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)
Tenement Funster
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been amazin' the people next door
And my rock 'n roll forty fives
Been enragin' the folks on the lower floor
I got a way with the girls on my block
Try my best to be a real individual
And when we go down to smokies and rock
Oh give me a good guitar
And you can say that my hair's a disgrace
Or just find me an open car
I'll make the speed of light outta this place
I like the good things in life
But most of the best things ain't free
It's the same situation just cuts like a knife
When you're young and you're poor and you're crazy
Young and you're crazy...
Oh give me a good guitar
And you can say that my hair's a disgrace
Or just find me an open car
I'll make the speed of light outta this place
The lyrics to Queen's song "Tenement Funster" tell the story of a young man who is trying to find his way in the world. He has recently acquired "new purple shoes" and "rock 'n roll forty fives" which have caused a stir with his neighbors, both above and below. Despite this, he has a way with the girls on his block, and when he goes out to rock shows, they all flock to him.
The chorus of the song focuses on his passion for music and his desire for a guitar or an open car, both symbols of freedom and rebellion. He acknowledges that he likes the "good things in life," but recognizes that most of the best things are not free, particularly when you are "young and poor and crazy." Overall, the song is a celebration of youthful energy and the power of music to provide an escape from the struggles of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
My new purple shoes
I have just received new purple shoes and have caused a positive reaction from my neighbors.
Been amazin' the people next door
The neighbors have expressed extreme delight towards my new purple shoes.
And my rock 'n roll forty fives
My collection of vinyl records have outraged the people living on the floor below mine.
Been enragin' the folks on the lower floor
The people living in the apartment beneath mine are highly displeased by my choice of music.
I got a way with the girls on my block
I possess a certain charm that attracts girls who live in my neighborhood.
Try my best to be a real individual
I endeavor to be an authentic and unique person.
And when we go down to smokies and rock
When my friends and I visit the club called Smokies to listen to rock music,
They line up like it's some kind of ritual
The girls line up to talk to me as if it is a customary routine.
Oh give me a good guitar
If I were to have a decent guitar,
And you can say that my hair's a disgrace
People will most likely describe my hair as being untidy and undesirable,
Or just find me an open car
Alternatively, if someone were to lend me a car with an open roof,
I'll make the speed of light outta this place
I have the ability to drive so fast that it appears as if I am surpassing the speed of light.
I like the good things in life
I enjoy luxurious items and experiences.
But most of the best things ain't free
However, the finest things in life are typically costly and not easily attained.
It's the same situation just cuts like a knife
This is an unpleasant circumstance that feels like a sharp, cutting pain.
When you're young and you're poor and you're crazy
When you are young, destitute, and wild,
Young and you're crazy...
It is expected to act irrationally and impetuously.
Oh give me a good guitar
Again, if only I had a decent guitar,
And you can say that my hair's a disgrace
People will most likely describe my hair as being unkempt and unattractive,
Or just find me an open car
Alternatively, if someone were to lend me a car with an unroofed top,
I'll make the speed of light outta this place
I have the capability to drive so fast that it appears as if I am surpassing the speed of light.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROGER MEDDOWS TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ludmila Alekseev
Обожаю и эту песню, и то, как Роджер ее исполнил. Высший класс!
Sophie Hanssel
EVERY single Queen song should get recognized by millions!
Paul Murray
That song was the first thing i ever learned on guitar, as far as i know Roger played the acoustic for it,
Mr. Fusion
@Khizar Jamil Yeah, I read somewhere John played acoustic on this track because Brian was still recovering from his illness at the time. Brian still plays electric though.
Khizar Jamil
I thought that for years too but apparently it was John. https://queenchat.boards.net/thread/608/john-deacon-playing-instruments - He's been credited for it in the Deep Cuts Vol 1 liner notes.
low rider
Oh wow Roger's vocals amazing in this. Love this. Thanks.
J Mart
This song being on QUEEN's SHEER HEART ATTACK LP, was the bfirstvQueen album I purchased as a13yr old. Brighton Rrrrock opened as the first song side one... Insert down the needle and I was GONE❗🎶
I then purchased QUEEN then QUEEN ll.
How wonderful to be exposed and overtaken by QUEEN as a an angstfull teen 💛🎶💛❗
Moomay Piola
WOW. No words for this
Moomay Piola
Love this piece of art
Margot Recabarren
Beautiful..!!! Roger what a voice ..., and Queen... amazing band!