Roger Taylor, 2008 Classic Rock Magazine :
"It's to do with the phenomenon of celebrity culture; the desperation to get your face on the telly. The assumption that if somebody becomes famous they'll also be rich is so naïve. It annoys me that there are so many famous, useless people."
Roger Taylor, 2008 Queen Press Release
"C-lebrity is really a comment on the current concept of fame – success and all that goes with it. Getting your face on TV is enough – talent doesn’t really enter into the equation. ‘Celebrity’ is an overused and devalued word today."
Paul Rodgers, 2008 Queen Press Release
"I see the song as Rogers’ take on the increasing emphasis on fame for its own sake. It’s quite ironic that Andy Warhol’s statement that everyone will have fifteen minutes of fame is becoming something of a reality, although it may be down to fifteen seconds in today’s world of instant communication."
Brian May, 2008 Bob & Tom Show (US Radio)
"I think it’s an interesting lyrical idea, which came from Roger. It was his kind of comment on the . . . Yeah the cult of personality I suppose, and the cult of fame for its own sake, which to us is a very alien concept. I don’t think it really makes people very happy but it’s taken over the world for a little while."
C-lebrity
Queen + Paul Rodgers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got no idea
What to do
Or why I'm here
Wanna get my face
On your TV
I wanna be heard
I want to be seen
[Chorus]
Ain't got nothin'
No
Nothing
Nothin' to show
Make me a c-lebrity
I want to be
A face on TV
(I wanna be on your screen)
Then you can see
I'm a c-lebrity
I wanna get my features
In magazines
See this creature on every street
On every screen
Write my life story
Before I'm twenty one
I got to tell the world
They may say I'm dumb but er
[Chorus]
I want to be
A face on TV
(I wanna be on your screen)
Then you can see
I'm a c-lebrity
I wanna be a star
In a Broadway musical
They're gonna love me
I can't sing or dance at all
Some may say I'm lackadaisical
And if I was real good
I'd stand no chance at all
I want to be
A face on TV
(Yeah I wanna be on your screen)
Then you can see
I'm a c-lebrity
Then you can say
You knew me one day
Then you will see
I'm a c-lebrity
C c-lebrity
Wanna be a c c c-lebrity
Make my dream come true
C c-lebrity
Wanna be a c c c c-lebrity
I wanna be heard
I want to be seen
On every TV screen
The lyrics of Queen + Paul Rodgers's song C-lebrity reflect the desire to become famous and recognized by the public. The song portrays the frustration and hopelessness of an individual who feels like they have no purpose in life and is searching for ways to gain recognition. The opening lines, "Ain't got no hope, got no idea what to do or why I'm here," express the feeling of being lost and not having any direction in life. The desire of the singer to get their face on TV and in magazines reflects the desire to be heard and seen, to have a voice that will be recognized and appreciated by the masses.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the sense of emptiness that comes with this desire for fame: "Ain't got nothing, no nothing to show, make me a c-lebrity." This reflects the idea that personal satisfaction is irrelevant, and all that matters is gaining attention and recognition, regardless of the means. The song also underscores the absurdity of celebrity culture and the fact that anybody with enough publicity (and often even lacking any real skillset) can become a "c-lebrity."
Overall, the song reflects on the societal construct of celebrity culture and fame, and how it can lead people to focus on external validation rather than personal happiness or growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't got no hope
I do not possess any hope
Got no idea
I have no clue
What to do
What steps need to be taken is unclear
Or why I'm here
The reason I exist is unknown
Wanna get my face
I desire to have my facial features
On your TV
Displayed on your television
I wanna be heard
I want my voice to be audible
I want to be seen
I want my presence to be visible
Ain't got nothin'
I have nothing
No
Absolutely nothing
Nothing
There is nothing in my possession
Nothin' to show
I have no possessions to display
Make me a c-lebrity
I desire to be a celebrity
I want to be
I have a need to exist as
A face on TV
Displayed on a television screen via my facial features
(I wanna be on your screen)
(I desire to appear on the specific device you utilize for entertainment purposes)
Then you can see
As a result, you would possess the ability to view
I'm a c-lebrity
My newfound status as a celebrity would be evident
Wanna get my features
I desire possession of my specific physical traits
In magazines
Displayed within various print media formats
See this creature on every street
My image is prominently showcased throughout various public places
On every screen
Additionally, my appearance is prevalent on all electronic devices capable of displaying a visual image
Write my life story
My life experiences depicted within a written format
Before I'm twenty one
At some point prior to my 21st birthday
I got to tell the world
I have an obligation to inform everyone
They may say I'm dumb but er
Although critical individuals might accuse me of being unintelligent
I want to be a star
I aspire to become a well-known public figure
In a Broadway musical
Specifically, featured as the lead cast member in a theatrical production staged within the titular area of New York City
They're gonna love me
Public opinion will be extremely favorable towards my on-stage performance
I can't sing or dance at all
Despite my stellar portrayal, singing or dancing abilities would not be demonstrated
Some may say I'm lackadaisical
Certain individuals might claim that they detect an element of lethargy in my actions
And if I was real good
In the event that my talents were of an exceptional quality
I'd stand no chance at all
Even so, my chances of achieving fame would still remain minimal
Then you can say
Subsequently, you would possess the ability to make the following statement
You knew me one day
At one point in time, you were personally acquainted with me
C c-lebrity
A wordplay combination of 'see celebrity'
Wanna be a c c c-lebrity
I greatly desire to achieve celebrity status
Make my dream come true
Enable me to fulfill my greatest aspiration
I wanna be heard
My voice must be heard by others
On every TV screen
My presence should be pervasive across all television sets
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN MAY, PAUL RODGERS, ROGER TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fred and Patty Chandler
Love this whole album. Always great to hear new Brian May. Queen keeping it fresh. Still innovative.
Ioan Evetts
BarryDennen12 ah that’s fair enough though, I’m just a sucker for gritty rock vocalists
BarryDennen12
I mean more power to you, the album did have its fans haha. I never sat well with Paul Rodgers' voice, but that's just me
Ioan Evetts
BarryDennen12 yeah but I love the song itself and I loved the atmosphere of the album, different but the motifs are still Queen with the harmonies and unmistakable guitar and drums. It is ironic though you’re right about that
BarryDennen12
well I kinda have a fondness for Some Things That Glitter.
but the lyrics of C-Lebrity are just sad when you consider who they wound up with
Ioan Evetts
BarryDennen12 I personally loved it
zzzROSSzzz
Im back to comment!
This track is brilliant!
Paul rogers has a great voice
Vallerius Vinogradov
"Another classic" the host said and he was bloody right - great song, I love it! I always liked Roger Taylor's solo stuff, including The Cross period, it's good to realize that hes writing songs for Queen again. Brian still plays great and Paul's voice is really amazing! Cant wait to see them in september!
Vallerius Vinogradov
@K-Man Reborn Now it's different. These days it's better off dead than alive. It's over.
K-Man Reborn
and now? lol far from a classic Queen song