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)
Fat Bottomed Girls
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out?
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rockin' world go 'round
Hey, I was just a skinny lad
Never knew no good from bad
Left alone with big fat Fanny
She was such a naughty nanny
Hey, big woman
You made a bad boy out of me
Hey, hey
I've been singing with my band
Cross the water, across the land
I've seen every blue eyed floozy on the way, hey
But their beauty and their style
Went kind of smooth after a while
Take me to them dirty ladies every time
Come on
Oh, won't you take me home tonight?
Oh, down beside your red firelight
Oh, and you give it all you got
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rockin' world go 'round
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rockin' world go 'round
Hey, listen here
Now, I got mortgages on homes
I got stiffness in my bones
Ain't no beauty queens in this locality, I tell you
Oh, but I still get my pleasure
Still got my greatest treasure
Hey, big woman, you gonna make a big man of me
Now get this
(Oh, I know) Are you gonna take me home tonight? (Please)
Oh, down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out?
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rockin' world go 'round (yeah)
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rockin' world go 'round
Get on your bikes and ride
Ooh, yeah
Oh yeah
Them fat bottomed girls
(Fat bottomed girls)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Alright, ride 'em cowboy
Fat bottomed girls
Yes, yes
The lyrics of Queen's song "Fat Bottomed Girls" describe the singer's attraction to women with ample figures. The opening lines are a rhetorical question asking if the person addressed will take the singer home to a place with a red firelight, and if they will enjoy themselves without inhibitions. The chorus declares that such women are the ones who make the rockin' world go round. The second verse describes how the singer developed a taste for women with meat on their bones, thanks to a nanny named Fanny who was large and lusty. The bridge asserts that, even though the singer has grown older and acquired possessions, he still prefers the company of the same type of woman.
At its core, "Fat Bottomed Girls" is a song about unapologetic enjoyment of a physical type that some people might consider unattractive or unacceptable. It celebrates the power and sex appeal of women who don't conform to conventional beauty standards. Additionally, there's a sense of wild abandon in the song, as if the singer and the titular girls are living life to the fullest without regret. Overall, it's a raucous and joyful tribute to a certain type of woman.
Line by Line Meaning
Are you gonna take me home tonight?
Asking if the person wants to invite the singer to their home tonight.
Oh, down beside that red firelight
Referring to a spot besides a red firelight to spend time together.
Are you gonna let it all hang out?
Asking if the person is willing to be open and free tonight.
Fat bottomed girls
Referring to women with a curvy figure, particularly in the hip and waist area.
You make the rockin' world go 'round
Acknowledging that women with a curvy figure are often attractive and desirable, and hence play an important role in the world of rock music and entertainment.
Hey, I was just a skinny lad
Introducing the singer as someone who used to be thin or lean.
Never knew no good from bad
Suggesting that the young speaker was inexperienced or naive.
But I knew life before I left my nursery, huh
Indicating that the artist had some exposure to life or the world before growing up or maturing completely.
Left alone with big fat Fanny
Recalling a time when the artist was under the care of someone with a large stature or frame, named Fanny.
She was such a naughty nanny
Describing Fanny as an unconventional or mischievous caregiver.
Hey, big woman
Directly addressing or acknowledging a woman who has a large or curvy figure.
You made a bad boy out of me Hey, hey
Expressing gratitude or admiration for the woman who helped or influenced the artist in a positive or exciting way.
I've been singing with my band Cross the water, across the land
Talking about a career or passion for singing with a group of musicians while traveling to different places.
I've seen every blue eyed floozy on the way, hey
Acknowledging the singer's experience or encounter with young, attractive women on the way.
But their beauty and their style Went kind of smooth after a while
Suggesting that the initial attraction or appeal of these women faded or became less exciting as time went by.
Take me to them dirty ladies every time Come on
Preferring or seeking out women who are more unconventional or wilder in their approach to life and relationships.
Oh, won't you take me home tonight?
Repeating the earlier request or invitation to spend the night together.
Oh, down beside your red firelight
Using a similar phrase to describe the location or setting for being together.
Oh, and you give it all you got
Encouraging the woman to be enthusiastic and passionate in the encounter or experience for the night.
Get on your bikes and ride
Using a metaphor to suggest that the night or experience should be like riding a bike, with energy, speed, and thrill.
Ooh, yeah
Expressing excitement or approval for the idea or prospect of spending the night together.
Oh yeah
Repeating the earlier phrase to confirm or emphasize the enthusiasm for the night.
Them fat bottomed girls
Referring back to women with curvy figures again, and implying that they are a great source of enjoyment or entertainment.
(Fat bottomed girls)
Repeating the phrase for emphasis or for the musical effect of the song.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Repeating the phrase or extending it to show enthusiasm or appreciation of the idea.
Alright, ride 'em cowboy
Using a cowboy idiom to describe the idea of taking charge or being confident in the situation.
