This is the part of the story where I talk about the intersection of my love life and the making of this BOC classic song. Sorry kids, this is adult stuff here.
Thanks for the fabulous insight Albert. Astronomy is just a wonderful song that means a lot to me and so many other BOC fans. It's a beautifully crafted sonic journey through Sandy's imaginative lyrics and we're all grateful that you and Joe figured out how to bring it to life. The world is a better place for tracks like Astronomy.
Astronomy was always one of the highlights of a BOC concert,very atmospheric keyboards and lets not forget Bucks melodic guitar work.Just a fantastic song with Sandys thought provoking lyrics that stand the test of time,as good today as when it was written all those years ago. Thank you for sharing your memories with us,Albert!
Finally I know who "Susie dear" was. Now I need to know if she is the same Susie from Dominance and Submission and could she also be known as Suzy from Before the Kiss, a Redcap?? Or does BÖC just attract an unusual number of Sues? I'm gonna have to bar hop over to Conry's and the Four Winds and have a couple of drinks to sort this out . . . 🍸🍷
Albert, you really are the mighty rearranger..! I do love how you approach the new arrangements almost like a puzzle, you really seem to get a kick out of figuring it out
I just found your channel like 60 minutes ago, and RU-vid jumped me to this video after I had watched your Ed Sheeran one. So cool to hear the deep behind-the-scenes stories you have been giving us. Briefly looking at your overall output, it appears I have a LOT of catching up to do!
(2:49) Good for you for moving on so quickly. I went though a similar situation. It was definitely difficult, but I soon realized that I had misjudged her and I wasn't losing anything by losing her. In fact, being free was better than living with a liar. 🙂
You know life is a trip. We're friends again now. She was a crazy young person and so was I, to a lesser degree. Probably the music has kept me sane but we're both saner now. She eventually found herself working in a school as a cook and I eventually found myself in a school working as a teacher and for 6 years assistant principal.
Thank you for sharing such a cool story on one of my favorite BOC song, Albert! What an interesting background behind it. I hope to hear Joe’s version of it in one of your future videos. Happy 4th of July!
Astronomy is and likely always will be my favorite BOC track and one of my favorite songs, period. Hearing them play it live (after at least half a dozen people shouted to request it) a few months ago was the highlight of the show. I'm genuinely enraptured by the Re:Imaginos version with its instrumentation stripped back down to basics compared to the overproduced 1988 rendition, but with so many lovely new melodic flourishes to differentiate it from the '74 recording. I've actually been wondering if you'd ever be willing to release sheet music for the Re:Imaginos version; I'd love to see in more detail the artistry behind it.
I wasn’t a fan of Astronomy when I first heard it. But I grew to like it. I think this could be as big as Stairway to Heaven if it could get a good recorded version and some air play and support with promotion.
Did your brother come up with the bass runs before the "Hey" parts? Who added the cool interlude for the live version? I love the additions to other songs too like the extra parts added on the live version of "ETI"
Albert, at about 1:26 you give the year as "around that time, at the end of1981 or so...". But it can't be '81, so is it 1971? That seems like a little too early?
Thanks Albert! Fascinating insight told with your usual good humour. More songwriting stories please. And where do we find out Joe’s version of events?
I might have answered this question before but just in case I didn't. I meant 1971. I qualified all my statements with that "as I remember it" comment. 1971 seems like so long ago… Was just talking to Denise about this tonight. We were young and stupid but we're still here and still friends.
a real classic ! It follows the BEST BÖC track on Secret Treaties and nonetheless manages to hit it out of the ballpark ! (nice t-shirt Albert ! Davy will like that !)
Thanks a lot, Albert! This totally made my day. What a great song this is. Amazing! But let us have some talk about your magnificent t-shirt. Where can I order one … or two … or …?
Just got into BOC within the last year for the very first time. You guys are such damn brilliant songwriters. Been enjoying exploring your catalog and watching your awesome videos, Mr Bouchard. I love your song Debbie Denise.
Many thanks, Albert Bouchard, for this informative video on my absolute favorite tune by Blue Oyster Cult. Oh yeah, that tune served as a kernel of inspiration for a short story that I'll be working on during Autumn 2023. Take care, Albert.
One of the most amazing songs of all time. Dream On can suck my nards, this just f’ing kills it. An all time great, even above anything Ravel, as great as it all is, this, THIS is the greatest song of all time.
I really dig the Imaginos version of it. One of the most interesting songs of all time, reinterpreted by the creators of the greatest song of all time and elevated? You just can’t ask for much more, well, not as mortal beings anyhow. The Brain Surgeons rocked this out at Seneca Lake, and sure, there might have been a touch of LSD in my system, but they just DESTROYED it. Best version of it I’d ever seen. Thanks Albert for improving my life forever.
