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)
Spread Your Wings
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just watching the show
Over and over again
Knew it was time
He'd made up his mind
To leave his dead life behind
His boss said to him
Boy you'd better begin
Sammy who do you think that you are
You should've been sweeping up the Emerald bar
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Pull yourself together
'Cause you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man
He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room
Keeping his thoughts to himself he'd be leaving soon
Wishing he was miles and miles away
Nothing in this world nothing would make him stay
Since he was small
Had no luck at all
Nothing came easy to him
Now it was time
He'd made up his mind
This could be my last chance
His boss said to him now listen boy
You're always dreaming
You've got no real ambition you won't get very far
Sammy boy don't you know who you are
Why can't you be happy at the Emerald bar
So honey
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Pull yourself together
'Cause you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man
Come on honey
The lyrics to Queen’s “Spread Your Wings” tell the story of Sammy, a man who is discontent with his life and wants to break free from his current situation. He feels trapped and unsatisfied with his current job, working at the Emerald bar, where he is constantly belittled by his boss who tells him he has no ambition and should be sweeping up the bar. Sammy dreams of leaving everything behind, embarking on a new adventure, and living a free life. He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room thinking about his future, wishing he was miles away from his current reality.
The chorus of the song encourages Sammy to take action, to spread his wings and fly far away, leaving his old life behind. The lyrics emphasize the importance of taking control of one’s own life and pursuing one’s dreams. It is a call to action for listeners to take a leap of faith and to be bold in the pursuit of their goals.
The song’s message of freedom, self-discovery, and embracing change has resonated with audiences for decades, creating a universal emotional connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Sammy was low
Sammy was feeling down and unhappy
Just watching the show
He was merely observing his own life, without making any changes
Over and over again
This was a recurring pattern for him
Knew it was time
He realized that it was time for a change
He'd made up his mind
He had decided to do something about his situation
To leave his dead life behind
He wanted to leave behind his stagnant and unfulfilled life
His boss said to him
His boss advised him
Boy you'd better begin
You need to start taking action
To get those crazy notions right out of your head
Stop having unrealistic or impractical ideas
Sammy who do you think that you are
Who do you believe yourself to be?
You should've been sweeping up the Emerald bar
You should be satisfied with your current position, without aspirations for something more
Spread your wings and fly away
Take a chance and explore new opportunities
Fly away far away
Travel far from your current life
Pull yourself together
Get yourself organized and focused
'Cause you know you should do better
You have the potential to achieve more
That's because you're a free man
You have the freedom to make your own choices
He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room
He spends his time isolated and introspective
Keeping his thoughts to himself he'd be leaving soon
He was planning to leave, but hadn't shared his thoughts with anyone
Wishing he was miles and miles away
He yearned to be far from his current life and surroundings
Nothing in this world nothing would make him stay
He was resolved to leave, and nothing could make him change his mind
Since he was small
This was a long-standing issue for him
Had no luck at all
He had faced many struggles and setbacks
Nothing came easy to him
He had to work hard for everything he had
This could be my last chance
He saw this as a potentially life-changing opportunity
His boss said to him now listen boy
His boss wanted to impart some wisdom to him
You're always dreaming
You have unrealistic hopes and aspirations
You've got no real ambition you won't get very far
Without clear goals and motivation, you won't achieve much
Sammy boy don't you know who you are
You need to have a clear sense of your own identity
Why can't you be happy at the Emerald bar
You should be content with your lot, rather than wanting more
So honey
An affectionate way of addressing someone
Come on honey
Encouragement to take action and make a change
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Deacon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
only 180
**Spread Your Wings LYRICS**
Queen
Sammy was low
Just watching the show
Over and over again
Knew it was time
He'd made up his mind
To leave his dead life behind
His boss said to him
"Boy you'd better begin
To get those crazy notions right out of your head
Sammy who do you think that you are
You should've been sweeping up the Emerald bar"
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Pull yourself together
'Cause you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man
He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room
Keeping his thoughts to himself he'd be leaving soon
Wishing he was miles and miles away
Nothing in this world nothing would make him stay
Since he was small
Had no luck at all
Nothing came easy to him
Now it was time
He'd made up his mind
"This could be my last chance"
His boss said to him "now listen boy
You're always dreaming
You've got no real ambition you won't get very far
Sammy boy don't you know who you are
Why can't you be happy at the Emerald bar"
So honey
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away far away
Pull yourself together
'Cause you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man
Come on honey
Songwriters: John Deacon
Светлана Москвина
Перевод песни Spread your wings
Queen
News of the world (1977)
Spread your wings
Spread your wings
Расправь свои крылья
Sammy was low
Сэмми надоело
Just watching the show
Просто наблюдать за шоу
Over and over again
Вновь и вновь.
