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)
The March Of The Black Queen
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you mean it?
Do you mean it?
Why don't you mean it?
Why do I follow you and where do you go?
You've never seen nothing like it
No, never in your life
And then coming back alive
Let me tell you all about it
And the world will so allow it
Ooh, give me a little time to choose
Water babies singing in a lily-pool delight
Blue powder monkeys praying in the dead of night
Here comes the black queen, poking in the pile
Fie-fo the black queen, marching single file
Take this, take that
Bring them down to size
(March to the black queen)
Put them in the cellar with the naughty boys
A little nigger sugar then a rub-a dub-a baby oil
Black on, black on every finger nail and toe
We've only begun, begun
Make this, make that
Keep making all that noise
(March to the black queen)
Now I've got a belly full
You can be my sugar baby
You can be my honey chile, yes
A voice from behind me reminds me
Spread out your wings, you are an angel
Remember to deliver with the speed of light
A little bit of love and joy
Everything you do bears a will and a why and a wherefore
A little bit of love and joy
In each and every soul lies a man
Very soon he'll deceive and discover
But even 'til the end of his life
He'll bring a little love
I reign with my left hand
I rule with my right
I'm Lord of all darkness
I'm queen of the night
But I've got the power
Now do the march of the black queen
My life is in your hands
I'll fo and I'll fie
I'll be what you make me
I'll do what you like
I'll be your bad boy
I'll be your bad boy
I'll do the march of the black queen
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Walking to the style
She's vulgar, 'buse and vile
Fie-fo the black queen tattoos all her pies
She boils, and she bakes, and she never dots her "I's"
She's our leader
Forget your sing-alongs and your lullabies
Surrender to the city of the fireflies
Dance with the devil, beat with the band
To hell with all of you hand-in-hand
But now it's time to be gone
La, la, la, la, forever, forever
The March of the Black Queen is a song that, like many of Queen's works, is full of enigmatic, symbolic and sometimes incomprehensible lyrics. The song starts with a series of questions that imply a certain degree of insecurity on the part of the singer. The second part of the song contains various images and scenes that are difficult to decipher. On the one hand, we see a kind of utopia, an idyllic scene where "water babies sing in a lily-pool delight" and "blue powder monkeys pray in the dead of night". On the other hand, there is a darker image of a "black queen" who is "poking in the pile" and "marching single file". The song then changes in tone and it's more sensual and erotic. There's a mention of "nigger sugar", which has been interpreted as referring to cocaine or to absinthe, and a series of sexual innuendos that revolve around the figure of the "sugar baby" and the "honey chile". Finally, the song ends with a call to abandon the known path and to surrender to the unknown, to "the city of the fireflies", and to "dance with the devil" and "beat with the band".
Line by Line Meaning
Do you mean it?
Are you saying what you really mean or are you just mouthing empty words?
Do you mean it?
You're repeating yourself. Are you sure you're not just talking the talk?
Do you mean it?
Once again, you're saying the same thing. What are you trying to accomplish?
Why don't you mean it?
You keep insisting, but something tells me that you're not fully committed to your words.
Why do I follow you and where do you go?
I'm blindly trusting you, despite not knowing where this path leads us.
You've never seen nothing like it
This experience will be unlike anything you've ever encountered before.
No, never in your life
I assure you it will be an extraordinary event that you will cherish your entire life.
Like going up to heaven
It'll be a heavenly feeling that will lift you up to new heights.
And then coming back alive
Despite reaching an otherworldly state, you will still remain tethered to this mortal realm.
Let me tell you all about it
Allow me to explain the intricacies of this amazing encounter that I'm promising you.
And the world will so allow it
The laws of the universe will permit this unparalleled experience to take place and be witnessed by all.
Ooh, give me a little time to choose
I need some time to pick the best option for our adventure.
Water babies singing in a lily-pool delight
We will be surrounded by the tranquil beauty of nature and hear the enchanting glee of its denizens.
Blue powder monkeys praying in the dead of night
We will witness animals in their natural habitat, performing their nocturnal rituals.
Here comes the black queen, poking in the pile
Now comes the leader who will guide us through this magical journey.
Fie-fo the black queen, marching single file
She marches onwards, leading us with her presence and commands us to follow her example.
Take this, take that
Experience this and then that. Revel in what we're showing you because it's uniquely yours.
Bring them down to size
We will humble those who think themselves higher than us and show them that they are as small as anyone else.
Put them in the cellar with the naughty boys
We'll ostracize disbelievers by grouping them up with the sinners.
A little nigger sugar then a rub-a dub-a baby oil
We'll pamper each other, regardless of our skin color, by using pleasant nicknames and oils.
Black on, black on every finger nail and toe
We'll celebrate our differences by accessorizing hands and feet with black adornments.
We've only begun, begun
This is merely the beginning of our journey and we have a long way ahead of us.
Make this, make that
Craft this, produce that. The world is ours to shape and enjoy as we see fit.
Keep making all that noise
Let our joyous proceedings reverberate across the land and party to our heart’s content.
Now I've got a belly full
I'm fully satiated and the pleasant feeling of satisfaction is washing over me.
You can be my sugar baby
I desire you to be my sweet companion who will join me in joy and revelry.
You can be my honey chile, yes
You can be my cherished dear one, and together we'll usher in a period of sweetness.
A voice from behind me reminds me
An inner voice reminds me about the important things that I should remember about this journey.
Spread out your wings, you are an angel
You possess the potential to soar in the skies, and each individual is divine if we choose to embrace it.
