4. We Took The Wrong Steps Years Ago

"You Shouldn't Do That" is an extended piece that they had been playing live from Crimble's time in the band, and he asserts that he should have received a writer's credit for the central bass line on which this is based.[6] It was recorded for a BBC Maida Vale session on 19 May 1971 for the Sounds of the Seventies show, a bootleg version of the session can be found on The Text of Festival. It was the encore for the Space Ritual show but omitted from that album, later appearing in 1976 on the compilation album Roadhawks. It has been part of the live set at various times throughout their career, versions of which can be found on The Business Trip (1994) and Spaced Out in London (2004).

"You Know You're Only Dreaming" uses the riff and feel from Steve Miller Band's "Jackson-Kent Blues" from Number 5, an artist Brock has acknowledged as being an influence upon him.[7] This too was recorded for the BBC Sounds of the Seventies session and has appeared in the live set at various times throughout their career, including The 1999 Party (1974) and The Business Trip (1994).

Hawkwind - "Master of the Universe"
30 seconds of 6.17
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"Master of the Universe" was written by Brock and Turner, although Anderson contends that he should also have received a writer's credit for writing the main riff.[6] It is the only track on the album that could be interpreted as lyrically having a space theme, but may also be viewed as being anthropocentric. This was also part of the Sounds of the Seventies session and quickly became a live favourite and almost ever present in the set, appearing on numerous live albums.

"We Took the Wrong Step Years Ago" is a 12 string acoustic number with a band jam in the middle section and its lyrics bemoan the direction of society.

"Adjust Me" is a band improvisation.

"Children of the Sun" is an acoustic guitar number, although after the vocal passage the repeated heavy riff is augmented by electric guitars and bass. The riff is a familiar one of the time, and it was also later used by Marc Bolan for his "Children Of The Revolution" single.

The bonus track "Seven by Seven", originally the b-side to "Silver Machine", uses the riff from little known English psychedelic band Leviathan's "Flames". The lyrics concern the seven rays.

[bigdavekilbride]

This is one of the greatest songs ever written it's brilliant.

[Chris-ngvz]

tripped to this in 84 stone henge. best night of my life

[beijaflor]

I love these old acoustic tracks by Hawkwind, I wish they had done many more.

[Zopf-international]

We had this hill in our town near Edinburgh, on the coast. We'd go up when it was windy and the wind was so fierce if you jumped it would blow you ten feet or so back. Natural air time. 2 seconds. It was stunningly cool. The seagulls and i were friends there. This song was always on. It was near a WW2 underground fort, it was covered with Hawkwind slogans, and some very cool Jefferson Airplane quotes, Have you seen the saucers indeed. Every time i play this i get transported beck there. Anyone else hear the gulls in the song? That one person who disliked this was the cop who came up that hill and searched us just in case.

[djwindhoek]

I learned last week that Rab Mathieson of Easterhouse, Glasgow passed away sometime last year. Rab, for the benefit of those who never knew him, was an incredible man with many talents: painting, poetry, songwriting, storytelling and - to cut to the chase, as it were - singing and playing guitar... and it just so happens his voice was uncannily similar to that of Dave Brock's as heard in this wonderful song. This is how all of Rab's songs sounded and listening to Dave makes me hear the wonder of Hawkwind as well as the wonder of Rab. Farewell, my friend, farewell...

[rushshukla]

I remember tripping out to this album back in the mid 80s and when this song came on we all danced madly in my little flat at the time. The mushroom T pot was flying everywhere making sure the trip continued for as long as possible!

[ericwade]

A beautiful track that holds so much meaning today. Dave Brock wrote some of the best music I have been lucky enough to enjoy.

[davidhollyfield]

I was listening to this with my brother in 1970 and we already knew it was true. We were 16 and 18. We got it. As did most of our friends.

[stevencampbell]

I was 8 or 9 when my mother what an hippie she is took my to my first concert at the hammersmith odoen to see HAWKWIND one of the best songs I knew then what we were doing to this planet 38yrs ago

[johnhardesty]

AH, THE '60'S ARE BACK, LOVE HAWKWIND! THEY'RE UNDERRATED!

[keithtunley]

40 years and still with always it says it all

[robjones]

Nearly fifty years before the worldwide eco demonstrations, Hawkwind was already talking about the dangers of the decline in the environment. I bought the album back in 1974,
and it always strikes me as a haunting track.


It now becomes horribly

[kafkastrial]

Saw them perform at Margate's Dreamland years ago !

[smithy]

What a perfect mix of Bass and acoustics.

[josephduggan]

Up there with hurry on sundown!a truly stunning band in every sense

[paulandersen]

1971 in Lincoln, Nebraska. I was 16. Saw Lemmy and his guys do this song. Loved them then. Love them now.

[keithtunley]

I am very proud to have been around awesome music rip Lemmy

[alexanadermcculloch]

We all have what great lyrics & music 🎶 awesome Hawkwind seeing them live at sommerlyton 2006 was amazing 😉

[jameshepworth]

One of my hawkwind faves along with lost Jonny and golden void oh and hurry on sundown ☯️🦋🦂🍄🕊🌞🌝🌛🌙🌈🎼🎸🚦🌌💉🔫

[stephensmith]

Played the album to death while dwelling on the sleeve artwook. Absorbed. Wasn't that the way?!....