(Don't Fear) The Reaper

Blue Öyster Cult

About (Don't Fear) The Reaper

"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" is a song by American rock band Blue Öyster Cult from the band's 1976 album Agents of Fortune. 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. Released as an edited single (omitting the slow building interlude in the original), the song was Blue Öyster Cult's highest chart success, reaching #7 in Cash Box and #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1976. Critical reception was mainly positive, and in 2004, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was listed at number 405 on Rolling Stone's list of the top 500 songs of all time. 


Year:
2001
5:07
56 
#3

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All our times have come
Here but now they're gone
Seasons don't fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain, we can be like they are

Come on baby, don't fear the reaper
Baby take my hand, don't fear the reaper
We'll be able to fly, don't fear the reaper
Baby I'm your man

La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la

Valentine is done
Here but now they're gone
Romeo and Juliet
Are together in eternity, Romeo and Juliet
40,000 men and women everyday, Like Romeo and Juliet
40,000 men and women everyday, Redefine happiness
Another 40,000 coming everyday, We can be like they are

Come on baby, don't fear the reaper
Baby take my hand, don't fear the reaper
We'll be able to fly, don't fear the reaper
Baby I'm your man

La, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la

Love of two is one
Here but now they're gone
Came the last night of sadness
And it was clear she couldn't go on

Then the door was open and the wind appeared
The candles blew then disappeared
The curtains flew then he appeared, saying don't be afraid

Come on baby, and she had no fear
And she ran to him, then they started to fly
They looked backward and said goodby, she had become like they are
She had taken his hand, she had become like they are
Come on baby, don't fear the reaper

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Blue Öyster Cult

Blue Öyster Cult (often abbreviated BÖC) are an American rock band from Long Island, New York, United States, best known for such hard rock songs as "(Don't Fear) The Reaper", "Burnin' for You", and "Godzilla". Since the release of their self-titled debut album in 1972, the band has sold over 24 million albums worldwide, including 7 million in the United States alone.[citation needed] The band's music videos, especially "Burnin' for You", received heavy rotation on MTV when the music television network premiered in 1981, cementing the band's contribution to the development and success of the music video in modern pop culture. Today, BÖC's music continues to be played on AOR-friendly radio stations as well as in movies, … more »

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Written by: Donald Roeser

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Creation of Song
"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was written and sung by Blue Öyster Cult's lead guitarist, Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser. He created the track in 1974 and it was subsequently released in 1976.
Billboard Chart Success
The song was a major success, reaching number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1976.
Album Success
The song was the lead single from the band's 1976 album, "Agents of Fortune." This album became their highest-charting album, reaching number 29 on the Billboard 200.
Grammy Nomination
"Don't Fear The Reaper" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1977.
Song Analysis
Despite its title, the song is not about death, but rather eternal love. Roeser wrote the song while contemplating what would happen if he died prematurely.
Cultural Influence
The song has been notably featured in various movies and shows, including "Halloween," "The Stand," and "Supernatural." It is also responsible for the infamous "More cowbell!" sketch on "Saturday Night Live."
Recognition
Roeser's guitar solo was voted one of the Top 20 solos of all time by readers of Guitar World.
Distinctive Feature
The song is also distinguished by its use of a cowbell, which led to the popular phrase "more cowbell."
Gold and Platinum Certification
The track garnered a Gold certification by RIAA in 1976 and later, went on to earn a Platinum certification in 2019.
Lyrics Misinterpretation
It was mistakenly assumed by many to be a song about suicide due to lyrics like "Romeo and Juliet are together in eternity." Because of this, it was included in a list of songs deemed 'inappropriate' by Clear Channel Communications after the 9/11 attacks.
Multiple Versions
The track has two distinct versions. One is an edited single version that has a shorter lead-in and contains fewer solos, and the other is the album version, which extends to nearly five minutes.
Competitive Ranking
"Don't Fear The Reaper” ranked at #397 on the Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

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