By 1982, choruses were established in many major cities across the US and the LGBT choral movement began to formalize. The Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (or GALA Choruses) was created, with SFGMC as one of its founders.
Needing relevant music to perform, SFGMC commissioned many important new works, developing new repertoire for men’s choruses as well as for the gay and allied choral communities. In 1986, SFGMC commissioned Invocation and Dance by David Conte, one of the world's first compositions in response to AIDS. NakedMan, a song suite by Philip Littell and Robert Seeley, was commissioned by SFGMC in 1996. It became one of the most important works in gay choral literature and is still widely performed today.
AIDS hit the chorus hard – SFGMC lost over 250 members – yet the organization survived and thrived with sustained passion for its mission. Since 1978, more than 1000 SFGMC members have served proudly as goodwill ambassadors, promoting awareness and understanding of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (or LGBT) community through music and the camaraderie of performance.
Killer Queen
San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In her pretty cabinet
'Let them eat cake' she says
Just like Marie Antoinette
A built-in remedy
For Khrushchev and Kennedy
At anytime an invitation
You can't decline
Caviar and cigarettes
Well versed in etiquette
Extraordinarily nice
She's a Killer Queen
Gunpowder, gelatin
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Anytime
Ooh, recommended at the price
Insatiable an appetite
Wanna try ?
To avoid complications
She never kept the same address
In conversation
She spoke just like a baroness
Met a man from China
Went down to Geisha Minah
(Killer, killer, she's a killer Queen)
Then again incidentally
If you're that way inclined
Perfume came naturally from Paris (naturally)
For cars she couldn't care less
Fastidious and precise
She's a Killer Queen
Gunpowder, gelatin
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Anytime
Drop of a hat she's as willing as
Playful as a pussy cat
Then momentarily out of action
Temporarily out of gas
To absolutely drive you wild, wild
She's all out to get you
She's a Killer Queen
Gunpowder, gelatin
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Anytime
Ooh, recommended at the price
Insatiable an appetite
Wanna try ?
You wanna try
The lyrics to "Killer Queen" by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus celebrates the allure and deadly charms of a woman who is always ready to blow your mind. The chorus paints a picture of a wealthy and elegant woman ("she keeps her Moet et Chandon in her pretty cabinet") who lives a lavish lifestyle and is knowledgeable about social etiquette ("extraordinarily nice", "well-versed in etiquette"). However, the chorus also suggests that her way of getting what she wants often involves hidden dangers and explosive outcomes, as emphasized by the lyrics "gunpowder, gelatin, dynamite with a laser beam". The chorus personifies her risk-taking behavior by referring to her as a "killer queen" who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
The second verse depicts the Killer Queen as elusive, never staying in one place for too long to avoid complications. She is described as speaking like a "baroness" and can communicate fluently with people from different backgrounds, such as in the line "met a man from China, went down to Geisha Minah". The chorus also sings about her natural flair for luxury and attention to detail, as demonstrated in her preference for Parisian perfume and disregard for automobiles.
Overall, the song's lyrics use vivid imagery and metaphors to describe a woman who is both fascinating and dangerous. The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus's rendition emphasizes the powerful and seductive nature of the Killer Queen, while simultaneously acknowledging the potential dark side of her actions.
Line by Line Meaning
She keeps her Moet et Chandon
In her pretty cabinet
'Let them eat cake' she says
Just like Marie Antoinette
The woman described is wealthy and privileged, flaunting her luxurious lifestyle for all to see. She speaks with disregard for the less fortunate, much like the infamous French queen.
A built-in remedy
For Khrushchev and Kennedy
At anytime an invitation
You can't decline
The woman is influential and well-connected, capable of arranging meetings with major political figures at her leisure.
Caviar and cigarettes
Well versed in etiquette
Extraordinarily nice
The woman takes part in high society customs and is well-mannered, appearing to others as charmingly pleasant.
She's a Killer Queen
Gunpowder, gelatin
Dynamite with a laser beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind
Anytime
Ooh, recommended at the price
Insatiable an appetite
Wanna try ?
The woman is dangerous and seductive, with explosive energy and a potent allure that's hard to resist.
To avoid complications
She never kept the same address
In conversation
She spoke just like a baroness
The woman is elusive and discreet, avoiding troublesome situations by constantly moving and interacting as a member of the aristocratic class.
Met a man from China
Went down to Geisha Minah
(Killer, killer, she's a killer Queen)
Then again incidentally
If you're that way inclined
The woman has diverse romantic interests and experiences, having relationships with people from different places and cultures. She also appeals to those who share her unconventional desires and interests.
Perfume came naturally from Paris (naturally)
For cars she couldn't care less
Fastidious and precise
The woman has a refined sense of taste, preferring European luxury goods over practical items like cars. She's also meticulous and particular in her preferences.
Drop of a hat she's as willing as
Playful as a pussy cat
Then momentarily out of action
Temporarily out of gas
To absolutely drive you wild, wild
She's all out to get you
The woman is spontaneous and lustful, willing to engage in acts of passion at a moment's notice. However, she can also become disinterested or unavailable at times, leading to frustration and longing in her partners.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Freddie Mercury
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind