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)
Rock It
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't stop it, you can't stop it, you can't stop it, I want to profit
You got what I want and I need it right now, give it to me baby, I don't care how
I hold my money with my left, got the world in my right pocket
Smoke a stoke in my right in between counting my profits
Poker face as I soak up the taste of display of women on my sofa
Doing the type of things I love so much
With more bucks than you can count, more than what's in your clutch
I could fund a small war and start a recession, the big dog, the boss hog
What I want is the question
I want it all, I want it all, I need it all right now, I want it all
I gotta get it, I gotta to get it, yo
I want it all, I want it all, I need it all right now
I want it all, I want it all and I want it now
You got what I want and I need it right now
Give it to me baby, I don't care how
I want it all, I want it all
I want it all, I want it all
If I don't get what I want then I'll take it in blood the queasy thug
Whose greed and lust just like cheap drugs that keep me buzzed
The heat and fuzz couldn't touch me I'm out of reach
Because I'm eating lunch with a shady bunch, about to meet the judge
When people see me, they point and whisper "He's corrupt"
He couldn't care less, he's fearless, he'll give the reaper hugs
And as a kid he never took crap from no one
Mud on his face, such a disgrace, cussin' at grown-ups
Buddy, you're a boy make a big noise
Playin' in the street gonna be a big man someday
You got mud on yo' face
You big disgrace
Kickin' your can all over the place
I want it all, I want it all, I need it all right now
I want it all, I gotta get it, I gotta to get it, yo
I want it all, I want it all, I need it all right now
I want it all, I want it all and I want it now
(Don't you know who I am?)
I'm a big boss with big balls, everybody knows me
I'm a big deal, you should kneel, and crawl when you approach me
I got big bucks, big cars, I'm bigger than all the universe and its stars
I could buy your life whatever it costs
Name your price, give me what I need then get lost
I could buy the blue from the sky I'm a rich hog
Give me it now, I'm not the guy you want to piss off
By any means, I get what I want and I want it all
Rock with me, guitar please
I'm egotistical, I'm a narcissist, I'm a big deal
Power and profit, yeah, power and profit
You got what I want and I need it right now
Give it to me baby, I don't care how
I got the world in my pocket and it's still not enough for me
I want it all and I want it right now
I want it all and I want it right now
I want it all and I want it right now
I want it all and I want it right now
I want it all and I want it right now
And I want it right now
I want it all, I need it and I don't care how
I gotta get it, I gotta to get it now
I could feel it coming, it's any moment now
I want it all and I want it now
It's so intense I'm breaking, you can't hold me down
I gotta get it, I gotta to get it now
I could feel it coming, it's any moment now
I want it all and I want it now
You can't stop it (I want it all) you can't stop it
I want to profit, the world is in my pocket (right now)
You can't stop it (I want it all) you can't stop it
You can't stop it, I want to profit
You can't stop it (I want it all) you can' stop it
I want to profit, the world is in my pocket (right now)
You can't stop it (I want it all) you can't stop it
I want it all, I want it all and I want it right now
The lyrics of Queen's "I Want It All / We Will Rock You Mash-Up" express a strong desire for power and profit. The singer is portrayed as a wealthy, sleazy, and egotistical person who holds the world in their pocket and can fund a small war. The chorus of the song is a repetitive chant for wanting everything that they can get right now, without considering any consequences. The verses further emphasize this desire for everything, even if it means stepping on others and taking it in blood.
The lyrics showcase the singer's personality as somebody who is greedy, corrupt, and fearless. They are not afraid to engage in shady activities and will meet the judge if needed. The singer is also portrayed as somebody who loves power and attention, as people point and whisper when they see them. The verses also showcase the singer's past as somebody who didn't take crap from anybody and cussed at grown-ups as a kid.
