Classic Rock
Rock
'Don't Fear the Reaper' (1976) is Blue Öyster Cult’s signature hit, written and sung by guitarist Buck Dharma. Its warm guitar riff and smooth vocals undercut the song’s morbid theme of embracing death and love ('Romeo and Juliet are together in eternity'). The track was one of BÖC’s biggest hits, and the band famously included a cowbell in the recording – leading to the well-known *Saturday Night Live* sketch ('More Cowbell') in 2000, which cemented the song’s place in pop culture. Despite its dark message, the song’s melody and message of acceptance have made it a perennial classic.