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)
Hammer To Fall
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here we stand or here we fall
History won't care at all
Make the bed, light the light
Lady Mercy won't be home tonight
You don't waste no time at all
Don't hear the bell but you answer the call
Yeah, we're just waiting for the hammer to fall, yeah
Oh every night, and every day
A little piece of you is falling away
But lift your face the Western way
Build your muscles as your body decays, yeah
Tow the line and play their game
Yeah, let the anesthetic cover it all
'Til one day they call your name
You know it's time for the hammer to fall
Rich or poor or famous
For your truth it's all the same
(Oh no, oh no)
Oh, lock your door but rain is pouring
Through your window pane
(Oh no)
Hey yeah, baby, now your struggle's all in vain, yeah
For we who grew up tall and proud
In the shadow of the Mushroom Cloud
Convinced our voices can't be heard
We just wanna scream it louder and louder and louder
What the hell are we fighting for?
Ah, just surrender and it won't hurt at all
You just got time to say your prayers
Yeah, while you're waiting for the hammer to, hammer to fall
Hey, yes
Let's get on the floor, yeah
Hammer
You know
Hammer to fall
Yeah
Hey, woo hoo
Ha ha, ha ha
I've been waiting for the hammer to fall
Give it to me one more time
The lyrics of Queen’s song Hammer To Fall depict the inevitability of death and the realization that all people will eventually face the same fate, regardless of their status or achievements in life. The opening lines set the tone for the song, with the singer stating that history will not remember whether they stand or fall, emphasizing the fleeting nature of human life. The verse continues with a sense of urgency, urging the listener to make the most of their time before it's too late.
The ensuing verses provide a more cynical and introspective take on the concept of aging and mortality, emphasizing the physical and emotional toll that time takes on a person. The singer depicts how one's body begins to decay even as they strive to maintain their strength and vitality, ultimately reminding the listener that they cannot escape death. The chorus serves as a reminder of this, cautioning the listener that the hammer will fall no matter what they do, and that they must face their fate when it comes.
In the final verse, the song takes on a more political message, emphasizing the futility of war and questioning the motivations behind it. The singer posits that people are fighting for no apparent reason, urging listeners to speak up and make their voices heard. The song ends with a final call to action, urging people to live their lives to the fullest and face the inevitable with grace and bravery.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
A general expression of excitement and anticipation for what is to come.
Here we stand or here we fall
Our place in history will be determined by the outcome of this situation.
History won't care at all
The ultimate result of our actions won't matter in the grand scheme of things.
Make the bed, light the light
Performing routine tasks in preparation for something important.
Lady Mercy won't be home tonight
Justice will be swift and unforgiving.
You don't waste no time at all
Time is precious and shouldn't be squandered.
Don't hear the bell but you answer the call
Responding to challenges even if you weren't expecting them.
It comes to you as to us all
Everyone must face adversity at some point in their lives.
Yeah, we're just waiting for the hammer to fall, yeah
Anticipating the inevitable consequences of our actions.
Oh every night, and every day
Continual and unrelenting wear and tear on the body and spirit.
A little piece of you is falling away
Slowly losing parts of oneself over time.
But lift your face the Western way
Putting on a brave face despite feeling worn down.
Build your muscles as your body decays, yeah
Compensating for physical decline by working harder to stay strong.
Tow the line and play their game
Conforming to societal norms and expectations.
Yeah, let the anesthetic cover it all
Numbing oneself to the difficulties and hardships of life.
'Til one day they call your name
Living in denial until reality catches up to you.
You know it's time for the hammer to fall
Awareness of the inevitability of consequences for your actions or inactions.
Rich or poor or famous
Societal status doesn't mitigate the consequences of one's actions.
For your truth, it's all the same
Regardless of the circumstances, the truth remains constant.
(Oh no, oh no)
Expressing fear or anxiety towards the impending consequences.
Oh, lock your door but rain is pouring
Feeling helpless and vulnerable despite one's efforts to protect themselves.
(Oh no)
Continuation of fear or anxiety towards the impending consequences.
Hey yeah, baby, now your struggle's all in vain, yeah
Realizing one's efforts to avoid consequences were futile in the end.
For we who grew up tall and proud
People who grew up under the threat of nuclear warfare.
In the shadow of the Mushroom Cloud
Living with the constant threat of nuclear attack.
Convinced our voices can't be heard
Feeling powerless and unheard in the face of danger.
We just wanna scream it louder and louder and louder
Desire to be heard and make a change despite feeling powerless.
What the hell are we fighting for?
Questioning the validity and purpose of their struggle.
Ah, just surrender and it won't hurt at all
Suggesting giving up as a means of avoiding pain or consequences.
You just got time to say your prayers
The inevitability of the consequences makes it seem like a last chance to make amends.
Yeah, while you're waiting for the hammer to, hammer to fall
Dreading the impending consequences.
Hey, yes
An expression of enthusiasm or agreement.
Let's get on the floor, yeah
Calling for action and excitement.
Hammer
Representing the consequences of our actions.
You know
Emphasizing the inevitability of the consequences.
Hammer to fall
The end result of our actions or inactions.
Yeah
Reiteration of the anticipation and dread in the face of the consequences.
Hey, woo hoo
Expressing excitement or enthusiasm.
Ha ha, ha ha
A lighthearted moment in the face of impending doom.
I've been waiting for the hammer to fall
Acknowledging responsibility for the consequences and waiting for them to manifest.
Give it to me one more time
Repeating the anticipation and dread of the consequences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian May
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind