I think the "Seasons don't fear the reaper / nor do the wind, the sun, or the rain / We can be like they are" line is the real key. The singer's persona is expressing a desire to be free of the fear of death, so that they can properly live their life, or so I hear it.
@, Romeo killed himself because he thought that Juliet was dead, but she was faking her death trying to be free from obligation from family. Juliet came to and realizing Romeo had killed himself with the real poison she had not taken she realized he had not left one drop and thus took the dagger and slew herself realizing though free she would never get the desire of her heart. Both could not see the possibility of the desire of their heart. SUICIDE is the key for Romeo and Juliet for loss of love. Valentine is done. Here, but now their gone. The ability of getting love is lost, then do not fear the reaper. You will not get the desire of the heart so follow me into death. The singer is thinking of one slated for death and saying follow.
Meaning of the song by the song's author, "I felt that I had just achieved some kind of resonance with the psychology of people when I came up with that, I was actually kind of appalled when I first realized that some people were seeing it as an advertisement for suicide or something that was not my intention at all. It is, like, not to be afraid of [death] (as opposed to actively bring it about). It's basically a love song where the love transcends the actual physical existence of the partners." - Buck Dharma, lead singer[4]
The band would then go on to catch similar shit about the video for Burnin For You... THEN they released the one for Joan Crawford... which had someone going down on catholic schoolgirls
Though the band insists this isn't about suicide it must be noted that these claims were only made after a massive outcry against the song... which is clearly about suicide. Referencing Romeo and Juliet, a couple who committed suicide, and references to 'take my hand' and 'come on baby' all shift the weight from just accepting the reality of death to actively accepting death NOW. Also, the 40'000 men and women every day, at time of writing, was FAR closer to the suicide rate than the general death rate. If they didn't intend to write a song about suicide, then they accidently wrote a hell of a song specifically about suicide. Don'cha just hate it when that happens?
@@markpayne1748 I don't quite understand why people apologise for saying the the same things in comment sections. What confuses me more is the people that give others shit for doing it. It's pointless.
@@seb5542 You have a point. I suppose it's convention. There is so much in society we've been trained to do without understanding the logic (or lack thereof) behind it.
This could be the most profound song ever written, and I'd still only think of Will Ferrell playing the cowbell with his gut hanging out every time I hear it.
Creepy song about death and ole Will really took the piss out of it! Before the SNL skit, I always thought of the opening scene of the Stand miniseries when I heard this song. Stephen King referenced this song several times in the novel. In the miniseries, this song is playing at the beginning opening credits right when the virus escapes the military lab. Really creepy and scary as they play the song and you see all the dead bodies everywhere
@@willyburger - He was good early on. He was good up until about Zoolander. He was great in that. Anything he did before Zoolander he was really good. Now he kind of half asses it. The same schtick but not as good. The other thing is that he's great in a supporting part. When he's the main character it doesn't work. When he can come in and be weird and not have to worry about the story.
And Blue Oyster Cult still goes on the road in the good weather. I definitely think it's a summer song, and Burnin' For You too. I look forward to summer every time and these BOC tunes.
The term “more cowbell” came from this song....... initially, the drummer was supposed to count them in with a four count but the recording engineer kept asking for “more cowbell” eventually the singer banged the hell outta it throughout the whole damn song...lmao
I was going to start watching this a few weeks ago, but I was trying to actually get to bed at a decent hour and figured I'd probably want to watch it all the way through.
I'd argue the opposite Those who don't fear death will meet him quickly - you cannot enjoy life from inside a dark pine box. Almost as important though, is not allowing reasonable fear to become terror and paranoia, taking over one's life and sapping all the joy from it. As with everything else, there is a middleground that must be reached for health and happiness
This song is basically the philosophy of the ancient Greek Epicurus put to music. "Death is nothing to us. When we exist, death is not; and when death exists, we are not. All sensation and consciousness ends with death and therefore in death there is neither pleasure nor pain. The fear of death arises from the belief that in death, there is awareness.”
@@jpf7942 Yeah nothing to fear about being dead. Shit we've all experienced non-existence before we were born. Scary part is how we get there. That's all I'm scared of. Be nice to just go in my sleep. Lucky for me. Tough on my family. But I'm not fucking lucky. LOL
This was the huge SNL classic skit with Christopher Walken!!! Look it up! “Needs more Cowbell ! “ So funny. Btw Their song Burning For You is the jam!!!! Very fun. Thank you 🙏
I still prefer The Dead Zone, but it is a fine book. And yeah, those tracking shots of the dead bodies in the street are what I always think of when I hear this song - after the cowbell, of course. ;D
This song is an unforgettable musical masterpiece. The way in which Death is personified as a gentle, welcoming figure is sheer poetry. After the second musical interlude, how the underlying sonic tone carries into the final part and ramps it up across the crescendo is astonishing!
@@a-cell4564 Secret Treaties is the weaker of the 2 but emotionally more impactful and dreamlike. Imaginos version more assertive and commanding. Both are so good.
@@jjflash1645 You got it right, the song is about life after death. That's the point of the seasons reference as they are in a constant cycle of death and rebirth.
@Comicbookstoreguy177 When introducing someone to a new artist it is usually better to lead them down the path to the deep cuts instead of throwing them right into the deep end.
Being a fan of good drum work, you need to check out Golden Earring - Radar Love. I have trouble keeping my speed down when I’m driving home and this song comes on.
This was my jam when I was high school, albeit 25+ years later lol. Godzilla is a must for BOC. BOC would lead me to Golden Earring, another incredible band that is severely underrated. Radar love and Twilight Zone. Still here for Zappa!
@@aquemeni1979 It's gotta be the live version of "Cities on Flame with Rock n Roll" from the On Your Feet or on Your Knees live album. I love that version.
@@reallymysterious4393 🎵"Bad Company, til the day I die"🎵 I once had an opportunity to see the Firm in concert and I had to turn it down. It still hurts to this day.
