Unlike other songs from Queen's early period which crept back into circulation in the live set of their '84 through '86 tours, such as "Liar", "Keep Yourself Alive", "The Seven Seas of Rhye" and "In The Lap Of The Gods...Revisited", "Son And Daughter" stayed off the set-lists after Queen's hit singles began to dominate their live show. The song is indicative of their very earliest sound, influenced by blues rock and heavy metal.
Son and Daughter
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Woman
Tried to be a son and daughter rolled into one
You said you'd equal any man for having your fun
Ooh, now didn't you feel surprised to find
The cap just didn't fit?
To buckle down and shovel shit
What'll you do for loving
When it's only just begun?
I want you to be a woman
Tried to be a teacher and a fisher of men
An equal people preacher
Will you lead us all the same?
Ooh, well I travelled around the world
And found a brand new word for day
Ooh, watching the time mustn't linger behind
Pardon me I have to get away
Ooh, what'll you think of heaven
If it's back from where you came
I want you to be a woman
I want you to be a woman, yeah
Ooh, you know I'm gonna save the world
Ooh, now I've just begun
Alright
The lyrics to Queen's song Son And Daughter explore themes of gender and societal expectations. The opening line "I want you... woman" sets the stage for the rest of the song, with the singer expressing a desire for their partner to embrace their femininity. The second line "Tried to be a son and daughter rolled into one" suggests that the singer's partner has attempted to embody both masculine and feminine traits, which has resulted in confusion and uncertainty about their identity. The following lines "You said you'd equal any man for having your fun / Now didn't you feel surprised to find / The cap just didn't fit?" highlight the difficulties of trying to fit into societal expectations, with the singer's partner ultimately realizing that they cannot conform to traditional roles.
The song goes on to explore these themes further, with the lines "The world expects a man / To buckle down and to shovel shit / What'll you do for loving / When it's only just begun?" placing emphasis on the pressure placed on men to conform to societal expectations, even when it means sacrificing their own desires and needs. The chorus, "I want you to be a woman," reinforces the idea that the singer's partner should embrace their femininity and reject societal expectations.
The next verse, "Tried to be a teacher and a fisher of men / An equal people preacher / Will you lead us all the same?" suggests that the singer's partner has attempted to take on leadership roles and promote equality, but has faced resistance and doubt because of their gender. The lines "Well I traveled all around the world / A brand new word for day / Watching the time mustn't linger behind / Pardon me I have to get away" suggest that the singer's partner is still searching for their place in the world and seeking to break free from societal constraints. The final lines "What'll you think of heaven / If it's back from where you came? / I want you to be a woman" serve as both a question and a call to action, urging the listener to consider the limitations placed upon them and to embrace their true selves.
Line by Line Meaning
I want you... woman
Expressing the desire for a woman.
Tried to be a son and daughter rolled into one
Trying to embody both masculine and feminine traits at the same time.
You said you'd equal any man for having your fun
Claiming the ability to enjoy oneself equally with men.
Now didn't you feel surprised to find The cap just didn't fit?
Feeling surprised that traditional gender roles and expectations do not suit one's personality or desires.
The world expects a man To buckle down and to shovel shit
Society has certain expectations and demands of men.
What'll you do for loving When it's only just begun?
Questioning what one is willing to do for love when the relationship is just starting.
I want you to be a woman
Expressing the desire for the person to embrace feminine traits.
Tried to be a teacher and a fisher of men
Attempting to educate and inspire others.
An equal people preacher Will you lead us all the same?
Advocating for equality and questioning the potential for a leader to treat all people equally.
Well I traveled all around the world A brand new word for day
Experiencing new places and things, and learning something new every day.
Watching the time mustn't linger behind Pardon me I have to get away
Not wanting to waste any more time and needing to escape from something or somewhere.
What'll you think of heaven If it's back from where you came?
Questioning what one's beliefs and thoughts about heaven would be if it was simply where they came from.
