1. Keep Yourself Alive
2. Doing All Right
3. Great King Rat
4. My Fairy King
5. Liar
6. The Night Comes Down
7. Modern Times Rock N' Roll
8. Son and Daughter
9. Jesus
10. Seven Seas Of Rhye
Recorded before May 1973 at Trident and De Lane Lea Studios After 3 years of trying to get a
record deal, finally this guys made it through. Despite the fact that they had
a deal, the recordings of this album delayed a lot, since they were only able to
record at 'dead time' (when other artists were not recording). Queen's first album
has a very heavy taste, very similar to the sound of Led Zeppelin, which was at
the time of the release of this album, one of the most popular rock bands in the
world. However there always critics who dared to say that Queen was just trying
to copy Zeppelin's heavy metal style. Still Queen I is a good album, not bad to be
the first one.
UK release: Friday 13th July 1973
Highest Chart Position: 24 (18 weeks on chart)
USA release: 4th September 1973
Highest Chart Position: 83 (18 weeks on chart)
Highest Japanese Chart Position: 52 (14 weeks on chart)
Produced by Roy Thomas Baker, John Anthony and Queen
Engineered by Roy Baker, Mike Stone, Ted Sharpe, Dave Hentschel.
Cover Concept by Freddie, Brian and Douglas Puddifoot
Keep Yourself Alive
Words and music by Brian May
Released on June 7th 1973
Keep Yourself Alive was Queen's first single. It didn't chart in the UK, but it was rejected more than 5 time's in Radio One, one of London's most popular radio stations owned by the BBC. This song shows in special, the unique sound of Brian's red special, his home made guitar.
I was told a million times of all the troubles in my way
Tried to grow a little wiser, little better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers, and I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started bread and butter for a smile
Well I sold a million mirrors in a shop in Alley Way
But I never saw my face in any window any day
Well they say your folks are telling you to be a superstar
But I tell you just be satisfied to stay right where you are
Keep yourself alive keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money honey you'll survive
Well I've loved a million women in a belladonic haze
And I ate a million dinners brought to me on silver trays
Give me everything I need to feed my body and my soul
And I'll grow a little bigger maybe that can be my goal
I was told a million times of all the people in my way
How I had to keep on trying and get better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers and I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started, same as when I started
Keep yourself alive, keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money honey you'll survive
Keep yourself alive, keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money to keep me satisfied
Do you think you're better every day?
No I think I'm two steps nearer to my grave
Keep yourself alive, keep yourself alive
You take your time and take more money, Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and money
Honey you'll survive
Doing All Right
Words and music by Brian May and Tim Staffell
A very nice ballad, similar to those Zeppelin balads that turn heavy right in the
middle. Composed when Freddie wasn't even in the band and they
were called 'Smile', that's why Tim Staffel appears on the credits.
Rating:8.0
Yesterday my life was in ruin, now today I know what I'm doing
Got a feeling I should be doing all right... Doing all right
Where will I be this time tomorrow? Jumped in joy or sinking in sorrow
Anyway I should be doing all right... Doing all right
Should be waiting for the sun, looking round to find the words to say
Should be waiting for the skies to clear, there ain't time in all the world
Should be waiting for the sun, and anyway I've got to hide away
Yesterday my life was in ruin, now today God knows what I'm doing
Anyway I should be doing all right... