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)
Keep Yourself Alive
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was told a million times
Of all the troubles in my way
Mind you grow a little wiser
Little better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Well I sold a million mirrors
In a shopping alley way
But I never saw my face
In any window any day
Now they say your folks are telling you
Be a super star
But I tell you just be satisfied
Stay right where you are
Keep yourself alive, yeah
Keep yourself alive
Ooh, it'll take you all your time and money
Honey you'll survive
Ow
Well I've loved a million women
In a belladonic haze
And I ate a million dinners
Brought to me on silver trays
Give me everything I need
To feed my body and my soul
And I'll grow a little bigger
Maybe that can be my goal
I was told a million times
Of all the people in my way
How I had to keep on trying
And get better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Same as when I started
Keep yourself alive, come on
Keep yourself alive
Ooh, it'll take you all your time and money honey
You'll survive, shake
Ow
Keep yourself alive, wow
Keep yourself alive
Oh, it'll take you all your time and money
To keep me satisfied
Do you think you're better every day?
No, I just think I'm two steps nearer to my grave
Keep yourself alive, c'mon
Keep yourself alive
Mm, you take your time and take more money
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
C'mon keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
C'mon c'mon keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money
To keep me satisfied
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and money honey
You will survive
Keep you satisfied
The opening track of Queen's self-titled debut album, Keep Yourself Alive displays Queen's trademark blend of rock and theatrics, with Freddie Mercury's soaring vocals, Brian May's electric guitar playing, and a driving beat provided by Roger Taylor on drums and John Deacon on bass guitar. The song's lyrics seem to address the struggles of an up-and-coming musician, with Mercury singing about being told of "all the troubles in my way" but striving to improve himself every day. He sings about the temptations of fame and excess ("Well I've loved a million women in a belladonic haze / And I ate a million dinners brought to me on silver trays") but ultimately concludes that the key to success is to "keep yourself alive" and stay true to yourself.
Musically, Keep Yourself Alive features May's distinctive guitar riffs and solos, with the chorus featuring a harmony-heavy vocal arrangement that would become a staple of Queen's sound. The song is also notable for its unusual structure, with multiple sections and time signatures shifting throughout. These complex musical arrangements would become a hallmark of the band's style and influence countless subsequent rock musicians.
Since its release, Keep Yourself Alive has become a fan favorite and a staple of Queen's live shows. The song's upbeat energy and message of perseverance have made it a motivational anthem for generations of fans. With its combination of rock, theatrics, and intricate musical arrangements, Keep Yourself Alive is a masterclass in Queen's unique sound and approach to music.
Line by Line Meaning
Take off
To start a journey or an adventure
I was told a million times
Advice and warnings from people about the difficulties and hardships that lie ahead
Of all the troubles in my way
All the obstacles and difficulties that one may face in life
Mind you grow a little wiser
To continuously learn and acquire new knowledge to become smarter every day
Little better every day
To improve and make progress daily
But if I crossed a million rivers
Even after facing many challenges and covering a lot of distance, it does not guarantee progress towards one's goal
And I rode a million miles
Travelling many miles without any progress towards a specific goal
Then I'd still be where I started
Not making any progress despite trying very hard
Bread and butter for a smile
Living a simple life with basic necessities despite not making any progress
Well I sold a million mirrors
Making a lot of money but never seeing oneself reflected in any of the windows
In a shopping alleyway
A metaphorical representation of the materialistic world
But I never saw my face
Losing one's true identity and forgetting who they are
In any window any day
The absence of any physical or personal reflection of oneself despite living a materialistic life
Now they say your folks are telling you
Advice from family members to become a superstar
Be a super star
To achieve great success, fame and fortune
But I tell you just be satisfied
To be content with what you have rather than constantly chasing success and material possessions
Stay right where you are
To be in the present moment and not constantly striving for the future
Keep yourself alive, yeah
