Forgotten Classic: Blue Oyster Cult's "Shooting Shark"

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Always loved this song musically, but I never really stopped to read the lyrics until recently--they are pretty damn good as well. Three times he's seen the shooting shark--well, of course.

Do they have anything else in their catalogue that sounds like this one? How is the rest of "Revolution by Night"?

Joe (Joe), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 15:22 (twenty years ago)

"Veteran of the Psychik Wars" might appeal to you if you like this one (from the Heavy Metal soundtrack). It's a bit more plodding, but it's got the same sort've sci-fi fixation (as much of their work does). Eric Bloom sings it, though, not Buck Dharma.

If I remember correctly, "Shooting Shark" has a severely silly video.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 15:43 (twenty years ago)

My fave BOC tune remains: "Joan Crawford (has Risen From the Grave)" from Fire of Unknown Origin.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 15:44 (twenty years ago)

"Shooting Shark" video > silly "Joan Crawford" video?

I barely remember the "Shooting Shark" video, myself...wasn't it like Oliver Stone-esque with cosmic Native American elder or something? Or maybe I'm just thinking of their Fire of Unknown Origin album cover...

Joe (Joe), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 15:56 (twenty years ago)

Well, the "Joan Crawford" video is knowingly silly.

There's one weird bit in the "Shooting Shark" video wherein Buck Dharma (dressed like some sort've balding Mickey Spillane gumshoe type) is wrestling with a woman....and she turns into a piglet. There's some vague narrative at work (yes, there is some Native American soothsayer involved at one point or another), but it's hard to discern.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 16:03 (twenty years ago)

It's a strange song for BOC. Patti Smith wrote the lyrics to it and that's Randy Jackson on the bass. The rest of Revolution By Night is kinda dodgy but "Take Me Away" is pretty great.

If you get a chance, check out the demo version of "Shooting Shark" on one of the Buck Dharma comps.

Elvis Telecom (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 16:04 (twenty years ago)

http://www.legacyrecordings.com/boc/images/BOC1.jpg

"Silly? US?"

Blue Oyster Cult (vassifer), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 16:05 (twenty years ago)

That picture is fantastic.

Revised left to right: Jeff Lynne (borrowing one of Rick Wakeman's capes), Barry Goudreau, Ted Nugent, Roy Estrada, and Allen Collins

Joe (Joe), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 17:18 (twenty years ago)

My fave BOC tune remains: "Joan Crawford (has Risen From the Grave)" from Fire of Unknown Origin.

sweet! love that song!

M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 27 July 2005 17:27 (twenty years ago)

two months pass...
Oh my god, this piece of shit just came on.

TS: Shooting Shark -vs- Toto's "Africa"

when something smacks of something (dave225.3), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 11:14 (twenty years ago)

consider yrself lucky!!!!!!

M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 19:39 (twenty years ago)

Another great BOC song: In Thee

kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 20:07 (twenty years ago)

eleven months pass...
bitch turns into a goat!

dave q (listerine), Saturday, 23 September 2006 15:59 (nineteen years ago)

three years pass...

YouTube provides! (complete with 1980s public access VJs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7RqXkqB_zo

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 30 October 2009 07:33 (sixteen years ago)

Huh. Both the vid and song are much better than I remember. I'm a lazy/forgetful BOC fan and made a 2cd comp for some friends earlier this year -- kinda bummed I left it off (drew the line at Fire of Unknown Origin).

from alcoholism to fleshly concerns (contenderizer), Friday, 30 October 2009 07:44 (sixteen years ago)

There are a few awesome songs after Fire Of Unknown Origin-- "Shooting Shark" is one, "Take It Away" and "Veins Of California", also on the 2 reunion albums there's "Pocket", "Stone of Love" and especially "Harvest Moon" which might be in my top 10 BOC songs.

And Imaginos is such a misbegotten monster of WTF that I just have to throw it on once in awhile. "He was me! And I was called! FRANK! EN! STEIN!"

Durian Durian (Jon Lewis), Friday, 30 October 2009 15:37 (sixteen years ago)

I have been known to stan for the revolution by night

鬼の手 (Edward III), Friday, 30 October 2009 15:40 (sixteen years ago)

BOC played "shooting shark"

when I saw them

a couple years ago

at a street festival

was delighted

鬼の手 (Edward III), Friday, 30 October 2009 15:45 (sixteen years ago)

There are a few awesome songs after Fire Of Unknown Origin-- "Shooting Shark" is one, "Take It Away" and "Veins Of California",

You've conflated "Veins" and "Shadow of California", no such song as "Veins of California". And "Take It Away" should be "Take ME Away". But otherwise, you nailed it: Those are the four good songs on Revolution By Night.

Race Against Rockism (Myonga Vön Bontee), Saturday, 31 October 2009 08:35 (sixteen years ago)


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