Brian May wrote "Save Me" about a friend whose relationship had ended, and played piano, synths and guitars (electric and twelve-string acoustic) on it.
Played live, the song would typically feature a short piano introduction absent from the studio version. This introduction can be found in a Brian May solo composition "My Boy" which can only be found much later on the 1998 compilation album "Lullabies With A Difference". The general melody could have been conceived by May as early as 1980 as the intro to the live version of "Save Me" exhibits.
In addition, the lyrics "I'm naked and I'm far from home" were uttered near the end of the pilot episode of the television series "Highlander" (whose theme was another Queen song, "Princes of the Universe") by Christopher Lambert's character.
In 2009, May assisted in the recording of a newl version to be featured on the website of his Save Me campaign, with Kerry Ellis on lead vocals.
The website states:
"Use your vote to ensure that the present laws protecting animals from cruelty are kept in place, more carefully monitored, legally tightened up, and fully enforced."
* Brian May: lead, rhythm and acoustic twelve-string guitars, piano, synthesizer, backing vocals.
* Roger Taylor: Drums, backing vocals.
* Freddie Mercury: Lead and backing vocals.
* John Deacon: bass.
Save Me
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They said we made a perfect pair
I clothed myself in your glory and your love
How I loved you
How I cried
The years of care and loyalty
Were nothing but a sham it seems
The years belie we lived a lieI love you till I die
Save me, save me, save me
I can't face this life alone
Save me, save me, save me
I'm naked and I'm far from home
The slate will soon be clean
I'll erase the memories
To start again with somebody new
Was it all wasted
All that love?
I hang my head and I advertise
A soul for sale or rent
I have no heart I'm cold inside
I have no real intent
Save me, save me, save me
I can't face this life alone
Save me, save me
Oh I'm naked and I'm far from home
Each night I cry I still believe the lie
I love you 'till I die
Save me, save me, save me
Yeah, save me
Oh oh save me
Don't let me face my life alone
Save me, save me oh ooh ooh
I'm naked and I'm far from home
The lyrics to Queen's song Save Me express the pain and heartbreak of a failed relationship. The song begins with the singer reflecting on how well the relationship started and how perfect they seemed for each other. They describe how they clothed themselves in their partner's love and glory, genuinely believing in their care and loyalty. However, as time goes on, the singer realizes that their relationship was a sham, and they were living a lie. They question whether all the love they shared was wasted, and they begin to feel lost and alone.
The chorus of the song repeats the plea "Save me" as the singer recognizes that they cannot face life alone. They feel stripped bare, as if they are naked and vulnerable without their partner to rely on. The singer longs for some kind of salvation or rescue from the pain they are feeling. Even though they recognize that their love was a lie, they continue to cling to the relationship, crying and still believing in its power.
Line by Line Meaning
It started off so well
The beginning of our relationship was great.
They said we made a perfect pair
People thought we were perfectly matched for each other.
I clothed myself in your glory and your love
I felt a sense of pride and happiness being with you and getting your love.
How I loved you
I loved you deeply and truly.
How I cried
I shed tears for you and our love.
The years of care and loyalty
All the time and commitment we put into each other.
Were nothing but a sham it seems
It turns out it was all fake.
The years belie we lived a lie
Although we were together for many years, it was all based on a lie.
I love you 'til I die
I will always love you, even if it hurts me.
Save me, save me, save me
I need help and support to get through this tough time.
I can't face this life alone
I feel lost and helpless without you.
I'm naked and I'm far from home
I feel vulnerable and lost, like I don't belong anywhere.
The slate will soon be clean
I want to forget about our past together and start fresh.
I'll erase the memories
I want to get rid of all the memories we shared.
To start again with somebody new
I want to move on and find someone else to love.
Was it all wasted
Did our time together mean nothing in the end?
All that love?
Did you ever really love me?
I hang my head and I advertise
I feel ashamed and desperate for love.
A soul for sale or rent
I am willing to do anything to find someone to love me.
I have no heart, I'm cold inside
I feel dead inside and unable to love again.
I have no real intent
I don't have any real purpose or direction in my life anymore.
Each night I cry I still believe the lie
I still cry every night and hold onto the false hope that we can be together again.
Don't let me face my life alone
I need someone to be there for me, to help me through my struggles.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian May
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@corneliuscoven
Freddies Voice was just so unbelievibly incredible
@Ecmredsoxslipknot
I just saw the Montreal concert in IMAX the other night, and the performance of this song live was so unbelievably breathtaking. Freddie sounds perfect both on the record and live. The Game is one of my favorite Queen albums. Amazing stuff.
@RivalHades-mk1xl
Interesting fact. During the 1981 Live in Montreal. It was performed exactly 10 years before Freddie's death.
@charley_161
I also saw it in the IMAX, it was an amazing experience! Especially this song stuck with me, been listening to it on repeat since sunday...
@vernhoke7730
I actually saw them at Madison Square Garden in September 1980 on this tour.
@LandonSDoyle
Yeah the overdubs and pitch corrections sound really good
@samantastrautina6694
as 20yo who knows only those Queen songs which are on radio went 0 expectation to see Queen: Rock Montreal concert in cinema LOVED IT SO MUCH... this song I resonate with sm, definitely one of my favorites❤🥹 Now i listen to so much queen BUT THIS song oh....
@elisetaylor532
This is actually one of my favorite Queen song
@Igor-tokarski-20009
Same!
@Emy-452
Same❤️