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)
Soul Brother
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The man with the most how does he do it?
Sure he's got style he's so heavy
He's a trip can do anything
Anything anything
He's my soul brother
And he will rock you rock you rock you
'Cause he's the saviour of the universe
He can make you keep yourself alive
Make yourself alive
Ooh brother cause he's somebody somebody
He can love
He's my soul brother
Whan you're under pressure feeling under pressure
Yeah pressure yeah pressure
He won't let you down
Whan you're under pressure
Oh feeling under pressure yeah pressure
So he won't let you down
He won't he won't he won't let you down
He can do anything anything anything
He's my soul brother
Yea ah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Ooh soul brother anything (soul brother)
Anything (soul brother) anything (soul brother)
He's my soul brother brother brother brother brother
Anything (soul brother) anything (soul brother)
He's my soul brother
Soul brother he can do anything
He can do anything
'Cause he's my soul brother
The lyrics of the Queen's song Soul Brother are a tribute to Freddie Mercury's friend and fellow musician, George Michael. The song describes the admiration, loyalty, and friendship between two artists. It's a celebration of George Michael's talent, charisma, and ability to captivate audiences with his style and live performances. The singer praises his friend as his soul brother, the man who can do anything, and who won't let him down in moments of pressure.
This song showcases Freddie Mercury's ability to infuse his emotions into his lyrics and his powerful vocals. He honors George Michael's legacy by making him the subject of a song that radiates positivity and appreciation. Indeed, George Michael was one of the most beloved and influential artists of his time, known for his extraordinary voice, his ability to connect with his fans, and his charitable work.
Overall, Soul Brother is a moving tribute to friendship and to the power of music to bring people together. It's a reminder that even after an artist passes away, their music and their spirit continue to inspire and uplift generations of fans.
Line by Line Meaning
God bless my soul here he comes now
Here he comes, the person whom I hold in great regard and admiration.
The man with the most how does he do it?
How is he able to achieve such great accomplishments and maintain such high standards?
Sure he's got style he's so heavy
He has a certain charisma and flair that sets him apart from others.
He's a trip can do anything
He's an exceptional person who has the ability to excel in any situation or challenge.
Anything anything
He is capable of achieving anything he sets his mind to.
He's my soul brother
He is someone with whom I have a deep emotional connection and kinship.
He's my best friend he's my champion
He is my closest companion and an unwavering supporter of me.
And he will rock you rock you rock you
He has the ability to energize and excite others.
'Cause he's the saviour of the universe
He is someone who is able to improve the world in a significant and meaningful way.
He can make you keep yourself alive
He can motivate and inspire you to overcome adversity and persevere.
Make yourself alive
He can inspire you to take control of your own life.
Ooh brother cause he's somebody somebody
He is a significant and influential person who can make a difference.
He can love
He has the capacity to love and care for others deeply.
When you're under pressure feeling under pressure
When you are experiencing stress or anxiety.
Yeah pressure yeah pressure
The feeling of stress or anxiety can be overwhelming.
He won't let you down
He is a reliable and trustworthy friend who will not disappoint you.
So he won't let you down
You can count on him to provide support and encouragement.
He won't he won't he won't let you down
You can trust him to be there for you when you need him the most.
He can do anything anything anything
He is capable of achieving any goal or challenge.
Yea ah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm.
Ooh soul brother anything (soul brother)
He is capable of doing anything.
Anything (soul brother) anything (soul brother)
He has the ability to take on any challenge.
He's my soul brother brother brother brother brother
He is someone with whom I have a deep emotional bond.
Soul brother he can do anything
He is someone who is capable of tackling any obstacle.
He can do anything
He has the ability to accomplish anything he sets his mind to.
'Cause he's my soul brother
Because he is someone who has a special place in my heart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN MAY, FREDDIE MERCURY, JOHN DEACON, ROGER TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind