Queensrÿche has sold over 20 million albums worldwide, including over 6 million albums in the United States. They are considered one of the leaders of the progressive metal scene of the mid-to-late 1980s, and often referred to as one of the "Big Three" of the genre, along with Dream Theater and Fates Warning. The band received worldwide acclaim after the release of their 1988 album Operation: Mindcrime, which is often considered one of the greatest heavy metal concept albums of all time. Their follow-up release, Empire, released in 1990, was also very successful and included the hit single "Silent Lucidity". The band has received three Grammy Award nominations for songs from both albums. In 1998, drummer Rockenfield received an individual Grammy nomination.
Also in 1998, guitarist and primary songwriter Chris DeGarmo left the band for personal reasons, returning briefly in 2003 to write and record the Tribe album. Over the years, his replacements have been Kelly Gray, Mike Stone, and Parker Lundgren. Following a highly publicized backstage altercation before a show in São Paulo, Brazil, in April 2012, Tate was fired from the band and replaced with then-Crimson Glory singer Todd La Torre. In response to his dismissal, Tate and his wife Susan (who served as the band's manager from 2005 to 2012) filed a lawsuit in a Washington court, claiming that he was wrongfully terminated. The ruling in the preliminary injunction was that both parties were allowed to use the name Queensrÿche until a court ruling or a settlement decided who would get to use the name. A settlement was reached on April 17, 2014, in which founding members Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson were awarded the rights to the band trademark, continuing to play with the lineup that additionally includes singer La Torre and guitarist Lundgren.
During the time, both parties could use the name Queensrÿche, Tate created his own lineup featuring former guitarist Gray and musicians from bands including Blue Öyster Cult, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Dio, AC/DC and Quiet Riot. This version of Queensrÿche with Geoff Tate released the album Frequency Unknown on April 23, 2013, while Queensrÿche (with La Torre replacing Tate) released their eponymous album on June 24 and 25, 2013 (European and American release date, respectively). Both bands toured in 2013 and 2014.
Full article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensrÿche
Studio albums
The Warning (1984)
Rage for Order (1986)
Operation: Mindcrime (1988)
Empire (1990)
Promised Land (1994)
Hear in the Now Frontier (1997)
Q2K (1999)
Tribe (2003)
Operation: Mindcrime II (2006)
Take Cover (2007)
American Soldier (2009)
Dedicated to Chaos (2011)
Queensrÿche (2013)
Condition Hüman (2015)
The Verdict (2019)
Digital Noise Alliance (2022)
Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche
Frequency Unknown (2013)
Operation: Mindcrime
Queensrÿche Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you'll feel no pain
Gotta make something of your life boy
Give me one more vein
You've come to see the doctor
'Cause I'll show you the cure
I'm gonna take away the questions
Yeah, I'm gonna make you sure, yeah
A hit man for the order
When you couldn't go to school
Had a skin job for a hair-do
Yeah, you looked pretty cool
Had a habit doing mainline
Watch the dragon burn
No regrets, you've got no goals
Nothing more to learn
Now I know you won't refuse
Because we've got so much to do
And you've got nothing more to lose
So take this number and welcome to
Operation Mindcrime
We're an underground revolution working overtime
Operation Mindcrime
There's a job for you in the system boy, with nothing to sign
Hey Nikki, you know everything
That there is to do
Here's a gun, take it home
Wait by the phone
We'll send someone over
To bring you what you need
You're a one man death machine
Make this city bleed
Now I know you won't refuse
'Cause we've got so much to do
You've got nothing more to lose
So take this number and welcome to
Operation Mindcrime
We're an underground revolution working overtime
Operation Mindcrime
There's a job for you in the system boy, with nothing to sign
Operation Mindcrime
We're an underground revolution working overtime
Operation Mindcrime
If you come to see the doctor
Yeah, he'll give you the cure
Operation Mindcrime
Make something of your life boy, let me into your mind
Operation Mindcrime
There's a job for you in the system boy with nothing to sign
The song "Operation: Mindcrime" by Queensrÿche is a story about a young man, Nikki, who is recruited by an underground organization to be a hit man for their cause. The song touches on themes of manipulation, addiction, and rebellion. The lyrics speak to Nikki's desire to escape his current state of being and make something of his life, which the organization promises to provide him with. However, in exchange for his participation, they demand his loyalty and willingness to perform violent acts.
Throughout the song, Nikki's dependence on drugs is highlighted, with lines like "had a habit doing mainline, watch the dragon burn." He is portrayed as a lost soul who is seeking direction and purpose. The organization offers him a sense of belonging, but it comes with a heavy price.
The chorus of the song, "Operation Mindcrime," is repeated multiple times throughout the song, serving as a reminder of the organization's control over Nikki's mind and actions. The lyrics are haunting, painting a picture of a young man who is sacrificing his own morality for a chance at a better life, but ultimately becoming a pawn in a dangerous game.
Line by Line Meaning
It just takes a minute
Joining the operation to turn your life around is quick and easy.
And you'll feel no pain
The operation promises to relieve you of all your troubles.
