For Ladies Only is the sixth studio album by Steppenwolf, released in 1971. It is a political concept album mainly about feminism but with several more conventional songs about romance as well, both unusual themes for Steppenwolf. Some critics saw the album as sexist, citing the lyrics of the songs and a photo of a car shaped like a penis alongside the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the gatefold. The album saw the band hinting toward the progressive rock movement that was popular at the time with more complex arrangements and sophisticated keyboard playing, particularly on the title track. Like their previous album, it was accompanied by two minor hit singles which fell just short of the Top 40.
| For Ladies Only | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Steppenwolf | ||||
| Released | November 1971 | |||
| Recorded | November 24, 1970 - May 30, 1971 | |||
| Studio | American Recording Studios, Studio City, CA | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 45:19 | |||
| Label | Dunhill | |||
| Producer | Richard Podolor | |||
| Steppenwolf chronology | ||||
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| Singles from For Ladies Only | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
| Robert Christgau | C+ |
| Rolling Stone | (mixed) |
Lead guitarist Kent Henry from Blues Image, replaced Larry Byrom prior to recording this album. The album was Steppenwolf's last of new material released prior to the band's initial breakup in February 1972.
Contents
Reception
The album was not well received by reviewers with Robert Christgau writing "These fellows certainly have lost their hip aura..."[2] AllMusic's Joe Viglione writes "In retrospect, For Ladies Only remains a neat artifact of a band who might've been called on to create too much too soon."[1] However, fans liked it enough that it charted at number 54 on the Billboard 200.
Track listing
- Side one
- "For Ladies Only" (Jerry Edmonton, Kent Henry, John Kay, Goldy McJohn) – 9:13
- "I'm Asking" (Edmonton, McJohn) – 4:25
- "Shackles and Chains" (Kay) – 4:57
- "Tenderness" (Mars Bonfire) – 4:51
- Side two
- "The Night Time's for You" (Bonfire, Morgan Cavett) – 2:56
- "Jaded Strumpet" (Edmonton) – 4:40
- "Sparkle Eyes" (George Biondo, Kay) – 4:29
- "Black Pit" (Henry, McJohn) – 3:46
- "Ride With Me" (Bonfire) – 3:15
- "In Hopes of a Garden" (Biondo) – 2:01
Personnel
Steppenwolf
- John Kay – vocals, guitar
- Kent Henry – lead guitar
- George Biondo – vocals, bass guitar
- Goldy McJohn – keyboards
- Jerry Edmonton – drums
Technical
- Richard Podolor – producer
- Bill Cooper – engineer
- Tom Gundelfinger – photography, design
Charts
Album - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Billboard 200 | 54 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)[4]
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | "For Ladies Only" | Billboard Hot 100 | 64 |
| 1971 | "Ride With Me" | Billboard Hot 100 | 52 |
