Deadline
Blue Öyster Cult Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You said you'd be here at a quarter to five
I didn't know if you were dead or alive
How long d'you think that I could sharpen my knife
I've got better things to do with my life

It's almost the deadline
Don't miss the deadline, darling
When all your bad dreams will come true
Don't miss the deadline
It's almost the deadline, darling
I wouldn't want it to happen to you

Bill screamed at him, and he hung up the phone
I wonder if he ever felt more alone
He never finished his coffee that night
The ? oh! Dave, it was a terrible sight

He missed the deadline
He passed the deadline, darling
And I believe that somehow he knew
He crossed the deadline
He passed the deadline, darling
There wasn't a thing anybody could do

Listen my darling, now, don't play with fire
You find a way to balance hate and desire

It's almost the deadline
Don't miss the deadline darling
Consequences are easily misconstrued
Don't miss the deadline




It's almost the deadline, darling
I couldn't live if it happened to you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Blue Öyster Cult's song "Deadline" tell a story of anticipation, anxiety, and ultimately, regret. The singer is waiting for someone who promised to show up at a specific time and is worried about what might have happened to them. They mention sharpening a knife, which suggests that they may have been preparing themselves for the worst-case scenario. The singer is relieved when the person finally arrives, but their sense of urgency is heightened when they begin to speak of a looming deadline.


As the song progresses, we learn that the deadline in question is a metaphor for something ominous and potentially life-altering. The singer warns their loved one not to miss the deadline, reminding them that consequences are easily misconstrued. They recount a story of someone named Bill who missed the deadline and suffered the consequences, leaving behind a "terrible sight."


The song's refrain emphasizes the importance of not missing the deadline, as though it is a warning that needs to be taken seriously. However, we never learn exactly what the deadline signifies, leaving it up to interpretation. The lyrics suggest that it could be a deadline for a project or task, a personal goal, or even something more abstract, like an opportunity for happiness or fulfillment.


Overall, "Deadline" is a haunting song that captures the feeling of being on the brink of something significant, but having no control over what happens next. The lyrics leave much to the imagination, making it a song that invites repeated listening and interpretation.


Line by Line Meaning

You said you'd be here at a quarter to five
You promised to arrive at 4:45 pm.


I didn't know if you were dead or alive
I was unsure if you were dead or alive, since you did not show up at the time you said you would.


How long d'you think that I could sharpen my knife
How long do you expect me to wait for you?


I've got better things to do with my life
I have other things to do and cannot waste my time waiting for you.


It's almost the deadline
Time is almost up.


Don't miss the deadline, darling
Do not fail to meet the deadline.


When all your bad dreams will come true
If you fail to meet the deadline, bad things will happen.


It's almost the deadline, darling
The deadline is approaching quickly.


I wouldn't want it to happen to you
I do not want anything bad to happen to you.


Bill screamed at him, and he hung up the phone
Bill yelled at him, and he ended the call abruptly.


I wonder if he ever felt more alone
I question if he has ever experienced deeper isolation.


He never finished his coffee that night
He did not get a chance to complete his coffee that night.


The ? oh! Dave, it was a terrible sight
The sight was terrible, Dave.


He missed the deadline
He failed to meet the deadline.


He passed the deadline, darling
He exceeded the deadline.


And I believe that somehow he knew
I think he knew what the consequences would be.


He crossed the deadline
He passed the deadline.


There wasn't a thing anybody could do
No one could do anything to help the situation.


Listen my darling, now, don't play with fire
Be cautious and don't take risks that could lead to disastrous consequences.


You find a way to balance hate and desire
Find a way to manage competing desires and negative emotions.


Consequences are easily misconstrued
The results of one's actions can easily be misunderstood.


I couldn't live if it happened to you
I would be devastated if anything bad happened to you.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROESER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions