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).
Goin' Through the Motions
Blue Öyster Cult Lyrics
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You got stay anywhere in your eyes
And you're leading me on, but you can be anyone
'Cause I know you'll be gone 'fore I rise
And we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Staying with you gave us something to do
I almost thought it was true for a while
'Cause there's love in your lies, you senility skies
You couldn't tell right from wrong if you tried
And we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Going through the motions
To thee I dedicate this photograph
I'll even sign it "love to you" again
And when it's faded and forgotten in some book
You'll sometimes look, you'll sometimes look, you'll sometimes look
It's a game, it's a game, no let's call it a shame
'Cause there's no one to blame just to pay
You were a friend for a day, so don't cry if I say
That you got what you want, it's ok
And we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Going through the motions
Yeah, yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Going through the motions
The Blue Öyster Cult's "Going Through the Motions" is a song about someone who is playing games with their partner's emotions. The lyrics depict a relationship where one person is not invested and is simply going through the motions. The song's protagonist is aware that their partner is not fully committed and will depart soon, but continues to pursue the relationship anyway. The lyrics showcase the partner's willingness to deceive and their insincere intentions.
The singer knows that their relationship is a game and that there is no one to blame but themselves. The lyrics suggest that the singer is tired of playing the game but cannot help but go through the motions. The song's central theme is the idea that sometimes people stay in a relationship even though they know it isn't going anywhere because it's better than being alone.
The song's chorus emphasizes the idea of going through the motions. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes the sense of stagnation and futility in the relationship. The final lines of the song suggest that the relationship will eventually fade away, but the memories will remain. The use of the word "sometimes" indicates that the singer is not fully able to let go of the relationship.
Overall, "Going Through the Motions" is a song about a relationship that is going nowhere. The singer is aware of the situation but cannot help but stay with their partner. The song highlights the frustration and futility of being in a relationship that lacks commitment and passion.
Line by Line Meaning
Too wild to care, you got that animal stare
You're too unconcerned to bother with anything or anyone, and your unyielding stare makes it seem like you're a wild animal.
You got stay anywhere in your eyes
Your eyes reflect a feeling of being ready to leave at any moment.
And you're leading me on, but you can be anyone
You're giving me false hope and leading me on while pretending to be whoever I want you to be.
'Cause I know you'll be gone 'fore I rise
I know you'll be gone before I even wake up.
Staying with you gave us something to do
Being with you gave us something to occupy our time.
I almost thought it was true for a while
I almost believed that what we had was genuine for a short time.
'Cause there's love in your lies, you senility skies
You mix love and deception so well that it's hard to tell the difference.
You couldn't tell right from wrong if you tried
You're so out of touch that you wouldn't be able to recognize what's right or wrong even if you made an effort.
To thee I dedicate this photograph
I'm dedicating this photo to you.
I'll even sign it "love to you" again
I'm even signing it with a message of love directed at you.
And when it's faded and forgotten in some book
And when the photo fades and is forgotten in some book.
You'll sometimes look, you'll sometimes look, you'll sometimes look
You'll occasionally look at it.
It's a game, it's a game, no let's call it a shame
What we have is just a game, actually let's call it what it is - a shameful situation.
'Cause there's no one to blame just to pay
There's no one to blame for this situation, we just have to deal with the consequences.
You were a friend for a day, so don't cry if I say
You were only a temporary friend, so don't be upset if I say that.
That you got what you want, it's okay
You got what you wanted, and that's fine.
Yeah, yeah, we're going through the motions
Yes, we're just going through the motions.
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yes, we're just going through the motions.
Going through the motions
We're just going through the motions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ERIC BLOOM, IAN HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Desdinova69
Too wild to care
You got animal stare
You got ‘stay anywhere' in your eyes
Think you're leading me on but you can be anyone
Cause I know you'll be gone 'fore I rise
And we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Going through the motions
Staying with you gave us something to do
I almost thought it was true for a while
'Cause there's love in your lies
You're so thinly disguised
You couldn't tell right from wrong if you tried
And we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Going through the motions
To thee I dedicate this photograph
I'll even sign it ‘love to you' again
And when it's faded and forgotten in some book
You'll sometimes look
You'll sometimes look
You'll sometimes look
It's a game, it's a game
No, let's call it a shame
For there's no one to blame just to pay
You were a friend for a day
So don't cry if I say
That you got what you want, it's OK
And we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Going through the motions
Yeah yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Going through the motions
Hey hey
Yeah yeah Goin'
Yeah yeah Yeah we're goin'
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah We're goin' yeah
Darin McNew
I love this song!!
Too wild to care, you got that animal stare
You got stay anywhere in your eyes
And you're leading me on, but you can be anyone
'Cause I know you'll be gone 'fore I rise
And we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Going through the motions
Staying with you gave us something to do
I almost thought it was true for a while
'Cause there's love in your lies, you senility skies
You couldn't tell right from wrong if you tried
And we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Going through the motions
To thee I dedicate this photograph
I'll even sign it "love to you" again
And when it's faded and forgotten in some book
You'll sometimes look, you'll sometimes look, you'll sometimes look
It's a game, it's a game, no let's call it a shame
'Cause there's no one to blame just to pay
You were a friend for a day, so don't cry if I say
That you got what you want, it's ok
And we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Going through the motions
Yeah, yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Yeah, we're going through the motions
Going through the motions
On of their greatest songs!! Ever..
Chris Thomas
Eric Bloom is such an underrated vocalist
Richard
Great lead. Singer
Mike Snicer
Eric’s finest song and finest vocals.
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
rocketrayray55
Written by Ian Hunter. Done proper by BOC
Chris Damon
This is another one of those "should've been a massive hit" songs that wasn't. It's so fun and infectious that I will never tire of hearing it. I love the "Spectres" album and think it is one their greatest achievements!
David Eisler
True story ! 🎸🥁🎸
Stephen
I wouldn't disagree with any of that
Mark C
Harvester of Eyes BOC had two straight knockouts with Agents of Fortune and Spectres.
Glornt
Every single track on Spectres should've been a hit. This is my least favorite song on the album, and it's still great.
Basil II Macedonia
Check out an outtake from this era called "Night Flyer". Another excellent BÖC tune.