Love the story! Love the song. Interesting about the 2 versions of your riff. I will often remember stuff like that the wrong way and inadvertently change it when playing from memory. I’ll listen closer and be like, I’m doing that wrong! lol
fascinating! one of my favorite songs ever! I love your presentation and the story. Personally, I like the "riff" you wrote either way, but I think your way adds a little more melancholy or a little darker. Neither of those exactly describe what I want to convey, but it's in the right direction. lol. I just found your websitr today amd led me to your youtube channel. I have been a huge fan since the early 70s. My first show (of many) was a free concert in Dallas, 1975 in front of the Cottonbowl. thank you for all the magical music you've shared. 💖🎶
I’m curious…at around 3:31 and just past that, you said “the lyrics just appeared in the house…”. What does that mean? And you mentioned that that’s weird. Exactly how did they appear?
Sandy had brought the lyric to practice and it ended up on the piano. I didn't realize it at the time but Sandy had spent over a year perfecting that lyric so it did just seem to materialize out of thin air.
Thanks! Listen, no offense was meant. I’ve been a fan of BÖC for a long time and your direct input in particular. I have a manuscript (unpublished) from about 20 years ago that has some inspirational portions from the song lyrics of Astronomy called Kahoke (thus the RU-vid handle), about an old legend in West Point, Virginia of a light that appears alongside some C&O railroad tracks. Anyway, great song lyrically and melodiously. Take care.
I love to hear the stories of how the songs came to be. Neat story. Don't be afraid to tell more of them, especially from the early days, the first three albums.
This is incredible I found your youtube channel two days ago, I subscribed yesterday, and today I get to hear how my favorite song was made. Clearly I was meant to see this Thank you for all the fantastic music, Al
One of my favorite songs ever, Albert. BOC's first three albums will always be amongst my favorite of all times, and I have so many good (and mystical) memories of listening to the songs. I am 66 now and started with Secret Treaties in '75 and I still consider you guys to be ground-breaking and so amazing. Thanks for the memories, man!
Been a fan since 1978. I was an apprentice at the Singer Sewing Machine co and a colleague introduced ya'll to me. The Subhuman live was my favorite at that time. Saw ya'll at the Appolo in Glasgow, Scotland April 29,1978. My first live concert. All my vinyl is back in my attic in Scotland. It went with me to the US in 1993 and back to Scotland in 2007. Great to hear the history of a great track.
Great story, Albert. I love hearing stuff like this. Astronomy was the first BÖC song I heard on radio in Los Angeles. The FM station usually played it on Friday afternoons during their free-for -all program when they aired good music you wouldn't hear during the other times. I've always loved this song with its haunting melodies and dark moods. It's absolutely brilliant. Was Suzie dear a reference to Ms. Hefernon?
The original BOC line up belongs in the RnR HoF. No disrespect to any subsequent line ups,they've all been great. Saw them '73 Schaffer Music Festival Central Park,NY. Saw them at Epcot last month and many times in between. Always a great time!
Met you once in an outdoor gig in Duluth, MN.... my band opened for you and when we met in the dressings room, you were not a pleasant man... rude if I may say... all you said to one of your band mates, can't wait to be in Europe where the real fans are... that was the last day I listened to any B.O.C.
Also I played only once in Duluth on Oct 23, 1977 in the Duluth Arena and never outdoors so either memories are faulty or you're talking about someone else. What is your band's name?
@@altbouch I think your responses are incredibly polite and respectful. It’s such a shame the OP didn’t have the decency to provide an answer to your query. You are not only a wonderful musician who has brought so much pleasure to so many but you are also a gentleman.
BOY OH BOY WHAT A GREAT STORY AND IM SOOO GLAD YOUR IN THE DICTATORS I'M KICKING OUT MY BOC RECORD/CDS AND IT'S KICKING MY BUT THANKS ALBERT AND JOE YOU BROTHERS RULE ❤ FAN FOR LIFE ANTHONY.K
Personally, I loved the cover. The stripped down heaviness is great, and the effect on the "hey" was a brilliant touch, and really the only way to pull off that vocal on such a heavy version. The leads are lacking though. I love early Metallica, especially, but Kirk can't hold a candle to Buck.
Glad I found this channel. Albert - I was always completely taken by your drumming. Your light and playful approach was oft a poignant counterpart to the lyrics. So cool to now know who Susie is! "Come Susie dear, let's take a walk Just out there upon the beach I know you'll soon be married..."
I was born in 71 I feel a connection to this masterpiece. So great to hear you talk about its origins... I could listen to you for hours. You and Joe were such a huge part of that amazing band.
i recall my roommate singing “hey, hey” doing a little dance step. i saw you guys 3 times, tyranny in long beach, treaties in san diego and at the forum for godzilla. you guys were finally big time.