The fact that you immediately picked up the cowbell in like the first pre-verse is insane to me. So buried in the mix. But once you know it’s there, it’s all you can hear
It’s so true. I showed my son the Cowbell Skit and the moment he saw Wil Ferrell hit the cowbell he turned to me and said I’ll never hear this song the same way again. 😂😂
I agree, this song is so deep. It has different meanings at different parts of our life. When I 17-19 this song made me feel better as I lost young friends and it gave me an excuse to live even more reckless, then in my 40-50’s it resonated with me again as I dealt with more friends/family dying still way to young. I’m almost 60 and it still resonates as people I love die and like the song says “Don’t Fear The Reaper” it comes for us all. It’s a timeless song.
One of my favourite tunes, my sister brought the album home in '76, still love this to this day. The music you like when you were a teen always stays with you.
@@SiK2712 Actually, it's about love surviving death. Buck Dharma, who wrote it and sung lead vocals, was thinking about what would happen if he died at a young age. The Romeo and Juliet reference was about love surviving death, and nothing to do with suicide, though you are right in saying the song did court some controversy in people thinking it was about suicide.
jrnyfan4life I wasn’t suggesting the song was about suicide per se just the reference to 40,000 men and women everyday. The reference to Romeo and Juliet played on the theme of love surviving death and that perhaps the best known “lovers” were indeed separated by a suicide when Romeo mistakenly believed Juliet was dead. It’s as multi-layered and brilliant as the song itself. A masterpiece.
I honestly can't explain how epic that song is. Dharma blisteing guitar solo....man. The lyrics are about love transcending death. It's Blue Oyster Cults' masterpiece and it is.
This is my favorite song in the history of music. It inspired me to play guitar and I play it everyday. Theres an advantage to hearing it live, as there are blistering, long solo outros and it makes this song perfect to play with on my electric guitar with lots of distortion and delays! Please stay safe!!!
I think this song is about eternal love and embracing the inevitability of death. It was a dark, edgy concept at the time of the songs release. When band member Buck Dharma was writing the lyrics, he was just guessing when he penned the line, "Forty thousand men and women every day" . It was 1976 and he was off by about 100,000.
I actually don’t remember that. Now I gotta rewatch Halloween ( not that I needed a reason to rewatch such a great movie ) but thanks for giving me something else to look for ! ❤️
Excellent Choice.....LOVE THIS BAND !!!....YOU ARE RIGHT....THIS IS THE SONG...WILL FARREL COWBELLED TO ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE WITH CHRISTOPHER WALKEN....MORE COWBELL !!!!!!!
It's hard to listen to this song without a beer in my hand and smokin' a dube. Every party I went to in the 70s that's exactly the way it was. Good times! 🤘
The first three albums are the most punk rock. I feel like the later ones are more arena rock. Still weird and good arena rock, but definitely catchier and more easygoing.
As I listened to this song it reminded me of something I once heard: Not sure who wrote this, but it’s deep: ”Every minute someone leaves this world behind. We are all in “the line” without knowing it. We never know how many people are before us. We can not move to the back of the line. We can not step out of the line. We can not avoid the line. So while we wait in line - Make moments count. Make priorities. Make the time. Make your gifts known. Make a nobody feel like a somebody. Make your voice heard. Make the small things big. Make someone smile. Make the change. Make love. Make up. Make peace. Make sure to tell your people they are loved. Make sure to have no regrets. Make sure you are ready.”
Almost everyone in the band handled lead vocals at one time or another. Guitarist Eric Bloom sang the most songs for the group. But lead guitarist Buck Dharma sang their two biggest hits, this song and "Burnin' For You." He also sang one of my favorite BOC songs "I Love the Night."
The Allen Lanier sung True Confessions is one of my favorites from this same album. Agents of Fortune is actually not one of my favorite BÖC albums, but the first 4 tracks are perfection.
A lot of teenagers, when this song first came out, did take it literally as advocating suicide. May they rest in peace. Love to all who are struggling with the times we're in now . . . hang in there and love one another.
Not necessarily advocating it, but I definitely always thought it was about suicide. Same thing with One Headlight. Or at the very least there’s a verse about it.
A long time ago, maybe 2-3 years ago my son, recovering from a second surgery, brought his ipad down and said "mom, you have to see this guy". I think you were reacting to Bee Gees. I have been watching you ever since.
When I watched The Stand as a TV mini series, and heard this song, my mind was mind blown! Lyrics to the song are written in the beginning of Stephen King's The Stand novel which I read a dozen times, but hearing it play out, as the mini series began, was absolutely chilling!! Stephen King is, and always will be a genius. You should RUclips the first 10 minutes of the movie, and catch those chills yourself. In fact, go watch The Stand wherever you can find it.
Buck Dharma himself has explained that this isn't about suicide. He wrote it as an ode to his wife, hoping that their love would transcend their deaths. That hopefully one day they'd meet up on the other side and continue their love affair. The 40 000 reference is about the amount of people who die every day, that death is inevitable and there is no use fearing it. It's a song about optimism in what lies beyond.
Sole Survivor, The Horsemen Arrive, I love the Night, Shooting Shark, Astronomy, Burning for you, The Last Days of May, Harvest Moon, Real World, Cold Gray Light of Dawn, I am the One you Warned Me of, are all great tunes for you to react to :) Cheers
Then Add Career of Evil, Fire of Unknown Origin, Blackblade, Dominance and Submission, After Dark, Cities on flame with rock and roll, Heavy Metal: the black and silver, Imaginos, Veteran of the psychic wars, Take me away, Perfect water. Just do all their songs ;)
Finally at BOC!!! Godzilla, Then Came the Last Days of May, Perfect Water, Take Me Away, Harvester of Eyes, Harvest Moon, Cities on Flame, M.E. 262, Astronomy, Burnin' For You, Black Blade, Veteran of the Psychic Wars
Finally someone that has more to offer than just Godzilla and burnin for you. Great list hope he doesn’t stop after Those two and goes deeper on BOC, they are so over looked, people only know them for those 3 hits and it drives me crazy
Very, very close about the meaning of the lyrics. It was about an elderly lady on her deathbed, afraid of dying, being visited by the spirit of her beloved husband. He is reassuring her, there is nothing to fear. Let go. Take my hand, Mary. Actually a beautiful love story. (Love these vids. Keep 'em coming)
Has anyone else seen the stoned age? It's from around the same time as the stand and it's about two dudes on a quest to find weed and they only listen to BOC.
i was sitting in holiday inn bar,,along time ago.. and in walked the whole group blue oyster cult... got around a big table and partied.. didnt bother anyone.. had concert in town and got canceled because of power problem..
Not to one-up you but I have my own encounter. A good friend of mine had a fine McCartney tribute band that opened for BOC in Tampa once upon a time. Great concert and I got to spend some time with them aboard their bus. Good times.
The song was penned by Don Roeser who sings this track and is also the lead guitarist. He was diagnosed with a heart condition and wrote the tune as a reflection on his own mortality. It is a dark haunting, mesmerizing tune in A minor hence the melancholy overtones. The lyric regarding the 40000 is a symbolic reference to the banality of mortality as people die in their thousands every single day. So Roeser was feeling pretty humble about the whole thing. Amazing how such things provide inspiration for what is an absolutely brilliant and highly revered rock classic. It was also their most successful song commercially.
Jamal, had the worst week ever. Plopped down and watched this and I’m crying with happy tears. You make a difference in my life, for the better! God bless you!!! Laurie
It was also used as the main theme in a computer game, Ripper. Not a huge hit as games go, but it had an interesting story. Oh, and included Christopher Walken. (I guess he just can't get away from this song.)
True story-I'm a huge BOC fan, since first encountering their stuff in the early 80s. I love this song and all those with Buck Darhma on vocals (Eric Bloom is great; but, Buck has smoother vocals). A few years back, I had a cat, named Mr Man (I didn't name him) who adopted me as much as I adopted him from the local Humane Society. He hung out with me and hopped on me every night when I went to bed, to snuggle for a bit, then did the same in the morning. He was my little buddy. He turned out to have a kidney disease that wasn't curable. We did the best we could for him and he didn't complain. However, eventually, it took its toll and he was very weak. We decided to end his suffering and arranged to have the vet put him down. The night before, he came to me, one last time, to say goodnight and snuggle. The next day, we spent our last hours together and he had a habit of crawling on my wife's laptop to warm himself. She usually pushed him off; but, didn't have the heart to do it, this time. He stepped on a key and, somehow, set off a music file of "Don't Fear the Reaper." It was a perfect moment that made us smile through the tears. About an hour later, I held him as life left his body. Forever more, this song makes me smile and tear up, simultaneously.
Hi Jamel, thanks for checking out this incredible song! ..so many cool interpretations for each of us are there. This song has always been hauntingly beauty.
I thought it was! But I haven’t seen that movie in a long time, so I’ve worried that I was misremembering it. Does it appear in any other horror movies, or is the original Halloween the only one? The only other instance of this song playing on-screen that I can think of is from Orange Is the New Black, lol.
@@autumnphillips151 In The Frighteners starring Michael J. Fox another group's (The Mutton Birds) recording of the song is featured, as just one instance of it appearing in movies / TV shows.
Once upon a time,long before SNL ruined the significance,this song was a rite of passage for young guitarists. There was "Smoke on the water","Stairway to Heaven",and "Don't fear the Reaper". You HAD to learn those riffs. It was an initiation.
Buck Dharma found out he had a heart problem n was worried naturally. This is when and why he wrote it and sings it. FACT! Check it out for yourselves people. Peace n love . . .
The song that took on mortality, generated the all time best SNL skit and featured one of my favorite guitar riffs. Performed live in 2002 with more cowbell. The song, written and sung by lead guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser, deals with eternal love and the inevitability of death. Dharma wrote the song while picturing an early death for himself after being diagnosed with a heart defect. Good therapy apparently. Check out the live version at the Jammys in 2002.
At 5:06 you say 'Sounds like The Reaper playing" the solo. :-) This has been my favorite song since it came out in the mid 70s, and my favorite band since the late 80s, but I never thought of the solo that way. You have a great point! Thank you for giving me new aspect to appreciate on something I have been enjoying for almost 45 years!!
Derek Charette jeez bro you didn’t have to bring up poor blacks in the inner city. I’m sure they’re aware other genres of music exist they just don’t listen to it and never will, which is why they never hear the songs. Also I’m just curious how you feel like dying but you still are on them channel listening. No malice just asking
No matter how much opposition, I feel like this song is just about accepting that everybody dies, not about suicide.
I think the "Seasons don't fear the reaper / nor do the wind, the sun, or the rain / We can be like they are" line is the real key. The singer's persona is expressing a desire to be free of the fear of death, so that they can properly live their life, or so I hear it.
Definitely it's about not fearing death - Buck Dharma explains this in detail on the song's wikipedia page.
Polyphonic did a great video about this song! ruclips.net/video/QPoX4WPhl2M/видео.html
@, Romeo killed himself because he thought that Juliet was dead, but she was faking her death trying to be free from obligation from family. Juliet came to and realizing Romeo had killed himself with the real poison she had not taken she realized he had not left one drop and thus took the dagger and slew herself realizing though free she would never get the desire of her heart. Both could not see the possibility of the desire of their heart. SUICIDE is the key for Romeo and Juliet for loss of love.
Valentine is done. Here, but now their gone. The ability of getting love is lost, then do not fear the reaper. You will not get the desire of the heart so follow me into death. The singer is thinking of one slated for death and saying follow.
Agree - Here is an interview with Donald Roeser: www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/feb/19/how-we-made-blue-oyster-cult-dont-fear-the-reaper
Jamal - "I don't know if these lyrics are that deep." I'd say about 6 feet.
*slow clap*.
Hah! Hah! Haaaaaaaah!
Love it...
You, sir, win the comments 🤘👍👏
Meaning of the song by the song's author,
"I felt that I had just achieved some kind of resonance with the psychology of people when I came up with that, I was actually kind of appalled when I first realized that some people were seeing it as an advertisement for suicide or something that was not my intention at all. It is, like, not to be afraid of [death] (as opposed to actively bring it about). It's basically a love song where the love transcends the actual physical existence of the partners."
- Buck Dharma, lead singer[4]
yes exactly death is part of life its death and taxes the only things that we cannot escape
The band would then go on to catch similar shit about the video for Burnin For You... THEN they released the one for Joan Crawford... which had someone going down on catholic schoolgirls
@TheGsxstage1 You have no idea of what you even pretend to talk about.
Buck Dharma is not the lead singer though.
