With lyrics like, "Is it any wonder that my mind's on fire," Blue Oyster Cult could always be counted on to take listeners beyond the everyday. The meaning of "Flaming Telepaths" is debatable. On its surface, it's about intravenous drug use, but a closer read gives the song a science fiction edge. Images of imprisonment and failed experiments permeate the song, setting it apart from the, "Ooh, baby, tonight, tonight" business shilled by BOC's contemporaries. It's a less-celebrated song than "Don't Fear the Reaper" or "Godzilla," but "Flaming Telepaths" has also seen its share of influence on popular culture. The song's title served as the basis for a John Shirley story. Shirley, one of the progenitors of cyberpunk, later wrote lyrics for the band. The song even serves as a prototype of sorts for Stephen King's Firestarter.
Check out "The Champ" by my alter ego, Greg Forrest, in Heater #12, at http://fictionmagazines.com.
I used to do a mean Glenn Danzig impression. Now I just hang around and co-host The Workprint podcast at http://southboundcinema.com/.