Yes, yes
Final expression of approval or affirmation before the song ends.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Harold May
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BrianRumbaoaDisney1998
Are you gonna take me home tonight?
Ah, down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out?
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rockin' world go 'round
Hey I was just a skinny lad
Never knew no good from bad
But I knew life before I left my nursery, huh
Left alone with big fat Fanny
She was such a naughty nanny
Heap big woman, you made a bad boy out of me
Hey hey!
I've been singing with my band
Across the wire, across the land
I seen every blue eyed floozy on the way, hey
But their beauty and their style
Went kind of smooth after a while
Take me to them dirty ladies every time
C'mon!
Oh, won't you take me home tonight?
Oh, down beside your red firelight
Oh, and you give it all you got
Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin' world go 'round
Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin' world go 'round
Hey, listen here!
Now I got mortgages on homes
I got stiffness in my bones
Ain't no beauty queens in this locality, I tell you
Oh, but I still get my pleasure
Still got my greatest treasure
Heap big woman, you done made a big man of me
Now, get this!
Oh, (I know) you gonna take me home tonight? (Please)
Oh, down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out?
Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin' world go 'round, yeah
Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin' world go 'round
Get on your bikes and ride
Ooh yeah, oh yeah, them fat bottomed girls
Fat bottomed girls
Yeah yeah yeah
Alright, ride 'em, c'mon
Fat bottomed girls, yes yes
@armandobudiyanto9404
[LYRICS]
Oh you gonna take me home tonight
Oh down beside that red fire light
Oh you gonna let it all hang out
Fat-bottomed girls you make the rocking world go round
I was just a skinny lad
Never knew no good from bad
But I knew love before I left my nursery
Left alone with big fat Fanny
She was such a naughty nanny
Hey big woman, you made a bad boy out of me
I've been singing with my band
Across the water, across the land
I've seen every blue eyed floozy on the way
But their beauty and their style
Went kind of smooth after a while
Take me to them naughty ladies every time
Oh, won't you take me home tonight
Oh, down beside your red fire light
Oh, and you give it all you got
Fat-bottomed girls you make the rocking world go round
Fat-bottomed girls you make the rocking world go round
Now I got mortgages and homes
I got stiffness in the bones
Ain't no beauty queens in this locality
But I still get my pleasure
Still got my greatest treasure
Hey big woman you gonna make a big man out of me
Oh, you gonna take me home tonight
Oh, down beside that red fire light
Oh, you gonna let it all hang out
Fat-bottomed girls you make the rocking world go round
Fat-bottomed girls you make the rocking world go round
Get on your bikes and ride
@foobarmaximus3506
One of the greatest songs ever written. Best performance also!!! Great.
@rachelpogue66
This will forever be one of the greatest contributions to the history of rock 🤘
@morganbrittain304
Me and all my neighbors are listening to Queen today
@philiproschactor
An amazing ode of magnificent power with astonishing vocals and amazing drums. Brian May's great compliment to the eponymous girls in the title.
@karigribbs1067
Can we take a moment to appreciate Deaky’s bass skills and Rogers drum skills. And Brian’s writing skills. And Freddie’s everything skills. Can we?
@BrianRumbaoaDisney1998
Are you gonna take me home tonight?
Ah, down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out?
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rockin' world go 'round
Hey I was just a skinny lad
Never knew no good from bad
But I knew life before I left my nursery, huh
Left alone with big fat Fanny
She was such a naughty nanny
Heap big woman, you made a bad boy out of me
Hey hey!
I've been singing with my band
Across the wire, across the land
I seen every blue eyed floozy on the way, hey
But their beauty and their style
Went kind of smooth after a while
Take me to them dirty ladies every time
C'mon!
Oh, won't you take me home tonight?
Oh, down beside your red firelight
Oh, and you give it all you got
Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin' world go 'round
Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin' world go 'round
Hey, listen here!
Now I got mortgages on homes
I got stiffness in my bones
Ain't no beauty queens in this locality, I tell you
Oh, but I still get my pleasure
Still got my greatest treasure
Heap big woman, you done made a big man of me
Now, get this!
Oh, (I know) you gonna take me home tonight? (Please)
Oh, down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out?
Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin' world go 'round, yeah
Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin' world go 'round
Get on your bikes and ride
Ooh yeah, oh yeah, them fat bottomed girls
Fat bottomed girls
Yeah yeah yeah
Alright, ride 'em, c'mon
Fat bottomed girls, yes yes
@IzabellaHoover
We need to make this song reach number one in the charts.
@LukaKeiros
YES! I couldn't agree more! 😃 Fat Bottomed Girls is an absolute BANGER! And by getting it to number 1, we'll be rebuilding music for the many, NOT THE FEW!! 😀 The few being the Cancel Culture. Or the Neo-Fascist Anti-Pleasure Culture as I call them! 🤣 LOL Good luck, buddy! Have a fab day! 😁👍
@doggystaves
Album version is the best version. Great guitar work!
@mikewalsh5872
Doggy dropping Wisdom and TRUTH!!