To stay alive in the metaphorical sense, to keep on living life despite its difficulties
Keep yourself alive
To survive and thrive despite life's obstacles
Ooh, it'll take you all your time and money
Surviving and thriving requires time and money, perseverance and hard work
Honey you'll survive
To assure the listener that they have what it takes to survive
Well I've loved a million women
A metaphor for the many things one may experience in life
In a belladonic haze
A reference to the poisonous plant Belladonna, as a metaphor for experiencing dangerous or harmful situations in life
And I ate a million dinners
An abundance of food, a metaphor for one's basic needs being met
Brought to me on silver trays
Living a luxurious life where one's needs are taken care of
Give me everything I need
Basic needs such as food, water, shelter, and clothing
To feed my body and my soul
To sustain oneself both physically and spiritually
And I'll grow a little bigger
To mature and develop in all aspects of life
Maybe that can be my goal
To focus on one's self-development rather than purely materialistic desires
How I had to keep on trying
To persevere in the face of obstacles
But if I crossed a million rivers
Even if one tries very hard and overcomes many hurdles, they may still not achieve their goal
How I had to keep on trying
The importance of perseverance despite setbacks and challenges
Take you all your time and money honey
The amount of time, money and effort required to achieve one's goal
You'll survive
To reassure the listener that they will survive despite the challenges
Do you think you're better every day?
A rhetorical question about personal growth and self-improvement
No, I just think I'm two steps nearer to my grave
A response indicating that personal growth is not about feeling superior, but rather the passage of time and getting closer to death
Mm, you take your time and take more money
The cost, both in terms of time and resources, of striving for one's dreams
All you people keep yourself alive
To encourage everyone to persevere and strive towards their goals
Take you all your time and money honey
The importance of perseverance and hard work in achieving success
You will survive
To reassure the listener that they have the strength to overcome life's obstacles and challenges
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Harold May
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@raykrislianggi
Quarantine anthems, Queen version:
1. Keep Yourself Alive
2. I Want to Break Free
3. I'm Going Slightly Mad
4. Living On My Own
5. The Show Must Go On
Post-quarantine anthems, Queen version:
1. The Miracle
2. Don't Stop Me Now
3. Spread Your Wings
4. Now I'm Here
5. I Want It All
@mariomikulec5927
Take off
I was told a million times
Of all the troubles in my way
Mind you grow a little wiser
Little better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Bread and butter for a smile
Well I sold a million mirrors
In a shopping alley way
But I never saw my face
In any window any day
Now they say your folks are telling you
Be a super star
But I tell you just be satisfied
Stay right where you are
Keep yourself alive, yeah
Keep yourself alive
Ooh, it'll take you all your time and money
Honey you'll survive
Ow
Well I've loved a million women
In a belladonic haze
And I ate a million dinners
Brought to me on silver trays
Give me everything I need
To feed my body and my soul
And I'll grow a little bigger
Maybe that can be my goal
I was told a million times
Of all the people in my way
How I had to keep on trying
And get better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Same as when I started
Keep yourself alive, come on
Keep yourself alive
Ooh, it'll take you all your time and money honey
You'll survive, shake
Ow
Keep yourself alive, wow
Keep yourself alive
Oh, it'll take you all your time and money
To keep me satisfied
Do you think you're better every day?
No, I just think I'm two steps nearer to my grave
Keep yourself alive, c'mon
Keep yourself alive
Mm, you take your time and take more money
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
C'mon keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
C'mon c'mon keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money
To keep me satisfied
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and money honey
You will survive
Keep you satisfied
@princessbananahammock516
Yeeeess I loveee it too but when I tried to play it to my drums my hands flied off !
My teacher was waiting for this but I was like :
-I can do it yes I can !!!
My teacher :
-Calm down you little kid !
Sorry Roger I love you !!!😁😍😘
@nesquikboyyy
Iconic Moments:
0:42 - That chainmail thing that Freddie is wearing on his hand is amazing (also his necklace is really nice too)
1:07 - Freddie fixing his hair
1:18 - Zoom in on the Red Special
1:27 - Zoom in on John, impregnating his bass
1:28 - John's hair (I LOVE.)