The lyrics of "I Want It All / We Will Rock You Mash-Up" serve as a critique of the capitalist system, where people who have money and power can do whatever they want. It also highlights the negative effects of greed and corruption, as portrayed through the singer's character.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't stop it, you can't stop it, you can't stop it, the world is in my pocket
I have everything under my control, I am unstoppable
You can't stop it, you can't stop it, you can't stop it, I want to profit
I am driven by my desire to profit and gain more wealth
You got what I want and I need it right now, give it to me baby, I don't care how
I am willing to do whatever it takes to get what I want, even if it means taking from others
I hold my money with my left, got the world in my right pocket
I have control over my wealth and my power
Smoke a stoke in my right in between counting my profits
I am so consumed by my desire for wealth that I indulge in vices to distract and numb myself
Poker face as I soak up the taste of display of women on my sofa
I am surrounded by luxury and extravagance, but I am emotionally detached and only seek pleasure
Doing the type of things I love so much
I am selfish and only care about fulfilling my own desires
But so what, I'm sleazy it's not easy being Joe Smut
I am aware of my negative qualities but don't care because I am fulfilling my own desires
With more bucks than you can count, more than what's in your clutch
I have an overwhelmingly large amount of wealth and power
I could fund a small war and start a recession, the big dog, the boss hog
I am so powerful that I could cause a significant impact on the world with my wealth and influence
What I want is the question
I am solely focused on my own desires and am not concerned with what others want or need
I want it all, I want it all, I need it all right now, I want it all
I am consumed by my desire for wealth and power and will stop at nothing to obtain it all
I gotta get it, I gotta to get it, yo
I am determined to obtain what I want, no matter the cost
If I don't get what I want then I'll take it in blood the queasy thug
I am willing to resort to violence and criminal activity to get what I want
Whose greed and lust just like cheap drugs that keep me buzzed
My desire for wealth and pleasure is addictive and all-consuming
The heat and fuzz couldn't touch me I'm out of reach
I am untouchable and beyond the law because of my wealth and power
Because I'm eating lunch with a shady bunch, about to meet the judge
I am surrounded by criminals and engage in illegal activities, putting me at risk of facing consequences
When people see me, they point and whisper "He's corrupt"
My corruption and greed is well-known and others are aware of it
He couldn't care less, he's fearless, he'll give the reaper hugs
I am not afraid of death because I value my wealth and power more than my life
And as a kid he never took crap from no one
I have always been selfish and only cared about my own desires
Mud on his face, such a disgrace, cussin' at grown-ups
I have always been rebellious and disrespectful towards authority
Buddy, you're a boy make a big noise, playin' in the street gonna be a big man someday
I am driven by my desire to be a powerful and wealthy individual
You got mud on yo' face, you big disgrace, kickin' your can all over the place
I have little respect for others and their belongings and will do whatever it takes to get what I want
I'm a big boss with big balls, everybody knows me
I am confident and boastful about my wealth and power
I'm a big deal, you should kneel, and crawl when you approach me
I expect others to submit to my power and status
I got big bucks, big cars, I'm bigger than all the universe and its stars
I am obsessed with my own wealth and believe it makes me superior to others
I could buy your life whatever it costs, name your price, give me what I need then get lost
I am willing to pay any amount to get what I want, even if it means taking from others
I could buy the blue from the sky I'm a rich hog
My obsession with wealth has led me to believe that I can have anything and everything I want
Give me it now, I'm not the guy you want to piss off
I am not someone to be crossed, as I am willing to use my power to get what I want
By any means, I get what I want and I want it all
I will do whatever it takes to obtain my desires, even if it means hurting others
I'm egotistical, I'm a narcissist, I'm a big deal
I am consumed by my own self-importance and believe that I am superior to others
Power and profit, yeah, power and profit
I am driven solely by my desire for power and wealth
It's so intense I'm breaking, you can't hold me down
My desire for power and wealth is all-consuming and overwhelming
I could feel it coming, it's any moment now
My desire for power and wealth is so intense that I feel it will be fulfilled soon
And I want it right now
I have no patience, I want what I want immediately
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Roger Taylor, John Deacon, Brian May, Freddie Mercury
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Nina-oi1qk
Every time I hear a "new" Queen song, it becomes my favourite.
@silviaemi4406
Oh the same! I didn’t know this song.. Wonderful!! Freddie’s voice in the beginning.. sends shivers down my spine...
@dmarquez304
Same here!
Just happened with living on my own!😏
@turdmanjones59
I honestly, kind of wished they recorded a version with Fred singing the whole song, like what they did with "All Dead, All Dead" you know
@Nina-oi1qk
@@turdmanjones59 yeah Freddie sang the whole song only in concert.
@turdmanjones59
@@Nina-oi1qk yeah I know, but I mean studio wise, Brian actually wanted Fred to sing, but John wanted Roger, no disrespect to Roger, who is a great singer btw, but I actually would've went with Fred
@LeToplache007
I like how Roger abuses the word "alright" in every song he sings alone, especialy Fun it
@strawbrryfld1
LeToplache007 a lot of the fifty singers did the same thing
@doolindalton
yeah
@glenstandley7498
Dickhead