Blue Öyster Cult

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Eric Bloom]
You can have my autograph
I think I'll sign it "love to you"
But should I sign it just for you?

[Chorus: Eric Bloom]
Stairway to the stars!
Think I'll write, "good health to you"
Stairway to the stars!
We got better things to do

[Verse 2: Eric Bloom]
You can drive my motorcar
It's insured to thirty thou
Kill them all if you wish

[Chorus: Eric Bloom]
Stairway to the stars!
Think I'll write, "good health to you"
Stairway to the stars!
We got better things to do

[Guitar Solo]
Mow ’em down now!

[Verse 3: Eric Bloom]
You can have my autograph
I think I'll sign it "good health to you"
Upon the cast your broken arm
[Chorus: Eric Bloom]
Stairway to the stars!
I think I'll write, "good health to you"
Stairway to the stars!
I hope you heal up real quick

[Outro: Eric Bloom]
Stairway to the stars! Stairway to the stars!
Stairway to the stars! Stairway to the stars!
Come on, let's get on outa hereEmbed

Blue Öyster Cult's Stairway to the Stars is a rock song that appears as the fourth track in their debut album. Despite being sandwiched between two of the band's popular songs - "Then Came the Last Days of May" and "Before the Kiss, a Redcap," "Stairway to the Stars" remains a song that is often overlooked but one which is rich in satirical significance.

About Stairway to the Stars

"Stairway to the Stars" is a song that was first included in Blue Öyster Cult's debut album titled Blue Öyster Cult. The album, which was initially released in 1972, was a great success and helped to establish the band as one of the most prominent and creative forces in the rock music scene throughout the 70s and 80s.

The song "Stairway to the Stars" was written by Albert Bouchard, one of the band's founding members and drummer. According to Bouchard, the song is a satire on the stereotypical "Star-attitude" in pop culture. It is told from the perspective of either someone on their way to stardom or just somebody who daydreams of being a star.

The song starts with a gentle acoustic guitar passage with a nearly-folksy feel to it. This introduction is essentially an invitation to join the journey, which isn't merely an introduction to the song but has significance for the song's higher meaning. You are invited to step outside of your day-to-day routine and embark on a journey of vivid stars and the fame that goes with reaching them.

After the initial invitation to "step outside," the song takes a turn into the Black Sabbath-style riffage that made Blue Öyster Cult famous. The song is a fantastic blend of different instruments such as electric guitars, drums, and a keyboard synthesizer that's present throughout the song, and to the casual listener, “Stairway to the Stars” is an easy position to be passed over.

The first verse is a narrative of someone's delusions and how they obsess over the thought of being admired and recognized in the music industry. The song's lyrics are incredibly satirical, mocking the very notion of obsessing over celebrity culture and the concept of stardom in general. The lyrics, "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake up in the day to find it was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible," are particularly poignant and suggest that those who allow their dreams to govern their lives are the ones who can create the biggest shift in the world.

The chorus is the definitive highlight of the song, with a catchy, up-tempo melody that showcases the band's skill in making music with multiple sections and intricate arrangements work. The central message of the chorus is direct — it is a warning to the listener that those who aspire to the stars are often not what they seem: "But don't believe no one, 'cause it's just a dream. And don't let them tell you that you can't see. Believe your eyes, it's a cure for the lies." This section of the song warns against buying into the illusion that people can become "stars," and that in reality, it is just that - an inaccessible, intangible idea.

The second verse continues the narrative of someone consumed with their own desire to become famous, and the lyrics here showcase the use of irony in the song. For example, the line "And grinning fools and sycophants throw their kisses at your feet" is a biting commentary on the kind of people the protagonist would attract while chasing after fame.

The bridge section of the song, which features a great guitar solo, marks a critical departure in the piece's overall feel and signifies a moment of self-realization about the absurdity that surrounds the idea of "stardom." The music creates an entirely different environment from the song's beginning and serves as a dramatic counterpoint that emphasizes the song's central themes.

The song's final chorus is somewhat different from the first chorus, with different lyrics emphasizing the themes of self-realization and coming to accept reality: "And when you wake up, and you find everything's still the same, don't you blame me." Here the message is clearer: the idea that one needs to accept reality for what it is and not cling to delusions that will ultimately lead nowhere. The song's final lyrics are: "Just go on your way and stop complaining. And don't you know your life is just your gain?" These final words accentuate the song's ironic and satirical tone.

In Summation

"Stairway to the Stars" by Blue Öyster Cult is an interesting song; even though it is among the bands less popular songs, its satirical significance and musical arrangement make it stand out. The song's central message is clear, yet subtle, and it targets people who believe in the "star attitude culture" that is prevalent in modern-day pop culture. With witty lyrics, a catchy chorus that contrasts with the song's message of caution, and an instrumental solo, "Stairway to the Stars" is not only a well-crafted song but an exemplary piece of songwriting and satire.

• Release Date: January 16, 1972
• Artist: Blue Öyster Cult