The band formed in London in 1970 after May and Taylor's former band Smile split after having released an album and single. Freddie replaced lead vocalist Tim Staffell, after the latter's departure from the original trio.
There was much deliberation as to what the band's name would be. May and Taylor had settled upon the Grand Dance, derived from a C.S. Lewis Trilogy of books Out Of The Silent Planet.
Ultimately, the band went with Queen, a name that was entirely Freddie's. Originally Roger and, especially, Brian did not like the name, though Mercury would eventually persuade them both that it was "right" for the band.
"Years ago I thought up the name Queen... It's just a name, but it's very regal, and it sounds splendid. It's a strong name, very universal and immediate. It had a lot of visual potential and was open to all sorts of interpretations. I was certainly aware of the gay connotations, but that was just one facet of it. "
- Freddie Mercury.
Queen went through several bass players before a young electronics major by the name of John Deacon arrived on the scene in January of 1971.
"Until John, it had been exploding bass player syndrome. If they musically worked they'd look all wrong, and if they felt all right they couldn't play. - Brian May.
This quite shy guy turned up with his immaculate Rickenbacker bass and immaculate amplifier, plugged in, and as soon as he started playing we realized it was right." - Brian May.
Later that year, the band was secured recording time at the newly built De Lane Lea studio, and used the opportunity to record several songs that would later appear on their debut album - Liar, Keep Yourself Alive, Jesus, and The Night Comes Down. The demo reel was passed around from producer to producer with little success, until a staff member of Trident records by the name of Roy Thomas Baker was introduced to the band by fellow Trident producer John Anthony. Baker dropped in to watch the band at work and, clearly liking what he heard, recommended Queen to his superiors.
It was eventually agreed upon that the fledgling band could record at Trident studios, though after already-established artists had finished their work, such as the likes of Elton John and David Bowie. Relegated to the wee hours of the morning to record the remaining tracks of their first album, the band nonetheless stuck it out until they reached their ultimate goal of "perfection".
Queen's self-titled debut album was released in 1973 and received little attention from the general public. They quickly followed it a year later with a second album, "Queen II" which also failed to generate much interest from music fans in Britain, despite the success of the album's single, Seven Seas of Rhye, which would reach #10 on the charts after the band's mimed appearance on Top of the Pops.
The band's second album was recorded with a higher budget than the first, and the band threw everything they had into recording it. Queen II was somewhat of a "concept album", split into "White Side" vs. "Black Side".
As was in their nature, the band pressed onward after the mediocre success of their first two albums, immersing themselves in a world-wide tour to promote Queen II. Queen played in America for the first time, as a support act for Mott the Hoople.
Sheer Heart Attack would be released later that year, focusing more on being accessible to listeners, than the grand and complex ideas of the previous two albums. The recording of their third album was met with some hardships, as May fell victim to a series of illnesses brought on by an infected inoculation, required for the band's rigorous touring schedule.
Sheer Heart Attack brought even more success for the band, with May's Now I'm Here and the song that would be the band's "turning point", the Mercury-penned Killer Queen, the latter of which would reach #2 on the UK charts.
During this time, the band began developing a huge following in Japan and witnessed their popularity for themselves when they visited the country, mainly in 1975, to promote their fourth and most famous album "A Night At The Opera", featuring the epic "Bohemian Rhapsody".
Queen's popularity grew steadily through the latter half of the 70s as they released hit album after hit album, reaching its peak in the mid-80s after their "Live Aid" appearance, and continuing into the early 90s before Mercury's untimely death on 24th November 1991. The official cause of death was bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS.
Over the course of their 30 year career, the band did sound tracks for two films ("Flash Gordon" and "Highlander"), released a string of live and studio albums, and had many many fans across the world.
In 1995, 4 years after Mercury's death, the band released the album "Made In Heaven". This album saw the surviving band members in the studio completing or reworking unused vocals, unreleased variations of Freddie solo material (a Queen version of "I Was Born To Love You" for example), and tracks where Brian and Roger added lyrics to flesh out a song ("Mother Love").
