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).
Power Underneath Dispair
Blue Öyster Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never thought I'd get out of jail
Took eight long years to spring me
And two hours to ride the rail
Took only thirty minutes to find you
Asking every snake slithering the street
'Where's the man with the golden tattoo?
You're surprised in your neon lair
By the power underneath despair
Power underneath
Power underneath
Power underneath despair
Power underneath There's a power
Power underneath
Power underneath despair
Power underneath There's a power
Power underneath Yeah the
Power underneath despair
Power underneath There's a power
Power underneath
Power underneath despair
In solitary for two steel years
Thought of you sixty times an hour
Fighting madness and fighting despair
Digging the hidden power
Thought about you in the yard
When your punk slipped me the blade
Thought about you in the hospital ward
When I gave it back to him in trade
And my smile is the last sight you'll see
As you feel the power from inside of me
Power underneath
Power underneath There's a
Power underneath despair
Power underneath
Power underneath
Power underneath despair
Power underneath There's a power
Power underneath
Power underneath despair
Power underneath
Power underneath There's a
Power underneath despair
Power underneath
Power underneath There's a
Power underneath despair
Power underneath
Power underneath
Power underneath despair
Power underneath There's a power
Power underneath
Power underneath despair
Power underneath There's a
Power underneath
Power underneath despair
The lyrical content of Blue Öyster Cult's "Power Underneath Despair" paints the image of a man who has just been released from prison after eight long years. He spent two of those years in solitary confinement thinking about seeking revenge on someone who he believes betrayed him. The man is fueled by a "power underneath despair" that he has been digging for over the past two years. He goes on a dangerous hunt for the man who let him take the fall for a crime, looking for him in dark alleys and dangerous places, until he finally finds him. The song is a warning to those who wronged him that they should beware of the "power" that he has discovered during his time in prison.
Overall, the song is a tale of revenge, highlighting the idea that people should be cautious of the power that others can possess. It also speaks to the idea that there can be power found in the depths of despair and that people can be driven to extreme measures when they are pushed to their limits.
Line by Line Meaning
You boys are surprised to see me
The singer is addressing a group of people who did not expect to see him.
Never thought I'd get out of jail
The singer was previously incarcerated and the group did not expect him to be released.
Took eight long years to spring me
The singer spent a significant amount of time in jail before being released.
And two hours to ride the rail
The artist quickly made his way to the group after being released from jail.
Took only thirty minutes to find you
The artist was able to locate the group quickly after being released from jail.
Asking every snake slithering the street
The singer searched for the group by questioning anyone he came across on the street.
'Where's the man with the golden tattoo?
The singer was specifically searching for someone with a golden tattoo.
The man who let me take the heat?'
The artist is looking for someone who allowed him to take responsibility for a crime they both committed.
You're surprised in your neon lair
The group is caught off guard by the artist's sudden appearance.
By the power underneath despair
The artist has a powerful force within them, even in the midst of despair.
There's a power
The singer is emphasizing that there is a great deal of power within them.
In solitary for two steel years
The artist spent a significant amount of time in solitary confinement while in jail.
Thought of you sixty times an hour
The singer frequently thought about the group while in jail.
Fighting madness and fighting despair
The singer struggled with mental health issues while in jail.
Digging the hidden power
The singer searched within themselves to find strength and resilience while in jail.
When your punk slipped me the blade
The group had someone attack the artist while he was in jail.
When I gave it back to him in trade
The artist was able to fight back and defend himself against the group's attack.
And my smile is the last sight you'll see
The singer is threatening harm to the group or an individual in the group.
As you feel the power from inside of me
The singer has a powerful force within them that will harm the group or an individual in the group.
Power underneath
The artist is emphasizing the power within them.
Power underneath despair
The artist has a great deal of power even in the midst of despair.
Power underneath There's a power
The artist is emphasizing the strength they possess.
Power underneath Yeah the
The singer is further emphasizing their power and strength.
Contributed by Juliana E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Basil II Macedonia
Can't believe how underrated this album is, it's bloody amazing. Some fantastic tracks on it.
JLipnicki
Only heard ' Harvest Moon ' recently the live gig they did with everyone in cars. Such a great number.
MrLeafyGuy
Maybe theyre scared of the album cover
Cure Optimism
I feel bad for the people whose experience with this band start and end with Don't Fear The Reaper.
Lord Of Glencoe
It's the same for plenty other bands ...
Retro Revelations
Or worse, the "more cowbell" BoC skit from SNL.
Simon Wilson
How many killer tracks can one band have... imagine having to put the set list together for one of their shows these days. What a challenge that would be! :)
ajvasta
actually, their set lists are pretty lazy....it's almost as if even THEY don't know how deep their catalog is.
trukinharbilld77bill sho
The hook-and-cross logo was designed by Bill Gawlik in January 1972,and appears on all of the band's albums In Greek mythology,..the hook-and-cross symbol is that of Kronos, the king of the Titans and father of Zeus..and is the alchemical symbol for lead . In Roman mythology, the hook-and-cross symbol represents Saturn, the God of agriculture and fertility.The hook and cross symbol also resembles the sickle, which is associated with both Kronos and Saturn (both the planet and the Roman God).
Louie White Gold Wielder
Eric Bloom stated the symbol means chaos when he was asked of it on the radio show, Rockline.