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).
The Red & the Black
Blue Öyster Cult Lyrics
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Red and black, that's their color scheme
Get their man, in the end
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my honey knows it's all right
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my baby knows it's all right
Frontenac Chateau baby
I'll cross the frontier at ten
Got a whip in my hand baby
And a girl or a husky at leather's end
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my honey knows it's all right
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my baby knows it's all right
Horn swoop me bungo pony, dogsled on ice
Make a dash for freedom baby don't skate on polar ice
It's too think to be sliced by the light
Of long and white polar nights
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my honey knows it's all right
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my baby knows it's all right
The lyrics of Blue Öyster Cult's "The Red and the Black" describe a team of Canadian mounted police and their efforts to catch a criminal. The police force is described as wearing red and black, giving them a striking visual presence. Despite the danger of the pursuit, the lyrics repeatedly assert that "it's all right," suggesting a confidence or recklessness in the face of adversity. The singer also mentions the use of a whip and a husky, likely referencing the use of sled dogs in the Canadian wilderness. The lyrics also allude to the long nights of the Arctic winter, which pose a threat to those who venture into them.
Overall, the lyrics of "The Red and the Black" suggest a daring and adventurous spirit, unafraid to take on challenges and risks. The use of color symbolism (red and black) adds to the song's sense of boldness and visual impact. While the specific story of the Canadian police force is limited to these few lines, the song's overall attitude suggests a love of adventure and the thrill of the chase.
Line by Line Meaning
Canadian mounted baby, a police force that works
There is a successful police force in Canada.
Red and black, that's their color scheme
The colors associated with the Canadian police force are red and black.
Get their man, in the end
The police force is effective in capturing criminals.
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my honey knows it's all right
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my baby knows it's all right
c'mon little husky
The singer reassures his loved ones that everything is okay and encourages his dog to come with him.
Frontenac Chateau baby
I'll cross the frontier at ten
Got a whip in my hand baby
And a girl or a husky at leather's end
The singer is confident in his journey across the Canadian border, accompanied by either a woman or a dog pulling a sled with him.
Horn swoop me bungo pony, dogsled on ice
Make a dash for freedom baby don't skate on polar ice
It's too think to be sliced by the light
Of long and white polar nights
The singer describes his mode of transportation as a dogsled, and warns against recklessly skating across the ice. He references the long polar nights that are too thick to be penetrated by light.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALBERT BOUCHARD, E BLOOM, SAMUEL PEARLMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Salvatore DeBella
Canadian mounted baby, a police force that works
Red and black, that's their color scheme
Get their man, in the end
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my honey knows it's all right
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my baby knows it's all right
c'mon little husky
Frontenac Chateau baby
I'll cross the frontier at ten
Got a whip in my hand baby
And a girl or a husky at leather's end
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my honey knows it's all right
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my baby knows it's all right
Horn swoop me bungo pony, dogsled on ice
Make a dash for freedom baby don't skate on polar ice
It's too think to be sliced by the light
Of long and white polar nights
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my honey knows it's all right
It's all right (repeat four more times)
Oh yeah my baby knows it's all right
Desdinova69
Canadian mounted baby, a police force that works
Red and black, it's their color scheme
Get their man, in the end
It's all right 5x
Oh yeah my honey knows it's all right
It's all right 5x
Oh yeah my baby knows it's all right
you'd kill and you'd maim
you'd kill and you'd maim
C'mon little husky
Frontenac Chateau baby
I'll cross the frontier at ten
I got a whip in my hand baby
And a girl or a husky at leather's end
It's all right 5x
Oh yeah baby knows it's all right
It's all right 5x
Oh yeah baby it's all right
You'd kill and you'd maim
You'd kill and you'd maim
Hornswoop me bungo pony, dogsled on ice
Make a dash for freedom baby don't skate on polar ice
It's too thick to be sliced by the light
Of long and white polar nights
It's all right 5x
Oh yeah baby knows it's all right
It's all right 5x
Oh yeah it's all right
You'd kill and you'd maim
You'd kill and you'd maim
MerkinMuffly
Punk before punk, but with incredible musicianship, BOC did so many different genres of music, it's a crime they're not in Rock n Roll HoF and while so many garbage bands are.
Chris Yonts
They INVENTED so many genres of music.
Mark Roberts
You ain’t lyni’
Mark Roberts
You ain’t lyin’
Caz Gerald
Funny you say that, I was introduced to this song by the Minutemen cover.
SuperToombs
one of the most underrated rock albums of all time
Cyril Penzer
THEE most underrated band ever
penguin99ify
Seen them 6 times since 1972 and never a bad show. Most underrated band ever.
mktprof
penguin99ify Agreed! Their music holds up today. But as a live act they were great and if I hear Hot Rails to Hell when I die, I'll be happy.
John DeF
penguin99ify Totally unique sound.