Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

Is this the only worthwhile track they ever released? It's on every damn rock compilation out there. It's a good tune, don't get me wrong......very Byrds influenced.
For example the fine Sony 4CD budget comps. They manage to squeeze it on at least 6 titles.
On disc 4
Pure... Drive
On disc 3
Pure...Guitar Heroes
On disc 1
Pure... American Anthems
On disc 3
Pure... 70's
On disc 2
Pure... Psychedelic Rock
On disc 1
Pure... Rock

 

Eh, it's THE hit. The way of the world.
I was blown away by it at the time. After all the overplay on the radio, not so much now.
I'm sure I don't listen to the album as much now, cause I just have that ad nauseum song in my skull.

 

"Burning for You" is a great track which got a good amount of play on MTV

 

Godzilla.

 

It has cowbell.

 

Nope, they released 26 worthwhile tracks in the three albums that came before that song. And dozens after. But you wouldn't know it from listening to radio.

 

One of my favorite bands, and Buck is one of my favorite guitar players. I start with their first album and go to Club Ninja. Great stuff on all of those. So much talent.

 

I skip Club Ninja and go to Heaven Forbid and Curse of the Hidden Mirror, which are far better than Club Ninja.

 

Sad but true. I adore, adore, adore BÖC. One of my all-time favorite rock bands. But I just have to accept that a lot of people only want to hear this one song (and Godzilla, and Burnin' for You), and indulge them. Honestly, I don't mind. They're all really good songs. Plus, I don't listen to the radio or "best songs of the ____" compilations, so I seldom ever hear these tunes "overplayed" unless I am playing them for myself. And, if I can use them as an opportunity to expose friends and relatives to other BÖC tunes, I'll take it.

 

I'm not the biggest BÖC fan, but even I would say it's not their only worthwhile track. Anyone who likes "Don't Fear the Reaper" should also like "Burnin' for You." Other standouts include "Cities on Flame," "This Ain't the Summer of Love," and "Godzilla." Is "Don't Fear the Reaper" their best song? Maybe. Is it their only good song? No.

 

Club Ninja is pretty weak, but, despite it's weird origin, Imaginos is awesome, definitely not one to be skipped over.

 

To the subject at hand: not even close to the best song they ever released but it's a damn well written tune and catchy as hell. Blue Öyster Cult is a top ten band of all-time for me.

 

30 years ago if somebody woulda said that (OP), I woulda smacked them over the head with a stack of BOC albums.

These days its just a sign of the times.

Unfortunately I wont be around when the OP is old and some punk says about HIS now-favorite band, "is this the only thing they did thats any good?"

 

True. Could use more, though...

D.D.

 

All the Stalk Forest stuff was awesome. I missed some of their early
'off the wall' lyrics when they mutated into BOC. Still great though.

 

BOC kind of has the Black Sabbath syndrome as far as radio goes.

For BOC, I only hear:

Don't Fear The Reaper
Burnin For You
Godzilla

Sabbath:

Paranoid
Iron Man
War Pigs

Both bands have much more to offer yet radio chooses to ignore.

 

I like Club Ninja. I saw them on that tour. Loud as heck! I can still feel the bass.

 

I don't feel that Imaginos is that great of a record. The production is pretty bad and as most BÖC fans know, it's not really a true band effort. There are definitely a couple of songs worthwhile on it though. "I Am the One You Warned You Of" is great.

 

One of the best bands of all time. I assume that answers the question.

 

BOC will always be one of the most underrated, and misappreciated, rock bands.

Far from one hit wonders.

 

At least 2 big hits, and a minor hit with Godzilla.

 

I remember back in the late '70s/early '80s there was a radio station that used to play "Godzilla" and "Joan Crawford" way more often than "Reaper".

 

who listens to classic rock radio? Somebody who apparently, really DOES want to hear the same old songs over and over.

Why bother, when you can come in here and simply ask, and get recommendations to deep cuts etc?

I mean, on one hand, I applaud the OP for even asking about BOC. On the other hand, ignorance isnt really an excuse for being so ridiculously dismissive of a great band who were blowing people's minds when he was still sh*tting his nappies.

 

Astronomy from Secret Treaties is my favourite track, a fantastic finish to a fantastic album

 

And that was the song Metallica chose to cover on the Garage Inc. album.