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).
Hammer Back
Blue Öyster Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Into a sea of unknowns
Even friends potential danger
Secrets wound around their bones
Everybody else has got one
Packin' high caliber heat
If you don't wanna be dancin'
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Don't keep the safety on
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
'Til the living shadow's gone
Maybe at a Seven-Eleven
Maybe at a quick carjack
You'll verify there ain't a heaven
If you don't keep the hammer back
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Don't keep the safety on
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
'Til the living shadow's gone
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Don't keep the safety on
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
'Til the living shadow's gone
Hammer back, hammer back
Don't keep the safety on
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
'Til the living shadow's gone
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Don't keep the safety on
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
'Til the living shadow's gone
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Hammer back, hammer back
Ha ha ha
"Hammer Back" by Blue Öyster Cult is a song with lyrics that can be interpreted as a warning about the dangers of the unknown and the importance of being prepared for anything. The lyrics paint a picture of a world where danger can be lurking around any corner and even friends can pose a threat. The line "secrets wound around their bones" suggests that even those closest to us may be hiding things that could put us in danger.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "keep the hammer back" which can be interpreted as a metaphor for being prepared and on guard. The lines "if you don't wanna be dancin'/ you don't dare miss the beat" suggest that in this world of strangers, one must always be ready to act or risk being caught off guard.
The song itself is structured around heavy guitar riffs and a driving beat, which adds to the sense of urgency and danger conveyed in the lyrics. Overall, "Hammer Back" is a warning to be cautious and to always be ready for the unexpected.
Line by Line Meaning
Step into a world of strangers
Enter a place of unfamiliar people
Into a sea of unknowns
A place where unpredictable things occur
Even friends potential danger
Even trusted people may pose a threat
Secrets wound around their bones
People have deep and hidden secrets
Everybody else has got one
Everyone else is carrying a gun
Packin' high caliber heat
Carrying a powerful firearm
If you don't wanna be dancin'
If you don't want to get shot
You don't dare miss the beat
You must be alert and move quickly
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Keep the gun ready to fire
Don't keep the safety on
Don't have the safety engaged on the gun
Til the living shadow's gone
Until the threat is eliminated
Maybe at a Seven-Eleven
Perhaps at a convenience store
Maybe at a quick carjack
Perhaps during a carjacking
You'll verify there ain't a heaven
You may realize you're going to die
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Keep the gun ready to fire
Hammer back, hammer back
Keep the gun loaded and cocked
Ha ha ha
Laughs of nervousness or bravado
Contributed by Natalie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Desdinova69
Step into a world of strangers
Into a sea of unknowns
Even friends potential danger
Secrets wound around their bones
Everybody else has got one
Packin' high caliber heat
If you don't wanna be dancin'
You don't dare miss the beat
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Don't keep the safety on
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
'Til the living shadow's gone
Maybe at a Seven-Eleven
Maybe at a quick carjack
You'll verify there ain't a heaven
If you don't keep the hammer back
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Don't keep the safety on
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
'Til the living shadow's gone
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Don't keep the safety on
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
'Til the living shadow's gone
Hammer back, hammer back
Don't keep the safety on
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
'Til the living shadow's gone
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Don't keep the safety on
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
'Til the living shadow's gone
Keep the hammer back, hammer back
Hammer back, hammer back
Ha ha ha
Mick Loud
I just discovered this album recently. Flew under my radar all these decades. I love BOC especially Secret Treaties, Mirrors and Cultosaurus Erectus (also very underrated). This solo is so freaking sublime!!. Buck is Jimmy Page's fave guitarist. heady praise indeed!!!
Josh Tyler
“All these decades”
album was released in 1998
commented 8 years ago as of December 2020
Orphan Gypsy
one of the most underrated albums in music history
Clarkké Peterson
No shit!!
Stixnfeet
Love the snare drum changes...and the left right channel switches on verses. Incredible album!
Einar Haukur Reynis
Better late than never. I just chanced upon this fine album. A must to add to the BÖC collection.
Alan Peters
man eric bloom is 60 andhis voice sounds better than ever this is some of the heaviest and best shit theve ever done!!! long live the cult!!!
Metal Over Matter
havent heard this in 20 years. i can still sing along to most of it. ah nostalgia
aitech nasus
Hammer Back Is A Great Straight Up Killer Rock Song By Blue Oyster Cult And Totally Rocks It Needs To Be Fully Cranked Up All The Way To Full Maximum Volume.
Ira Siegel
I bought this when it came out and forgot how good it was. It's been packed away in a box (a box) for years now.