Though the band insists this isn't about suicide it must be noted that these claims were only made after a massive outcry against the song... which is clearly about suicide. Referencing Romeo and Juliet, a couple who committed suicide, and references to 'take my hand' and 'come on baby' all shift the weight from just accepting the reality of death to actively accepting death NOW. Also, the 40'000 men and women every day, at time of writing, was FAR closer to the suicide rate than the general death rate.
If they didn't intend to write a song about suicide, then they accidently wrote a hell of a song specifically about suicide. Don'cha just hate it when that happens?
This song is the song that the cowbell joke comes from.
I always thought it was Mississippi Queen.
Their using a plastic cow bell
I though Nazareth hair of the dog.
I need more COWBELL
Jamel, Look up Saturday Night Live 'Need More Cowbell', you will love it!
"I've got a fever, and the only prescription... is more cowbell!"
My bad, Patrick! I didn't scroll down this far. You got it before I did. Respect.
We all put our pants on one leg at a time. The only difference is I make gold records when I put mine on
“Gene, explore the studio space...I mean really, explore the space”
@@markpayne1748 I don't quite understand why people apologise for saying the the same things in comment sections. What confuses me more is the people that give others shit for doing it. It's pointless.
@@seb5542 You have a point. I suppose it's convention. There is so much in society we've been trained to do without understanding the logic (or lack thereof) behind it.
This could be the most profound song ever written, and I'd still only think of Will Ferrell playing the cowbell with his gut hanging out every time I hear it.
He's the second best person in that skit.
@@Jordan-Ramses cool.
Creepy song about death and ole Will really took the piss out of it! Before the SNL skit, I always thought of the opening scene of the Stand miniseries when I heard this song. Stephen King referenced this song several times in the novel. In the miniseries, this song is playing at the beginning opening credits right when the virus escapes the military lab. Really creepy and scary as they play the song and you see all the dead bodies everywhere
I find most of Will Ferrell's work tedious and unfunny but he really nails it in this skit.
@@willyburger - He was good early on. He was good up until about Zoolander. He was great in that. Anything he did before Zoolander he was really good. Now he kind of half asses it. The same schtick but not as good.
The other thing is that he's great in a supporting part. When he's the main character it doesn't work. When he can come in and be weird and not have to worry about the story.
This guy is so cute. He’s got one of those faces that just makes you feel happy!
Absolute teddy bear.
Creeper comment
Aye fr
Alex Gibbs so in if it’s a guy saying weird shit to a chick that’s not creepy is what your sayin 🤔
as a married and heterosexual male I concur. No homo
Veteran of the Psychic Wars is a must.
Seconded
One of my favorite songs by BOC
YES!
The version from Extraterrestrial Live is EXCEPTIONAL. SUBLIME lead guitar. I'm mad for the video of those shows!
I have the movie soundtrack for Heavy Metal!!!
This is the definition of classic rock. All these years later it still holds up.
And Blue Oyster Cult still goes on the road in the good weather. I definitely think it's a summer song, and Burnin' For You too.
I look forward to summer every time and these BOC tunes.
Don’t tell me you’ve never seen the “I need more cowbell” skit on SNL. It’s almost as iconic as the song itself.
After watching this I'm going to watch the SNL skit😀
If the SNL skit doesn't get a reaction video of its own I think that would be a real waste. If you do watch it please post a reaction video.
Dave The Dudeist it’s kinda like Neil Young with the “More Barn!”....it’s worth looking up &/or a reaction to any NeilYoung song lol
I was just thinking of that! More cowbell lol.
The funny thing is, I didn't realize there was cowbell in this song until that skit came out.
The term “more cowbell” came from this song....... initially, the drummer was supposed to count them in with a four count but the recording engineer kept asking for “more cowbell” eventually the singer banged the hell outta it throughout the whole damn song...lmao
Three A. Yes it was..... they actually acted it out very closely to what actually happened
Omg, that's hilarious!
True stories;lolz
The true story is that Eric Bloom (Guitar) added the cowbell to the track to give it more punch, and didn't think much of it.
Ask not for whom the cowbell tolls, it tolls for thee!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Best comment ever!
Love it!
Its like a mettalicas for whom the bell tills but its the child friendly version
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍👍
🤣🤣🤣🤣
"I'm telling ya fellas. You're gonna want that cowbell on the track!" Bruce Dickinson/Producer 1943-1991.
Jayhawk 2572 he puts his pants on one leg at a time just like everyone else. Except when he does it, he makes hit records.
Shout out to Gene and his cowbell... but more importantly to "The Bruce Dickinson" for recognizing that more was required. LOL
Would it be to much to request Jamel checking out the SNL sketch? XD
@@ElFelizable Would be cool, but I think SNL is real uptight about the use of their shit. Would probably get blocked.
Cool song cool band
One of the great classics of rock.
Sanni Epstein it never gets old. Always a great song.
I will forever associate this song with Stephen King's 'The Stand.'
Me too. I love the miniseries
I always think of the original "Halloween".
1978. Saw in the theater.
That and “ Dont dream its over “ crowded house
The scene with this song in the Stand is COVID af
@@neilpatrickhairless but as King said, covid 19 is not Captain Trips
I watched Stephen King’s “The Stand” when I was little. This song scared the shit out of me for a couple years. Now I love it!
When I hear this song, I do always think about the plague death scenes at the beginning of that film. 👌👌
I was going to start watching this a few weeks ago, but I was trying to actually get to bed at a decent hour and figured I'd probably want to watch it all the way through.
Also, we had a cat that liked to dig in the garbage so we nicknamed him trashcan man lol
I'd known the song for years before that, but it was very effective. I always think of it now when I hear this song.
@Kat Storm bumpty bumpty bump! lol
There is an old Spanish proverb that goes, "those who fear death cannot enjoy life".
I prefer the American proverb, "I've got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell."
Jesus came to remove the sting of death
I'd argue the opposite
Those who don't fear death will meet him quickly - you cannot enjoy life from inside a dark pine box.
Almost as important though, is not allowing reasonable fear to become terror and paranoia, taking over one's life and sapping all the joy from it.
As with everything else, there is a middleground that must be reached for health and happiness
@richard nitsch I'm sure you will meet face to face one day. A fool in his heart says there is no God. The book of proverbs
Steven James - 3am grooving and laughing out loud. Thank U!!!😄😆😂👋🇦🇺
This song is basically the philosophy of the ancient Greek Epicurus put to music.
