Per Songfacts "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was written and sung by Blue Öyster Cult's lead guitarist, Donald Roeser, also known as Buck Dharma. It was rumored to be about suicide, but it actually deals with the inevitability of death and the belief that we should not fear it. When Dharma wrote it, he was thinking about what would happen if he died at a young age and if he would be reunited with loved ones in the afterlife. Dharma was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, which got him thinking about his mortality and inspired the song. "I thought I was going to maybe not live that long," he said in a Songfacts interview. "I had been diagnosed with a heart condition, and your mind starts running away with you - especially when you're young-ish. So, that's why I wrote the story. It's imagining you can survive death in terms of your spirit. Your spirit will prevail." Buck Dharma described this as "a love song where the love transcends the actual physical existence of the partners." He was taken aback when he learned that many listeners heard it as a song encouraging suicide; it advocates courage in the face of death but in no way suggests we should actively bring it about. In his Songfacts interview, he explained: "It's not about suicide, although people kind of get that from the Romeo and Juliet reference. But BÖC's lyrics have always been... not obtuse, but deep. They're certainly open to interpretation, and everybody seems to have their own thoughts about what stuff means. We purposely let people do that - draw their own conclusions from the lyric."
Notice what Dharma said: "It's IMAGINING you can survive death in terms of your spirit." He never said that one can accomplish that... Excellent comment, Randy.
@@michaelasay8587 Not sure about their current status, but I saw them four or five years ago. My hometown in Connecticut has an annual Oyster Festival and that year we had BOC & Marshall Tucker playing in a city park outdoors for free ! ( The organizers seem to have a knack for bringing in good bands ). This song sounded just like the studio version and it was great ! I felt a bit sad for both of those bands, playing such a small time gig since they used to play for stadiums back in the day, but hey - worked for me !
@@michaelasay8587 The released a new album last year "The Symbol Remains". As with just about all bands of the 70's and 80's, they have had some personnel changes, but Eric Bloom and Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser are still out in front of the band.
@@michaelasay8587 Hell no! Where you been? They just put out a new album in 2020 called The Symbol Remains and it's FANTASTIC! They are touring right now. I just saw BOC in May 2022. That's the trouble with radio these days. They don't play great new music anymore when it comes out. A lot of radio stations are shit! Not like the old days, that's for sure. If you don't keep up with a band, you don't know about what they are doing. Don't count on modern radio to tell you.
Glad to see both of you enjoying my favorite band of all time!! Check out "Burnin' for You" and "Godzilla". You like those and we can go deeper. BOC is a great and underappreciated band from Long Island, NY. Have seen them live at least 20 times over the years.
As a guitar player I always loved how at the end of the guitar solo the note holds and feeds back holding on into the following verse and then pitches up before finally tailing off. Great work
A huge classic iconic rocker. The overall mellow sound of the song is meant to be hypnotic. Don't fear the Grim Reaper. He simply uses his scythe to cut our earthly ties, allowing us to "fly" to another plane of existence.
Great song. There is a skit in Saturday night live with Will Farrell playing a member of the band. His instrument is the cow bell , they are auditioning for Christopher Walken. And he keeps aay more cow bell. Which is the instrument you hear and what will Farrell was playing. It's so so funny. I have t shirt that says more cowbell ,
This song is iconic! It was incredible hearing it live! I was at the BLACK (Sabbath) AND BLUE (Oyster Cult) tour when they were in CT! It was amazing! Funny you should post this song today. My best friend (aside from my husband) passed away yesterday. I know she didn’t fear the reaper. She had been very sick for the last couple of years and in pain for a whole lot of years so, although she loved life, I think she was ready to go. I cry for myself and for all the many people that loved her and will miss her. Thanks for making me smile during my time of sadness. Brightest blessings ✌️❤️ Edit: Next? CITIES ON FLAME! It’s a real banger!!! Believe me this old hippie chick knows a banger when she hears one! LOL!
Love the song guys ♥️. Listen again with lyrics & know that the lead vocals are sung from thr “reapers” view. Its about letting go & crossing over into death 😎
Hands down my favorite rock song of all time. Now this song makes me think of Stephen King’s “The Stand” and SNL More Cowbell! Great damn rock song no matter how you hear about it!
I always equate this song with Stephen King. He often used lyrics of rock songs in his books, and this one was used in one of his books and TV movies, The Stand (my favorite book of his). Love your reactions!