Gotta make something of your life boy
You haven't accomplished much so far and need a sense of purpose.
Give me one more vein
You're addicted and need a fix to function.
You've come to see the doctor
You're seeking guidance and help.
'Cause I'll show you the cure
The doctor has all the answers you seek.
I'm gonna take away the questions
With the operation, you won't have to wonder about your place in life anymore.
Yeah, I'm gonna make you sure, yeah
Joining the operation will give you a sense of certainty and conviction.
A hit man for the order
You'll be part of an organization that carries out swift and deadly actions.
When you couldn't go to school
You didn't have the same opportunities as others.
Had a skin job for a hair-do
You've experimented with your appearance and identity.
Yeah, you looked pretty cool
You enjoyed the attention your looks brought you.
Had a habit doing mainline
You were addicted to intravenous drugs.
Watch the dragon burn
You've experienced the hallucinations and high of drug use.
No regrets, you've got no goals
You don't have any aspirations and don't think about the future.
Nothing more to learn
You don't feel like you have anything left to discover or improve upon.
Now I know you won't refuse
You'll be persuaded to join the operation.
Because we've got so much to do
There's a lot of important work that needs to be done.
And you've got nothing more to lose
You don't feel like you have anything to lose by joining.
So take this number and welcome to
You've been invited to join the operation.
Operation Mindcrime
The operation is called 'Mindcrime.'
We're an underground revolution working overtime
The operation is made up of a group of rebels working hard to effect change.
There's a job for you in the system boy, with nothing to sign
There's a position waiting for you within the organization.
Hey Nikki, you know everything
The artist of the story is called 'Nikki,' and is highly knowledgeable.
That there is to do
Nikki has experience with handling tasks like these.
Here's a gun, take it home
Nikki has been given a weapon to use in his missions.
Wait by the phone
Nikki will receive calls with assignments.
We'll send someone over
An operative from the organization will come to supply Nikki with everything he needs.
To bring you what you need
The organization is dedicated to taking care of its members.
You're a one man death machine
Nikki is highly skilled and dangerous.
Make this city bleed
Nikki has been assigned to inflict harm on the city.
Make something of your life boy, let me into your mind
The organization wants to help members find purpose and offers to understand them on a deep level.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRISTOPHER DEGARMO, GEOFFERY TATE, MICHAEL WILTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bigfriend4338
Why we don't organize a real revolution vs what is happening now? This forced lock-down and this Covid-19 story.?
Why i have to be forced to work between 8 ..12 hors at day with the mask? Me i don8feel good i coff all the time and sometimes my heart vibrate in a strange way.
Is too much CO2 ..i know. Why all this strange rules?
Like social distance etc. Everywhere you go there is to have this damned mask on the face without reason.
The poverty is increasing and the e things are expansive.
We will call our revolution like this album
Cmon guys ..Revolution Calling. With the flash mob of shit we will never do nothing.
@mylovesongs2429
It just takes a minute, and you'll feel no pain
Gotta make something of your life, boy
Give me one more vein
You've come to see the doctor
Cause I'll show you the cure
I'm gonna take away the questions, yeah
I'm gonna make you sure, yeah
A hit man for the order
When you couldn't go to school
Had a skin job for a hair-do
Yeah, you looked pretty cool
Had a habit doing mainline
Watch the dragon burn
No regrets, you've got no goals
Nothing more to learn
Now I know you won't refuse
Because we've got so much to do
And you've got nothing more to lose
So take this number and welcome to
Operation: Mindcrime
We're an underground revolution
Working overtime
Operation: Mindcrime
There's a job for you in the system boy, with nothing to sign
[Guitar solo]
Hey Nikki, you know everything
That there is to do
Here's a gun, take it home
Wait by the phone
We'll send someone over
To bring you what you need
You're a one man death machine
Make this city bleed
Now I know you won't refuse
Because we've got so much to do
And you've got nothing more to lose
So take this number and welcome to
Operation: Mindcrime
We're an underground revolution
Working overtime
Operation: Mindcrime
There's a job for you in the system boy, with nothing to sign
@JeffKMayo
This album is an underrated masterpiece. The creativity, the musical talent, and the tight knit unity of the band all shine through in it's presentation. This was the Ryche at their peak.
@alexanderbar8102
Masterpiece of really fucking shit!!
@jamesbrummett6739
I salute you for your comment 👏👏👏👏👏🤘🤘🤘🤘
@matthewplant1291
I don't know too many metal fans who under-rate this album. It is superb.
@Sir-Cyr_Rill-Nil-Mill
sandwich board = " TOLD YOU SO " Live TV...edited out
@user-ru9gf7ky2y
Not underrated. You listened to it didn't you? Screw the others.
@Joe-qs3ju
One of the greatest records of all time. This still pertains in 2022!
@jackstecker3636
Bless you for seeing the truth about Mary and the End of days God bless us all
@rjm_17
They greatest for me
@lonewolf_bbmq
That's cause gen X and boomers fell asleep. Time to wake up again