"Death is nothing to us. When we exist, death is not; and when death exists, we are not. All sensation and consciousness ends with death and therefore in death there is neither pleasure nor pain. The fear of death arises from the belief that in death, there is awareness.”
Zen: Death is the absence of pain, therefore life is painful and suffering. Death is merely a stage in the process.
We basically return to the state before we were ever even conceived. Pure Oblivion
This song is about a girl who kills herself, you idiots. 🙄😂🤣🤣
@@Gunnery69246 No one cares. 😂😂
See I can be an Ass too.
@@jpf7942 Yeah nothing to fear about being dead. Shit we've all experienced non-existence before we were born. Scary part is how we get there. That's all I'm scared of. Be nice to just go in my sleep. Lucky for me. Tough on my family. But I'm not fucking lucky. LOL
“I got a fever and the only cure is more cowbell!”
So close! It's "we're uncomfortable...and they're two remaining medicines were several items!"
I got Corona and the only remedy is more triangle!
@@corepuncher they are two totally different concepts. words matter.
the amount of people who will upvote a misquote is why people are starving in Africa
NO REALLY!!....Explore the space 😂😂😂
This was the huge SNL classic skit with Christopher Walken!!! Look it up! “Needs more Cowbell ! “ So funny. Btw Their song Burning For You is the jam!!!! Very fun. Thank you 🙏
I think he got that. Note his mention of the cowbell in the intro.
Here ya go: ruclips.net/video/cVsQLlk-T0s/видео.html
And Will Ferrell.
"Sounds like the Reaper playing." It does! That is a boss guitar solo.
Yes! What a song
This song opened for the TV movie The Stand.. tis awesome
Read the book...The Stand. Stephen King's best.
I still prefer The Dead Zone, but it is a fine book. And yeah, those tracking shots of the dead bodies in the street are what I always think of when I hear this song - after the cowbell, of course. ;D
Still gives me chills. That was the first place i heard the song
I was going to run the Christopher Walken line "I've got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell" but doesn't seem appropriate at the moment
RIGHT ON! Someone had to do it or I wouldn't sleep tonight!!
No time better for morbid humor than during a plague!
Kris Frederick its not appropriate to not go there
@@brianm6530 I was that guy. Sleep well
When was the last time you heard a cowbell? That explains why we are in the situation we are in!
This song is an unforgettable musical masterpiece. The way in which Death is personified as a gentle, welcoming figure is sheer poetry. After the second musical interlude, how the underlying sonic tone carries into the final part and ramps it up across the crescendo is astonishing!
The live version from I believe 83 on RUclips is a masterpiece with extended lead guitar
Agree = An epic song that covers so much musical and artistic history.
@@bobmurray6697 that showing is an epic watch!
Check out their song “Godzilla”. So incredibly badass
If you can find a good copy that won't give him copyright.
I need more cowbell!
go, go. . .
He just did. Groovy.
Great song!
"Fellas, I put my pants on like you, one leg at a time. Except when my pants are on, I make gold records"
Bruce Dickenson.
My favorite line 😂😂
"What does that mean??"
Hahaha
Yes, THE Bruce Dickinson
Yea Bruce Dickinson Iron maiden, yea, that's the shit bro
outside of being amazing in every respect, this song i've always thought was about don't fear death as it is inevitable.
Also-“Godzilla” and “I’m Burning for You” and “1000 Psychic Wars”
1000 Psychic Wars is part of the first line in "Veteran of the Psychic Wars". "You see me now, the veteran of a thousand psychic wars."
Astronomy
Noel Person Imaginos or Secret Treaties version? They’re very different, but personally I’d go with the Imaginos version.
@@a-cell4564 Secret Treaties is the weaker of the 2 but emotionally more impactful and dreamlike. Imaginos version more assertive and commanding. Both are so good.
Noel Person Secret Treaties should be played as part of the album, in that progression. Then most of the album blends together beautifully.
It puts a smile on my face every time I hear it. There’s nothing bad about this song.
The only time I've seen a Romeo and Juliet reference that realized their romance wasn't happy
I never got the impression that Romeo and Juliet weren’t happy. They’re together in eternity, or so I thought.
Jepp, can't think of any other song about suicide that makes me as happy as this one, and I listen to a lot of goth!
@@jjflash1645 You got it right, the song is about life after death. That's the point of the seasons reference as they are in a constant cycle of death and rebirth.
Another great Blue Oyster Cult song is "Burnin For You"
musically it really kicks ass
Cities aflame with rock and roll...
I also like Godzilla, their cover of the Animals We Gotta Get Outa This Place, ETI and so on
Got to do Blue Oyster Cult "Burnin For You" next!!
Joe Zaza yesss love this song better 👍🏼
GODZILLA!@
Joe Zaza That's my favorite BÖC song
And Godzilla
Whoa-ooh, there goes Tokyo!
Xurio Style they just did a quarantine session of Godzilla. It was pretty cool.
DO GODZILLA AND BURNIN FOR YOU!!
Do B.O.C.'s version of Godzilla as well as Fu Manchu's version!!!!
Joan Crawford
OOOOoooooh Nooo there goes tokyo
LOVE Godzilla.
"History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of man"
"Oh no, there goes Tokyo"
Thank you, Jamel. Had a shitty day. You made it better. Love you, buddy!
"Godzilla", "Burnin' for You", "Cities on Flame", and "Astronomy"
jimigrunge On Astronomy, Imaginos or Secret Treaties version?
Astronomy is such a fun song and video to trip ok n mushrooms to
Veteran of the Psychic Wars, too!
@Comicbookstoreguy177 When introducing someone to a new artist it is usually better to lead them down the path to the deep cuts instead of throwing them right into the deep end.
Gotta throw in "Godzilla" and "Burnin' for You" by Blue Oyster Cult
Blue Oyster Cult, Queensryche, Foreigner, Sweet, Heart ... you're starting to dig the real deal here!
AMEN, BROTHER!!!
Seattle
Queensryche!!! Wooooow 🤘
Lots of Alice Cooper waiting to be discovered too. \m/
You gotta do "Burnin' for You" from these guys. Later, but still a classic.
The lyrics from the chorus was used by Stephen King in his novel "The stand" and the song was used in the TV mini-series. He is a big fan of the band.