1:28 ~ 1:33 - Roggy
1:37 ~ 1:40 - Roggy, part 2
1:58 - Freddie and Roger from behind
2:08 - THE DECON BEACON SPREADING LOVE AND JOY SINCE AUGUST 19TH, 1951.
2:12 - Beautiful Brian <333
2:19 ~ 2:34 - ROGERS SOLO HOLY S H I T.
2:31 - Freddie gets a tambourine...
... 2:35 - Freddie fucking banishing the tambourine into the shadow realm.
2:43 - Freddie and Brian
3:00 ~ 3:12 - THE BEST PART OF THE ENTIRE SONG.
3:22 - Freddie flipping the mic sticky thingy up
3:27 - John stomping his foot
(edit: thanks for the likes!!! c:)
@johndeaconsfavcheeseslice8979
LYRICS:
I was told a million times
Of all the troubles in my way
Mind you grow a little wiser
Little better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Bread and butter for a smile
Well I sold a million mirrors
In a shop in Alley Way
But I never saw my face
In any window any day
Now they say your folks are telling you
"Be a superstar,"
But I tell you just be satisfied
And stay right where you are
Keep yourself alive yeah
Keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and a money
Honey you'll survive
Well I've loved a million women
In a belladonnic haze
And I ate a million dinners
Brought to me on silver trays
Give me everything I need
To feed my body and my soul
Well I'll grow a little bigger
Maybe that can be my goal
I was told a million times
Of all the people in my way
How I had to keep on trying
And get better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Same as when I started
Keep yourself alive
Come on
Keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and a money
Honey you'll survive
Keep yourself alive (Whoa)
Keep yourself alive
Oh, take you all your time and a money
To keep me satisfied
Do you think you're better every day?
No, I just think I'm two steps nearer to my grave
Keep yourself alive
Come on
Keep yourself alive
You take your time and take my money
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
Come on
Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
Come on
Come on
Keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and a money
To keep me satisfied
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and money
Honey you will survive
Keep you satisfied
Keep you satisfied
@bluebell3720
With ibex 69 first gig freddie had stage fright and sang with his back to the audience till he felt confident !
His stand broke with ibex so he kept it as a gimmick with queen
His singing wasnt good with ibex who he re named wreckage
(He rang them up saying their fine with the name wreckage are you ok with it?thry agreed individually because they thought the others had!the next time they met up hed re stenciled their equipment wreckage!)
He was pitchy
Wreckage and smile ended up performing at the same place a couple of times
Already friends
Roger and brian hated the way he sang that's why they didnt offer him to be the lead singer
(Freddie said in an interview,Tim left and they advertised for a singer,why I was right there right infront of them!)
But he learnt through his short time with ibex
And was fine with queen and just kept improving as he learnt
(The guy from ibex said jokingly so what are you renaming them
Queen!
He said he was shocked but once he got over that he coped with him calling himself mercury,"a queen" was already slang for a flamboyant gay man)
Before he was with them he kept critiquing them! Need to put on a performance,engage with the audience...
@elkingonzalez8573
0% autotune
100% talent
150% hair
@82patin
Lmao
@theweirdestyoutuberofallti8051
infinte%hair
@simpdetuvieja4131
Neji chikito :3
@afreakaboucher1316
What's even Auto tune anyway?
.
@themandalorian9613
The guy in the studio - wait you didn't used auto tune
Freddie - you had that?
Brian - no thanks
John - ok
Roger - um guys I think my mic died for the 7th time
@David-fanboy
Freddie is so legendary they named a planet after him.
@jefersongalvao5144
David Stewart and also a chemical element too
@gaminglegend
It's just like Toto- Africa. The continent was named after the song
@user-tg9uc4on2r
Thank god there no stupid ppl commenting here