Remember to deliver with the speed of light
Don't hold back, and complete any task or act with maximum enthusiasm and passion.
A little bit of love and joy
Spreading a little bit of happiness and kindness is what makes us human.
Everything you do bears a will and a why and a wherefore
Every deed says something about you, your motivation and your objectives. It's up to you to decide what they should be.
In each and every soul lies a man
Each human being has their unique perspective and inner life that is just as valid as anyone else's.
Very soon he'll deceive and discover
The ups and downs of life are inevitable, and one will sometimes deceive themselves or have a revelation--and this is how we grow.
But even 'til the end of his life
Even late in life when we reflect upon everything we've gone through, we still need a bit of love that keeps us going.
He'll bring a little love
At the end of the day, extending a little love is all we really have to give.
I reign with my left hand
Even as a commanding figure, one can have a tricky, cunning side that deviates from the status quo.
I rule with my right
But at the same time, I have a righteous, just side that embodies the ideal values of a leader.
I'm Lord of all darkness
As a powerful person, I can control and wield the darkness to suit my needs.
I'm queen of the night
Just like a queen, I rule over this particular sphere of influence.
But I've got the power
Even as we explore the unknown, I am the one with the upper hand and call the shots.
Now do the march of the black queen
I declare that we take this journey together under my rule in pursuit of our shared goal.
My life is in your hands
I entrust my fate in your hands, and I'm curious about where this will lead us.
I'll fo and I'll fie
I'll take any risk and follow any path. Nothing is off-limits.
I'll be what you make me
My personal identity and direction will be influenced by my surroundings and my companions.
I'll do what you like
I'm willing to comply and try things out, as long as it's something I'm comfortable with.
I'll be your bad boy
There's a wild, mischievous side to me that you can either tolerate or remedy as you see fit.
I'll be your bad boy
It bears repeating: I'm your loyal but mischievous rascal, always causing a stir.
I'll do the march of the black queen
I'll lead the way as we revel in this adventure together.
Ah, ah, ah, ah
An expression of joy and delight, highlighting the exuberance of this entire journey.
Walking to the style
We're strutting confidently, each step calculated with purpose and poise.
She's vulgar, 'buse and vile
Our leader behaves in a crude and impolite manner, often exhibiting vulgar behavior.
Fie-fo the black queen tattoos all her pies
She leaves her mark on everything, overpowering and claiming everything in her way.
She boils, and she bakes, and she never dots her "I's"
Our queen is a hands-on type, who likes to get involved directly, even if she's lacking in some details.
She's our leader
Despite some possible flaws or unconventional behavior, we follow and admire this woman as our authority figure.
Forget your sing-alongs and your lullabies
Cast aside any passivity or complacency in how you live your life, and come with us to embrace something more thrilling and edgy.
Surrender to the city of the fireflies
Give yourself up to the whims and ways of this magical realm, where anything is possible, including the fantastic and the possibly dangerous.
Dance with the devil, beat with the band
Throw caution to the wind and do everything with passion and intensity, even if it takes you out of your comfort zone.
To hell with all of you hand-in-hand
To hell with any kind of restrictions or norms that we must practice. Let's move forward with our own views and desires, united under the banner of fun and revelry.
But now it's time to be gone
We must leave this place, with all its delights and temptations, never to return.
La, la, la, la, forever, forever
But forever we carry the memories of this magical trip and it keeps our spirits alight. Recalling to us the sweet times we've shared and the amazing leader we’ve encountered.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Mercury
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
eurositi
I had been a Freddie fan since I was 8, and his death really hit me. But it wasn't until several years after his death that I started borrowing all their albums at the local music library (and bought the albums when I could afford them).
But I remember quite clearly that my love for this masterpiece was instantaneous, when I first heard it back in 1994 or 1995. From that point I knew that I had just heard the best piece of music I would ever hear. I knew this wasn't a song most people would appreciate, but to me it was just what I didn't know I needed. Was it the song's even more ambitious rhapsodic composition? The 'angelic' mid section? Or was it the 'dark angry queen' lyrics? All of it, probably. But the final verse was the part that hit really me deeper than I imagined. What a way to end a song:
Forget your sing-a-longs and your lullabies
Surrender to the city of the fireflies
Dance to the devil in beat with the band
To hell with all of you, hand in hand
But now it's time to be goneLa, la, la, la, forever, forever
His final quote from ten days before he died probably re-captures the 'Freddie spirit' of the song you've just heard:
"You can do whatever you like with my image, my music, remix it, re-release it, whatever... just never make me boring."
Carter Williams
Queen is amazing when you hear their hits. They are 1000x better when you hear the rest.
Conquistador Domingo Fernando
yeah I used to only listen to the hits didn't realize what I was missing
Damon Greening
Some Guy couldn't agree more ☺️
KinkyAfro
Rylea Gilbert That's how most of us started of mate👍
Electron John
+Some Guy Definitely.
Jonathan Day
According to Good Omens, all tapes and CDs left in a car for too long will turn into Queen's Greatest Hits. The good thing about that being a slight exaggeration is that we get to hear the other greatest hits not on a greatest hits collection.
Ben W
Queen II is the best Queen album. It's basically fantasy tinged heavy metal. Perfection.
Dwight Ropp
Could be. For me, it's either "II" or "Innuendo" as their best, can't decide which.
Les Salazar
70s queen is the best in general. White man is another amazing song, not a fan of the actual message behind the song but it slaps.
odioalospoopers
"if queen is so good where is queen 2?"