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)
Put Out The Fire
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the land of the free
But he wouldn't shake my hand boy
He disappointed me
So I got my hand gun
And I blew him away
That critter was a bad guy
And I had to make him pay
You might fear for my reason
I don't care what they say
Look out baby it's the season
For the mad masquerade
Put out the fire put out the fire put out the fire
Oh you need a bullet like a hole in the head
Put out the fire, put out the fire, put out the fire
Don't believe what your grand-daddy said
She was my lover
It was a shame that she died
But the constitution's right on my side
'Cause I caught my lover in the neighbour's bed
I got retribution
Filled 'em all full of lead
I've been told it's the fashion
To let me on the streets again
It's nothing but a crime of passion
And I'm not to blame
Put out the fire, put out the fire, put out the fire
You need a weapon like a hole in the head
Put out the fire, put out the fire, baby put out the fire
And let your sons and daughters sleep sound in their beds
You know a gun never killed nobody
You can ask anyone
People get shot by people
People with guns
Put out the fire, put out the fire, put out the fire
You need a gun like a hole in the head
Put out the fire, put out the fire, put out the fire
Just tell me that old fashioned gun law is dead
Shoot, shoot...
The lyrics of Queen's song Put Out The Fire appears to be a commentary on the gun culture that exists in the United States of America. The narrative in the song is told from the perspective of a person who has used a gun to kill two people- a hero who failed to shake his hand and his lover who he caught in the neighbor's bed. The singer defends his actions, stating that the hero was a bad guy who deserved to be punished for his actions, and his lover's infidelity left him with no choice but to kill her and the neighbor.
The singer is aware that his actions may be questioned by others, but he is not bothered by it, as it is the "season for the mad masquerade." He sees his use of a gun as a "crime of passion," and not something that he should be held responsible for, especially since the Constitution is on his side. However, the singer acknowledges that gun violence is rampant in the society, and something should be done to put out the fire.
The singer concludes the song by stating that guns do not kill people, but people with guns do. He also advocates for the abolition of old-fashioned gun laws that permit the use of firearms without strict regulations.
Line by Line Meaning
They called him a hero
He was recognized as a brave person
In the land of the free
In a country characterized by freedom
But he wouldn't shake my hand boy
He refused to shake hands with me
He disappointed me
He let me down
So I got my hand gun
I obtained a firearm
And I blew him away
I shot and killed him
That critter was a bad guy
He was a person of bad character
And I had to make him pay
I had to seek revenge against him
You might fear for my reason
You may question my motives
I don't care what they say
I am unconcerned about others' opinions
Look out baby it's the season
Be wary, as it is currently a time of danger
For the mad masquerade
When insanity is disguised as something else
Put out the fire put out the fire put out the fire
Stop the dangerous situation at hand
Oh you need a bullet like a hole in the head
You definitely do not need a bullet
Don't believe what your grand-daddy said
Do not blindly accept what your ancestors may have believed
She was my lover
She was my romantic partner
It was a shame that she died
Her death was unfortunate
But the constitution's right on my side
I am justified by the laws of the land
Cause I caught my lover in the neighbour's bed
Because I found her cheating on me with the neighbor
I got retribution
I sought revenge
Filled 'em all full of lead
I shot them all to death
I've been told it's the fashion
I have heard that it is trendy
To let me on the streets again
To release me from prison
It's nothing but a crime of passion
It was a result of strong emotions
And I'm not to blame
I am not at fault
You know a gun never killed nobody
Guns do not kill people on their own
You can ask anyone
This is common knowledge
People get shot by people
Individuals shoot and harm others
People with guns
Those who are in possession of firearms
Just tell me that old fashioned gun law is dead
Abolish outdated gun regulations
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN MAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@classicalbumlovers416
They called him a hero
In the land of the free
But he wouldn't shake my hand boy
He disappointed me
So I got my hand gun
And I blew him away
That critter was a bad guy
And I had to make him pay
You might fear for my reason
I don't care what they say
Look out baby it's the season
For the mad masquerade
Put out the fire put out the fire put out the fire
Oh you need a bullet like a hole in the head
Put out the fire, put out the fire, put out the fire
Don't believe what your grand-daddy said
She was my lover
It was a shame that she died
But the constitution's right on my side
'Cause I caught my lover in the neighbour's bed
I got retribution
Filled 'em all full of lead
I've been told it's the fashion
To let me on the streets again
It's nothing but a crime of passion
And I'm not to blame
Put out the fire, put out the fire, put out the fire
You need a weapon like a hole in the head
Put out the fire, put out the fire, baby put out the fire
And let your sons and daughters sleep sound in their beds
You know a gun never killed nobody
You can ask anyone
People get shot by people
People with guns
Put out the fire, put out the fire, put out the fire
You need a gun like a hole in the head
Put out the fire, put out the fire, put out the fire
Just tell me that old fashioned gun law is dead
Shoot, shoot...