Queen have been on indefinite hiatus since 1997, when John Deacon decided to retire.
Several "Queen + ..." projects have been developed in the following years, a few of them mere remixes with no artistic involvement from the band. In 1999, a "Greatest Hits III" album was released. This featured, among others, "Queen + Wyclef Jean" on a rap version of "Another One Bites the Dust", a live version of "Somebody to Love" performed by George Michael, and a live version of "The Show Must Go On" performed live in 1997 with Elton John.
Brian May and Roger Taylor have performed together as Queen on several occasions (award ceremonies, charity concerts, and the like), sharing vocals with various guest singers. They have also recorded several covers of Queen's hits with guest vocalists, including "We Will Rock You" (first with Five and later Britney Spears, Beyonce, John Farnham and P!nk) and "We Are the Champions" (with Robbie Williams).
On the 14th of May 2002 the Queen musical 'We Will Rock You' opened in the Dominion theatre in London's 'West End'. A Musical about young people in the distant future who aren't allowed to listen to music not generated by computers. Various Queen songs are used in the story, played by a live band. This live band was supported by Brian May and Roger Taylor on the premiere evening.
At the end of 2004, May and Taylor announced that they would reunite and return to touring in 2005, with Paul Rodgers (founder and former lead singer of Free and Bad Company). Brian May's website also stated that Rodgers would be 'featured with' Queen as 'Queen + Paul Rodgers', not replacing Mercury. The retired John Deacon would not be participating.
Between 2005 and 2006 Queen + Paul Rodgers embarked on a world tour, the first leg in Europe and the second, Japan and then the US in 2006. On 15 August 2006, Brian May confirmed through his website and fan club that Queen + Paul Rodgers would begin producing their first studio album beginning in October, to be recorded at a "secret location". The album, titled The Cosmos Rocks, was released in Europe on 12 September 2008 and in the United States on 28 October 2008. Following the album the band again embarked on a tour through Europe, opening on Kharkiv's Freedom Square in front of 350,000 Ukrainian fans. The show in Ukraine was later released on DVD.
Queen and Paul Rodgers officially split up without animosity on 12 May 2009. Rodgers did not rule out the possibility of working together again.
Since 2012, Queen has been touring with Adam Lambert as the frontman.
More information about Queen + Paul Rodgers can be found on their last.fm page.
Official website: www.queenonline.com
Discography:
1.- Queen (1973)
2.- Queen II (1974)
3.- Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
4.- A Night at the Opera (1975)
5.- A Day at the Races (1976)
6.- News of the World (1977)
7.- Jazz (1978)
8.- The Game (1980)
9.- Flash Gordon (1980)
10.- Hot Space (1982)
11.- The Works (1984)
12.- A Kind of Magic (1986)
13.- The Miracle (1989)
14.- Innuendo (1991)
15.- Made in Heaven (1995)
Bad News
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In another place
It was black and White
Yeah
It was in your face
Oh Yeah
Took a lot to admit
I was incomplete
I was into you
It took a lot to admit
You were wrong for me
It took a lot to admit
We were bad news
That stove was hot
Those teeth were sharp
That girl is
Real bad news
I don't think that we would have had
That much to lose
Where'd ya get those boots?
Yeah
Where'd ya get those blue jeans baby?
Were they?
Were they from the Stones?
Were they from the Hard Rock Cafe?
$300 don't buy Chuck Berry
And $300 don't buy these Rhythm and Blues
$300 says your a rich girl
Dressed up
Like you're real bad news
In your Big Black Boots
That stove was hot
Those teeth were sharp
That girl is
Real bad news
I don't think that we would have had
That much to lose
The lyrics of Queen's song "Bad News" explore the themes of self-realization, admitting mistakes, and the consequences of being involved with someone who is toxic or detrimental to one's well-being.
The first stanza sets the stage by acknowledging a different time and place when things were uncomplicated and straightforward. However, the mention of black and white and being in your face suggests that this time was filled with confrontations and clashes. It took a lot for the singer to admit that they were incomplete, implying that they were not fully themselves in this situation. Furthermore, they also realized that they were into this person, but it was difficult to admit that the other person was wrong for them. Ultimately, they acknowledge that they were bad news together.
The second stanza shifts the focus to specific elements that symbolize the negative aspects of this person. The stove being hot and teeth being sharp represent the danger and potential harm this individual posed. The girl being described as "real bad news" further emphasizes their toxic nature. The line "I don't think that we would have had that much to lose" suggests that the singer is reflecting on the situation and realizing that it may have been best to not be involved with this person.
In the third stanza, the lyrics take a detour by questioning the origin of the girl's fashion choices, specifically her boots and blue jeans. The mention of the Stones and the Hard Rock Cafe hints at a rebellious and unconventional style. The singer comments that money can't buy the authenticity and influence of true rock icons like Chuck Berry and Rhythm and Blues artists. They then refer to the girl as a "rich girl dressed up like she's real bad news," suggesting that her attempts at portraying a rebellious image may be artificial and insincere.
The repetition of the previous stanza in the fourth paragraph reinforces the notion of the girl being bad news. The Big Black Boots, the hot stove, and sharp teeth continue to symbolize the danger and toxicity associated with her. The line "I don't think that we would have had that much to lose" is repeated, continuing to suggest that being involved with this person brought more harm than benefit.
Overall, "Bad News" explores the journey of self-discovery, accepting one's mistakes, and the realization that one's circumstances and the people they choose to be involved with can have significant consequences on their own well-being. It serves as a cautionary tale about being aware of the negative influences in one's life and choosing healthier relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
In another time
During a different era
In another place
In a different location
It was black and White
The situation was clear-cut and uncomplicated
Yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation
It was in your face
It was blatantly obvious
Oh Yeah
Another expression of agreement or affirmation
Took a lot to admit
It required significant effort to acknowledge
I was incomplete
I was not whole or fulfilled
Took a lot to admit
It required significant effort to acknowledge
I was into you
I had strong feelings or attraction towards you
It took a lot to admit
It required significant effort to acknowledge
You were wrong for me
You were not a suitable match for me
It took a lot to admit
It required significant effort to acknowledge
We were bad news
Our relationship was turbulent and destined for trouble
That stove was hot
The situation was dangerous or volatile
Those teeth were sharp
The individual or circumstances were threatening
That girl is
Referring to a particular woman
Real bad news
She is trouble or brings negativity
I don't think that we would have had
I believe we wouldn't have experienced
That much to lose
Significant consequences or negative outcomes
Where'd ya get those boots?
Where did you acquire those boots?
Yeah
Expressing agreement or affirmation
Where'd ya get those blue jeans baby?
Where did you obtain those blue jeans, dear?
Were they?
Were they perhaps
Were they from the Stones?
Were they manufactured by the Rolling Stones, perhaps?
Were they from the Hard Rock Cafe?
Were they obtained from the Hard Rock Cafe, maybe?
$300 don't buy Chuck Berry
An amount of $300 is not sufficient to purchase Chuck Berry
And $300 don't buy these Rhythm and Blues
Additionally, $300 is insufficient to acquire these Rhythm and Blues items
$300 says your a rich girl
I assert that you are a wealthy woman based on the fact that you possess $300
Dressed up
Wearing fancy or elegant attire
Like you're real bad news
In a manner that suggests you are genuinely trouble or bring negativity
In your Big Black Boots
Wearing large, black boots
That stove was hot
The situation was dangerous or volatile
Those teeth were sharp
The individual or circumstances were threatening
That girl is
Referring to a particular woman
Real bad news
She is trouble or brings negativity
I don't think that we would have had
I believe we wouldn't have experienced
That much to lose
Significant consequences or negative outcomes
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Alex Barandi, Brian Westfall, Chase Paul, Dave Moran
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind