like the flames did in the Towering Inferno.
I wanna be, the coolest man you've ever seen,
(I just wanna be) your Steve McQueen.

(I just wanna be) your Steve,
(I just wanna be) your Steve,
(I just wanna be) your Steve McQueen.

The Beastie Boys' song High Plains Drifter has the line "I feel like Steve McQueen, a former movie star."

Here is an interesting bit of information about Steve McQueen and Tori Amos.

"During her Plugged '98 Tour, singer Tori Amos added a new verse to her song Father Lucifer. The lyrics are not included on the album version of the song (Boys for Pele 1996) and can only be found on the bootlegs of the Plugged '98 Tour. She did sing the lyrics during her appearance on VH-1 Storytellers. The lyrics to the verse are:

And if you come
I'll take you
You will see through it all
When you were a young boy
And if you want
Something from her
Steve McQueen
I do believe
He keeps a-listening
And if you want
I'll take you
You will seee through it all
At ten you were a young boy
And if you go
I don't need to be it again
I can't be it all
But I can take you back through that door

During the REM song Electrolite (from '96's New Adventures in Hi-Fi) Steve McQueen is mentioned.

Steve is mentioned in Gil Scott-Heron's song 'The Revolution Will not be Televised', from the album Pieces Of a Man. Gil sings: 'The revolution will not star Steve McQueen and Natalie Wood' (sent by Paul Dezentje)

There is an allusion to Steve McQueen in Nelly Furtado's song "Promiscuous Girl" on her popular CD "Loose." (Thanks to Brian Hooper for sending this in)

N: Roses are red
Some diamonds are blue
Chivalry is dead
But you're still kinda cute

Hey! I can't keep my mind off you
who you with, do you mind if I come through

N: I’m out of this world come with me to my planet
Get you on my level do you think that you can handle it?

They call me Thomas
last name Crown
Recognize game
I'm a lay mine's down

N: I'm a big girl I can handle myself
But if I get lonely I’ma need your help
Pay attention to me I don't talk for my health

I want you on my team
N: So does everybody else.

Baby we can keep it on the low
Let your guard down ain’t nobody gotta know
If you with it girl I know a place we can go

N: What kind of girl do you take me for?

McQueen is referenced in Queen's 1980 hit "Another One Bites The Dust." (Thanks to John Liuzzi for the info)

"Steve walks warily down the street...with the brim pulled way down low. Ain't no sound but the sound of his feet...machine guns ready to go."

Freddy Mercury was apparently inspired by Steve McQueen, who started carrying a gun after the Manson murders of McQueen's close friends Sharon Tate and Jay Sebring.

Steve walks warily down the street,
With the brim pulled way down low
Aint no sound but the sound of his feet,
Machine guns ready to go
Are you ready, are you ready for this
Are you hanging on the edge of your seat
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
To the sound of the beat

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone, and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey, Im gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust

How do you think Im going to get along,
Without you, when youre gone
You took me for everything that I had,
And kicked me out on my own

Are you happy, are you satisfied
How long can you stand the heat
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
To the sound of the beat

Chorus

Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
There are plenty of ways you can hurt a man
And bring him to the ground
You can beat him
You can cheat him
You can treat him bad and leave him
When hes down
But Im ready, yes Im ready for you
Im standing on my own two feet
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
Repeating the sound of the beat

"Moviestar" was a big hit in Sweden in 1975. It was written and performed by Harpo aka Jan Svensson.

Moviestar

You feel like Steve McQueen
when you're driving in your car
and you think you look like James Bond
when you're smoking your cigar
it's so bizarre you think you are
a new kind of James Dean
but the only thing I've ever seen of you
was a commercial spot on the screen

Movie Star, Movie Star, ahahar
you think you are a movie
Movie Star, Movie Star, ahahar
you think you are a Movie ? Star, ahahar

You should belong to the jet set
fly your own private lear jet
but you worked in a grocery store
every day until you could afford to get away
so you went to Sweden to meet Ingmar Bergman
he wasn't there or he just didn't care
I think it's time for you, my friend
to stop pretending that you are a

Movie Star, Movie Star, ahahar
you think you are a movie
Movie Star, Movie Star, ahahar
you think you are a Movie ? Star, ahahar

The frozen hero!
Your words are zero
when your dreams had vanished into dark
along the go that you don't want to know

Movie Star, Movie Star, ahahar
you think you are a movie
Movie Star, Movie Star, ahahar
you think you are a Movie ? Star, ahahar

Movie Star, Movie Star, ahahar
you think you are a movie
Movie Star, Movie Star, ahahar
you think you are a Movie ? Star, ahahar

Movie Star, Movie Star, ahahar
you think you are a movie
Movie Star, Movie Star, ahahar
you think you are a Movie ? Star, ahahar
you think you are a Movie ? Star, ahahar
you think you are a Movie ? Star, ahahar
you think you are a Movie ? Star, ahahar

The English band GOMEZ references Steve McQueen in their video "78 Stone Wobble." (Thanks to Matt Musial for the info)

"Vita spericolata" by
Vasco Rossi, a famous (at least, here in Italy...) rock artist.
In this song, Vasco says he wants a dangerous, thrilling, ill-
mannered, "I'll-sleep-when-I'm-dead" life to lead and part of the
refrain is:

Voglio una vita spericolata (I want a dangerous life)
Voglio una vita come quelle dei film (I want a life like those of the
movies)
Voglio una vita esagerata (I want an exaggerated life)
Voglio una vita come Steve McQueen (I want a life like that of Steve
McQueen)
Voglio una vita che non è mai tardi (I want a life where it's never
late)
Di quelle che non dormi mai (One of those where you never sleep)
Voglio una vita, la voglio piena di guai (I want a life, I want it
full of troubles)

" This song was released in 1983 and gained an enormous success among
the youngsters, helping establishing the status of McQueen as the
ultimate cool hero here in Italy."

