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)
Fun It
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Should do a good turn all right
Everybody in the night time
Should have a good time all night
Now we got a movement
Don't shun it fun it
Can't you see now you're movin' free?
Get some fun join our dynasty
You're the one you're the best in town
Hey everybody everybody gonna have a good time tonight
Just shakin' the soles of your feet
Everybody everybody gonna have a good time tonight
That's the only soul you'll ever meet
They say that movin' the body's right it's all right
That's the only one part of bein' alive all right all right
Groove on out groove on up OK
Do your thing do your thing your way
Get your kicks get you tricks with me
Get up and dance honey fun's for free
Hey everybody everybody gonna have a good time tonight
Just shakin' the soles of your feet
Everybody gonna have a good time tonight time tonight
Time tonight
That's the only soul you'll ever meet
Don't shun it fun it
Don't shun it fun it
Don't shun it fun it
The lyrics to Queen's song "Fun It" promote the idea that everyone should have fun and let loose. The song opens by encouraging people to do a good deed in the morning and have fun all night. The lyrics are a call to action to join the movement and embrace the fun. The chorus is a manifestation of this idea, stating that everybody is going to have a good time tonight.
There is an emphasis in the song on the body and movement. Queen acknowledges that moving the body is an essential part of being alive. The song encourages people to let go of their inhibitions and dance. The lyrics also suggest that individuality should be celebrated, encouraging people to do their own thing.
The repetition of the phrase "Don't shun it fun it" reinforces the idea that people should embrace the fun and not be afraid to enjoy themselves.
Overall, Queen's "Fun It" is a call to action to let loose and have fun, encouraging people to embrace the movement and enjoy their own unique expression of joy.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody in the mornin'
Everyone should start their day by doing a good deed.
Should do a good turn all right
It is important to perform acts of kindness.
Everybody in the night time
Everyone should have a good time in the evening.
Should have a good time all night
Enjoy the night to the fullest.
Now we got a movement
We have a new way of thinking or doing things.
Don't shun it fun it
Don't reject it, enjoy it!
Can't you see now you're movin' free?
You're liberated when you're having fun.
Get some fun join our dynasty
Be a part of our group and have fun together.
Can't you tell when we get it down?
Can't you see how great we are at having fun?
You're the one you're the best in town
You're the one who knows how to have fun the most.
Hey everybody everybody gonna have a good time tonight
Everyone is going to have a good time this evening.
Just shakin' the soles of your feet
Dancing and moving your feet is all you need to do to have fun.
That's the only soul you'll ever meet
Enjoying yourself is the most important thing in life.
They say that movin' the body's right it's all right
It is said that physical movement is good for your well-being.
That's the only one part of bein' alive all right all right
But it's only one part of being alive, there's more to it.
Groove on out groove on up OK
Move and dance freely!
Do your thing do your thing your way
Be yourself and enjoy it your way.
Get your kicks get you tricks with me
Have fun and learn new things with me.
Get up and dance honey fun's for free
Stand up and dance, fun doesn't cost a thing.
Time tonight
Tonight is the time to have fun.
Don't shun it fun it
Again, don't reject it, enjoy it!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROGER TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@majapevec4646
Everybody in the mornin'
Should do a good turn all right
Everybody in the night time
Should have a good time all night
Now we got a movement
Don't shun it fun it
Can't you see now you're movin' free?
Get some fun join our dynasty
Can't you tell when we get it down?
You're the one you're the best in town
Hey everybody everybody gonna have a good time tonight
Just shakin' the soles of your feet
Everybody everybody gonna have a good time tonight
That's the only soul you'll ever meet
They say that movin' the body's right it's all right
That's the only one part of bein' alive all right all right
Groove on out groove on up OK
Do your thing do your thing your way
Get your kicks get you tricks with me
Get up and dance honey fun's for free
Hey everybody everybody gonna have a good time tonight
Just shakin' the soles of your feet
Everybody gonna have a good time tonight time tonight
Time tonight
That's the only soul you'll ever meet
Don't shun it fun it
Don't shun it fun it
Don't shun it fun it
@daniellamaria5887
oh wow how is this not more popular - love the combination of Freddie and Roger's voices! amazing and overlooked song
@brandonlarratt8761
agreed!!!! so much groove in this one !!!
@deanguida
Seems to me kind of like a scaled down worse version of The Loser in the End from Queen ll
@ddpl2634
Agreed loved this song since I first heard it in the early eighties- underestimated
@BrandonCuringtonOfficial
Every Queen song in the 70s that isnt popular is definitely overlooked
@pattyc5501
I love how Roger and Freddie's voices match in this song
@belenbarrionuevo1103
Underrated song. One of the best works of Freddie and Roger. The results are than more hotter
@jadenisntfine1593
nobody in the fandom ever talks about this song and its truly underrated
@luisdellamorte4586
Translate: Soy Fanatico de Queen desde los 6 años, ahora tengo 39, siempre fui fanatico de Roger.. Y esta cancion es de mis favoritas desde los 8 años mas o menos..
@larizz527
This doesn't sound like a 70s song. It's so 80s