BLUE OYSTER CULT, "DON'T FEAR THE REAPER". My first concert headlined by B.O.C 1973. Been a fan for nearly 50 years. More... "CITIES ON FLAME WITH ROCK AND ROLL", "DOMINANCE AND SUBMISSION", "SEVEN SCREAMING DIZBUSTERS", "THEN CAME THE LAST DAYS OF MAY", "M.E.262", "VETERAN OF PSYCHIC WARS", "CAREER OF EVIL"
I love how happy you both are, but I watched Shawn today, and HIS happiness came from Mel's happiness, it was beautiful to see. (Just notice the adorable little upturned lip he gives when he sees Mel smile @1:40)
Wonderful reaction, when I was very small I found this band on vinyl in my dads collection so this is very very nice to hear and feel, hugs from Sweden. Never stop you two.
I can't seem to listen to this song without thinking about the time SNL did a sketch in which part of this was featured. It was a parody of one of those "Behind the Music" episodes. This particular episode had Christopher Walken in it. All I have left to say now is "More cowbell".
Happy to see you guys!!! I grew up listening to these guy's!! This was on A Lot of the 80's rocker's cassette's!! Playing at our keg party's every weekend!! Love Blue Oyster Cult!!! & Your reaction videos 💕✌🏻🎶
Do you know as I sit here and watch you guys I can’t help but think you must be amazed at how much wonderful music has come before your lives are even started. The thing about music is that the way that just hearing it moves you doesn’t always match what it’s saying in the lyrics so people like music or songs more precisely for their own reasons and all of which are valid. As a member of the S&M squad I thank you for opening your lives up to us and as always peace love and joy to you and yours
This is the song that the famous "More Cowbell!!" SNL bit is about (react to that if you're not familiar.) For a very different vibe from BOC, check out "Godzilla". It's a fun, not taking itself seriously tune. Link to a good "Godzilla" vid: th-cam.com/video/Ybfsxip8KEM/w-d-xo.html Link to "More Cowbell!": th-cam.com/video/cVsQLlk-T0s/w-d-xo.html
This was one of those bands that always seemed to open for other groups. Many times they blew the other band away & the audience would let them know about it. Check out their song "GODZILLA".When they did it live they had a guy in a Godzilla suit running around on stage smashing up stuff.A total SHREDDER! LIKE YOU GUYS STYLE & YOUR CHOICES OF SONGS.
"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was written and sung by Blue Öyster Cult's lead guitarist, Donald Roeser, also known as Buck Dharma. It was rumored to be about suicide, but it actually deals with the inevitability of death and the belief that we should not fear it. When Dharma wrote it, he was thinking about what would happen if he died at a young age and if he would be reunited with loved ones in the afterlife.
Ahhhh, that opening riff, transports you straight back to '76 we grew up with the greatest era of music I was 10 in '76 but I remember this, the year of the UK's greatest drought, memories come flooding back of my youth
Congratulations, you've cracked the case. More than anyone else who I've seen react to this song, you've discerned its exact meaning and embraced the beauty of the brilliant darkness contained therein.
I am not sure how my notifications for you guys were't on. I saw a live show you were doing, maybe 3 weeks ago and requested you to do some Blue Oyster Cult.I am so glad you got to hear some of my FAVORITE BAND IN THE WHOLE WORLD. Love your reaction! I could send you so far down the BOC rabbit whole that you wouldn't see daylight for a year! LOL! Check out any song off of the album "Spectres", which is my personal favorite. I recommend "I Love The Night". Peace and loves.
This song gives me peace. As a Christian I want to be able to take the hand of death when it comes and have my adventure in heaven. I hope I don't fear.
As a non-believer, this song also gives me peace. Death will come for all of us. It is better to face up to our mortality with bravery and defiance. Our last awake and aware mortal moments are important. No disrespect on your faith. It works for you and that is pretty awesome. It doesn't work for me.
Also as a non-believer it helps me to know that everyone dies and it's going to be ok without the promise of anything else "beyond". I'm good with that.
Also as a Christian, I hope that you understand that Jesus died on the cross for sinners and then rose again the third day. If we believe that and put our trust and hope in that then we have absolutely nothing to fear. There is no other way to God. John chapter 3 is good for anyone who wants to know why we need to be born again. God bless you in your journey through this life.
