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)
Mr. Bad Guy
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's my invitation
Let's all take a trip on my ecstasy
I'm Mr. Bad Guy
Yes I'm everybody's Mr. Bad Guy
Can't you see I'm Mr. Mercury
Oh, spread your wings and fly away with me.
Bad communication
I feel like the president of the USA
Mr. Bad Guy
Yes I'm everybody's Mr. Bad Guy
Can't you see I'm Mr. Mercury
Oh, spread your wings and fly away with me.
I'm Mr. Bad Guy
They're all afraid of me
I can ruin people's lives
Mr. Bad Guy they're all afraid of me
It's the only way to be
That's my destiny
Mr. Bad Guy, Mr. Bad Guy, Bad Guy
It's the only way for me
It's my destiny
Mr. Bad Guy
Yes I'm everybody's Mr. Bad Guy
Can't you see this is my destiny
Oh, spread your wings and fly away with me.
The lyrics of "Mr. Bad Guy" by Freddie Mercury, the lead vocalist of Queen, express a desire to escape reality and indulge in ecstasy. Mercury, who was known for his flamboyant and daring personality, embodies the character of a "bad guy" who is feared by others, yet revels in his power. He invites his listeners to follow him and chase rainbows in the sky, indicating a desire for pleasure and adventure. The opening line of the song, "Let's go chasing rainbows in the sky," can be interpreted as a metaphor for pursuing an unattainable ideal or living in a world of fantasy.
In the following verse, Mercury emphasizes his isolation and loneliness with the lines "Your big daddy's got no place to stay/Bad communication/I feel like the president of the USA." These lines suggest that Mercury feels misunderstood and disconnected from others, like he is the lone leader of a nation that he does not really understand. The chorus repeats the refrain "I'm Mr. Bad Guy / Yes, I'm everybody's Mr. Bad Guy," imploring listeners to accept his identity as a misunderstood outsider.
The bridge of the song repeats the message that Mercury is feared by others but also implies that he relishes his power. He proclaims, "I can ruin people's lives" with a hint of defiance and mischief. The final chorus confirms that being a "bad guy" is Mercury's destiny, and encourages listeners to embrace their true nature and fly away with him. Overall, the lyrics express a desire for escapism and a refusal to conform to society's expectations, while also acknowledging the loneliness and isolation of such a lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's go chasing rainbows in the sky
Let's venture out and explore the infinite possibilities that life has to offer, without any specific objective in mind.
It's my invitation
The invitation to join me on this journey is open to anyone and everyone.
Let's all take a trip on my ecstasy
Let's indulge in the pleasures of life and go on an adventure, fueled by the intense euphoria and happiness that comes with it.
I'm Mr. Bad Guy
I am not considered to be a good person by society's standards, but I am unapologetically who I am.
Yes I'm everybody's Mr. Bad Guy
I am universally seen as someone who is unconventional and not easily understood or accepted.
Can't you see I'm Mr. Mercury
As an artist, I embody the energy and charisma of the element mercury, which represents eloquence, expressiveness, and flexibility.
Oh, spread your wings and fly away with me.
Join me on this journey of self-discovery and don't be afraid to express yourself and let your creativity soar.
Your big daddy's got no place to stay
You are searching for purpose and direction in your life, and your current situation is not providing that for you.
Bad communication
The difficulties in communicating and connecting with others are causing frustration and a feeling of isolation.
I feel like the president of the USA
I feel like I have the power and influence to make a significant impact on the world around me.
They're all afraid of me
People are intimidated by my confidence and individuality, and are unsure of how to approach or understand me.
I can ruin people's lives
My words and actions have the power to significantly impact others, for better or for worse.
Mr. Bad Guy they're all afraid of me
My unconventional and nonconformist behavior causes others to feel uneasy or intimidated, even though I have no intention of harm.
It's the only way to be
Being true to myself and embracing my unique identity is the only way for me to live my life authentically.
