Blue Oyster Cult’s "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper" – A Song Forever Changed by Saturday Night Live’s "More Cowbell" Sketch
The Birth of a Classic
In a new interview with Guitar Player, Blue Oyster Cult guitarist Buck Dharma revealed that the band’s iconic track "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper" was initially written as an afterthought, with the cowbell being an addition that came later. The song’s birth was a swift and intuitive process, with Dharma recalling that the guitar riff that opens the song simply "came out of my head" when he sat down to play his guitar.
Inspiration from Real-Life Peril
The lyrics of "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper" were inspired by a moment of real-life peril that caused Dharma to reckon with his mortality. At the time, he was diagnosed with a heart arrhythmia, which led him to contemplate the idea of dying early and leaving his loved ones behind. This experience inspired the song’s themes of mortality and the possibility of life after death.
A Surprise Hit
"(Don’t Fear) The Reaper" peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Blue Oyster Cult’s biggest chart success. The band was surprised by the song’s popularity, with Dharma stating that they were never a singles band and didn’t expect the song to be a hit.
The Impact of Saturday Night Live’s "More Cowbell" Sketch
The song’s popularity was further boosted by Saturday Night Live’s famous "More Cowbell" sketch, which aired in 2000. The sketch featured Christopher Walken and Will Ferrell in a recording studio, with Walken’s character repeatedly insisting that Ferrell’s character increase the amount and energy of his cowbell playing. The sketch became a viral sensation, and the cowbell became an integral part of the song’s performance.
The Aftermath of "More Cowbell"
Dharma revealed that the "More Cowbell" sketch altered the chemistry of "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper," with the band being forced to start playing the cowbell live as a result of the sketch’s popularity. The band never played the cowbell live before the sketch, and the addition of the cowbell became a defining feature of the song’s performance.
Conclusion
Blue Oyster Cult’s "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper" is a song that has become synonymous with the band’s legacy. From its humble beginnings as an afterthought to its surprise hit status and eventual iconic status, the song has undergone a transformation that is both fascinating and unexpected. The addition of the cowbell, courtesy of Saturday Night Live’s "More Cowbell" sketch, has become an integral part of the song’s performance, and the song remains a beloved classic to this day.
FAQs
Q: What inspired the lyrics of "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper"?
A: The lyrics were inspired by Buck Dharma’s personal experience with a heart arrhythmia, which led him to contemplate the idea of dying early and leaving his loved ones behind.
Q: What was the original intention behind the song?
A: The song was written as an afterthought, with the guitar riff that opens the song simply "coming out of my head" when Buck Dharma sat down to play his guitar.
Q: How did Saturday Night Live’s "More Cowbell" sketch impact the song?
A: The sketch altered the chemistry of the song, with the band being forced to start playing the cowbell live as a result of the sketch’s popularity.
Q: What is the significance of the cowbell in the song?
A: The cowbell has become an integral part of the song’s performance, with the addition of the cowbell courtesy of Saturday Night Live’s "More Cowbell" sketch.
