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)
If You Can't Beat Them
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't let them get you down
Ain't no use in your sitting all alone
Hangin' around for someone to call
Ooh they won't come knocking at all
Don't run and hide
Even if it hurts you inside
So I said
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
You'd better do it
'Cause it makes you feel good
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
You're never gonna help yourself
Come on
Get up
You're feelin' good
Keep your fingers off my money
Don't try and pull me down
You're takin' me out to wine and dine me
Tryin' to wind me 'round and around
Invite me to your little contract Ha! Ha!
Rumor has it that you could play dirty
I'll tell you what I'll do about that
I'm playing at the wrong game yeah!
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
You'd better do it
'Cause it makes you feel good
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
You're never gonna help yourself
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
You'd better do it
'Cause it makes you feel good
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
It's everyone for themselves
Move on out
Queen's "If You Can't Beat Them" is a motivational song that encourages people to stand up for themselves even in the face of adversity. The lyrics suggest that when feeling lonely, one should keep their chin up and not let others get them down. Rather than sit around waiting for someone to reach out, it's better to join the crowd and go out and meet new people. The chorus echoes this sentiment, with the idea that if you can't beat them, join them, essentially saying that if you can't change the circumstances or people around you, it's better to embrace them and make the best of it.
The song goes on to warn against those who would take advantage of someone when they are down, while also encouraging listeners to fight back against any attempts by these people to bring them down. Queen reminds listeners that they should never allow others to take their money or try to undermine them in any way. This part of the song is an empowering message for people who may be struggling with bullies or others who try to bring them down.
Overall, "If You Can't Beat Them" is a song about resilience and perseverance, telling listeners that they should never give up and always strive to be their best selves. It's an anthem for anyone who may be facing difficulties, reminding them that they are strong and capable of overcoming any obstacles in their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep your chin up when you're feelin' lonely
When you're feeling lonely, stay positive and remain confident.
Don't let them get you down
Don't allow others to discourage or bring you down.
Ain't no use in your sitting all alone
Sitting alone won't help in any way.
Hangin' around for someone to call
Waiting idly for someone to call you isn't the solution.
Ooh they won't come knocking at all
Don't wait for others to take the initiative as they won't.
Don't run and hide
Don't run away and hide from the situation.
Even if it hurts you inside
Even if it causes emotional pain, face the situation bravely.
So I said
At this point, the artist introduces the solution to the problem.
Give as good as you get
Treat others the way they treat you.
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em
If you can't defeat your opponents, align with them.
You'd better do it
It's necessary to follow this solution.
'Cause it makes you feel good
Aligning with the opponents could feel good and boost one's morale.
You're never gonna help yourself
You won't benefit if you continue to oppose your opponents alone.
Come on
The singer is encouraging action.
Get up
The singer is motivating the listener to take action.
You're feelin' good
The artist is expressing optimism and positivity.
Keep your fingers off my money
Don't try to trick the artist or take advantage of them financially.
Don't try and pull me down
Don't attempt to hinder the singer or bring them down.
You're takin' me out to wine and dine me
You're impressing the singer with luxurious treats in hopes of swaying them.
Tryin' to wind me 'round and around
Trying to manipulate and confuse the artist's perception.
Invite me to your little contract Ha! Ha!
Inviting the artist to participate in a dishonest or harmful agreement.
Rumor has it that you could play dirty
The artist has been warned about the listener's potential unethical behavior.
I'll tell you what I'll do about that
The singer is confident in their ability to address the situation.
I'm playing at the wrong game yeah!
The artist is suggesting that their opponents have been playing a different game all along.
It's everyone for themselves
The world can be highly competitive and individuals must take care of themselves.
Move on out
The singer exhorts the listener to take action and move forward.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN DEACON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
bobby gandul
ssuuuupppeeerrr ...gosh how I love Queen more and more. deacon is another genius on earth
J Cavazos
bobby gandul underrated song.
Daniel
QUEEN FOR EVER
AliceInWonderland85
Thought I heard all the Queen songs... guess not ;)
f.rodrich
superfreddie!!!
GoldeenRock1992
Wooooohoooo! :D
FRE1991DDIE
Join 'em!
Kenny MacKay
sounds like Brian is playing through a Marshall amp on this one......
J Cavazos
Kenny MacKay This track is being played over another performance. Just watch him sing and the guitar. They're not in sync.
Magic Mike
how would you know you imbecile. he used vox ac30s