The group's sound was hard to categorize, but was definitely blues-based, psychedelic, and very loud. The band has been subsequently acclaimed as an influence on garage rock, punk rock, heavy metal, and grunge. Julian Cope has written, "In 1968, nothing but nothing in America and Britain sounded as brutal as Blue Cheer except for The Velvet Underground."
The group underwent several personnel changes after the 1968 release of Outsideinside, and then through yet more changes during and after 1969's New! Improved! Blue Cheer (different guitarists on side 1 and 2). After Leigh Stephens was replaced by Randy Holden, formerly of Los Angeles garage rock band The Other Half, in 1968, Blue Cheer's style changed to a more commercial hard rock sound à la Steppenwolf or Iron Butterfly. For the fourth album Blue Cheer, Holden, who had left during the third album, was subsequently replaced by Bruce Stephens. Stephens later quit and was replaced by Gary Lee Yoder, who helped complete the album.
The new line up of Peterson, Ralph Burns Kellogg, Norman Mayell, and Yoder in 1970 saw the release of The Original Human Being and then 1971's Oh! Pleasant Hope. When Oh! Pleasant Hope failed to dent the sales charts, Blue Cheer temporarily split up.
From 1988 to 1993, Blue Cheer toured mainly in Europe. During this time, they played with classic rock acts as well as then-up-and-coming bands: Mountain, Outlaws, Thunder, Groundhogs, Ten Years After, Yardbirds, Danzig, Mucky Pup, Biohazard and others.
On the Nibelung Records label they released several albums. 1989 saw the release of Blue Cheer's first official live album, Blitzkrieg over Nüremberg. This album was recorded on Blue Cheer's first European tour in decades. The drum chair was then taken by Dave Salce; bass by Dickie Peterson; guitar by Duck McDonald.
1990 saw the release of Highlights & Lowlives studio album, comprised of blues-based hard rock, sometimes reminiscent of Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones, and several ballads. The album was produced by notable grunge producer Jack Endino. The line-up was Peterson on bass and vocals, Paul Whaley on drums, and Duck McDonald on guitars.
Blue Cheer followed up "Highlights" with the much heavier Dining with the Sharks. McDonald was replaced by German ex-Monsters guitar player Dieter Saller. Peterson was on bass and vocals again, and Paul Whaley was again on drums. Also featured is a special guest appearance by Groundhogs guitarist Tony McPhee. The album was produced by Roland Hofmann.
In the early 1990s, Peterson and Whaley re-located to Germany. Whaley still lives there. Guitar work has been handled by Duck MacDonald since that time. Blue Cheer are still active as of 2009. Peterson reunited with Leigh Stephens and performed with drummer Prairie Prince at the Chet Helms Memorial Tribal Stomp in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in Fall of 2005, and their lively performance drew old rockers like Paul Kantner and others from backstage to observe. They did some recordings in Virginia in Winter 2005 with Joe Hasselvander of Raven and Pentagram on drums. Paul Whaley has since returned to the band as drummer. The group's 2007 CD, "What Doesn't Kill You...", features contributions from both Whaley and Hasselvander. In 2009, Peterson died in Germany, leading to the cessation of Blue Cheer.
Blue Cheer's video for Summertime Blues made an appearance in 2005 documentary Metal: A Headbanger's Journey, where Geddy Lee of Rush referred to the group as one of the first heavy metal bands.
The band have also been regarded as the godfathers of stoner rock bands like Kyuss, Fu Manchu, Nebula and Monster Magnet have cited their "heavy-fuzz rock" as a massive influence on them.
Believer
Blue Cheer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're a young man now and
You toss the hair from your shoulders
Feeling strong and
All the young girls are coming on bolder
Back at home you know the old folks just get older
Why wait around when the world needs you to lead her
Even you could be a believer
Even you, a mighty believer.
There's a light to your life and
Your eyes are glowing much brighter
There's a voice in the dark and
She whispers, "You gotta hold tighter"
Storm is lifted and your spirits are soaring much higher
It's a race to the end but the way seems to be clearing.
Even you could be a believer
Even you, a mighty believer
Oh Yeah.
