Two differing versions of the song are in circulation. The version on The Works is in fact shorter than the single remix by 61 seconds, because of a fade-in synthesiser introduction and a longer solo in which both the synthesiser and guitar feature separately. This is in contrast to "Hammer to Fall", a song which was edited down by thirty seconds from the album version to be released as a single. The promotional 45 sent to radio stations by Capitol Records had both versions on either side. However, Queen's name and the song title were deliberately left off one, so the labels read "Special Single Mix (Queen 4:21)" and "Special Single Mix-Edited (3:59).
The music video, directed by David Mallet, was a parody of the northern British soap opera Coronation Street. During part of the video, the band members dressed in drag, as mildly similar characters found in the soap at the time; Mercury's character was loosely based on Bet Lynch, while May's character was based on Hilda Ogden. The video also depicted the band in what appeared to be a coal mine in their normal look, and it also features a ballet piece with the Royal Ballet (one of the dancers was Jeremy Sheffield), for which Freddie Mercury shaved his trademark moustache to portray Nijinsky (though he had kept it for the parody part of the video, interestingly enough). According to Brian May in an interview about Queen's Greatest Hits, the video ruined the band in America, where many people - unlike the case in the UK - failed to see the soap-opera connection & interpreted the video as an open declaration of transvestitism and Mercury’s homosexuality. This might explain why singles failed to go above #40 in the US Billboard charts after "Radio Ga Ga", until The Show Must Go On reached No. 2. The video was initially banned by MTV in the U.S., but the ban was lifted in 1991 when it aired on VH1's My Generation 2-part episodes devoted to Queen hosted by guitarist Brian May. The song received renewed attention when it was used in a media advertising campaign for Safeway.
I Want to Break Free
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to break free
I want to break free from your lies
You're so self-satisfied, I don't need you
I've got to break free
God knows, God knows I want to break free
I've fallen in love
I've fallen in love for the first time
And this time, I know it for real
I've fallen in love, yeah
God knows, God knows I've fallen in love
It's strange but it's true, yeah
I can't get over the way you love me like you do
But I have to be sure
When I walk out that door
Oh, how I want to be free, baby
Oh, how I want to be free
Oh, how I want to break free
But life still goes on
I can't get used to living without, living without
Living without you by my side
I don't want to live alone, hey
God knows, got to make it on my own
So baby can't you see
I've got to break free
I've got to break free
I want to break free, yeah
I want, I want, I want, I want to break free
"I Want to Break Free" is a classic and timeless song by Queen, which is all about the freedom to be oneself, and the struggle to break free from societal norms, expectations, and the repressive aspects of relationships. The lyrics address the singer’s rebellion against the restrictive nature of his relationship, as he wants to escape the lies and the self-satisfaction that he believes his partner represents. The singer has fallen in love for the first time and is finally breaking free to live a life free of limitations and full of love. He wants to be sure that he can stand on his own two feet and find happiness alone, but fears he will never find love again. While the song is primarily about romantic relationships, it has wider connections to the human condition, both in personal and social contexts.
The first verse is a bold statement of the singer’s intentto break free from the lies that he perceives his partner represents. He is self-assured in his “I don't need you” stance, and his strong-willedness is further emphasized by the repetitions of “I want to break free.” In the second verse, the singer reflects on his newfound love and the depth of his emotions. He has fallen in love for the first time, and he feels it is real, even though it may seem strange. The chorus reflects the singer’s feelings of his yearning for freedom to be his true self.
In the bridge, the singer acknowledges the inherent difficulties in breaking free from the relationship, even as he feels the need to do so. Life is going to continue, and he struggles with the reality of being alone, without his partner by his side. As the song comes to a close, the singer returns to his resolve, declaring in strong and repeated lines, that he wants to break free.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to break free
The singer desires freedom from someone or something that has been limiting them.
I want to break free from your lies
The singer wants to be free from the falsehoods and fakeness of their current situation or relationship.
You're so self satisfied I don't need you
The person who is hindering the singer is confident in their status, but the singer has realized they do not require them.
God knows, God knows I want to break free
The singer pleads to a higher power to recognize their deep desire for personal liberation.
I've fallen in love for the first time
The singer has encountered genuine romantic feelings for the first time in their life.
