The Revenge of Vera Gemini
Blue Öyster Cult
The female voice in this song is that of pop star Patti Smith, who wrote the lyrics. She was dating Allen Lanier of BÖC at the time.
“The Revenge of Vera Gemini” was produced by David Lucas, Sandy Pearlman & Murray Krugman.
At its core, the song tells the story of a vengeful spirit named Vera Gemini. According to popular belief, Vera was a witch who was burned at the stake during the Salem witch trials. Before her death, she cursed her lover, causing him to suffer for eternity. The lyrics of the song reflect the desire for revenge and the pain of lost love, with lines like “Revenge, revenge, revenge, the bitter end” and “You crossed the sea of my dreams.”
Blue Öyster Cult’s lead vocalist, Albert Bouchard, and lyricist, Patti Smith, crafted the lyrics with an air of mystique. The band wanted to create a sense of intrigue and ambiguity, allowing the listener to interpret the story in their own way. This approach adds to the song’s allure, making it a topic of discussion and analysis among fans and music enthusiasts.
The line "24th of May" in the song, "The Revenge Of Vera Gemini" refers to both Albert Bouchard's and Bob Dylan's birthday. On the occasion of his 25th birthday, Patti Smith gave Albert the lyrics to this song, which she presumably wrote about a true incident involving her and Bob Dylan.
The Marvel Comics Agents of Fortune and Vera Gemini was after the album. Marvel Comics at the time must have been big BOC fans. There are all kinds of references to BOC songs and albums in the old comics. Harvester of Eyes was in one of the comics too.
Written by: Patti Smith, Albert Bouchard
Album: Agents Of Fortune
Released: 1976
You're boned like a saint
With the conciousness of a snake
You're the kind of girl (kind of girl)
I'd like to find
Face like an angel (in my mirror)
But you're boned like the devil
Your eyes have shifted from me (have shift)
Everyone saw what you did (your eyes)
You have slipped from beneath me (from me)
Like a false and nervous squid
Oh, no more horses, horses
We're going to swim like a fish (we're gonna swim like a fish)
Into the hole in which you planned to ditch me
My lovely
Vera Marie
(I was soaring)
Planned to leave me cold (a sound)
But you'll never get your wish (feeling appeal)
On the twenty-fourth of May (your birthday)
I gather up your reins
You filled me with a vengeance (filled me)
And you touched me with your breath (vengeance)
I'm gonna pull you from this dance (this dance)
You're gonna ride so easily
Oh, no more horses, horses
We're going to swim like a fish (we're gonna swim like a fish)
Into the hole in which you planned to ditch me
My lovely
Vera Marie
Hey! Come on Vera!
(Each night
I dance)
Oh, no more horses, horses
We're going to swim like a fish (we're gonna swim like a fish)
Into the hole in which you planned to ditch me
My lovely
Vera Marie
I was your victim (victim)
I was well deceived (deceived)
Hell's built on regret (regret)
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