We fear death because every way you go is terrible except dieing in your sleep but if you believe in Jesus as I do you know he that beleives in jesus even though dead yet shall he live . I know because I saw my father after he died and he was happy. I was mad and said but you suffered so with cancer and he shook his head and had this big smile as if to say whatever you go through in this world it doesn't matter as long as you make it to heaven. Jesus said in my father's house there are many mansions so l can't wait to see my father again in his mansion . I don't fear the reaper l have always loved this song. Its kind of sounds like monks singing in church .this black Detroit 60's chick thinks its a beautiful song.
I think it is always amazing how a song or poetry can be interpreted differently by different people. Often very differently than the writer intended. I love looking at a song from a fresh perspective. Truthfully, while I love the music of this song, the lyrics always scared me because I thought he was singing about suicide. I would often change the channel when this song came on the radio. So I found it very interesting when you said that the lyrics made you feel safe. I always felt like the Reaper was luring the girl to her death urging her on, giving her reasons to kill herself and give up her life. To be like Romeo and Juliet and die like the "40,000 men and women everyday," Somehow his soft urging voice sounded kind of evil to me... But now that I am older I can see the song from other perspectives and that it could also be about just accepting the inevitability of death and easing into it calmly and without fear. I can see why it makes you feel safe, because the Reaper says he will be with you at the moment of death and that you will not be alone, you will not fall ,but fly. Being all alone at death, and not knowing what is on the other side, is often one of man's greatest fears. He explores that fear in the song. In a way that is unique and unlike any other song. No matter the interpretation I think this song is a lyrical masterpiece. Still gives me the creeps though. :)
same here. i always assumed it was about a guy making a suicide pact with his girlfriend, but this reaction puts a whole different interpretation on it -- not necessarily about causing one's own death, but about accepting it when it happens. maybe he already died a long time ago, then he comes to visit her when it's her time to go. she thought he was long gone, but he was waiting on the other side for her the whole time. at the end of the song, they are reunited for eternity.
So glad I found your channel!! You're a breath of fresh air. Can't go wrong with the classics. I love the music that speaks to my soul.. Could you check out Lady by the commodores. Great tune..
I had the pleasure of seeing them live twice. My favorite BOC song and always will be. The beginning of Stephen King's "The Stand" (1994 and best version) features this at the beginning. Some folks back when this was on the radio every day thought it was encouraging suicide but deep down it's a love song. Two make one etc. Another band with this kind of vibe and depth you need to check out if you haven't already is Kansas.
I have always loved this song and bought the album just for the single. Ended up being a good album. The song, however, is really great. Just live your life and don't worry about death. It comes to us all so just put it in the back of your mind.
This is a rabbit hole well worth going down! BOC is really an underrated and all-time great band. Dozens of great songs worth checking out, especially on the same album as Reaper. Go for it!
You don't know how happy it makes us old 70's people to see how our stuff effects you who didn't have the blessing of growing up with this stuff. Stories we got stories that you couldn't dream of 😂😂😂
This song always make me think of my all time favorite movie Steven King's The Stand (1994). Such an epic movie with an epic cast. This is a Must See Movie and you can watch it on TH-cam.
A classic song that I first heard in the original Halloween from 1978 when I was young in the late 80’s, it’s featured in Halloween in the scene Laurie and Annie are smoking a joint in the car
WHAT!? No mention of "more cowbell"!? It would be hilarious if Shawn and Mel and others reacted to the famous SNL comedy skit with this song and the preoccupation with needing "more cowbell"!!
"Burnin' for You" is still amazing. I see people mentioning about it being overplayed, it was because it was AWESOME! I love the cowbell in this song! AMAZING! I love the cowbell, so does Christopher Walken- and the best cowbell song is still by Grand Funk Railroad- "American Band"
Also the funniest SNL scene ever-“more cowbell”. Enough said!!
Per Songfacts "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was written and sung by Blue Öyster Cult's lead guitarist, Donald Roeser, also known as Buck Dharma. It was rumored to be about suicide, but it actually deals with the inevitability of death and the belief that we should not fear it. When Dharma wrote it, he was thinking about what would happen if he died at a young age and if he would be reunited with loved ones in the afterlife.