And this time I know it's for real
The singer is assured that these feelings are true and not a fleeting infatuation.
It's strange but it's true, yeah
The singer acknowledges that the situation they are in is unusual but genuinely heartfelt.
I can't get over the way you love me like you do
The singer is deeply moved by the way someone loves them but recognizes their need for independence.
But I have to be sure when I walk out that door
The singer is uncertain about leaving behind what they know and are accustomed to but recognized the importance of being prepared.
Oh, how I want to be free, baby
The singer yearns to be free, and even though it may be challenging, they will do whatever it takes to achieve it.
But life still goes on
Despite the singer's desire for change, they recognize that life continues to move forward.
I can't get used to living without, living without living without you by my side
Without the other person, the singer is struggling to acclimate to life as they once knew it.
I don't want to live alone, hey
The singer does not want to live life without the other person. They want to directly tell them and make a change.
God knows, got to make it on my own
The singer knows that they cannot rely on anyone to make their dreams and desires come true but themselves.
So baby can't you see I've got to break free
The singer is urging the other person to recognize how important it is for the singer to break free.
I want to break free, yeah
The singer emphasizes their unyielding desire for liberation from the constriction of their past.
I want, I want, I want, I want to break free
The singer repeats their vow to pursue liberation and the fulfillment of their desires.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Deacon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ManojKumar-yz7hx
I want to break free, I want to break free
I want to break free from your lies
You're so self-satisfied I don't need you
I've got to break free
God knows, God knows I want to break free
I've fallen in love
I've fallen in love for the first time
This time I know it's for real
I've fallen in love, yeah
God knows, God knows I've fallen in love
It's strange but it's true, hey
I can't get over the way you love me like you do
But I have to be sure when I walk out that door
Oh, I want to be free, baby
Oh, how I want to be free
Oh, I want to break free
But life still goes on
I can't get used to living without, living without
Living without you by my side
I don't want to live alone, hey
God knows, got to make it on my own
So, baby, can't you see I've got to break free?
I've got to break free
I want to break free, yeah
I want, I want, I want
I want to break free
@user-jb2mf8jg1g
I want to break free
I want to break free
I want to break free from your lies
You're so self satisfied, I don't need you
I've got to break free
God knows
God knows I want to break free
I've fallen in love
I've fallen in love for the first time
And this time I know it's for real
I've fallen in love, yeah
God knows
God knows I've fallen in love
It's strange but it's true
Hey, I can't get over the way you love me like you do
But I have to be sure
When I walk out that door
Oh, how I want to be free, baby
Oh, how I want to be free
Oh, how I want to break free
But life still goes on
I can't get used to living without living without living without you
By my side
I don't want to live alone, hey
God knows
Got to make it on my own
So, baby, can't you see
I've got to break free
I've got to break free
I want to break free, yeah
I want, I want, I want
I want to break free
@714Musicfan
John deacon deserves more credit then what he’s given
Another one bites the dust
Your my Best friend
I want to break free
Friends will be friends (shared credit between him and Freddie)
Spread your wings
All fantastic songs that he wrote
Good on ya John😊
@Crepymodd666
Freddie : the mom
Roger : sexy schoolgirl
Brian : Your aunt
Jhon : The queen of england and your granny
@henry9266
Its john not jhon
@nolerespondanaestacuentapq4995
Lol
@sqeakysqueak2292
Lol
@jack6604
Do u mean
Roger: anime girl
@lil_orbits2658
Let me rephrase
Freddie : your fav aunt
Roger : your sister
Brian : The mom
John : Your grandma
@MemoriesRockMusic
It's been almost 40 years, A message to the future generations: Don't let this beautiful masterpiece die!
@DamienDarkside
Sadly enough, the 55 year olds who were teens at this time are currently promoting laws that restrict LGBT+ people - who would have included Freddy as a target - and wants to pretend they don't exist. You know, the same people who said "the artist formerly known as Prince" instead of "Prince" are suddenly confused at the "sudden rise of LGBT" like they haven't been in your faces since on mainstream since the 70s.
@elliewood7153
Never letting this die
@Theartofheaven8735
@@elliewood7153 what did u do to keep this song alive?