I want you to be a woman
Reiterating the desire for the person to embrace feminine traits.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian May
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@pbnjosh1057
I Want You *sigh*
Try to be a Son and daughter
Roll into one
You said you'd equal any man
For having your fun
Well didn't you feel surprised to find
The cap just didn't fit
The World expects a man
To buckle down and shovel sh*t
What'll you do for loving
If its only just begun
I Want You
To be a woman
Try to be a teacher
And a Fisher of men
And an equal people preacher
Will you lead us all the same?
Well I traveled all 'round the world and found
A brand new word for day
Watching the time
Mustn't linger behind
Pardon me I have to get away
What'll you think of heaven
If its back from when you came
I Want You
To be a woman
I Want You To be a woman
Yeah
Yeah you know I'm 'onna save the world
Now you've just begun
Alright....
@smokinjz
Tried to be your son and daughter rolled into one
You said you'd equal any man for having your fun
Now didn't you feel surprise to find
The cap just didn't fit?
The world expects a man
To buckle down and to shovel shit
What'll you do for loving
When its only just begun?
I want you to be a woman
Tried to be a teacher and a fisher of men
An equal
Will you lead us all the same?
Well I travelled around the world
To find a brand new word for day
Watching the time mustn't linger behind
Pardon me I have to get away
What'll you think of heaven
If it's back from where you came?
I want you to be a woman
@spospisilova32
RATING ALL OF THE PHOTOS IN THIS OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO:
(Note: This is all just my own opinion and i'm not a professional photographer i just don't know what to do with my time.)
0:13 Very nice - This is like the 3rd time they didn't show the whole cover so i have no choice other than to just review what's shown. They both look really handsome and i like what they're wearing, they also don't have any weird expressions on their face which is always refreshing, I like the purple-reddish color of the picture and it's a great looking cover of their first single!
0:31 Fine - Could be better, Freddie's face got a bad case of rolling shutter, but Brian looks alright, would like to point out that Brian's mouth is open a little bit too much in this shot.
0:46 Funny - I love how Freddie and Brian are dressed for a completely different climate, now tell me, which one of you read the weather report wrong in the newspaper that day? :D
1:21 Stunning - Red Special is striking in this shot and i like Brian's long scarf, it's hot.
2:39 Pretty - Roger's sky-blue eyes are ideally visible in this photograph, and everyone is looking quite normally, well expect Brian, his expression appears deadpan to me and he has his hand placed on..i have no fucking idea..decoration? Well anyway, the scenery is nice, beautiful even and i think this picture is great.
3:00 Excellent - My brain almost constantly tricks me into thinking the peghead is Freddie's leg sticking up, but either way, it looks really great, no wonder this picture is the cover of their first album!
3:19 Good looking - I don't have much to add other than that Freddie's Adam's apple is really apparent in this photo....just putting it out there.
Okay, this is the end of my rant, i'm glad you took the time to read this and have a good day/night.
@xgallowdance
Fun Fact: when this was released, lots of people didn’t believe it was written by Brian since it included the word sh*t in it
@ritafleyfel9935
😂
@annamariebrooks9943
He attained Knighthood -- NOT sainthood.
@gurlnohehehehheh
I mean I wouldnt either lol 😂
@inthelapofthegods13
Nah can't be true, it was on their first album and when it was released people hardly knew who they were, let alone knowing about the fact that Brian could/couldn't use cuss words
@scoobz4177
Lol from most interviews I've heard with Brian he doesn't have a problem dropping the f bomb here and there
@markvillenas3570
Queen could have easily been a metal band.
@MRV1985MRV
When they played this one live, it was even heavier!
@billybobjoethethird1679
Mostly in their early years:
Son and Daughter
Ogre Battle
Stone Cold Crazy
Great king Rat
@yanislestrat1224
@Billy Bob Joe The Third In their late years too, The Hitman , Was it all Worth it, I want it all , heavy songs worth giving a liste,