Dharma was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, which got him thinking about his mortality and inspired the song. "I thought I was going to maybe not live that long," he said in a Songfacts interview. "I had been diagnosed with a heart condition, and your mind starts running away with you - especially when you're young-ish. So, that's why I wrote the story. It's imagining you can survive death in terms of your spirit. Your spirit will prevail."
Buck Dharma described this as "a love song where the love transcends the actual physical existence of the partners." He was taken aback when he learned that many listeners heard it as a song encouraging suicide; it advocates courage in the face of death but in no way suggests we should actively bring it about. In his Songfacts interview, he explained: "It's not about suicide, although people kind of get that from the Romeo and Juliet reference. But BÖC's lyrics have always been... not obtuse, but deep. They're certainly open to interpretation, and everybody seems to have their own thoughts about what stuff means. We purposely let people do that - draw their own conclusions from the lyric."
Notice what Dharma said: "It's IMAGINING you can survive death in terms of your spirit." He never said that one can accomplish that... Excellent comment, Randy.
@@michaelasay8587 Not sure about their current status, but I saw them four or five years ago. My hometown in Connecticut has an annual Oyster Festival and that year we had BOC & Marshall Tucker playing in a city park outdoors for free ! ( The organizers seem to have a knack for bringing in good bands ). This song sounded just like the studio version and it was great ! I felt a bit sad for both of those bands, playing such a small time gig since they used to play for stadiums back in the day, but hey - worked for me !
@@michaelasay8587 The released a new album last year "The Symbol Remains". As with just about all bands of the 70's and 80's, they have had some personnel changes, but Eric Bloom and Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser are still out in front of the band.
@@michaelasay8587 Hell no! Where you been? They just put out a new album in 2020 called The Symbol Remains and it's FANTASTIC! They are touring right now. I just saw BOC in May 2022. That's the trouble with radio these days. They don't play great new music anymore when it comes out. A lot of radio stations are shit! Not like the old days, that's for sure. If you don't keep up with a band, you don't know about what they are doing. Don't count on modern radio to tell you.
😊👏👏👏 You can never have too much cowbell...
"Take my hand, we'll be able to fly" is my favorite line in the song, I believe in the afterlife.
When this song was released, it was immediately recognized as a masterpiece by music critics.
And still is. This was a classic
Glad to see both of you enjoying my favorite band of all time!! Check out "Burnin' for You" and "Godzilla". You like those and we can go deeper. BOC is a great and underappreciated band from Long Island, NY. Have seen them live at least 20 times over the years.
Burnin for you is kinda boring, i suggest Astronomy or The Vigil
@@m.94 I agree with the choices, but Burnin' for You is only boring if you have heard it a few hundred times.
@@robertfitterman3777 I've heard it a few thousand times and the guitar work is still awesome.
Saw them at Stony Brook Staller Center in the 70's. General admission almost got trampled. It was worth it.✌🌻🌻
Veteran of the psychic wars... best song ever
One of the greatest recorded guitar solos of all time...
I always felt like this song explained that the Angel of Death still can also be an Angel of Mercy.
Souls go on.
Interesting view.
at some point we may all be looking forward to the reaper. lots of PTSD in that for me.
I am 74. It is so good for you to hear a new friend and for me to hear an old friend.
Hearing this as a young boy, the sounds and words washed over me. It felt mystical, the veil between this world and somewhere else so tenuous...
I've liked this song since I was young, to me it's a spiritual song don't be afraid to die.
It's one of the most beautiful songs ever written. 👍🏿
This is the song they played on the SNL skit - "I need more cowbell"...check it out!
As a guitar player I always loved how at the end of the guitar solo the note holds and feeds back holding on into the following verse and then pitches up before finally tailing off. Great work
You are so right
Always thought that was cool
Im not a gutar player, but i love how the note is stretched through the next couple versus
"More cowbell" Great reaction, guys
A huge classic iconic rocker. The overall mellow sound of the song is meant to be hypnotic. Don't fear the Grim Reaper. He simply uses his scythe to cut our earthly ties, allowing us to "fly" to another plane of existence.
