HIM – (Don't Fear) The Reaper (Blue Oyster Cult cover)

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  General Comment:OK, I've found a quote from Roeser (this comes from another lyrics-meaning site and I don't know what the original source is, but I believe it's authentic):
  
  “ I felt that I had just achieved some kind of resonance with the psychology of people when I came up with that, I was actually kind of appalled when I first realized that some people were seeing it as an advertisement for suicide or something that was not my intention at all. It is, like, not to be afraid of it (as opposed to actively bring it about). It's basically a love song where the love transcends the actual physical existence of the partners. "
  
  Another thing that I didn't think about when doing my previous post but should mention is that the first verse is VERY important to understanding what the song is really about. Roeser is, essentially, telling is that death is a part of nature, and if nature doesn't fear it, why should humans? (Not to mention that death itself is a crucial part of the life cycle; without the nutrients provided by the decomposition of dead creatures - and yes, that includes humans - new life couldn't grow and thrive, and the planet itself would become a dead thing.)

  Flagged joea64on August 06, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:I was reading up on the song last night (for those of you who don't know, the game Guild Wars: Factions has a quest called "More Cowbell" that takes off on the famous SNL skit spoofing the recording of the song) and I found a reference to Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser talking about the song. According to him, it's NOT about suicide - it's about the kind of love that transcends death. Unfortunately, I've lost the link (trying to find it) but I thought you guys might want to know what the songwriter himself had to say.

  Flag joea64on August 06, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:I liked Blue oyster cults song. I LOVED HIM's version though. I grew up hearing the BOC version and i always thought there was something a bit off and Ville got it spot on with slwoing the song down. I always thought this song was about someone looking at death like a robber in a kwikimart or a car coming towards somone and that person staring it down "Don't fear the reaper"

  Flag fred-bearon February 08, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:Suicide pact

  Flag lostlittleangelon February 04, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:I love this version of this song...Ville and the band do an awesome job relating the song to me..I admit I did not like the original version...However,Ville adds his own touch to it and makes it his own art! And it is bloody simple what it means...The typical lovers story...This world is so cruel so they are willing to die now together to be with each other for eternity...the end explains the whole song! "like Romeo and Juliet"

  Flag Fatal Desireson November 14, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:I'm not going to comment on the quality of this cover against the original, or other covers. This song, this specific version means so much to me. It was played in my honor by my friend during his 'net radio show, after finding out I was released from the hospital, following my initial treatment of cancer.

  Flag AngelSwordAFon August 20, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:to me this song explains how two pple ( romeo and juliet ) want to spend eternity together because their love will have no end. so if during their mortal existence, death should call, they shud not be scared cus it wud be more of a blessing to die than to stay in this cruel world.

  Flag baetaon August 01, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:i always thought of it as the man was singing to his girlfriend not to fear death because she was sick or something and about to die. So i don't understand why the girl is singing don't fear the reaper also. and in some parts the girl singing sounds horrible. but that is just my opinion. i like the way blue oyster cult sings it. listen to blue oyster cult !!!!!!

  Flag thetownidi0ton July 30, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:I have always loved this song, and in a lot of ways I love the BOC version more simply because it's a classic and it rocks...but I also really love this version as well. HIM simply rocks.
  
  Little question, does anyone know where I can download a ringtone of this? It doesn't have to be a free one, I'd gladly pay for it, but I can't seem to find one anywhere. Thanks. ^nn^

  Flag xDARKxTEARDROPSxon June 08, 2007   Link

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  General Comment:holy god...why? villo vallo is the worst singer in history, and say that h.i.m. did a better job than boc? what the fuck? H.I.M. ruined this song, they took all of the meaning and feeling from this song and replaced it with a shitty female singer. villos voice is not deep, or haunting. it's emotionless and flat. boc had an incredible sound with this song, and in my opinon h.i.m completly ruined this, but you can't blame them, H.I.M. never made a good anyway. just alot of merch.

  Flag markymangleon June 08, 2007   Link

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