@eduardo90214
They called him a hero
In the land of the free
But he wouldn't shake my hand, boy
He disappointed me
So I got my handgun
And I blew him away
That critter was a bad guy
I had to make him pay
You might fear for my reason
I don't care what they say
Look out, baby, it's the season
For the mad masquerade
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Oh, you need a bullet like a hole in the head
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Don't believe what your grandaddy said
She was my lover
It was a shame that she died
But the constitution's right on my side
'Cause I caught my lover in my neighbour's bed
I got retribution, filled 'em full of lead
I've been told it's the fashion
To let me on the streets again
It's nothing but a crime of passion
And I'm not to blame
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
You need a weapon like a hole in the head
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
And let your sons and your daughters sleep sound in their beds
You know a gun never killed nobody
You can ask anyone
People get shot by people
People with guns
Oh yeah
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
You need a gun like a hole in the head
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Put out the fire
Just tell me that old fashioned gun law is dead
@marcoa5249
"They called him a hero
In the land of the free
But he wouldn't shake my hand, boy
He disappointed me
So I got my handgun
And I blew him away
That critter was a bad guy
I had to make him pay..."
R.I.P John Lennon
@ahard-daysnight6659
Lyrics:
They called him a hero,
In the land of the free,
But he wouldn’t shake my hand, boy,
He disappointed me.
So I got my handgun,
And I blew him away,
That critter was a bad guy,
I had to make him pay.
You might fear for my reason,
I don’t care whay they say.
Look out baby, it’s the season,
For the mad masquerade!
Put out the fire!
Put out the fire!
Put out the fire!
Oh, you need a bullet like a hole in the head.
Put out the fire!
Put out the fire!
Put out the fire!
Don’t believe what your granddaddy said.
She was my lover,
It was a shame that she died.
But the constitution,
Is right on my side.
‘Cause I caught my lover,
In my neighbour’s bed,
I got retribution,
Filled ‘im all full of lead.
I’ve been told it’s the fashion,
To let me on the streets again.
It’s nothing but a crime of passion,
And I’m not to blame!
Put out the fire!
Put out the fire!
Put out the fire!
You need a weapon like a hole in the head.
Put out the fire!
Put out the fire, baby!
Put out the fire!
And let your sons and your daughters,
Sleep sound in their beds.
You know, a gun never killed nobody,
You can ask anyone.
People get shot by people,
People
with
guns!
Oh yeah,
Put out the fire, woo!
Put out the fire, come on!
You need a gun like a hole in the head.
Put out the fire, woo!
Put out the fire!
Put out the fire, yeah yeah!
Just tell me that old fashioned gun law, !!!!!!!
Is dead!
Come on, hit it!
Take aim and fire.
Come on, yeah,
Shoot, shoot.
Hah, shoot!
Shoot!
Shoot!!!
@ellielouise6247
Hot Space is so underrated, many Queen fans didn't like it as it was more dance/pop orientated rather than rock. I just love it!
@Zemmed14
Ellie Louise yes me too
@carltoeski
+Ellie Louise totally with you on this one:)
@carltoeski
+Ellie Louise totally with you on this one:)
@queenpost
+Ellie Louise
You are a very nice girl!
@Templeboyviii
I agree with you XD
@inpregnatedbytgeswasg3367
I just love how queen shows us the world by their songs
@antonellacastrataro9955
Adoro demasiado este álbum, es uno de mis favoritos de Queen😍😍😍. No entiendo porqué a la gente no le gusta 🥺 si es súper increíble 💕
@dantesegovia3621
Un disco poco querido,pero con canciones muy fuertes!!! ( a mi me encanta)
@facultad1000
POCO QUERIDO POR LA BANDA MISMA