An Amazing Band
Great song. There is a skit in Saturday night live with Will Farrell playing a member of the band. His instrument is the cow bell , they are auditioning for Christopher Walken. And he keeps aay more cow bell. Which is the instrument you hear and what will Farrell was playing. It's so so funny. I have t shirt that says more cowbell ,
This song is iconic! It was incredible hearing it live! I was at the BLACK (Sabbath) AND BLUE (Oyster Cult) tour when they were in CT! It was amazing! Funny you should post this song today. My best friend (aside from my husband) passed away yesterday. I know she didn’t fear the reaper. She had been very sick for the last couple of years and in pain for a whole lot of years so, although she loved life, I think she was ready to go. I cry for myself and for all the many people that loved her and will miss her. Thanks for making me smile during my time of sadness. Brightest blessings ✌️❤️
Edit: Next? CITIES ON FLAME! It’s a real banger!!! Believe me this old hippie chick knows a banger when she hears one! LOL!
Love the song guys ♥️. Listen again with lyrics & know that the lead vocals are sung from thr “reapers” view. Its about letting go & crossing over into death 😎
It's about suicide.
Hands down my favorite rock song of all time. Now this song makes me think of Stephen King’s “The Stand” and SNL More Cowbell! Great damn rock song no matter how you hear about it!
That SNL skit was soooo funny!
This is a band that I’m proud to be a fan of. Some degree of intellect in this lyrics!!
This was HUGE when it was released. Good times. I knew Shawn would like it.
I always equate this song with Stephen King. He often used lyrics of rock songs in his books, and this one was used in one of his books and TV movies, The Stand (my favorite book of his). Love your reactions!
Same! The Stand!
Yep, loved the song years before the movie came out, but now it always makes me think of that opening scene in The Stand..
my favorite book ever
Yessssss🙌
Me too…. Immediately think of The Stand every time I hear this song.
@3:57, love the change in tempo and how it climbs and then comes down the other side.
Beautiful reaction.
Seeing that song run through you two was a real treat !
Keep it WAY UP 😂
Always get chill when I hear this song
BLUE OYSTER CULT, "DON'T FEAR THE REAPER". My first concert headlined by B.O.C 1973. Been a fan for nearly 50 years. More... "CITIES ON FLAME WITH ROCK AND ROLL", "DOMINANCE AND SUBMISSION", "SEVEN SCREAMING DIZBUSTERS", "THEN CAME THE LAST DAYS OF MAY", "M.E.262", "VETERAN OF PSYCHIC WARS", "CAREER OF EVIL"
I love how happy you both are, but I watched Shawn today, and HIS happiness came from Mel's happiness, it was beautiful to see. (Just notice the adorable little upturned lip he gives when he sees Mel smile @1:40)
I love this song. They are such good singers. The guitar playing is great!
Wonderful reaction, when I was very small I found this band on vinyl in my dads collection so this is very very nice to hear and feel, hugs from Sweden. Never stop you two.
Top tier 70s stoner rock... musically and lyrically brilliant and also takes the listener on a journey.
Another great group of the 70's, this song was very popular my Senior year in high school, good ole 1977!
Hearing this jam as a 13year old kid it was like bathing in pure 💕 wondderful😊
One of my favorite songs period. For many years, I thought the song was about Dracula offering a heartbroken woman eternal life as a vampire.
Am i the only one who thinks this is one of the darkes songs ever? (and that's why i like it)
Personally it's one of the most hopefull and optimistic songs I've ever heard.
this song is a eternal jewel
I can't seem to listen to this song without thinking about the time SNL did a sketch in which part of this was featured. It was a parody of one of those "Behind the Music" episodes. This particular episode had Christopher Walken in it. All I have left to say now is "More cowbell".
Love the Cow bell
Me too
Happy to see you guys!!! I grew up listening to these guy's!! This was on A Lot of the 80's rocker's cassette's!! Playing at our keg party's every weekend!! Love Blue Oyster Cult!!! & Your reaction videos 💕✌🏻🎶
This song was always so cool, eerie & entertaining! But haunting! “40,000 coming every day (dying!).
There's a consensus:
More cowbell!
I could listen to this all day, every day. Excellent on ALL levels!
I love this song. You should react to the classic SNL skit about it too.
Love you two. Don't hate the haters. Love the haters. The haters are the reaper. Love the reaper and he can't take you. Love you two.
Hi beautiful people. Thanks for the reactions. Love this song
Another awesome group listening to them will in the army in Korea
One of my all time favorite bands since way back! Saw them live last year at a small venue. Buck Darma can still wail on the guitar!
good looking smiles and attitudes, love you guys!
