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)
One Year Of Love
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is better than a lifetime alone
One sentimental moment in your arms
Is like a shooting star right through my heart
It's always a rainy day without you
I'm a prisoner of love inside you
I'm falling apart all around you, yeah
My heart cries out to your heart
My hand reaches for to your hand
I'm cold but you light the fire in me
My lips search for your lips
I'm hungry for your touch
There's so much left unspoken
And all I can do is surrender
To the moment just surrender
And no one ever told me that love would hurt so much
Ooh yes it hurts
And pain is so close to pleasure
And all I can do is surrender to your love
Just surrender to your love
Just one year of love
Is better than a lifetime alone
One sentimental moment in your arms
Is like a shooting star right through my heart
It's always a rainy day without you
I'm a prisoner of love inside you
I'm falling apart all around you
And all I can do is surrender
Queen’s ‘One Year of Love’ is a touching, melancholic ballad about the magic of one year spent in love, and how it offers significance and purpose to life. The opening line of the song states ‘Just one year of love is better than a lifetime alone’, making it clear that the song is about how even a short period of love can bring a lifetime of memories and experiences. The lyrics expound on the feeling of being incomplete without the person they love, and how their lover’s touch, kiss, and presence makes everything better.
The song is filled with heartfelt expressions of love and modern, poetic imagery, like how being in their loved one’s arms is like a shooting star right through their heart. The chorus of the song emphasizes the power and importance of surrendering oneself to love, and accepting the pain and joy that comes with it. The bridge of the song also acknowledges the pain that can sometimes come with love, but argues that it is worth it. The lyrics artfully craft the dynamic between love and pain, as two sides of one coin, and how accepting and embracing the pain leads to experiencing the joy and magic of love.
‘One Year of Love’ was written by Queen’s bassist, John Deacon. Deacon has cited his wife of over 40 years, Veronica Tetzlaff, as the inspiration for the song. The song was released on their 1986 album, ‘A Kind of Magic’, and features the distinct vocal style of Freddie Mercury. The album also features music from the popular movie ‘Highlander’, which ‘One Year of Love’ was also a part of.
Line by Line Meaning
Just one year of love
Even if our love only lasts for a year, it's still better than being alone for a lifetime
Is better than a lifetime alone
Being with someone you love, even for a brief time, is more meaningful than being alone for your entire life
One sentimental moment in your arms
A simple, emotional moment with you is enough to make my heart race and feel alive
Is like a shooting star right through my heart
Your touch, your embrace, feels like a burst of energy that gives me hope and happiness
It's always a rainy day without you
I feel lost and lonely without you. Every day is like a gloomy, stormy day
I'm a prisoner of love inside you
I feel trapped by my own love for you. I can't escape my feelings, even if I wanted to
I'm falling apart all around you, yeah
Being with you makes me feel vulnerable, but I'm willing to let my guard down because I love you
My heart cries out to your heart
My love for you is so strong, it feels like my heart is reaching out and calling to yours
I'm lonely but you can save me
Although I feel lonely without you, being with you makes me feel whole and complete
My hand reaches for to your hand
I long to touch you and feel your warmth. Holding your hand brings me comfort and security
I'm cold but you light the fire in me
You bring warmth to my life and ignite a passion and love within me that I never knew existed
My lips search for your lips
I crave the intimacy and connection of a kiss with you. Our love is physical and emotional
I'm hungry for your touch
I desire the feeling of your touch and the comfort and love it brings me
There's so much left unspoken
Our love is so powerful that it doesn't always need words to express itself. There is a deeper, unspoken connection between us
And all I can do is surrender
I am willing to let go of my fears and insecurities and surrender to the love we share
And no one ever told me that love would hurt so much
Love can be painful and difficult, and no one warned me about the challenges that come with it
Ooh yes it hurts
The pain of love is real and sometimes overwhelming, but it is worth it for the love we share
And pain is so close to pleasure
The intensity of our love can feel like pain and pleasure at the same time. It's a complex, emotional experience
And all I can do is surrender to your love
I am willing to let down my guard and surrender to the love and passion you bring to my life
Just surrender to your love
I will give in to the love we share and trust that it will take us where we need to be
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Deacon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ahard-daysnight6659
Lyrics:
Just one year of love,
Is better than a lifetime alone
One sentimental moment in your arms,
Is like a shooting star, right through my heart
It’s always a rainy day without you,
I’m a prisoner of love inside you —
I’m falling apart, all around you — yeah
My heart cries out to your heart,
I’m lonely but you can save me
My hand reaches out for your hand,
I’m cold, but you light the fire in me
My lips search for your lips,
I’m hungry for your touch
There’s so much left unspoken —
And all I can do is surrender,
To the moment, just surrender
And, no-one ever told me that love would hurt so much. (Oooh, yes, it hurts)
And Pain Is So Close To Pleasure
And all I can do is surrender, to your love
(Just surrender to your love)
Just one year of love,
Is better than a lifetime alone
One sentimental moment in your arms,
Is like a shooting star, right through my heart
It’s always a rainy day without you,
I’m a prisoner of love inside you —
I’m falling apart, all around you — yeah
And all I can do is surrender.
@ahard-daysnight6659
Lyrics:
Just one year of love,
Is better than a lifetime alone
One sentimental moment in your arms,
Is like a shooting star, right through my heart
It’s always a rainy day without you,
I’m a prisoner of love inside you —
I’m falling apart, all around you — yeah
My heart cries out to your heart,
I’m lonely but you can save me
My hand reaches out for your hand,
I’m cold, but you light the fire in me
My lips search for your lips,
I’m hungry for your touch
There’s so much left unspoken —
And all I can do is surrender,
To the moment, just surrender
And, no-one ever told me that love would hurt so much. (Oooh, yes, it hurts)
And Pain Is So Close To Pleasure
And all I can do is surrender, to your love
(Just surrender to your love)
Just one year of love,
Is better than a lifetime alone
One sentimental moment in your arms,
Is like a shooting star, right through my heart
It’s always a rainy day without you,
I’m a prisoner of love inside you —
I’m falling apart, all around you — yeah
And all I can do is surrender.
@BilisNegra
The heartfelt vocals singing such lyrics are extraordinarily touching, on a level one rarely can find. As a matter of fact, I have actually shed tears to this song, and not just once.
@seabassseabass8835
This should have a billion hits..🎷
@thisisqueen3568
It does
@johnmooney9403
The most amazing voice in the history of music
@ReginaTurner1
My most beloved Queen song!
@Bigln8r
If I ever get married this will be my wedding song!!
@johndillermand4053
I was about to comment that this is prime first dance music right here!
@BilisNegra
I've never got to even be in a relationship, it never happened, but in a flight of fancy, I'll say I'd do that too.
@PaulMappud
Seems more like a break up song to me, strange...