By January of 2005, Roger Taylor admitted to German television that they would be touring Europe in the spring and summer of that year, under the name of "Queen + Paul Rodgers". The full line up included original "Queen" members May (guitar, vocals) and Taylor (drums, vocals) as well as former "The Pretenders" and "Brian May Band" member Jamie Moses (guitar, vocals), former "Blue Oyster Cult" bassist Danny Miranda (bass, vocals), Queen's 1986 tour keyboard player Spike Edney (keyboards, vocals) and Paul Rodgers (vocals, occasional guitar). Over the course of 2005, the band played in over a dozen European countries as well as the Aruba Festival, 4 dates in Japan, 2 shows in the U.S.A., and 1 show in South Africa The band embarked upon a large scale tour of Northern America during Spring 2006, hitting 22 venues in the U.S.A. and 2 in Canada.
Some controversy was caused within the "Queen" fan base over the use of the name. There was concern over the fact that Queen's legendary front man, Freddie Mercury, was seemingly being replaced. However, each band member has said this is not the case: Rodgers could never replace Freddie Mercury but brought his own talents to the band. Furthermore, the fact that retired former "Queen" bassist John Deacon was also missing caused some discontent. Yet despite this, by and large "Queen" fans were won over by the band's blues-tinted renditions of "Queen" classics. Additionally, Paul Rodgers' fans were happy with the inclusion of several Free and Bad Company anthems on the set list, providing super-powered versions of tunes such as "All Right Now" and "Can't Get Enough".
After the end of the Return of the Champions Tour, the band set out to and completed their first and heretofore only album The Cosmos Rocks which debuted to warm reviews by fans in September 2008. Consequently the band toured again in late 2008 throughout Europe, Asia, and South America to promote the album. The Rock the Cosmos Tour in all was seen by nearly 1 million people in almost two dozen nations. The tour was highlighted by its first performance, recorded for DVD and CD, where the band played before over 350,000 fans in Freedom Square, Kharkiv, Ukraine. Said show was in fact put together at the last moment to benefit HIV/AIDS awareness.
On 14th May 2009, Paul Rodgers announced that his collaboration with the surviving active members of "Queen" was at and end, and that the "Queen + Paul Rodgers" project was being placed on indefinite hiatus. While, the band members did not rule out working together again, each sought to pursue solo projects, or in the case of Paul Rodgers, a reunion with Bad Company. The band has not gotten back together since, but Rodgers has stated that he's open to the idea of doing more, specially for charity.
Reaching Out/Tie Your Mother Down
Queen + Paul Rodgers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been too long on my own
Everybody has a private world
Where they can be alone
Are you calling me?
Are you trying to get through?
Are you reaching out for me?
Like I'm reaching out for you
In Queen+Paul Rodgers's song "Reaching Out/Tie Your Mother Down," the lyrics depict a sense of emotional despair and disconnect with the outside world. The opening verse, "Lately I've been hard to reach, I've been too long on my own," conveys a feeling of isolation and loneliness. The subsequent line, "Everybody has a private world where they can be alone," emphasizes the idea that everyone has their own struggles, battles, and private lives that they don't necessarily show to the world.
As the song progresses into the chorus, the lyrics become more hopeful and optimistic. The question, "Are you calling me? Are you trying to get through?" highlights the desire for human connection and for reaching out to one another despite the difficulties that come with opening up. The lyric, "Like I'm reaching out for you," is a powerful statement that promotes the notion of bridging the gap between people and creating a union that will ultimately bring about greater understanding and unity.
Line by Line Meaning
Lately I've been hard to reach
Recently, I have been difficult to contact or communicate with.
I've been too long on my own
I have been alone for an extended period of time.
Everybody has a private world
Each person has their own personal space where they can be alone and free from intrusion.
Where they can be alone
This is a continuation of the previous line emphasizing the need for personal space and solitude.
Are you calling me?
Are you attempting to contact me through a phone call?
Are you trying to get through?
Are you attempting to make contact or connect with me?
Are you reaching out for me?
Are you trying to communicate with me, perhaps because you feel a connection or bond?
Like I'm reaching out for you
In the same way that you may be reaching out to me, I too am reaching out to you, either physically or figuratively.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DANIEL GRAFTON HILL, MICHAEL W. SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind