It was the lead single from that album, peaking at number three in the US, and staying in the charts for 16 weeks, longer than any other Steppenwolf song.

When preparing to record the band's second album, The Second, bassist Rushton Moreve came up with a "bouncy riff".

For the introduction, guitarist Michael Monarch created feedback which was spliced on to the beginning of the band's recording.

[6] Kay also alleged the lyrics went beyond referencing the quality of the new stereo and were also a reference to his relationship with his wife Jutta and envisioning that he had made a wish with Aladdin's lamp.

"[8] In the fictional Star Trek universe, the song is played by the originator of warp flight, Zefram Cochrane, during launch sequences for good luck.