Do you know as I sit here and watch you guys I can’t help but think you must be amazed at how much wonderful music has come before your lives are even started. The thing about music is that the way that just hearing it moves you doesn’t always match what it’s saying in the lyrics so people like music or songs more precisely for their own reasons and all of which are valid. As a member of the S&M squad I thank you for opening your lives up to us and as always peace love and joy to you and yours
very sad for the hate you have received. Feels like we must fight hate and in 2022 we must be over with hate. Love from caucasian Swede. 🙂
One of my top 5 songs of all times and one of my favourite bands of all times
This is the song that the famous "More Cowbell!!" SNL bit is about (react to that if you're not familiar.) For a very different vibe from BOC, check out "Godzilla". It's a fun, not taking itself seriously tune.
Link to a good "Godzilla" vid: th-cam.com/video/Ybfsxip8KEM/w-d-xo.html
Link to "More Cowbell!": th-cam.com/video/cVsQLlk-T0s/w-d-xo.html
More cowbell!🤘😁
This was one of those bands that always seemed to open for other groups. Many times they blew the other band away & the audience would let them know about it. Check out their song "GODZILLA".When they did it live they had a guy in a Godzilla suit running around on stage smashing up stuff.A total SHREDDER! LIKE YOU GUYS STYLE & YOUR CHOICES OF SONGS.
"More cow bell"
"(Don't Fear) The Reaper" was written and sung by Blue Öyster Cult's lead guitarist, Donald Roeser, also known as Buck Dharma. It was rumored to be about suicide, but it actually deals with the inevitability of death and the belief that we should not fear it. When Dharma wrote it, he was thinking about what would happen if he died at a young age and if he would be reunited with loved ones in the afterlife.
They performed at the Maryland state fair last year yall 🎶❤️🔥🙌🏻
one of the greatest guitar riffs of all time. Great song choice!
Ahhhh, that opening riff, transports you straight back to '76 we grew up with the greatest era of music I was 10 in '76 but I remember this, the year of the UK's greatest drought, memories come flooding back of my youth
Congratulations, you've cracked the case. More than anyone else who I've seen react to this song, you've discerned its exact meaning and embraced the beauty of the brilliant darkness contained therein.
My wife has two favorite BÖC songs: “Deadline” and “Veteran of the Psychic Wars”. Both are very emotional and have great production value.
Great song 😊♥️ thanks for the great music 🎶😁 all love ❤️
Love. This. Song!!!!!😍
"Veterans of the Physic Wars" my favorite BOC song
IT NEEDS MORE COWBELL!🤣🤣
I am not sure how my notifications for you guys were't on. I saw a live show you were doing, maybe 3 weeks ago and requested you to do some Blue Oyster Cult.I am so glad you got to hear some of my FAVORITE BAND IN THE WHOLE WORLD. Love your reaction! I could send you so far down the BOC rabbit whole that you wouldn't see daylight for a year! LOL! Check out any song off of the album "Spectres", which is my personal favorite. I recommend "I Love The Night". Peace and loves.
"more cow bells"
This song gives me peace. As a Christian I want to be able to take the hand of death when it comes and have my adventure in heaven. I hope I don't fear.
As a non-believer, this song also gives me peace. Death will come for all of us. It is better to face up to our mortality with bravery and defiance. Our last awake and aware mortal moments are important.
No disrespect on your faith. It works for you and that is pretty awesome. It doesn't work for me.
Also as a non-believer it helps me to know that everyone dies and it's going to be ok without the promise of anything else "beyond". I'm good with that.
Also as a Christian, I hope that you understand that Jesus died on the cross for sinners and then rose again the third day. If we believe that and put our trust and hope in that then we have absolutely nothing to fear. There is no other way to God. John chapter 3 is good for anyone who wants to know why we need to be born again. God bless you in your journey through this life.
As a born-again believer in Jesus, l don't fear death; l do have concerns about any pain associated with it.
We fear death because every way you go is terrible except dieing in your sleep but if you believe in Jesus as I do you know he that beleives in jesus even though dead yet shall he live . I know because I saw my father after he died and he was happy. I was mad and said but you suffered so with cancer and he shook his head and had this big smile as if to say whatever you go through in this world it doesn't matter as long as you make it to heaven. Jesus said in my father's house there are many mansions so l can't wait to see my father again in his mansion . I don't fear the reaper l have always loved this song. Its kind of sounds like monks singing in church .this black Detroit 60's chick thinks its a beautiful song.
