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).
Fire of Unknown Origin
Blue Öyster Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Death comes driving down the highway, in its Sunday best
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
Swept to ruin off my wavelength, swallowed her up
Like the ocean in a fire, so thick and gray
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
Death comes driving, I can't do nothing
Death goes
There must be something, there must be something that remains
There must be something
There must be something
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
In "Fire of Unknown Origin," Blue Oyster Cult delivers a haunting and emotional portrayal of the power of death and the unknown. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of loss and despair, as death "sweeps" through like a "lady's dress" and a "fire of unknown origin" takes the singer's "baby" away.
The song's imagery is both vivid and elusive, suggesting a sense of mystery and unknowability that surrounds death and loss. References to an ocean on fire and a fire so "gray" that it seems to engulf everything in sight create a sense of overwhelming despair and disorientation, as the singer struggles to come to terms with the sudden and senseless loss of a loved one.
Ultimately, the song suggests that while death may seem all-consuming and inescapable, there is still something that remains – a sense of hope, perhaps, or a glimmer of faith in something beyond our understanding. Through their poetic lyrics and powerful instrumentals, Blue Oyster Cult captures the essence of this primal and universal experience, leaving listeners with a haunting sense of awe and reverence.
Line by Line Meaning
Death comes sweeping through the hallway, like a lady's dress
Death arrives suddenly and with grace, like a woman's elegant garment.
Death comes driving down the highway, in its Sunday best
Death approaches with a sense of purpose and readiness, as if it's dressed for church.
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
An unexplained fire caused the death of my loved one.
Swept to ruin off my wavelength, swallowed her up
My partner was taken away from me due to our personal differences, as if she disappeared completely.
Like the ocean in a fire, so thick and gray
The fire that caused my loved one's death was so intense and overwhelming, it was like the ocean turning into flames.
Death comes driving, I can't do nothing
Death approaches relentlessly and there is nothing I can do to stop it.
Death goes
Death eventually leaves after taking its victim, but its presence lingers.
There must be something, there must be something that remains
Despite the loss of my loved one, there must be something that still keeps them alive in my memory or legacy.
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
An unexplained fire caused the death of my loved one.
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
An unexplained fire caused the death of my loved one.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Albert Bouchard, Donald Roeser, Eric Bloom, Joseph Bouchard, Patti Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Neal
Death comes sweeping through the hallway, like a lady's dress
Death comes driving down the highway, in it's Sunday best
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
Swept her up and off my wavelength, swallowed her up
Like the ocean in a fire, so thick and gray
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
Death comes driving - I can't do nothing! Death goes.
There must be something - there must be something that remains
Something... something...
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
A fire of unknown origin took my baby away
Desdinova69
Death comes sweeping through the hallway
Like a lady's dress
Death comes driving down the highway
In its Sunday best
A fire of unknown origin
Took my baby away
A fire of unknown origin
Took my baby away
Swept her up and off my wavelength
Swallowed her up
Like the ocean in a fire
So thick and grey
A fire of unknown origin
Took my baby away
A fire of unknown origin
Took my baby away
Death comes driving
I can't do nothing
Death goes
There must be something
There must be something
That remains
There must be something…
There must be something…
A fire of unknown origin
Took my baby away
A fire of unknown origin
Took my baby
Took my baby away
Shaggydude
As a BOC fan for nearly 40 years, this album is definitely their finest work to date.
WovenTenacity
What about Agents of Fortune? I think that one narrowly beats out Fire of Unknown Origin. Both fantastic albums though
Emanuel Román
Thank YOU, man
Setebos
I'd respectfully offer an argument in favor of Secret Treaties.
Waluigi
BÖC
GemoDorgon
I misread that as BBC and got confused ...
Eduardo Marchena
Never seen Supernatural, but props to it!! This music should be passed over the generations, no matter how :)
Ariana Nichols
You have no idea how thankful I am for Supernatural introducing me to BOC!
Frankky
You should definetly check it out, they have bunch of oldies in there
Viktoria Mihailova
You must watch Supernatural incredible Tv series with incredible story and music!!!