Bigger fan of King Crimson.
Also used in "Salem's Lot", to describe the vampire.
Saw these guys in concert (yeah, I'm old) and their encore was "L.A. Woman" and "Roadhouse Blues" as a tribute to Jim Morrison. Incredible show!!
Check out SNL skit called "More cowbell." You won't be disappointed.
"I've got a fever. . ."
@@antoniusbritannia8217 more cowbell!!!
"I want you to explore the studio space. " Bruce Dickenson.
Hell of a drummer!
I'm glad I never saw the SNL skit because this song is so beautiful and haunting.
Being a fan of good drum work, you need to check out Golden Earring - Radar Love.
I have trouble keeping my speed down when I’m driving home and this song comes on.
That is an AMAZING driving song!
Gulicktheemu I might have to check that out. I think the only song I know by them is Twilight Zone
Yes Yes Yes...that song has to be LOUD!!!!!
Great pick Jamal! Check out Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth." A Classic!
Art Meddaugh
I saw Stephen sing that in Sarasota about 2 years ago! It was awesome ❤️
I can't hear this song without thinking of, The Stand (a Steven King novel/movie).
One of the best uses of music in an opening scene ever.
Yes my favorite king novel
Considering what has been going on this year, it really sets this song as timeless.
Trashcan Man. Haha.
To soon
This was my jam when I was high school, albeit 25+ years later lol. Godzilla is a must for BOC.
BOC would lead me to Golden Earring, another incredible band that is severely underrated. Radar love and Twilight Zone.
Still here for Zappa!
Isn't that second song from Golden Earring "Twilight Zone"?
Godzilla is an underrated jam, I like cities on flame too
@@Copperwise Yes, you are correct. Thanks!
@@aquemeni1979 It's gotta be the live version of "Cities on Flame with Rock n Roll" from the On Your Feet or on Your Knees live album. I love that version.
@@reallymysterious4393 🎵"Bad Company, til the day I die"🎵
I once had an opportunity to see the Firm in concert and I had to turn it down. It still hurts to this day.
"Shout out to that cowbell" I died.
The fact that you immediately picked up the cowbell in like the first pre-verse is insane to me. So buried in the mix. But once you know it’s there, it’s all you can hear
It’s so true. I showed my son the Cowbell Skit and the moment he saw Wil Ferrell hit the cowbell he turned to me and said I’ll never hear this song the same way again. 😂😂
@@philiposm Yup! I forgot about the skit until the cowbell at the beginning of the song...just perfect! :)
Dammit, I wish I could go back to five minutes ago and not learn about this.
"Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll" is a masterpiece from B.O.C.. I had people ask me who the hell that was while playing it in my Jeep.
I really like Cities, but we’re forgetting Astronomy. It was so good they did it twice!
Too right! First three studio albums are masterpieces. OYFOOYN is pretty good as is Agents Of Fortune and Spectres.
3000 guitars... 🎸
@@riffhousestudios96 Let that girl rock and roll...
It's the song they opened up with when I saw them live.
I agree, this song is so deep. It has different meanings at different parts of our life. When I 17-19 this song made me feel better as I lost young friends and it gave me an excuse to live even more reckless, then in my 40-50’s it resonated with me again as I dealt with more friends/family dying still way to young. I’m almost 60 and it still resonates as people I love die and like the song says “Don’t Fear The Reaper” it comes for us all. It’s a timeless song.
One of my favourite tunes, my sister brought the album home in '76, still love this to this day. The music you like when you were a teen always stays with you.
Oh boy! One of my faves! We cannot live in fear.
This tune is a masterpiece.
I love that they used this for the opening to the miniseries version of Stephen King's "The Stand", chilling, and kinda relevant.
They are talking about suicide... another 40,000 every day. Not a love song. Romeo and Juliet committed suicide.
Tom Karasch correct, the track courted controversy at the time of release in the misbelief it was encouraging suicide.
Although the band have always denied this is the case.
@@SiK2712 Actually, it's about love surviving death. Buck Dharma, who wrote it and sung lead vocals, was thinking about what would happen if he died at a young age. The Romeo and Juliet reference was about love surviving death, and nothing to do with suicide, though you are right in saying the song did court some controversy in people thinking it was about suicide.
jrnyfan4life I wasn’t suggesting the song was about suicide per se just the reference to 40,000 men and women everyday. The reference to Romeo and Juliet played on the theme of love surviving death and that perhaps the best known “lovers” were indeed separated by a suicide when Romeo mistakenly believed Juliet was dead. It’s as multi-layered and brilliant as the song itself. A masterpiece.
Have you seen Polyphonic's analysis?
That is a gem of a song. Perfectly composed and executed. Love that interlude in the middle.
I honestly can't explain how epic that song is. Dharma blisteing guitar solo....man. The lyrics are about love transcending death. It's Blue Oyster Cults' masterpiece and it is.
Amazed that Jamel hasn't heard this one yet.
I know! Surely they play this one at work.
He has heard it. He talked about seeing the faces to put with the music.
He must’ve been off of work that day! 😂
Me too
Probably yet another one that he's "heard" in passing, or in the background, but never actually sat down and *listened* to before.
Check out these two by The Ramones:
"I Wanna Be Sedated"
"Blitzkrieg Bop"
Sheena is a Punk Rocker
I Wanna Live
Somebody Put Something In My Drink
I Just Wanna Have Something To Do
We Want The Airwaves
I Believe In Miracles
Absolutely!!!!
Pet Semetery
This is my favorite song in the history of music. It inspired me to play guitar and I play it everyday. Theres an advantage to hearing it live, as there are blistering, long solo outros and it makes this song perfect to play with on my electric guitar with lots of distortion and delays! Please stay safe!!!
I need more cowbell
This is the song that made the cowbell famous. This is where the meme came from.
I think this song is about eternal love and embracing the inevitability of death. It was a dark, edgy concept at the time of the songs release. When band member Buck Dharma was writing the lyrics, he was just guessing when he penned the line, "Forty thousand men and women every day" . It was 1976 and he was off by about 100,000.
This always reminds me of Halloween 🎃 (the 1978 movie) This is playing when Annie picks up Laurie and it’s playing on the car radio.
My first thought when ever I hear this too.
Me too!
Well it used to... until will Ferrell
I actually don’t remember that. Now I gotta rewatch Halloween ( not that I needed a reason to rewatch such a great movie ) but thanks for giving me something else to look for ! ❤️
Legit saw this in the scroll, went "Hell yes," and immediately paused to comment this. One of my favorite songs of all time 🤘
That’s a big ass fivehead
@@willhertzel5169 🤬What a a$$hole comment. You better watch what you say, Karma is a bitch!!😈💣
Excellent Choice.....LOVE THIS BAND !!!....YOU ARE RIGHT....THIS IS THE SONG...WILL FARREL COWBELLED TO ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE WITH CHRISTOPHER WALKEN....MORE COWBELL !!!!!!!
It's hard to listen to this song without a beer in my hand and smokin' a dube. Every party I went to in the 70s that's exactly the way it was. Good times! 🤘
@@AnishinaabeWaterProtector beautiful song
When I first heard it I thought it was "Don't fear the reefer." Well, that's where my head was when I was 14. LOL.
BRB, I'm off to face this fear.
no that was I'm burning I'm burning a doob
@@Gymbo-Baggins 😆😂🤣🤘🌲
Truthfully, you shouldn't fear the reefer either.
BOC that's a must is 'She's as Beautiful as a Foot' and 'Cities On Flame With Rock N Roll' Early to mid 70s BOC is the best imo.
Yes! I see everybody on here asking for the same radio play stuff. There is so much more! Alas, if they only knew. Good picks right there Bones.
He's going to love cities on flame cuz the drums are break-beat fodder.
Pfff dominance & submission its a must
I'd think he'd get a kick out of Godzilla. But Necronomicron MC would be my pick.
The first three albums are the most punk rock. I feel like the later ones are more arena rock. Still weird and good arena rock, but definitely catchier and more easygoing.
As I listened to this song it reminded me of something I once heard:
Not sure who wrote this, but it’s deep:
”Every minute someone leaves this world behind. We are all in “the line” without knowing it. We never know how many people are before us.
We can not move to the back of the line.
We can not step out of the line.
We can not avoid the line.
So while we wait in line -
Make moments count.
Make priorities.
Make the time.
Make your gifts known.
Make a nobody feel like a somebody.
Make your voice heard.
Make the small things big.
Make someone smile.
Make the change.
Make love.
Make up.
Make peace.
Make sure to tell your people they are loved.
Make sure to have no regrets.
Make sure you are ready.”
Almost everyone in the band handled lead vocals at one time or another. Guitarist Eric Bloom sang the most songs for the group. But lead guitarist Buck Dharma sang their two biggest hits, this song and "Burnin' For You." He also sang one of my favorite BOC songs "I Love the Night."
The Allen Lanier sung True Confessions is one of my favorites from this same album. Agents of Fortune is actually not one of my favorite BÖC albums, but the first 4 tracks are perfection.
Love the Night is such a gooood song!
I Love the Night by BOC is absolutely sublime ...
A lot of teenagers, when this song first came out, did take it literally as advocating suicide. May they rest in peace. Love to all who are struggling with the times we're in now . . . hang in there and love one another.
itgetter9. I remember that...😔
Not necessarily advocating it, but I definitely always thought it was about suicide. Same thing with One Headlight.
Or at the very least there’s a verse about it.
A long time ago, maybe 2-3 years ago my son, recovering from a second surgery, brought his ipad down and said "mom, you have to see this guy". I think you were reacting to Bee Gees. I have been watching you ever since.
More cowbell is the answer to everything lol. Grateful to see BOC and Foghat together live. Awesome concert.
Foghat! Dammit, Jamel needs some Foghat in his life!
@@joeday4293 yeah he sure needs a Slow Ride lol.
Astronomy from Some Enchanted Evening. Right up there with Veteran for killer Buck Dharma guitar solos. 🤘🏻
The best guitarist you've never heard of and better than many you thought were great.
When I watched The Stand as a TV mini series, and heard this song, my mind was mind blown! Lyrics to the song are written in the beginning of Stephen King's The Stand novel which I read a dozen times, but hearing it play out, as the mini series began, was absolutely chilling!! Stephen King is, and always will be a genius. You should RUclips the first 10 minutes of the movie, and catch those chills yourself. In fact, go watch The Stand wherever you can find it.
Great pick! This song is absolutely amazing
"What hope does the harvest have but for the care of the Reaper Man?" - Pratchett
Buck Dharma himself has explained that this isn't about suicide. He wrote it as an ode to his wife, hoping that their love would transcend their deaths. That hopefully one day they'd meet up on the other side and continue their love affair. The 40 000 reference is about the amount of people who die every day, that death is inevitable and there is no use fearing it. It's a song about optimism in what lies beyond.
Its a song about herion addiction.
Sole Survivor, The Horsemen Arrive, I love the Night, Shooting Shark, Astronomy, Burning for you, The Last Days of May, Harvest Moon, Real World, Cold Gray Light of Dawn, I am the One you Warned Me of, are all great tunes for you to react to :) Cheers
Yes!
Then Add Career of Evil, Fire of Unknown Origin, Blackblade, Dominance and Submission, After Dark, Cities on flame with rock and roll, Heavy Metal: the black and silver, Imaginos, Veteran of the psychic wars, Take me away, Perfect water.
Just do all their songs ;)
@@eagleotto2527 I agree, just do em all! And make them live as often as possible.
Monsters from the Cultosaurus Erectus album is a absolute must.
Finally at BOC!!!
Godzilla, Then Came the Last Days of May, Perfect Water, Take Me Away, Harvester of Eyes, Harvest Moon, Cities on Flame, M.E. 262, Astronomy, Burnin' For You, Black Blade, Veteran of the Psychic Wars
Good playlist! I see you know it's so much more than the radio tunes!
ETI.
Finally someone that has more to offer than just Godzilla and burnin for you. Great list hope he doesn’t stop after Those two and goes deeper on BOC, they are so over looked, people only know them for those 3 hits and it drives me crazy
@@jeremydraper733 Amen. BOC deserves so, so much more respect than being thought of as "the 'more cowbell' band."
Also OD'd on Life Itself, Mirrors, Heavy Metal: Black and Silver, Wings Wetted Down.
