Blue Öyster Cult have been described as heavy metal, light metal, psychedelic rock, occult rock, acid rock, and progressive rock. They have also been recognized for helping pioneer genres such as stoner metal and speed metal.
The band is influenced by artists such as Alice Cooper, Grateful Dead, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, MC5, The Blues Project, Jimi Hendrix, and Black Sabbath.
While Blue Öyster Cult has been noted for heavy rock, they would often add their own tongue-in-cheek style. Keeping with their image, the band would often include out-of-context fragments of Pearlman’s The Soft Doctrines of Imaginos into their lyrics, giving their songs cryptic meanings. Additionally, the band would keep a folder of Meltzer’s and Pearlman’s word associations to insert into their music.
Blue Öyster Cult's longest-lasting and most commercially successful lineup included Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser (lead guitar, vocals), Eric Bloom (lead vocals, "stun guitar," keyboards, synthesizers), Allen Lanier (keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Joe Bouchard (bass, backing vocals), Albert Bouchard (drums, percussion, backing vocals). The band's current lineup includes Roeser and Bloom, as well as Danny Miranda (bass, backing vocals), Jules Radino (drums, percussion) and Richie Castellano (keyboard, rhythm guitar, backing vocals).
Divine Wind
Blue Öyster Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wing of metal, gold or steel
Fight of health, flash of pain
Staff of life, or poison rain
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
Fast food, fast cars
Fast women, movie stars
Turn to Memphis, pray awhile
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
Anxious lovers, bums in the street
Jackals in waistcoats, men in sheets
Purple mountains, waves of grain
Grace of God, thy will be done
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
The lyrics to Blue Oyster Cult's song "Divine Wind" contain imagery that is both intriguing and ambiguous. The opening lines, "Blood of bat, tail of newt / Wing of metal, gold or steel / Fight of health, flash of pain / Staff of life, or poison rain," suggest a blending of the natural and the supernatural. The references to bats and newts, as well as the contrast between metal and gold, hint at alchemy and magic. The phrase "fight of health, flash of pain" suggests a struggle between life and death, health and illness. The line "Staff of life, or poison rain" carries both positive and negative connotations, as the staff of life is a symbol of sustenance and survival, while poison rain evokes destruction and decay.
The refrain of the song, "If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell," seems directed at those who misunderstand or fear the unknown. The verses contain a wide array of images, from fast food and fast cars to anxious lovers and men in sheets. The reference to Memphis, a city considered a spiritual center for some, implies that even in difficult times one can find solace through prayer. Overall, the lyrics to "Divine Wind" suggest a world where magic and the supernatural exist alongside more mundane concerns, and where those who don't understand or fear the unknown can be met with resistance.
Line by Line Meaning
Blood of bat, tail of newt
A concoction of mystical ingredients, implying the use of magic in the search for power.
Wing of metal, gold or steel
Gathering the resources, both material and non-material, to reach one's desired outcome, whatever that may be.
Fight of health, flash of pain
The eternal struggle between the potential for growth and the inevitable hardships that we must face in order to become stronger and more resilient.
Staff of life, or poison rain
The duality of good and evil in life, with seemingly beneficial aspects (like the staff of life) often having negative consequences as well (like poison rain).
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
Defiantly rejecting the notion that the artist is evil, and instead embracing it for the purpose of empowering themselves and making a statement.
Fast food, fast cars
The modern trappings of consumerist culture, emphasizing speed and convenience over balance and substance.
Fast women, movie stars
The allure of fame and fortune, and the temptations that come with them.
Time of trouble, time of trial
The inevitable periods of hardship and adversity that we all experience in life, and the difficulties we must endure in order to overcome them.
Turn to Memphis, pray awhile
A call to faith and spirituality, with Memphis being a reference to the birthplace of the blues and a symbol of the power of music to heal and inspire.
Anxious lovers, bums in the street
The shared experiences of all humanity, regardless of status or social standing, including the struggles of love and the hardships of poverty.
Jackals in waistcoats, men in sheets
Those who hide behind a facade of respectability, while harboring malicious intentions or promoting harmful ideologies.
Purple mountains, waves of grain
The beauty and majesty of the natural world, as well as the bounty it provides for human sustenance and enjoyment.
Grace of God, thy will be done
Acknowledging a higher power and submitting to their guidance, as well as expressing gratitude for the blessings of life.
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
Reaffirming the singer's position that they are not evil, and challenging anyone who thinks otherwise to face the consequences of their beliefs.
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
A repeated refrain emphasizing the themes of defiance and empowerment that run throughout the song.
If he really thinks we're the devil, then let's send 'em to hell
The final line of the song, driving home the message that the artist will not be cowed by anyone who seeks to demonize or oppress them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROESER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sven Land
Blood of bat, tail of newt
Wing of metal, bone of steel
Vial of health, flask of pain
Staff of life or poison rain
If he really thinks we're the devil
Then let's send him to hell
Fast food, fast cars
Fast women, movie stars
Time of trouble, time of trial
Turn to Memphis, pray awhile
If he really thinks we're the devil
Then let's send him to hell
Anxious mothers, bums in the street
Jackals in waistcoats, men in sheets
Purple mountains, waves of grain
Grace of God, thy will be done
If he really thinks we're the devil
Then let's send him to hell
Wickedashtray
their music is so eclectic and diverse that one can't categorize them at all. They've been called a "metal" band but thats far from accurate. The term "underrated" gets thrown around a lot but its extremely accurate when it comes to BOC.
Tom Lotze
Agreed...
CHOCLODITE LENSMAN
Underrated to me is nobody talks about them, even after 30 some years - They are far from underrated. Maybe the term misunderstood is more appropriate for those who don’t “get it.”
B. Youn
Yawn...no they are NOT underrated. I don't think you know what that word means...
Lukas Fin
@Manny Ruiz Exactly! They've been out of the box. And same time inside of all boxes.
Manny Ruiz
They've also obviously been influenced by Prog/rock. Very good band. They can be heavy, quirky, jazzy, bluesy, poppy. Great band.
Sven Land
Blood of bat, tail of newt
Wing of metal, bone of steel
Vial of health, flask of pain
Staff of life or poison rain
If he really thinks we're the devil
Then let's send him to hell
Fast food, fast cars
Fast women, movie stars
Time of trouble, time of trial
Turn to Memphis, pray awhile
If he really thinks we're the devil
Then let's send him to hell
Anxious mothers, bums in the street
Jackals in waistcoats, men in sheets
Purple mountains, waves of grain
Grace of God, thy will be done
If he really thinks we're the devil
Then let's send him to hell
Don Matejek
And this WHOLE album was AWESOME!!
fendermcmarshall
It so was
Stephan Cohen
Every song on this album rips ass