Written by Roger Taylor, who sang lead on the demo version presented to the band.
For the definitive version that would appear on the album, the band decided Freddie Mercury should sing lead vocals (probably based on the fact that May had already sung two songs and Taylor one). Taylor ultimately shares lead vocals with Mercury in the final cut.
During this time, the punk rock movement went into full effect, and this song was viewed as something of a jab at the musicians who felt bands like Queen were too self-indulgent. Of note is the lyric "I feel so inarticulate", and the fact that Taylor stated in interviews that he thought many of the 1970s punk bands had very little talent.
German Heavy metal band Helloween covered the song. The cover can be heard as a B-side for their single "Just a Little Sign".
Sheer Heart Attack
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, you're just 17 all you wanna do is disappear
You know what I mean there's a lot of space between our ears
The way that you touch (ad libbed lyrics)
Hey, hey, hey, hey, it was the D.N.A
Hey, hey, hey, hey, made me this way
Do you know, do you know, do you know just how I feel
Sheer heart attack
Sheer heart attack
Real cardiac
I feel so inar-inar-inar-inar-inar-inar-inar-inar-ticulate
Gotta feeling, gotta feeling, gotta feeling gotta paralyse
It ain't no, it ain't no, it ain't no, it ain't no surprise
Turn on the TV let it drip right down in your eyes
Hey, hey, hey, hey, it was the D.N.A
Hey, hey, hey, hey, that made me this way
Do you know, do you know, do you know just how I feel
Do you know, do you know, do you know just how I feel
Hey, baby make you feel
Baby make you feel alright
Hey, hey
Baby make you feel alright
Oooh, yeah
Get up
Baby make you feel
Baby make you feel alright, alright
Oh
I feel so inar-inar-inar-inar-ticulate-ticulate-ticulate-inar-inar-inar-ticulate-ticulate
The lyrics of Queen's song "Sheer Heart Attack" are somewhat difficult to decipher as they don't follow a traditional structure or narrative. The song opens with Freddie Mercury singing about someone who's just 17 and wants to disappear. He sings about the space in their heads, which might be interpreted to mean they feel lost or confused. The chorus, "Sheer Heart Attack, Real Cardiac" seems like it might be a reference to a heart attack, but it's unclear if the song is meant to be taken literally. The ad-libbed lyrics in the beginning are also difficult to make out but seem to reference the way someone touches the singer.
The second verse is even harder to decipher. Mercury sings about feeling inarticulate and having a weird feeling that paralyzes him. He references turning on the TV and letting it "drip right down" in your eyes, which seems to suggest an overwhelming feeling of being consumed by media. The song ends with a repetition of the chorus and the lines "Baby make you feel, Baby make you feel alright" repeated over and over.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you're just 17 all you wanna do is disappear
You're young and feel like you just want to disappear or run away from everything
You know what I mean there's a lot of space between our ears
There's a lot of empty space in your head and you are not sure of what to do
The way that you touch (ad libbed lyrics)
The way you touch things or people
Hey, hey, hey, hey, it was the D.N.A
It was the D.N.A, the genetic makeup that made you the way you are
Hey, hey, hey, hey, made me this way
The genetic makeup made you the way you are
Do you know, do you know, do you know just how I feel
Do you understand how I feel
Sheer heart attack
A serious medical condition that causes heart palpitations
Sheer heart attack
An intense physical sensation that feels like a heart attack
Real cardiac
A real heart attack, a serious medical emergency that requires attention
I feel so inar-inar-inar-inar-ticulate
I feel very inarticulate, unable to express myself properly
Gotta feeling, gotta feeling, gotta feeling gotta paralyse
I have a feeling that's going to paralyze me, make me unable to move or react
It ain't no, it ain't no, it ain't no, it ain't no surprise
It's not a surprise
Turn on the TV let it drip right down in your eyes
Watch TV and let it consume you, overwhelm you
Hey, hey, hey, hey, it was the D.N.A
It was the D.N.A, the genetic makeup that made you the way you are
Hey, hey, hey, hey, that made me this way
The genetic makeup made you the way you are
Do you know, do you know, do you know just how I feel
Do you understand how I feel
Hey, baby make you feel
Hey, girl, make you feel good
Baby make you feel alright
Baby make you feel good
Hey, hey
Hey, girl
Baby make you feel alright
Baby make you feel good
Oooh, yeah
I agree
Get up
Stand up
Baby make you feel
Baby make you feel good
Baby make you feel alright, alright
Baby make you feel good
Oh
Ohh
I feel so inar-inar-inar-inar-ticulate-ticulate-ticulate-inar-inar-inar-ticulate-ticulate
I feel very inarticulate, unable to express myself properly
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MegaChigga
This song was my grandma's favourite song, before she died, she listened to this song a lot on the radio. I still can't believe that she's dead now, i always remember her everytime I
K O T C H I W O M I R O
@macabremonarch4683
I was a Queen fan before I started watching/reading Jojo's Bizarre Adventure and thanks to JJBA I learned and appreciated new musical artists/songs I would have never listened to before.
Also thanks YouTube recommended for recommending
Made in Heaven
Catch the Rainbow
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Court of the Crimson King
Another One Bites the Dust
Killer Queen
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
Roundabout
Stone Free
Highway Star
Tusk
Can't get enough of this JJBA references
@rhodiumthunderbird
Videos in recommended video bar:
Queen-Made in heaven lyric video.
Yes-Roundabout
Queen-Killer Queen lyric video
Queen- Another One Bites the Dust lyric video
Queen- Bohemian Rhapsody
Pink Floyd- Shine on you Crazy Diamond
AC/DC- Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
I’m beginning to notice a trend here.
@silverganda7459
This song will never die, it has no weakness after all.
@levisousa5232
cachorro bonito
@joshuam6174
An Ambulance claps it
@shayneoneill1506
I always felt this song was bit a kick back at the sex pistols who had publically mocked them as if to say "Hey Punks, check this shit out. We're not just the boss of our Yard, but if we want we can be the boss of yours too". Cos this is a punk song, but a punk song as imagined by Queen.
@sonpacosta9936
Só cachorrada
@sheerheartattack6288
It maybe has no weakness but it does have a weakness, its an AMBULANCE!
@orancyb
Man, This song is so good, it really feels like theres no Weak point to it!
@sheerheartattack9267
Look over here
@if8754
@Sheer Heart attack n o
@kittlegame5550
Sheer Heart attack uh oh where’s koichi when you need him