An early version of the band was loosely formed for 19 October 1991, when May took part in the Guitar Legends guitar festival in Seville, Spain. The line-up for his performance was May (Lead Vocals & Lead Guitar), Cozy Powell (Drums & Percussion), Mike Moran (Keyboards), Rick Wakeman (Keyboards), Maggie Ryder (Backing vocals), Miriam Stockley (Backing vocals) and Chris Thompson (Backing vocals).
Following the death of Freddie Mercury in November 1991, May chose to deal with his grief by committing himself as fully as possible to work, first by finishing his solo album and then touring worldwide to promote it. He frequently remarked in press interviews that this was the only form of self-prescribed therapy he could think of.
The original line-up was Brian May (Lead Vocals and Lead Guitar), Cozy Powell (Drums and Percussion), Mike Caswell (Guitar), Neil Murray (Bass), Maggie Ryder (Backing vocals), Miriam Stockley (Backing vocals) and Chris Thompson (Backing vocals). This version of the band lasted only during the South American support tour (supporting The B-52's and Joe Cocker) on only five dates. Afterwards, May made significant changes, feeling the group never quite gelled. In Spain, a Catalan band, Sweet Sister support the tour
Most significantly, May brought guitarist Jamie Moses on board to replace Mike Caswell. May considered Moses a perfect fit to the band. The other change made was in the backing vocal department. Ryder, Stockley and Thompson are replaced with Catherine Porter and Shelley Preston.
On 23 February 1993, this new line-up of The Brian May Band began its world tour in the US, both supporting Guns N' Roses and headlining a few dates. The tour would take them through North America, Europe and Japan.
After the tour ended on 18 December 1993, May returned to the studio with fellow surviving Queen band members Roger Taylor and John Deacon to work on tracks that became Made in Heaven, the final Queen album. The band took Freddie's solo album demos and last recordings, which he managed to perform in the studio after the album Innuendo was finished, and completed them with their additions both musically and vocally. Work on the album after Freddie's death originally began in 1992 by John Deacon and himself, but was left till a later date due to other commitments.
In 1995, May began working towards a new solo album of covers tentatively named Heroes, in addition to working on various film and television projects and other collaborations. May subsequently changed the approach of his second album from covers to focus on those collaborations and on new material. The songs recorded for that album, Another World would feature mainly Edney, Powell, Murray and Moses, who had become his core support/collaborative team.
On 5 April 1998, Cozy Powell was killed in a car accident on the M4 motorway near Bristol, England. This caused a huge, unexpected dent in the upcoming tour for The Brian May Band, with the need for a new drummer on short notice. Steve Ferrone was brought on to help May finish recording drums for the title track "Another World" and to join the band for the early stage promotional tour of five dates in Europe before the world tour.
The line up was then Brian May (Lead Vocals & Lead Guitar), Spike Edney (Keyboards), Neil Murray (Bass), Jamie Moses (Guitar), Steve Ferrone (Drums & Percussion), Susie Webb (Backing vocals) and Zoe Nicholas (Backing vocals). Following the early promo tour, Eric Singer replaced Steve Ferrone for the full 1998 world tour. The band then consisted of Brian May (Lead Vocals & Lead Guitar), Spike Edney (Keyboards), Neil Murray (Bass), Jamie Moses (Guitar), Eric Singer (Drums & Percussion), Susie Webb (Backing vocals) and Zoe Nicholas (Backing vocals).
Back to the Light
The Brian May Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hear the night creatures call
With the cold breath they howl
All the hollow hours they're calling you
I'll be there
No matter what you're going through
In the dark I care
I'm holding on,I'm hoping on
Back to the light
Back to the streets that are paved with gold
Back to the light
Back to the land where the sunshine heals my soul
Deep,deep in the night
When the world fills with tears
And the wind blows,colder and colder it grows
And the fire dims with the same old fears
I'll be there
Though maybe you don't hear me babe
I still care
No matter when I'll still be there
When you make it to the other side
I'm going back - Back to the light
Back to the light
Back to the streets that are paved with gold
Back to the light
Going back to the land where the sunshine heals my soul - yeah
On and on
Searching for a clearer view
Winning and losing an inner war
Wonder what we do it for
Though the road seems never ending
Hold on to the hope I'm sending through - yeah
No matter where you're going to
In the dark I care
I'm holding on - believe it
We'll be walking in the light
Because there'll be no place left to hide
Back to the light
Back to the streets that are paved with gold
Back to the light -yeah
I'm going back to the land where the sunshine heals my soul
I hear you babe
Back to the light (back to the light)
Back to the light (back to the light)
Back to the light
Back to the light - yeah
Coming back with me
Yeah yeah
The Brian May Band's song "Back To The Light" is an uplifting song about perseverance and hope. The lyrics describe a person feeling lost in the darkness, hearing the creatures of the night calling out to them with a cold breath. However, the singer of the song promises to be there for them, to hold on to hope and care for them no matter what they are going through. The chorus encourages the listener to go back to the light, which represents a place of safety and healing. The song speaks to the human tendency to search for meaning and purpose in life, even during difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Far, far from the light
Being far away from the light represents being lost and disconnected from the things that bring happiness, positivity, and guidance in life.
