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)
Man on the Prowl
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm gonna take a little walk on the wild side
I'm gonna loosen up and get me some gas
I'm gonna get me some action
Go crazy, driving in the fast lane
My baby left me alone
She done me dirty and I'm feeling so lonely
So come home, come home
Man on the prowl
You better watch out
I'm on the loose and I'm looking for trouble
So look out (yeah yeah) - look out (yeah yeah)
I'm a man on the prowl
I don't wanna be a rock 'n' roll steady
I just wanna be low down trash
I wanna go to the movies
All I wanna do is sit on my ass - ooh
So honey come home (come home come home)
Don't leave me when I'm feeling so lonely
Come home (yeah yeah) - come home (yeah yeah)
If you don't you're gonna break my heart
Man on the prowl
You better watch out
I'm on the loose and I'm looking for trouble
So look out (yeah yeah) - look out (yeah yeah)
'Cause I'm a man on the prowl
Well I keep dreaming about my baby
But it ain't gonna get me nowhere
(Bap bap) hey
I gonna teach my baby dancin'
(Bap bap)
But I ain't no Fred Astaire
So baby look out - I'm a man on the prowl
Look out - man on the prowl - yeah
Yeah - baby, baby, baby look out, yeah - man on the prowl
Baby come home
I'm on the loose and I'm looking for trouble
Baby come home - oh yeah
'Cause I'm a man on the prowl
So honey come home - come home
'Cause I'm a man on the prowl - yeah
Man on the prowl - yeah
Hey, stay with it
Loosen up
Wooh yep ha wooh ha
Yeah
Queen's song "Man on the Prowl" is about a man who is trying to cope with the loneliness and heartbreak of being left by his lover. He decides to take a walk on the wild side, to let loose and get into some trouble in an effort to distract himself from his pain. His desire for action leads him to drive fast and become a man on the prowl, looking for trouble in the hope that it will help him forget about his heartbreak. However, he ultimately realizes that what he truly wants is the companionship and love of his partner, and begs her to come home before he has a broken heart.
The lyrics suggest a desire for escapism from a difficult situation, with the singer wanting to avoid the responsibility of commitment and seeking out temporary distractions. However, ultimately the song is a plea for love and companionship, suggesting that even with all the excitement in the world, what really matters is having someone to share it with.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh yeah
Excited and energized
I'm gonna take a little walk on the wild side
Going to try something daring and adventurous
I'm gonna loosen up and get me some gas
Going to relax and have a good time
I'm gonna get me some action
Going to have some fun and excitement
Go crazy, driving in the fast lane
Going to let loose and live life to the fullest
My baby left me alone
Significant other has abandoned me
She done me dirty and I'm feeling so lonely
Betrayed and feeling alone
So come home, come home
Asking for significant other to return
If you don't you're gonna break my heart
Warning significant other of the consequences of not returning
Man on the prowl
Actively seeking new experiences
You better watch out
Warning others to be wary
I'm on the loose and I'm looking for trouble
Actively seeking adventure and excitement
So look out (yeah yeah) - look out (yeah yeah)
Repeated warning
I'm a man on the prowl
Reinforcement of seeking new experiences
I don't wanna be a rock 'n' roll steady
Not interested in being predictable and boring
I just wanna be low down trash
Wants to be reckless and wild
I wanna go to the movies
Wants simple pleasures in life
All I wanna do is sit on my ass - ooh
Wants to relax and take it easy
So honey come home (come home come home)
Repeating request for return of significant other
Don't leave me when I'm feeling so lonely
Asking significant other not to abandon me
If you don't you're gonna break my heart
Warning of consequences of not returning
Well I keep dreaming about my baby
Continues to think about significant other
But it ain't gonna get me nowhere
Realizes fantasy is not reality
(Bap bap) hey
Vocal sounds for emphasis
I gonna teach my baby dancin'
Wanting to share experiences with significant other
(Bap bap)
Vocal sounds for emphasis
But I ain't no Fred Astaire
Acknowledging limitations and faults
So baby look out - I'm a man on the prowl
Continues to seek adventure and excitement
Look out - man on the prowl - yeah
Reinforcement of seeking new experiences
Yeah - baby, baby, baby look out, yeah - man on the prowl
Continuing to warn significant other and emphasize desire for adventure
Baby come home
Reiterating plea for return of significant other
I'm on the loose and I'm looking for trouble
Reinforcing desire for excitement and thrill
Baby come home - oh yeah
Emphasizing desire for significant other to return
'Cause I'm a man on the prowl
Continues to seek adventure and excitement
So honey come home - come home
Continues to ask for return of significant other
'Cause I'm a man on the prowl - yeah
Reinforcement of seeking new experiences
Man on the prowl - yeah
Closing reinforcement of seeking new experiences
Hey, stay with it
Encouragement to continue seeking adventure
Loosen up
Relax and have fun
Wooh yep ha wooh ha
Vocal sounds for emphasis
Yeah
Reinforcement of seeking new experiences
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Mercury
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@comradeabby3141
Why is no one talking about John's groovy amazing bass. Come on people give john more credit he is amazing
@timonkozma9151
I totally agree
@bobthepigbobthepig4758
same i also agree John is my favorite member...
@rrsplinter221
John Deacon is the most underrated bassist in Rock and Roll music.
@alexcarratu5554
One of the most underrated songs from Queen. Very Elvis Presley sounding. Elvis inspired many artists after him who are still popular to this day and Queen and Freddie are two of them. Elvis was truly ahead of his time. Elvis was probably looking down on Queen smiling knowing that he'd influenced them. Bless Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury and Queen. RIP, geniuses and legends.
@alexcarratu5554
@M. M. Monroe, I've not listened to Eddie. Elvis Presley is very much present in this song in terms of influence. There are two more Elvis Presley sounding Queen songs: Crazy Little Thing Called Love and Dreamer's Ball, the former of which is the most well known Elvis Presley influenced Queen song.
@CelestialShinigami
It's called Rockabilly and it is still a very prevalent style. If you like it, try checking out the 'Stray Cats' (and even Brain Setzer by himself), Steve Earle, Los Lobos and Shakin' Stevens.
@alexcarratu5554
@@CelestialShinigami, thank you. I like Shakin' Stevens, but I've not heard the others' music you mentioned. Thanks very much.
@alexcarratu5554
@James Mathai, wow. Didn't know that. Thanks for that information. Also, Queen performed Jailhouse Rock at some of their shows in the 70s and 80s. Also, Freddie performed Jailhouse Rock with his pre-Queen band, Ibex, in the late 60s. These show that Freddie and Queen were Elvis Presley fans.
@dangeroustourmichael7028
Sounds like the 2nd part to Crazy Little Thing Called Love.