Knew it was time
Он знал, пришло время,
He'd made up his mind
Он решился
To leave his dead life behind
Перешагнуть черту прошлого.
His boss said to him
Босс сказал Сэмми:
'Boy you'd better begin
«Парень, ты лучше
To get those crazy notions right out of your head
Выбрось эти глупости из головы.
Sammy who do you think that you are?
Сэмми, как ты думаешь, кто ты?
You should've been sweeping up the Emerald bar'
Тебе суждено быть уборщиком в баре Изумруд»
Spread your wings and fly away
Расправь крылья и лети,
Fly away far away
Лети далеко
Spread your little wings and fly away
Расправь крылья и лети,
Fly away far away
Лети далеко
Pull yourself together
Возьми себя в руки,
'Cos you know you should do better
Ты ведь знаешь, что способен на большее,
That's because you're a free man
Потому что ты свободный человек
He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room
Он проводил вечера в гостиничном номере,
Keeping his thoughts to himself he'd be leaving soon
Никого не посвящая в мысли о скором отъезде,
Wishing he was miles and miles away
Мечтая быть за много миль отсюда,
Nothing in this world nothing would make him stay
И ничто в этом мире не могло удержать его
Since he was small
С самого детства
Had no luck at all
Ему не везло,
Nothing came easy to him
Ничто само не шло в руки.
Now it was time
Сейчас же пришло время,
He'd made up his mind
Он решился:
'This could be my last chance'
«Это мой последний шанс»
His boss said to him 'now listen boy
Босс сказал ему: «Слушай, парень,
You're always dreaming
Ты всегда витаешь в облаках,
You've got no real ambition you won't get very far
У тебя нет реальных амбиций, ты далеко не пойдешь.
Sammy boy don't you know who you are?
Сэмми, разве ты не понял, кто ты?
Why can't you be happy at the Emerald bar?'
Чего тебе не хватает для счастья в моем баре?»
So honey
Так что, детка,
Spread your wings and fly away
Расправь крылья и лети,
Fly away far away
Лети далеко
Spread your little wings and fly away
Расправь крылья и лети,
Fly away far away
Лети далеко
Pull yourself together
Возьми себя в руки,
'Cos you know you should do better
Ты ведь знаешь, что способен на большее,
That's because you're a free man
Потому что ты свободный человек
Come on honey
Ну же, детка,
FLY WITH ME!
Улетай со мной!
Автор перевода: Melos
Félix Thelmo Cevallos Morales
Sammy was low, just watching the show
Over and over again
Knew it was time, he'd made up his mind
To leave his dead life behind
His boss said to him, "Boy, you'd better begin
To get those crazy notions right out of your head
Sammy, who do you think that you are?
You should've been sweeping up the Emerald Bar"
Spread your wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Pull yourself together
'Cause you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man
He spends his evenings alone in his hotel room
Keeping his thoughts to himself, he'd be leaving soon
Wishing he was miles and miles away
Nothing in this world, nothing would make him stay
Since he was small, had no luck at all
Nothing came easy to him
Now it was time, he'd made up his mind
"This could be my last chance"
His boss said to him, "Now listen, boy! You're always dreaming
You've got no real ambition, you won't get very far
Sammy boy, don't you know who you are?
Why can't you be happy at the Emerald Bar?"
So honey, spread your wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Spread your little wings and fly away
Fly away, far away
Pull yourself together
'Cause you know you should do better
That's because you're a free man
Come on, honey, fly with me
Traducir al español
Fuente: Musixmatch
Compositores: John Deacon
Johnny Magbanua
John Deacon who wrote this song was brilliant ...the lyrics are deep, meaningful and very encouraging. What an amazing talent !
Yuhi Saku
I agree too much
Tobias Overhoff
one of the most underrated songs ever
Danylo
Wondelful
Regaljester75
A most underrated queen song and my personal favourite
Chris Lightfoot
Like the Beatles, these guys were ahead of their time and they still remain timeless.
No band sounded like them and never will. TOP THAT. John, George and Freddy....
we miss you.
Marco
The Beatles and Queen were the best bands of their time IMO
Cristian M.
It was the 60's, every band were ahead of their time, music evolved probably the most through that decade. Being ahead of their time was more like they were keeping up with their time just like every other musician
Mark Dorricott
Fuckin Bang On That
Yusuf Morsi
i agree with all that (except it was freddie not freddy)