"The Second" is the second studio album by Canadian-American rock band Steppenwolf, released in October 1968 on ABC Dunhill Records. The album features one of Steppenwolf's most famous songs, "Magic Carpet Ride." The original ABC LP cover had a shiny foil background, which contrasted with later MCA Records LP issues and modern CD sleeves.
The album blends psychedelic music and hard rock, earning critical acclaim upon its release and in subsequent years. AllMusic critic Bruce Eder noted that, while "highly derivative" of their first album, The Second included "very hard and edgy" tracks with the band performing "in excellent form." It became the band's highest-charting album on the Billboard 200, reaching number three. Notably, the five tracks on side two following "Magic Carpet Ride" form a continuous medley.