Saw them live at Stony Brook University Staller Center in the 70's. They rock.✌🌻🌻
I think it is always amazing how a song or poetry can be interpreted differently by different people. Often very differently than the writer intended. I love looking at a song from a fresh perspective. Truthfully, while I love the music of this song, the lyrics always scared me because I thought he was singing about suicide. I would often change the channel when this song came on the radio.
So I found it very interesting when you said that the lyrics made you feel safe. I always felt like the Reaper was luring the girl to her death urging her on, giving her reasons to kill herself and give up her life. To be like Romeo and Juliet and die like the "40,000 men and women everyday," Somehow his soft urging voice sounded kind of evil to me...
But now that I am older I can see the song from other perspectives and that it could also be about just accepting the inevitability of death and easing into it calmly and without fear. I can see why it makes you feel safe, because the Reaper says he will be with you at the moment of death and that you will not be alone, you will not fall ,but fly. Being all alone at death, and not knowing what is on the other side, is often one of man's greatest fears. He explores that fear in the song. In a way that is unique and unlike any other song.
No matter the interpretation I think this song is a lyrical masterpiece. Still gives me the creeps though. :)
Great comment!
same here. i always assumed it was about a guy making a suicide pact with his girlfriend, but this reaction puts a whole different interpretation on it -- not necessarily about causing one's own death, but about accepting it when it happens.
maybe he already died a long time ago, then he comes to visit her when it's her time to go. she thought he was long gone, but he was waiting on the other side for her the whole time. at the end of the song, they are reunited for eternity.
So glad I found your channel!! You're a breath of fresh air. Can't go wrong with the classics. I love the music that speaks to my soul.. Could you check out Lady by the commodores. Great tune..
I had the pleasure of seeing them live twice.
My favorite BOC song and always will be.
The beginning of Stephen King's "The Stand" (1994 and best version) features this at the beginning.
Some folks back when this was on the radio every day thought it was encouraging suicide but deep down
it's a love song. Two make one etc.
Another band with this kind of vibe and depth you need to check out if you haven't already is Kansas.
WAAAY Underrated song.
I have always loved this song and bought the album just for the single. Ended up being a good album. The song, however, is really great. Just live your life and don't worry about death. It comes to us all so just put it in the back of your mind.
This is a rabbit hole well worth going down! BOC is really an underrated and all-time great band. Dozens of great songs worth checking out, especially on the same album as Reaper. Go for it!
I got the fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell,baby.
More cowbell!
yeaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh ty ty ty
Yes always do the studio version first then later the live version. I can't emphasize that enough.
Went look through the comments and someone already beat me to it but here goes: MoRE COWBELL!
I love their song I Love The Night off the Spectres album, hauntingly beautiful imo.
You don't know how happy it makes us old 70's people to see how our stuff effects you who didn't have the blessing of growing up with this stuff. Stories we got stories that you couldn't dream of 😂😂😂
All I can say is “more cowbell.”
Congrats! You guys are one of the very few reactioners that got this tune. Big props! Don't fear the reaper!
This song always make me think of my all time favorite movie Steven King's The Stand (1994). Such an epic movie with an epic cast. This is a Must See Movie and you can watch it on TH-cam.
A classic song that I first heard in the original Halloween from 1978 when I was young in the late 80’s, it’s featured in Halloween in the scene Laurie and Annie are smoking a joint in the car
i got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell...baby
glad to see you back missed you guys
I have a fever....and the only cure is more cowbell
You guys are my favorite!!!
WHAT!? No mention of "more cowbell"!? It would be hilarious if Shawn and Mel and others reacted to the famous SNL comedy skit with this song and the preoccupation with needing "more cowbell"!!
If the end of this song is what eternity feels like I am down with it.
Great Listening. Thanks.
BOC was always awesome LIVE. You definitely should check out Godzilla. Wow!
CITIES ON FLAME!!!!!!!
Have always loved this 🎵 song ❤
More. Cowbell!
Gotta listen to the extended version with solo on the live 81’ show
"Burnin' for You" is still amazing. I see people mentioning about it being overplayed, it was because it was AWESOME! I love the cowbell in this song! AMAZING! I love the cowbell, so does Christopher Walken- and the best cowbell song is still by Grand Funk Railroad- "American Band"
It needs more cowbell😆
More Cowbell !! :)