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)
Love Like A Man
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's newly sprung in June
O my love is like the melody
That's sweetly played in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in love am I
And I will love thee still, my dear,
Till all the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt with the sun
And I will love thee still, my dear,
While the sands of life shall run.
And fare thee well, my only love,
And fare thee well a while,
And I will come again, my love,
Though twere ten thousand mile.
Scotland (text by Robert Burns), arr. Jim Clements
The lyrics to Queen's song "Love Like Blood" are actually from a traditional Scottish poem called "My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose" by Robert Burns. The song expresses deep and everlasting love, comparing it to the beauty and sweetness of a newly blossomed rose and a melodious tune played in perfect harmony.
The first stanza describes the singer's love as being as beautiful and fresh as a red rose that blooms in June. The imagery of the rose signifies the beauty and fragility of love, highlighting its fleeting nature. The comparison to a sweet melody suggests that the love is harmonious and brings joy to the singer's life.
In the second stanza, the singer addresses their beloved, expressing that their love for them is just as intense. The phrase "So deep in love am I" emphasizes the depth and sincerity of the singer's emotions. The singer promises to love their beloved forever, even until all the seas run dry, symbolizing the eternal nature of their affection.
The third stanza continues the theme of eternal love. The singer declares that they will continue to love their beloved even if the rocks melt with the sun, portraying a love that can withstand any obstacle. The phrase "While the sands of life shall run" signifies that their love will endure as long as they live.
In the final stanza, the singer bids their beloved farewell but promises to return, even if it means traversing a great distance of ten thousand miles. This demonstrates a commitment to maintaining and nurturing the love, no matter the circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
My love is like a red, red rose
The depth and intensity of my love can be compared to the beauty and passion of a newly blossomed red rose.
That's newly sprung in June
Similar to the vibrant and fresh rose that blooms in the month of June, my love has recently awakened and flourished.
O my love is like the melody
My affectionate feelings are akin to a melodious tune that brings joy and harmony to those who listen.
That's sweetly played in tune
Just as a sweetly played melody resonates with a pleasant tune, my love radiates warmth and happiness.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass
You are as beautiful and lovely as can be, my dear.
So deep in love am I
The depth of my love for you knows no bounds or limitations.
And I will love thee still, my dear
I promise to continue loving you, my dear, without any faltering or hesitation.
Till all the seas gang dry
My love for you will endure until the oceans completely dry up, demonstrating its everlasting nature.
Till all the seas gang dry, my dear
I emphasize once again that my love for you will persist until the seas no longer exist, reaffirming its unwavering strength.
And the rocks melt with the sun
Even if the solid rocks were to melt under the scorching sun, my love for you would remain unaffected and steadfast.
And I will love thee still, my dear
Reiterating my unwavering commitment, I will continue to love you, my dear, without any change or wavering.
While the sands of life shall run
My devotion to you will last throughout the entirety of our lives, until the last grains of sand in the hourglass have fallen.
And fare thee well, my only love
As we part for a while, bidding farewell, I want you to know that you are my one and only love.
And fare thee well a while
Though we must be separated for a period of time, I sincerely bid you farewell, hoping for a swift reunion.
And I will come again, my love
Rest assured, my love, that I will return, proving that my feelings for you are unwavering and constant.
Though twere ten thousand mile
Despite the great distance that separates us, which may amount to ten thousand miles, my dedication to our love remains unyielding.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jim Clements
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind