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)
Radio Ga-Ga
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Radio)
I'd sit alone and watch your light
My only friend through teenage nights
And everything I had to know
I heard it on my radio
You gave them all those old time stars
You made 'em laugh, you made 'em cry
You made us feel like we could fly (radio)
So don't become some background noise
A backdrop for the girls and boys
Who just don't know or just don't care
And just complain when you're not there
You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour
Radio (radio)
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio goo goo
Radio ga ga
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio blah blah
Radio, what's new?
Radio, someone still loves you
We watch the shows, we watch the stars
On videos for hours and hours
We hardly need to use our ears
How music changes through the years
Let's hope you never leave old friend
Like all good things on you we depend
So stick around 'cause we might miss you
When we grow tired of all this visual
You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour
Radio (radio)
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio goo goo
Radio ga ga
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio goo goo
Radio ga ga
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio blah blah
Radio, what's new?
Someone still loves you
Radio ga ga
Radio ga ga
Radio ga ga
You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour
Radio (radio)
In Queen's hit track "Radio Ga Ga," the band pays tribute to radio's influence on their lives and the world. The song expresses the nostalgic sentiment of sitting alone and watching the light of the radio, which was the only source of comfort and friend during their teen years, particularly at night. Radio was the information and entertainment machine of the world, and everything they needed to know or hear, they heard it on the radio.
The song continues to praise the radio's significant influence on the audience. The lyrics acknowledge the radio's impact in bringing old time stars, and also making people laugh and cry, and most importantly, it made people feel like they could fly. The artists urge the radio to never become just background noise for some girls and boys who don't care or know its significance, adding that "someone still loves you" and that we might miss it when we get tired of all this visual.
Towards the end, the band highlights that radio still has its moment of glory and acknowledges that it is an essential element that humans still rely on, despite the growing use of videos and visual media. The lyrics indicate that radio had its time, power and yet to have its finest hour, what's new?
Line by Line Meaning
I'd sit alone and watch your light
As a teenager, I relied on the radio for entertainment, and it was my only source of light in the dark.
My only friend through teenage nights
The radio was like a friend to me, and it kept me company during lonely teenage nights.
And everything I had to know
All the important news, current events, and entertainment I learned from the radio.
I heard it on my radio
The radio was my primary source of information, and I relied on it entirely.
You gave them all those old time stars
The radio introduced listeners to popular musicians and actors from previous generations.
Through wars of worlds invaded by Mars
Even during historic moments, like the panic caused by Orson Welles' War of the Worlds broadcast, the radio was a powerful medium.
You made 'em laugh, you made 'em cry
The radio was not just serious news and events, it also provided laughter and tears through comedy and drama.
You made us feel like we could fly
The radio had the power to uplift and inspire listeners.
So don't become some background noise
The radio should not be relegated to just background noise in the lives of listeners.
A backdrop for the girls and boys
The radio should not only be reserved for the younger generation.
Who just don't know or just don't care
Younger listeners may not appreciate the importance of the radio in shaping pop culture and society.
And just complain when you're not there
Yet, they will still miss the radio when it's no longer available.
You had your time, you had the power
At one point, the radio was the dominant form of entertainment and information.
You've yet to have your finest hour
Still, the radio has the potential to offer even greater innovation and quality.
All we hear is radio ga ga
The repetitive, nonsensical lyrics represent the decline of radio in the face of new technology and entertainment options.
Radio goo goo
The use of the phrase 'goo goo' represents the sentimentality and romanticism associated with the radio.
Radio blah blah
The use of the phrase 'blah blah' further emphasizes the idea that the radio has lost its edge and importance.
Radio, what's new?
The question reflects the idea that the radio is no longer new, exciting, or innovative.
Radio, someone still loves you
Despite the decline of radio, it still has a devoted fanbase.
We watch the shows, we watch the stars
As society shifted to more visual media, we began to rely more on television and movies for entertainment.
On videos for hours and hours
As technology progressed, we could watch music videos and other video content instead of just listening to audio on the radio.
We hardly need to use our ears
As a result, we rely less on our ears to get information and stimulus in the modern era.
How music changes through the years
The evolution of music and popular culture over time is a reflection of changing times and generations.
Let's hope you never leave old friend
The artist hopes the radio will continue to be an important part of our lives.
Like all good things on you we depend
Like many other aspects of our lives, we depend on the radio to shape our culture and shape our lives.
So stick around 'cause we might miss you
Even if we don't appreciate the radio now, we will miss it if it disappears.
When we grow tired of all this visual
The singer is suggesting that we may eventually grow tired of visual media and return to audio-based entertainment.
Someone still loves you
Despite everything, there are still people who value and love the radio for what it represents.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Roger Taylor
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bizuzin
I'd sit alone and watch your light
My only friend through teenage nights
And everything I had to know
I heard it on my radio
You gave them all those old time stars
Through wars of worlds invaded by Mars
You made 'em laugh, you made 'em cry
You made us feel like we could fly (radio)
So don't become some background noise
A backdrop for the girls and boys
Who just don't know, or just don't care
And just complain when you're not there
You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour
Radio (radio)
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio goo goo
Radio ga ga
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio blah blah
Radio, what's new?
Radio, someone still loves you
We watch the shows, we watch the stars
On videos for hours and hours
We hardly need to use our ears
How music changes through the years
Let's hope you never leave, old friend
Like all good things, on you we depend
So stick around, 'cause we might miss you
When we grow tired of all this visual
You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour
Radio (radio)
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio goo goo
Radio ga ga
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio goo goo
Radio ga ga
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio blah blah
Radio, what's new?
Someone still loves you
Radio ga ga (radio ga ga)
Radio ga ga (radio ga ga)
Radio ga ga (radio ga ga)
You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour
Radio (radio)
@janisjoplin811
Radio Ga Ga
Queen
Lyrics
Radio - radio
I'd sit alone and watch your light
My only friend through teenage nights
And everything I had to know
I heard it on my radio
You gave them all those old time stars
Through wars of worlds - invaded by Mars
You made 'em laugh - you made 'em cry
You made us feel like we could fly
Radio
So don't become some background noise
A backdrop for the girls and boys
Who just don't know or just don't care
And just complain when you're not there
You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour
Radio - radio
All we hear is radio ga ga
radio goo goo
radio ga ga
All we hear is radio ga ga
radio blah blah
Radio what's new?
Radio, someone still loves you
We watch the shows - we watch the stars
On videos for hours and hours
We hardly need to use our ears
How music changes through the years
Let's hope you never leave old friend
Like all good things on you we depend
So stick around 'cos we might miss you
When we grow tired of all this visual
You had your time - you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour
Radio - radio
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio goo goo
Radio ga ga
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio goo goo
Radio ga ga
All we hear is radio ga ga
Radio blah blah
Radio what's new ?
Someone still loves you
Radio ga ga (ga ga)
Radio ga ga (ga ga)
Radio ga ga (ga ga)
You had your time - you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour
Radio - radio
@lgs.
Is Anyone here in 2024?
@user-gdjaja
Yes
@tiy3271
of course from JPN ❤
@tiy3271
https://youtu.be/Kx01Z-zikio?si=B3qYk8A4KwJGyTmp
@TheDarrentomo
Yes in Poland
@jerryhuang7194
Here in England!
@user-dm6ow8ln5d
“Someone still loves you”
.....
Yes, Freddie. We still love you.
@durbamukherjee1091
Darling its everyone
Everyone still loves freddie
@durbamukherjee1091
Its everyone, everyone still loves him and radio
@toyolrock
Really thaks