There's a band in the streets
Gonna play "Homecoming Soldier"
Well back in D.C., man
The White House is shakin' a somethin'
Cause the Senator's son yeah the young bull is gonna take over
(Watch it)
He's a young man now
He's got to toss the hair from his shoulder.
Even you could be a believer
Even you a mighty believer
You're a young man now and you haven't got a lot to lose.
The song "Believer" by Blue Cheer is a motivational song that encourages listeners to embrace their potential as leaders and change-makers in the world. The first verse addresses a young man who is feeling confident and powerful, with girls noticing his strength. However, he is reminded that time is passing and the older generation is getting older, and he has a responsibility to step up and lead the world forward. The chorus emphasizes that anyone, even an individual with doubts or uncertainties, has the potential to be a "believer" and make a difference in the world.
The second verse continues the theme of empowerment, with the singer encouraging the listener to hold onto the light and positivity in their life, even in the face of darkness and uncertainty. The storm is clearing and the way forward is becoming clearer, hinting at potential success and triumph. The final verse shifts focus to a political situation, with a band playing for a "Homecoming Soldier" in the streets and the White House feeling the impact of a young Senator's son taking over. The message is clear - young people have the power and potential to make a significant difference in their world, and it's time to step up and do so.
Line by Line Meaning
You're a young man now and
You're young and energetic; you're ready to take on the world.
You toss the hair from your shoulders
You're feeling confident and in control.
Feeling strong and
You're confident in your abilities.
All the young girls are coming on bolder
Your confidence is attractive to others.
Back at home you know the old folks just get older
Things stay the same at home; it's time for something new.
Why wait around when the world needs you to lead her
The world needs leaders to step up and make a change; you could be one of them.
Even you could be a believer
You have the power to believe in yourself and make a difference.
There's a light to your life and
You have a positive outlook on life.
Your eyes are glowing much brighter
You're excited and passionate about what's to come.
There's a voice in the dark and
You hear an inner voice telling you to keep going.
She whispers, "You gotta hold tighter"
Your inner voice tells you to hold on and persevere.
Storm is lifted and your spirits are soaring much higher
You feel like you're overcoming obstacles and achieving success.
It's a race to the end but the way seems to be clearing.
You feel like you're getting closer to achieving your goals.
There's a band in the streets
There's excitement and energy in the air.
Gonna play "Homecoming Soldier"
There's a celebration of heroes and patriotism.
Well back in D.C., man
Even the leaders of the nation are taking notice of the excitement.
The White House is shakin' a somethin'
There's a sense of change and excitement even among the most powerful people in the country.
Cause the Senator's son yeah the young bull is gonna take over
A new generation is stepping up to take control.
(Watch it)
Be prepared for the changes to come.
He's a young man now
The new leader is young and full of energy.
He's got to toss the hair from his shoulder.
Even he needs to show confidence and take control.
Even you could be a believer
You have the power to believe in yourself and make a difference.
Even you a mighty believer
You can be a powerful force for change.
You're a young man now and you haven't got a lot to lose.
You have the freedom and opportunity to take risks and make a difference.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brian Thomas Higgins, Paul Michael Barry, Steve Torch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
musicisbrilliant
Just beat addiction. YOU KNOW WHY/HOW??? Cause I listen to THIS music right here!!!!! Made me so damn strong. God bless Blue Cheer.
musicisbrilliant
Back 2 months later... Feeling better than I ever have. Never lookin' back.
Chris Miller
@musicisbrilliant it’s super amazing how we can do anything we put our minds to. We just need to believe in ourselves and trust:-)
musicisbrilliant
@Chris Miller Very true, Chris. And thank you. :) Still 100% clean and sober Im happy to report! I would recommend it to anyone.
musicisbrilliant
"The storm is liftin' your spirits are soarin' much higher." Im feelin' it!!!!!!!
Sean Knight
Get it on vinyl, it's recently been reissued and it sounds beautiful.
Art Jackson
What a different sound from what I remember. I saw them in 1968 at a small venue and my ears rang for 3 days.
LIMP WANG
This song needs to be on the radio throughout all of the US nation and other songs out there which have no recognition. today’s radio is garbage just admit it.
Marvin Gershowitz
it's my favorite Cheer Album!
it's like MC5, but different :)
Angel Dust
@nextlevelstart
Oop. I took it.