(partial lyrics)

Ah Ecstacy, the gals them in
Ectascy, read about it
Ecstacy as model walk free
he he he Ecstacy the gals
them in Ecstacy
Ecstacy as Kipsy gain she liberty
K I N K Y 'ear me M C Kinky
me come fi chat 'bout the
runnings in this me country
How likkle merchant business
widen spending capacity
Me na talk 'bout the nine to five
officialty
So mek me freak out freak out
How mek we freak out, freak
freak out, freak out she
bawled she hollard and shout
I tell ya freak out freak out
How met we freak out, freak out
hollard and shout
Run to the scene I beg ya run to the scene
Run to scene fly go like
Steve McQueen huh huh huh
Run to the scene I beg ya run to the scene
Run to the scene check out that washing machine
Ecstacy, the gals them in
Ectascy

German band Sun Deck Avenue has a song about McQueen called "Falling Into Presence" (Sent in by Astrid-Vera Schaffner)

Falling into Presence» – feat. Steve McQueen, the «King of Cool» – is about the trouble, routine & numerous illusions of everyday life. The chorus illustrates the relief, magic & power of «falling into presence». Dive into presence for a moment!

Falling into Presence» dreht sich um die oft schmerzlichen Illusionen im Leben wie Zeit, Selbstbild, Selbst-Vermarktung, Bewertungen etc. – und im Refrain um das befreiende «Sich-Fallen-Lassen in die Präsenz». Halten Sie kurz inne und tauchen Sie ab!

Rodeo, rodeo star
Rodeo, rodeo star

Steve McQueen was Steve McQueen
Played good guys he played bad
But Steve McQueen was Steve McQueen
And that's the greatest thing he had

What do men do to impress you
And me the highball schemin'
He plays guitar and gets the girl
Rr plants his flag at Iwo Jima

Steve McQueen was Steve McQueen
Played good guys he played bad
But Steve McQueen was Steve McQueen
And that's the greatest thing he had

Boost it up now mr. Booster
The chances are quite slimming
Here on earth I feel so weak
Like Samson with a trimming

Steve McQueen was Steve McQueen
Played good guys he played bad
But Steve McQueen was Steve McQueen
And that's the greatest thing he had

Happy as a punk in Boys Town (rodeo)
No more talk of doing (rodeo star)
We'll be fine in lust we trust (rodeo)
While they stand in the ruin (rodeo star)

Steve McQueen was Steve McQueen (no no no no no)
Played good guys he played bad (no no no no no no no)
But Steve McQueen was Steve McQueen (no no no no no)
And that's the greatest thing that he had (no no no no no no no)

What do men do to impress you (rodeo)
And me the highball schemin' (rodeo star)
He plays guitar and gets the girl (rodeo)
Or plants his flag at Iwo Jima (rodeo star)

"Iris Gold was born in London, but grew up in a remarkable community in Denmark. Christiania was found by drop outs and dreamers, a village intended as a free-thinking alternative to the norm.

Raised in these surroundings, Iris Gold quickly developed an independent streak - something she has never lost.

New single 'Steve McQueen' is a case in point. Named after a true Hollywood icon, it's a neat fusion of hip-hop beats, soulful vocals and a pop approach."

Walk in 'cause we ball in
Got the east, west, north, all in
I'm dirty heavy in as you're ???
Got your lack of hair like you're flowing
I'm riding car with the microphone on
And you can see the wonder in a woman
I got the apple, I got the cuckoo
Little drop 'cause we're about to fall

Like a better life, like, like a better life
Living the life like Steve McQueen
Like a better life, like, like a better life
Living the life like Steve McQueen
Got to be cooler
Living cool like Steve McQueen
Plays it cool on a silver screen
On the silver screen, on the silver screen
Playing it cool like Steve McQueen

MIDNIGHT SNACKERS have an album out called "Transfer" released 12/16/2016 with a song titled "Steve McQueen."

Steve McQueen" is a frikkin' schizophrenic song. It opens with a corroded, Flipper style stomp before giving away to ghostly, Cramps style rockabilly. The song gets about halfway through and the band just decides to tear the whole thing apart. This is song is whacked out."

M83 is a French electronic music band. Their album "Hurry Up We're Dreaming" has a song titled "Steve McQueen."

I woke up stronger than ever
Driven by big waves of fire
To run and yell all the way
Nothing can hurt me today

There's a magic inside
Just waiting to burst out
The world is a goldmine
That will melt tomorrow

I just can't recognize myself
Tears of joy run all over my face
My sensations reach the limit
Nothing can hurt me today

There's a magic inside
Just waiting to burst out
The world is a goldmine
That will melt tomorrow

Living for, living for a thrill
Just waiting, just waiting!

I could take my time and I can speed you up
I could pull you in, you can't get enough
Let's go slip-sliding in my veins

Cause this life is only chains
It's nothing like the colors in my dreams
I just wanted to be Steve McQueen
And my horses of English racing green
You and me in British racing green

And it could hold us down
They can break your pride
And if it gets too rough, well you just climb inside
Let's go slip-sliding in my veins

Cause this life is only chains
It's nothing like the colors in my dreams
I just want to be Steve McQueen
With my horses of English racing green
You and me in British racing green

And don't you know that you and I, we're never going home
And since we don't wanna be alone
Here we go, sliding in my veins

Cause this life is only chains
It's nothing like the colors in my dreams
And I just wanted to be Steve McQueen
With my horses of English racing green
You and me in British racing green