Very, very close about the meaning of the lyrics. It was about an elderly lady on her deathbed, afraid of dying, being visited by the spirit of her beloved husband. He is reassuring her, there is nothing to fear. Let go. Take my hand, Mary. Actually a beautiful love story. (Love these vids. Keep 'em coming)
Always reminds me of the opening scene of "The Stand." How appropriate in these days. 💀
Yes! This song made that opening scene
Has anyone else seen the stoned age? It's from around the same time as the stand and it's about two dudes on a quest to find weed and they only listen to BOC.
@@DeathBYDesign666 didn't one guy get blasted in the eye by a lazer? Changed him for life lol
i was sitting in holiday inn bar,,along time ago.. and in walked the whole group blue oyster cult... got around a big table and partied.. didnt bother anyone.. had concert in town and got canceled because of power problem..
Not to one-up you but I have my own encounter. A good friend of mine had a fine McCartney tribute band that opened for BOC in Tampa once upon a time. Great concert and I got to spend some time with them aboard their bus. Good times.
The song was penned by Don Roeser who sings this track and is also the lead guitarist. He was diagnosed with a heart condition and wrote the tune as a reflection on his own mortality. It is a dark haunting, mesmerizing tune in A minor hence the melancholy overtones. The lyric regarding the 40000 is a symbolic reference to the banality of mortality as people die in their thousands every single day. So Roeser was feeling pretty humble about the whole thing. Amazing how such things provide inspiration for what is an absolutely brilliant and highly revered rock classic. It was also their most successful song commercially.
"I'm telling ya, fellas, you're gonna want that cowbell"
I have a fever and the only prescription is more music reactions
You sumbitch, have a like. LOL
Touché!
Jamal, had the worst week ever. Plopped down and watched this and I’m crying with happy tears. You make a difference in my life, for the better! God bless you!!! Laurie
This song plays in the original halloween movie when Laurie and the Sheriffs daughter are in the car driving around.
It was also used as the main theme in a computer game, Ripper. Not a huge hit as games go, but it had an interesting story. Oh, and included Christopher Walken. (I guess he just can't get away from this song.)
"Don't be afraid..."
- The Reaper
True story-I'm a huge BOC fan, since first encountering their stuff in the early 80s. I love this song and all those with Buck Darhma on vocals (Eric Bloom is great; but, Buck has smoother vocals). A few years back, I had a cat, named Mr Man (I didn't name him) who adopted me as much as I adopted him from the local Humane Society. He hung out with me and hopped on me every night when I went to bed, to snuggle for a bit, then did the same in the morning. He was my little buddy. He turned out to have a kidney disease that wasn't curable. We did the best we could for him and he didn't complain. However, eventually, it took its toll and he was very weak. We decided to end his suffering and arranged to have the vet put him down. The night before, he came to me, one last time, to say goodnight and snuggle. The next day, we spent our last hours together and he had a habit of crawling on my wife's laptop to warm himself. She usually pushed him off; but, didn't have the heart to do it, this time. He stepped on a key and, somehow, set off a music file of "Don't Fear the Reaper." It was a perfect moment that made us smile through the tears. About an hour later, I held him as life left his body.
Forever more, this song makes me smile and tear up, simultaneously.
Hi Jamel, thanks for checking out this incredible song! ..so many cool interpretations for each of us are there. This song has always been hauntingly beauty.
This is playing on the car radio in the original 'Halloween' movie as it starts to get dark.........
After school let out and Jamie Lee Curtis was choking on a doobie in the automobile being followed by Michael Myers
I thought it was! But I haven’t seen that movie in a long time, so I’ve worried that I was misremembering it.
Does it appear in any other horror movies, or is the original Halloween the only one? The only other instance of this song playing on-screen that I can think of is from Orange Is the New Black, lol.
@@autumnphillips151 In The Frighteners starring Michael J. Fox another group's (The Mutton Birds) recording of the song is featured, as just one instance of it appearing in movies / TV shows.
@@autumnphillips151 I remember this playing during the Stephen King movie "The Stand"
silverlinings playbook yep! To me that was the best Halloween movie ever!
Once upon a time,long before SNL ruined the significance,this song was a rite of passage for young guitarists. There was "Smoke on the water","Stairway to Heaven",and "Don't fear the Reaper". You HAD to learn those riffs. It was an initiation.
You should listen to "I love the Night" by them, there's something quite entrancing about that song
Joseph Maldonado Great song too.
Great song choice.
Buck Dharma found out he had a heart problem n was worried naturally. This is when and why he wrote it and sings it. FACT! Check it out for yourselves people. Peace n love . . .
Check out "Your loving heart" from Bucks solo album "Flat out".
The song that took on mortality, generated the all time best SNL skit and featured one of my favorite guitar riffs. Performed live in 2002 with more cowbell. The song, written and sung by lead guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser, deals with eternal love and the inevitability of death. Dharma wrote the song while picturing an early death for himself after being diagnosed with a heart defect. Good therapy apparently. Check out the live version at the Jammys in 2002.
Love this band. I've seen them 4 times. They were great every freakin time. Also "Take Me Away" is a great song.
At 5:06 you say 'Sounds like The Reaper playing" the solo. :-) This has been my favorite song since it came out in the mid 70s, and my favorite band since the late 80s, but I never thought of the solo that way. You have a great point! Thank you for giving me new aspect to appreciate on something I have been enjoying for almost 45 years!!
This song is about exactly what it says. Don't be afraid of death, it's part of life. Very simple, set in great music.
It’s hard to think that some people still haven’t heard this song
Amazing huh....?😂😂😂
Derek Charette jeez bro you didn’t have to bring up poor blacks in the inner city. I’m sure they’re aware other genres of music exist they just don’t listen to it and never will, which is why they never hear the songs. Also I’m just curious how you feel like dying but you still are on them channel listening. No malice just asking
Dave Davidson those ones are pretty overplayed. Especially wannabe literally every girl is obsessed with that
@Bornaking Albert Bouchard sent me a letter recently..
Jamel has said in other videos that he listened to only R&B and hip hop growing up and he is expanding his horizons now
My shop teacher in high school back in the day, Pete Bouchard, was/is a cousin to two of the founding members of BOC. Waddup Clayton NY!!!😎🤙🏼
I guess they all went into teaching. Albert bouchard ( the drummer) was my music teacher in high School.