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)
I Want It All
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just an alley creeper, light on his feet
A young fighter screaming, with no time for doubt
With the pain and anger can't see a way out
It ain't much I'm asking, I heard him say
Gotta find me a future move out of my way
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now
Listen all you people, come gather round
I gotta get me a game plan, gotta shake you to the ground
But just give me, huh, what I know is mine
People do you hear me, just gimme the sign
It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth
Here's to the future for the dreams of youth
I want it all (give it all I want it all)
I want it all (yeah)
I want it all and I want it now
I want it all (yes I want it all)
I want it all hey
I want it all and I want it now
I'm a man with a one track mind
So much to do in one lifetime (people do you hear me)
Not a man for compromise and where's and why's and living lies
So I'm living it all, yes I'm living it all
And I'm giving it all, and I'm giving it all
Oh oh yeah yeah ha ha ha ha ha
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I want it all
It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth
Here's to the future
Hear the cry of youth (hear the cry of youth) (hear the cry of youth)
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all and I want it now
I want it all yeah yeah yeah
I want it all, I want it all and I want it now
Oh oh oh oh oh
And I want it (now)
I want it, I want it
Oh ha
The lyrics to Queen's "I Want It All" paint a picture of a young, ambitious and driven individual who is determined to make their dreams a reality no matter the odds against them. The use of strong imagery and figurative language is notable throughout the song. "Adventure seeker on an empty street," "alley creeper light on his feet," and "young fighter screaming with no time for doubt" all paint a picture of a person who is strong and focused on success. The repetition of "I want it all, and I want it now" reinforces the idea that this person is not waiting for opportunities to come to them, but actively seeking and pursuing opportunities.
The lyrics also suggest that this individual is looking for support in achieving their goals, as seen in the lines "But just give me, huh, what I know is mine / People do you hear me, just gimme the sign." The use of rhetorical questions and the repeated phrase "People do you hear me" speaks to the urgency and desperation felt by the young fighter.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal desire to achieve success, but also highlights the struggles and sacrifices that come with pursuing one's dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Adventure seeker on an empty street
A person who seeks an adventure, walking on a deserted street
Just an alley creeper, light on his feet
A person who knows how to walk in alleys, and moves fast
A young fighter screaming, with no time for doubt
A young person, being brave, and not having any doubts
With the pain and anger can't see a way out
Feeling hurt and anger, and feeling stuck with no solution
It ain't much I'm asking, I heard him say
Asking for a little favor
Gotta find me a future move out of my way
Find a way for the future, and asking for the obstacles to be removed
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now
Asking for everything to happen now
Listen all you people, come gather round
Asking people to listen
I gotta get me a game plan, gotta shake you to the ground
Making a plan, and getting people's attention
But just give me, huh, what I know is mine
Asking for things that belong to oneself
People do you hear me, just gimme the sign
Confirming with the people before taking action
It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth
Asking for a small favor
Here's to the future for the dreams of youth
Wishing for a better future for the young people's dreams
I'm a man with a one track mind
Having one single goal in mind
So much to do in one lifetime (people do you hear me)
There's a lot to do in one's lifetime, and asking people to confirm again
Not a man for compromise and where's and why's and living lies
Not willing to compromise and not interested in reasons and lies
So I'm living it all, yes I'm living it all
Living life to its fullest
And I'm giving it all, and I'm giving it all
Giving everything one has
Oh oh yeah yeah ha ha ha ha ha
Exclaiming with joy and laughter
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth
Asking for a small favor
Here's to the future
Wishing for a better future
Hear the cry of youth
Listening to the young people's voice
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all and I want it now
Asking for everything now
And I want it (now)
Asking for it now
I want it, I want it
Asking for it
Oh ha
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Roger Taylor, John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Tamires-ub4ff
I want it all
I want it all
I want it all
And I want it now
Adventure seeker on an empty street
Just an alley creeper
Light on his feet
A young fighter screaming
With no time for doubt
With the pain and anger can't see a way out
It ain't much I'm asking
I heard him say
Gotta find me a future
Move out of my way
I want it all
I want it all
I want it all
And I want it now
I want it all
I want it all
I want it all
And I want it now
Listen all you people, come gather round
I gotta get me a game plan, gotta shake you to the ground
But just give me, huh, what I know is mine
People do you hear me, just gimme the sign
It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth
Here's to the future for the dreams of youth
I want it all (give it all I want it all)
I want it all (yeah)
I want it all and I want it now
I want it all (yes I want it all)
I want it all hey
I want it all and I want it now
I'm a man with a one track mind
So much to do in one lifetime (people do you hear me)
Not a man for compromise and where's and why's and living lies
So I'm living it all, yes I'm living it all
And I'm giving it all, and I'm giving it all
Oh oh yeah yeah ha ha ha ha ha
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I want it all
It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth
Here's to the future
Hear the cry of youth (hear the cry of youth) (hear the cry of youth)
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all and I want it now
I want it all yeah yeah yeah
I want it all, I want it all and I want it now
Oh oh oh oh oh
And I want it (now)
I want it, I want it
Oh ha
@SuperKocam
Adventure seeker on an empty street
Just an alley creeper, light on his feet
A young fighter screaming, with no time for doubt
With the pain and anger can't see a way out
It ain't much I'm asking, I heard him say
Gotta find me a future move out of my way
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now
Listen all you people, come gather round
I gotta get me a game plan, gotta shake you to the ground
But just give me, huh, what I know is mine
People do you hear me, just gimme the sign
It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth
Here's to the future for the dreams of youth
I want it all (give it all I want it all)
I want it all (yeah)
I want it all and I want it now
I want it all (yes I want it all)
I want it all hey
I want it all and I want it now
I'm a man with a one track mind
So much to do in one lifetime (people do you hear me)
Not a man for compromise and where's and why's and living lies
So I'm living it all, yes I'm living it all
And I'm giving it all, and I'm giving it all
Oh oh yeah yeah ha ha ha ha ha
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
I want it all
It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth
Here's to the future
Hear the cry of youth (hear the cry of youth) (hear the cry of youth)
I want it all, I want it all, I want it all and I want it now
I want it all yeah yeah yeah
I want it all, I want it all and I want it now
Oh oh oh oh oh
And I want it (now)
I want it, I want it
Oh ha
@ACEKITTIZENS
People in 2024?❤
@Sunnie_Dummy
YESS
@Laura_Chanel_
We are here, still loving the music.
@aleksailic6633
YES
@pjoterdeweloper
no a jak
@user-us7ux9ed9q
I hear this song every day 🎉 FREDDIE FOREVER ♾️❤❤❤
@tlives1983
At some point in your life, you will discover that you're a Queen fan. It's inevitable!
@jadex9567
S W so true
@JamaicaRealLife
Something tells me you just watched Avengers Endgame, cause that sounded like Thanos quote😎
@Grisbi6
How true, SW----and I'm 80 years old!