Before Queen, Taylor founded Smile with Brian May. Smile released one album in Japan which is now available throughout the world as Ghost of a Smile. Smile wrote a few of the songs which would later appear on Queen's self-titled debut album, and one - Doin' Alright was featured on the Smile album.
Taylor also fronted another band, The Cross from 1987 to 1991. The first album, Shove it (1988) was a solo album by Taylor in all but name - he wrote all the songs and played most of the instruments himself. This was an experiment that didn't really work for Taylor and in the other two albums by The Cross he allowed the other members of the band to contribute more, resulting in more traditionally styled rock albums.
Out of the four original members of Queen Taylor and guitarist Brian May continued to play as Queen + Paul Rodgers between 2004 and 2008. Of the other original members singer Freddie Mercury tragically died in 1991 and bassist John Deacon retired from music business in the mid-1990's.
In 2009, after the partnership between him, Brian and Paul ended, Roger worked on some new solo material from which his single The Unblinking Eye (Everything is Broken) was digitally released at 23th November at Queenonline.com. At the moment it is unclear how the future of Queen will look like, though Roger has announced that he will do a short tour in the spring of 2010.
People on Streets
Roger Taylor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wanna get out on the street and see what you can
I said hey Mr President and senators too
I said Mr Prime Minister it's good for you
I said all the Queen's women and all the Queen's men
Better get it together because it's real broken
I said a what you need is a lesson in reality
Because the way it stands you're a real liability
Get out and meet, people on streets
You know and I know we're brothers in time
You know that truth is the right of mankind
I said hey all you music stars and DJ's too
You'd better real quick or it's up for you
And you quiz show hosts who think you're so fine
You talk to people like they're stupid and a waste of your time
And all you movie stars who think you're so cool
Maybe your time is up and it's time for the truth
There's a lot of lessons needed in humility
Because the way it stands your a real liability
Get out and meet, people on streets
Get out and meet, people on streets
You know and I know we're brothers in time
You know that justice is for all mankind
I said hey Madonna and Roseanne Barr
Well you think that your big (you're too big by far)
If you think that you're important in the scheme of things
You'd better get real quick because reality stinks
I said hey Ayatollah you're a real big cheese
However much you talk its just words in the breeze
If you're one of the people can't you prove it's true
Get out on the street and let reality come to you
Get out and meet people on streets
Get out and meet people on streets
You know and I know we're brothers in time
You know that justice is for all mankind
Get out and meet, people on streets
People on Streets by Roger Taylor is a call for politicians, leaders, and celebrities to get out of their ivory towers and connect with the people on the streets. In this song, Taylor names people like Michael Jackson, politicians, Prime Ministers, and Presidents, asking them to walk out and see what it's really like on the streets. He sings about the need for humility and reality checks for quiz show hosts, movie stars, and music stars who think they're too important. Taylor calls out for Ayatollah to prove he's one of the people by walking out on the streets, where the reality isn't always as sweet as it seems.
Throughout the song, Roger Taylor is making a statement on the need for societal change, and despite being just one person, every human deserves respect and their own voice. He sings that all people are brothers in time and that justice is for all humankind. The song calls for humanity to come together, break down egos and artificial barriers, and reconnect with each other on a more human level.
Line by Line Meaning
I said hey Michael Jackson and the politicians
Addressing the influential leaders and celebrities
You wanna get out on the street and see what you can
You must connect with the common people to understand their lives
I said hey Mr President and senators too
Directly addressing the key people in power
I said Mr Prime Minister it's good for you
Explaining the benefits of going out and meeting people
I said all the Queen's women and all the Queen's men
Addressing everyone who holds power, even if through monarchy
Better get it together because it's real broken
The world is currently broken and it's everyone's responsibility to make it right
I said a what you need is a lesson in reality
It's important for the leaders to see the world as it really is
Because the way it stands you're a real liability
Their inability to connect with the common people makes them a hindrance
Get out and meet, people on streets
The solution is to go out and actually meet people
You know and I know we're brothers in time
We all live in the same time period and share the same struggles
You know that truth is the right of mankind
Everyone deserves to know the truth and live in a world that upholds it
I said hey all you music stars and DJ's too
Even popular musicians and DJs need to connect with their audience
You'd better real quick or it's up for you
If they don't make an effort to connect with people, they won't last long
And you quiz show hosts who think you're so fine
Even quiz show hosts need to learn humility and connect with people
You talk to people like they're stupid and a waste of your time
They talk down to people and don't value their opinions
And all you movie stars who think you're so cool
Even movie stars need to be humbled and connect with people
Maybe your time is up and it's time for the truth
The truth about their disconnect with people will catch up eventually
There's a lot of lessons needed in humility
They need to learn humility and connect with people they look down on
Because the way it stands your a real liability
Their inability to connect with the common people makes them a hindrance
I said hey Madonna and Roseanne Barr
Calling out two popular celebrities
Well you think that your big (you're too big by far)
They think they're too important and don't need to connect with the common people
If you think that you're important in the scheme of things
Reminding them that they are not above being humble
You'd better get real quick because reality stinks
The harsh reality of the world will catch up eventually
I said hey Ayatollah you're a real big cheese
Addressing a specific religious leader who wields power
However much you talk its just words in the breeze
Their words mean nothing without actually connecting with their people
If you're one of the people can't you prove it's true
As a leader, they must prove that they are in touch with their people
Get out on the street and let reality come to you
The solution is for them to go and meet people to understand their struggles and realities
You know and I know we're brothers in time
We all live in the same time period and share the same struggles
You know that justice is for all mankind
Everyone deserves to live in a world where justice is served for all
Get out and meet, people on streets
The solution is to go out and actually meet people
Contributed by Jackson I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
alexiane250
I must say I appreciate the fact that both RT and Queen lyric videos take place in the void of space
roseantiquus
Brian’s influence 🤣
Alivia Mangrum
I love how he wrote 2 songs called Pressure on - People on Streets😂😂😂
roseantiquus
@Danny Dorko They’re making the point of Roger writing two songs called Pressure On and People On Streets when Under Pressure uses those lines. It’s cute.
Danny Dorko
he didn't write it. bowie did.
X-Venture Gaming
Oh yes! Because of Under Pressure! 😂
Gabriel Lecter
It's great! I love this song
Darla Hays
Love this
Maëlys D.
A very good and incredibly relevant song. Some "higher-up" people would definitely need a reality check and a lesson in humility.
AaronAlbaMusic♪
The best roger!