It was the fourth and final single to be released from that album, although the single version was edited down by thirty seconds in contrast to the version on the album. Different sleeves were used to package this single and the live picture sleeve is now a collector's item. The song was also the subject of a popular music video directed by David Mallet, in which was a regular live performance of the song by the band in Brussels during the Works Tour (Roger Taylor can be seen wearing a "Choose Life" t-shirt in the video). The song harks back to the Queen of old, with a song being built around a hard angular and muscular riff.
The song was a concert favorite and was also played at Live Aid, to great success. It peaked at number 13 in the UK and was later featured in the movie Highlander.
At the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992, Extreme singer Gary Cherone performed the song with the band, having earlier done a medley of other Queen songs with his own group.
For Brian May's 1998 Another World tour, he slowed down the intro of the song considerably (sounding almost like the intro of It's Late) before speeding it up in the middle. This arrangement would be used to great effect on the 2005 and 2006 Queen + Paul Rodgers tours, an example of which was released on the Return Of The Champions album and DVD.
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 Queenâs 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
@ahard-daysnight6659
Lyrics:
Yeah!
Here we stand, or here we fall,
History wonât care at all
Make the bed, light the light, yeah,
Lady Mercy wonât be home tonight.
Yeah,
You donât waste no time at all,
Donât hear the bell, but you answer the call
Comes to you as to us all,
And â weâre 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, baby â
Build your muscles as your body decays.
Yeah,
Toe your line and play their game,
And let the anesthetic cover it all
âTill one day, they call your name,
Youâll know itâs time for the Hammer to Fall, yeah.
Rich or poor or famous,
For your truth, itâs all the same, yeah, babe. (Oh no â oh no!)
Oh, lock your door, but rain is pouring,
Through your window pane (Oh no!)
Ah, baby, now your struggles all in vain, yeah, yeah!
For we, who grew up tall and proud,
In the shadow of the Mushroom Cloud
Convinced our voices canât be heard,
We just wanna scream it louder and louder and louder,
What the hell we fighting for?!
Ah, just surrender and it wonât hurt at all, no.
You just got time to say your prayers,
Yeah, while youâre waiting for the Hammer to, Hammer To Fall.
Hey! Listen â itâs going to fall, right!
Hammer, you know, ah, Hammer To Fall, yeah!
Woooo...
Hey, hey, woo-woo!
Hah, hah!
While youâre waiting for the Hammer To Fall.
Give it to me one more time!
@QueenFanka
~~~~â«â«â« ~~~~
Yeah
~~~~â«â«â« ~~~~
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
It comes to you as to us all
Yeah, we're just waiting for the hammer to fall, yeah
~~~~â«â«â« ~~~~
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
~~~~â«â«â« ~~~~
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
~~~~â«â«â« ~~~~
For 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
@shirleyrm
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 yeah
You don't waste no time at all
Don't hear the bell but you answer the call
It comes to you as to us all
We're just waiting
For the Hammer To Fall
Oh ev'ry 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
Toe your line and play their game yeah
Let the anaesthetic cover it all
Till 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)
Lock your door the rain is pouring
Through your window pane (oh no)
Baby now your struggle's all in vain
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 louder
What the hell we fighting for?
Just surrender and it won't hurt at all
You just got time to say your prayers
While your waiting for the hammer to Hammer To Fall
It's gonna fall
Hammer, you know, Hammer To Fall
While you're waiting for the Hammer To Fall
Give it to me one more time
@SyLeowMy
1984: Queen
1994: Queen
2004: Queen
2014: Queen
2024: Queen
@virloginting4986
@@coke.5395 4444444444444444444444444444444444 : Queen
@plijias4935
Basically it was recorded in 1983
@bahiyakurdi
how about 1974? that year queen did release music
@JUSTICE971
@@bahiyakurdi 1984 was when they released this
@david2447
9999999999999999999999999999999999999999 years light: Queen đđ
@Dejy-subscribegoal200
This song is criminally underrated. This should have reached #1.
@elise735
I agree !!
@ialcazar71
Absolutely
@DanielWickham
you know