What Is "Then Came the Last Days of May"

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Last updated: April 10, 2026

Quick Answer: "Then Came the Last Days of May" is a rock song by Blue Öyster Cult from their 1972 self-titled debut album, written and sung by guitarist Buck Dharma. The song tells the true story of three Long Island youths who were shot during a drug deal in Tucson, Arizona in 1971, with two killed and one surviving to identify the assailants.

Key Facts

Released on the self-titled Blue Öyster Cult debut album on January 16, 1972
Written and sung by Buck Dharma, Blue Öyster Cult's lead guitarist
Based on true events from 1971 when three Long Island men traveled to Tucson, Arizona for a drug deal that went wrong
Two of the three youths were killed by the buyers, but one survived and identified the attackers who were arrested
The actual events occurred in July, but the songwriter used "May" for better lyrical fit

Overview

"Then Came the Last Days of May" is a narrative rock song by Blue Öyster Cult that stands out as one of the band's most compelling storytelling tracks. Released on January 16, 1972, on the band's self-titled debut album, the song was written and performed by the band's lead guitarist Buck Dharma. What makes this song particularly distinctive is that it is based on actual events that shook Long Island in the early 1970s, transforming a tragic real-world crime into a dramatic musical composition.

The song captures the dark reality of organized crime and drug trafficking that characterized certain corners of American society during that era. By combining rock instrumentation with narrative lyrics, Blue Öyster Cult created a powerful piece of music that serves both as entertainment and as a cautionary tale. The song has remained a fan favorite and a staple of the band's live performances for over five decades, demonstrating the enduring power of music rooted in true stories.

How It Works

The song unfolds as a chronological narrative that follows the tragic events from beginning to end. Here's how the story progresses:

The Setup: Three young men from Long Island, New York, plan to travel to Tucson, Arizona, to execute a drug deal. These are ordinary youths caught up in a world of illicit commerce, driven by the allure of quick money and the dangers that come with it.
The Journey: The protagonists travel from their home on Long Island to Tucson, embarking on what they believe will be a straightforward transaction. They are relatively inexperienced in the criminal underworld, making them vulnerable to those with more sinister intentions.
The Betrayal: Upon arrival in Tucson, the meeting turns violent. The two buyers they encounter are not legitimate business partners but criminals intent on robbery and murder. They shoot the three Long Island men, stealing both the money and drugs without completing the intended transaction.
The Outcome: Two of the three youths are killed in the attack, but remarkably, one survives his injuries. This survivor becomes the crucial witness who identifies the assailants, leading to their arrest and bringing a measure of justice to the tragedy.
The Message: The song ultimately serves as a cautionary narrative about the dangers of involvement in drug trafficking and organized crime, showing how quickly situations can turn deadly.

Key Comparisons

Aspect	"Then Came the Last Days of May"	Typical Rock Songs
Narrative Style	Extended true crime story with specific details and sequence of events	Usually focused on emotions, relationships, or abstract themes
Subject Matter	Based on factual events from 1971 in Tucson, Arizona	Often fictional or based on personal experiences
Length and Structure	Extended narrative that unfolds chronologically with introduction and resolution	Standard verse-chorus-bridge format with general narrative arc
Impact	Functions as both entertainment and historical documentation of real crime	Primarily emotional or entertainment value without factual grounding
Songwriter Intent	To memorialize victims and tell their story accurately (with minor lyrical adjustments like month)	Varies widely depending on artist's intention and creative vision

Why It Matters

Historical Documentation: The song serves as a musical archive of a real crime that otherwise might have been forgotten. By embedding the story in music, Blue Öyster Cult ensured the victims and their story would be remembered by audiences for generations.
Artistic Innovation: In 1972, creating a three-to-four minute rock song that successfully conveyed a complex true-crime narrative was innovative. Buck Dharma's songwriting demonstrated how rock music could handle serious, mature subject matter with nuance and respect.
Social Commentary: The song implicitly critiques the drug trade and organized crime, showing their human cost. Rather than glorifying criminal activity, the narrative emphasizes the tragic consequences and the vulnerability of those caught in such situations.
Cultural Impact: The song became one of Blue Öyster Cult's signature pieces and has remained in their concert setlists throughout their 50+ year career. It introduced audiences worldwide to a specific moment in Long Island crime history.
Educational Value: For listeners unfamiliar with 1970s crime statistics and the drug trade's prevalence, the song provides a personalized, human-centered perspective on these issues that statistics alone cannot convey.

"Then Came the Last Days of May" endures because it balances compelling storytelling with serious subject matter, creating a rock song that functions simultaneously as art, history, and cautionary tale. Its prominence in Blue Öyster Cult's catalog demonstrates that rock music, when approached thoughtfully, can address complex real-world tragedies while maintaining artistic integrity and emotional resonance.