Godzilla

This was inspired by a series of Japanese films from the 1950s featuring the Godzilla monster, which was inspired by the commercial success of King Kong (1933) and The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms (1953). In 1962 King Kong vs. Godzilla hit theaters all over. The song lyrics depict famous scenes from Godzilla films.

Blue Öyster Cult was one of the first heavy metal bands, and they also did their part to satirize the genre. Like the Godzilla movies, this song is pure camp, with guitar riffs heavy as lead and a closing lyric that sums up the lesson of this story: History shows again and again How nature points up the folly of men If there was any doubt about the band's intentions, it was stomped out by this monster.

This is one of the most popular Blue Öyster Cult songs, but it was never a hit. Spectres was their fifth album; their previous LP Agents of Fortune contained their breakout hit "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," but despite their efforts, they weren't able to duplicate the formula and no songs from Spectres charted. "Godzilla" did have a long life on Classic Rock radio.