Hear the night creatures call
The sounds of the night creatures signify the eerie, unsettling feeling of being lost and alone.
With the cold breath they howl
The cold breath represents fear and negativity, while the howling echoes the feeling of being lost and disconnected.
All the hollow hours they're calling you
Despite feeling lost and alone, the hollow hours represent the hope and opportunity to hear a call for help or guidance, indicating that there is still a chance to find the light again.
I'll be there
The artist promises to offer support, guidance, and love throughout the journey of finding the light again.
No matter what you're going through
The singer's support and love will remain steadfast and unconditional, no matter what obstacles the person faces.
In the dark I care
Even in the darkest of times, the singer will offer empathy, compassion, and support to help in finding the light again.
I'm holding on, I'm hoping on
The artist refuses to give up hope, even in the darkest of times, and will hold on tight until they can see the light again.
It's still the same old me inside
Even though the darkness and struggles may change a person's outlook and mood, their true essence remains the same - they just need to find their way back to the light to see it again.
Back to the light
The phrase represents the journey towards positivity, happiness, and guidance, to overcome the darkness and find the light again.
Back to the streets that are paved with gold
Finding the light means returning to a place of hope and opportunity, where the streets are lined with prosperous possibilities.
Back to the land where the sunshine heals my soul
The sunshine represents hope, positivity, and vitality, and the land represents a place where the soul can be rejuvenated and made whole again.
Deep, deep in the night
This reflects a feeling of being lost deeper in the darkness, with the days and hope seeming farther and farther away.
When the world fills with tears
This represents the emotional weight and burden of feeling lost and disconnected from the light.
And the wind blows, colder and colder it grows
The cold wind represents growing fear and despair creeping in, making it harder to find the light again.
And the fire dims with the same old fears
The fire represents hope and positivity, while the fears represent darkness and negativity extinguishing it.
Though maybe you don't hear me babe
Even if the person is struggling to hear the artist's message of hope and support, they will never stop offering it.
I still care
The singer's love and support is unconditional, no matter how difficult things may get.
When you make it to the other side
This represents the journey towards the light, where the person will find a sense of clarity, hope, and positivity again.
On and on
The journey towards the light can seem never-ending, but it's important to keep moving forward with hope and purpose.
Searching for a clearer view
This represents the desire to find clarity and direction, to see the light once again.
Winning and losing an inner war
The journey towards the light involves battling inner demons, negative thoughts, and obstacles, but it's important to fight on despite the setbacks.
Wonder what we do it for
This line reflects the human condition of facing struggles and hardships, and the feeling of questioning what the purpose of it all may be. However, it's important to remember that the journey towards finding the light is worth it.
Though the road seems never ending
Despite the journey feeling daunting and endless at times, it's important to keep moving forward with hope and perseverance.
Hold on to the hope I'm sending through
The singer encourages the person to hold on to the hope and love they are offering, to stay strong on the journey towards the light.
No matter where you're going to
The singer's love and support will remain unwavering no matter where the person is on their journey, and no matter where they end up.
We'll be walking in the light
This represents the feeling of overcoming the darkness and finding the light again, walking in a place of hope, positivity, and guidance.
Because there'll be no place left to hide
The light represents a place of clarity, where there's no need to hide from fears, negativity, or doubts anymore.
I hear you babe
This is a message to the person to let them know that the artist is listening, and is there to offer support and love throughout their journey towards finding the light again.
Coming back with me
This line represents the promise of companionship and support, as the person is not alone on the journey towards finding the light.
Yeah yeah
This line is a repetition of the previous line, emphasizing the promise of the singer's companionship and support.
Contributed by Levi A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hakeemperring2699
I was skeptical, but tbh once it got going I actually got a little choked up. I think when you consider that the song war written at a time when Brian was very depressed, watching an older Brian who has come through the other side on stage with his younger self is super poignant. Much love ❤
@Sweetandsourliv
Could not agree with you more.
Brilliant video
@marv1984
Perfectly said!!
@amymeeker2003
Perfectly said !
@charlottecook6735
I was at th regent Street cinema for q and a with Brian, and mentioned this to him! Had similar symbolism for me too, I also got choked up during the video....
@rodger3352
True !
@sherrymcdade3366
I am 72 yrs old and this music brings back so many memories and still seems so fresh and beautiful. Thank you Brian more keeping the music so alive.
@userKrasnogorsk
This music is from the 80s. Therefore, such a unique sound :-). I'm 38 and I was a boy when Brian came to Moscow with his songs. It was magic
@francoh.l
Cómo fan de Queen,me quito el sombrero ante este genio musical, sir May.. eres y siempre serás grande
@raphaelchermont7715
Brian, the years passed away, but you continues rocks, espiritualy and phisicaly. God bless you! Brasil loves you!