That's my destiny
Living life on my own terms is part of my personal journey and purpose in this world.
Bad Guy
I am unapologetically who I am, even if my behavior doesn't always conform to societal standards.
Yes I'm everybody's Mr. Bad Guy
I refuse to compromise my unique identity, even if others are uncomfortable with it or don't understand it.
Can't you see this is my destiny
Being true to myself and embracing my own identity is part of my personal journey and purpose in life.
Oh, spread your wings and fly away with me.
Join me on this journey of self-discovery and don't be afraid to express yourself and let your creativity soar.
Contributed by Jacob G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@juliabilska2446
Let's go chasing rainbows in the sky
It's my invitation
Let's all take a trip on my ecstasy
I'm Mr. Bad Guy
Yes I'm everybody's Mr. Bad Guy
Can't you see I'm Mr. Mercury
Oh, spread your wings and fly away with me.
Your big daddy's got no place to stay
Bad communication
I feel like the president of the USA
Mr. Bad Guy
Yes I'm everybody's Mr. Bad Guy
Can't you see I'm Mr. Mercury
Oh, spread your wings and fly away with me.
I'm Mr. Bad Guy
They're all afraid of me
I can ruin people's lives
Mr. Bad Guy they're all afraid of me
It's the only way to be
That's my destiny
Mr. Bad Guy, Mr. Bad Guy, Bad Guy
It's the only way for me
It's my destiny
Mr. Bad Guy
Yes I'm everybody's Mr. Bad Guy
Can't you see this is my destiny
Oh, spread your wings and fly away with me.
@grandzeno7813
Let's go chasing rainbows in the sky
It's my invitation
Let's all take a trip on my ecstasy
I'm Mr. Bad Guy
Yes, I'm everybody's Mr Bad Guy
Can't you see I'm Mr. Mercury
Oh, spread your wings and fly away with me
Your big daddy's got no place to stay
Bad communication
I feel like the President of the USA
Mr. Bad Guy, yes I'm everybody's Mr Bad Guy
Can't you see I'm Mr. Mercury
Oh, spread your wings and fly away with me
I'm Mr. Bad Guy, they're all afraid of me
I can ruin people's lives
Mr. Bad Guy, they're all afraid of me
It's the only way to be
That's my destiny
Mr. Bad Guy, Mr. Bad Guy, Mr. Bad Guy
It's the only way to be
It's my destiny, oh yeah
Mr. Bad Guy, yes I'm everybody's Mr Bad Guy
Can't you see this is my destiny
Oh, spread your wings and fly away with me
@AdvanTuil
Richard Ring
1. Let's Turn It On
2. Made in Heaven
3. I Was Born to Love You
4. Foolin' Around
5. Your Kind of Lover
6. Mr. Bad Guy
7. Man Made Paradise
8. There Must Be More to Life Than This
9. Living on My Own
10. My Love Is Dangerous
11. Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow
I think it's a great album !
@madmads2448
Lots of people say this album was a flop but i just can't agree with them. Too many people expected Queen sounding music instead of keeping an open mind. I love this song and the album!
@kecapmanis4191
I had this album on casette. Love it! Sounds different from most Queen's stuff though.
@doyoulikedags3534
Kecap Manis , that's because this was from a solo album by Freddie.
@jeremiahrowesr.3130
Exactly you know even though it was not part of Queen it was part of his solo career you know still a good song I don't know why people said it was a flop I love it it's really good
@lyndaburn6428
Me too. My dad had it on tape and we spent a holiday travelling around listening to it. Great memories. My brother got it in France in a school tour.
Love it
@lesleylyons6480
how could it have been it was Freddie !!!!
@thecomedyclownfish1731
I would kill to be a musical villain with this entrance
@nicolewonka9662
That would make you a Killer queen
@aimeelaws8524
Nicole suzuki arana 😂😂😂
@alisongutierrez3062
TheComedyClownfish I can see him playing Hades from Disneys Hercules in a live action version