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).
See You In Black
Blue Öyster Cult Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It'd make me feel like your husband's dead
I'd like to see you in black
We could make him suffer instead
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
You can't pretend he isn't beating you up
I saw the marks on your hands
I saw the blood on your coffee cup
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black
The wind plucks your black lace gown
You're standin' proudly beside his grave
I see you wearing black
Gently smiling and oh so brave
We'll run away to Greece
We'll walk the ruins of the Parthenon
We'll drink ouzo in our tub
Watch the dust billow 'til the night's gone
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
I'd love to see you in black I'd love to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black
In black
In black
The lyrics of Blue Öyster Cult's "See You in Black" suggest a dark and twisted desire from the singer towards a woman named Ann who is being physically abused by her husband. The singer's longing to see Ann in black is a metaphor for his desire to see her as a widow - free from her abusive husband's grip. He envisions her standing proudly next to her husband's grave in her black lace gown, which would make him feel like he had won the battle for her affection. The singer also suggests that they could make her husband suffer by making him think that his wife had died.
Additionally, the lyrics seem to suggest that the singer has a romantic interest in Ann. He offers to run away with her to Greece and walk the ruins of the Parthenon. The mixture of dark and violent themes with a romantic undertone is typical of Blue Öyster Cult's style.
Overall, "See You in Black" is a disturbing and emotionally-charged song that explores the darker aspects of human nature. It highlights the complexity of relationships and the interplay between love and violence.
Line by Line Meaning
I'd like to see you in black
It symbolizes mourning and an end to your unhappy married life.
It'd make me feel like your husband's dead
Seeing you wear black would make me believe that your husband is no more.
We could make him suffer instead
Wearing black can be a way to get revenge on your abusive husband.
You can't lie to me Ann
I know the truth about your abusive husband despite your attempts to hide it from me.
You can't pretend he isn't beating you up
I've noticed the signs of domestic violence on your hands and belongings.
I'd like to see you in black
It's a sign of support and understanding towards your situation.
The wind plucks your black lace gown
As you stand over his grave, the wind picks up your black dress and adds to the mournful ambiance.
You're standin' proudly beside his grave
Despite all the pain he caused you, you have the strength to stand tall beside his final resting place.
Gently smiling and oh so brave
You can still find hope and happiness in the midst of a tragic ending to your marriage.
We'll run away to Greece
Escaping the past and starting anew somewhere else can be therapeutic and freeing.
We'll walk the ruins of the Parthenon
Exploring a historic site can be a reminder of the long-standing history of human suffering and resilience.
We'll drink ouzo in our tub
Enjoying the simple pleasures in life while surrounded by new surroundings and loved ones can help with healing and closure.
Watch the dust billow 'til the night's gone
Taking the time to appreciate the beauty in our surroundings can be a reminder to live in the present and let go of past traumas.
Contributed by Matthew C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ronnie Smith
See You in Black
Blue Öyster Cult
I'd like to see you in black
It'd make me feel like your husband's dead
I'd like to see you in black
We could make him suffer instead
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
You can't lie to me Ann
You can't pretend he isn't beating you up
I saw the marks on your hands
I saw the blood on your coffee cup
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black
I'd like to see you in black
The wind plucks your black lace gown
You're standin' proudly beside his grave
I see you wearing black
Gently smiling and oh so brave
We'll run away to…
elf man
Under rated song by BOC but what else is new.
Lee Naylor
Possibly the heaviest song BOC ever made.
RoeserFan1
@Stephen I agree. HF is one of my favorite albums of theirs.
Stephen
@RoeserFan1
Fits perfectly on this album as the whole album is heavy
RoeserFan1
Could have fit on their first 3 albums or Cultosaurus quite easily.
Lauren Gabriel
They may have topped it with Stand and Fight from The Symbol Remains at this point
Curtis Smith
Eye Of The Hurricane from the following album is pretty heavy too.
Søren Petersen
OMG!!! What a track!! This music really kicks ass!! THANKS for posting
Michael Kuhn
This is the first time I've ever heard this song and I've been a big BOC fan for 35 years. It is NOT in the normal motif of BOC songs. This is about the only song they've ever done that has the chugga-chugga-chugga rhythm that other lesser heavy metal bands are known for. That said, this is a great song that is as sinister and evil as any they've ever written.
Curtis Smith
This album and 2001's Curse Of The Hidden Mirror easily stand up to their 70's era and Fire Of Unknown Origin in my opinion.These albums kick ass!