“More cowbell” is a funny catchphrase adopted by musicians and recording professionals – usually used when discussing eccentric record producers.
The first documented use of this catchphrase was heard on a Saturday Night Live comedy
sketch, which aired on April 8, 2000, which fictionalized the recording
of the song “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult.
The sketch featured guest host Christopher Walken as music producer “The Bruce Dickinson”
and SNL cast member Will Ferrell, who wrote the sketch, as fictional cowbell player Gene Frenkle.
Throughout the sketch, “The Bruce Dickinson” keeps insisiting that the cowbell needs to be louder in the mix and Gene Frenkle
obliges, to the dismay of the rest of the band.