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)
You're My Best Friend
Queen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you you're all I see
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
That my feelings are true
I really love you
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, I've been wandering 'round
Still come back to you (still come back to you)
In rain or shine, you've stood by me girl
I'm happy at home (happy at home)
You're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you're the first one when things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you're my best friend, oh
Ooh, you make me live, live, live, live
I'm happy, happy at home
You're my best friend
Oh
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, you're my best friend
The song "You're My Best Friend" by Queen is a love letter to a cherished friend who has been a constant source of strength and support. The lyrics express the joy and gratitude the singer feels for having the friend in their life. The chorus captures the essence of the song, as it repeats several times:
"Ooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you, you're all I see
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live"
The singer acknowledges that the world can be a difficult and unforgiving place, but with their best friend by their side, they feel capable of facing any challenge. They describe their friend as their "sunshine," and express their deep love and appreciation for them.
The verses of the song expand on this theme, highlighting the long-standing relationship between the singer and their best friend. They describe how they've been together "such a long time," and how their friend has stood by them "in rain or shine." The singer admits that even when they've "been wandering 'round," they always come back to their friend, who feels like home to them.
In short, "You're My Best Friend" is a beautiful tribute to the power of friendship and the impact a true friend can have on our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh, you make me live
You give me life, energy, and purpose.
Whatever this world can give to me
Regardless of what the world throws at me.
It's you you're all I see
You are the center of my universe.
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
You make me feel alive in every moment, my dear.
Oh, you're the best friend that I ever had
You are my closest and most cherished friend.
I've been with you such a long time
We have been together for a significant amount of time.
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
You bring light and warmth to my life, and I want to express my gratitude.
That my feelings are true
My feelings for you are genuine and authentic.
I really love you
I love you deeply and unconditionally.
Ooh, you make me live
You give me life, energy, and purpose.
Ooh, I've been wandering 'round
I've been searching and exploring different paths.
Still come back to you (still come back to you)
Yet, I keep returning to you, my constant.
In rain or shine, you've stood by me girl
You've supported me through good and bad times, my dear.
I'm happy at home (happy at home)
I am content and fulfilled in my life with you.
You're my best friend
You are my closest and most cherished friend.
Whenever this world is cruel to me
When the world is harsh and unkind.
I got you to help me forgive
I have you to help me let go and forgive.
Oh, you're the first one when things turn out bad
You are the first person I turn to in difficult times.
You know I'll never be lonely
You understand and alleviate my loneliness.
You're my only one
You are my one and only true companion.
And I love the things
I appreciate and adore the qualities.
I really love the things that you do
I deeply love and appreciate the things you do for me.
Ooh, you make me live, live, live, live
You make me feel absolutely alive and vibrant.
I'm happy, happy at home
I am filled with joy and contentment in my life with you.
You're my best friend
You are my closest and most cherished friend.
Oh
An expression of appreciation and affection.
Oh, you're my best friend
You are my closest and most cherished friend.
Ooh, you make me live
You give me life, energy, and purpose.
Ooh, you're my best friend
You are my closest and most cherished friend.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Deacon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
This Is Queen
You're My Best Friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you you're all I see
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, I've been wandering 'round
But I still come back to you
In rain or shine
You've stood by me girl
I'm happy at home
You're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live
You're the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
I'm happy at home
You're my best friend
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
You're my best friend
This Is Queen
You're My Best Friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you you're all I see
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, I've been wandering 'round
But I still come back to you
In rain or shine
You've stood by me girl
I'm happy at home
You're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooh, you make me live now honey
Ooh, you make me live
You're the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
I'm happy at home
You're my best friend
Oh, you're my best friend
Ooh, you make me live
You're my best friend
Susana H
Cheers to you the lucky ones with a best friend! For those who don't find that friend yet, keep on!🦄
Jacqueline Perry
I still need a best friend 😞
Wendy Phillips
You should read My Angels by Janie Phillips and reunite with your best friends ❤️
Jesus So
I had one, he hasn't talked to me in two years, friendship doesn't exist to me anymore Lol
ZAY!
I love my best friends!
nana the dog
My best friend is awesome!
A Guy
I dedicate this to my Mom, the sweetest woman on Earth, and my best friend. I promise to always be your sunshine Mom, you're the best.
LandronSC
Its been years since i heard this song. My mom used to play alot of queen's songs in the car going anywhere. I loved it. Nothing made me happier than hearing queen. But im only 16, why is nostalgia hitting me so hard? I cried practically the whole song listening again. I dont want to grow up. I miss being a kid. I miss hearing this song.
G
Music helps form attachments and memories. It can explain your feelings better than you can most days. Art is just as important as mathematics or any other concept taught to kids. Humanity needs art. Without it we are the very beasts we claim to have evolved from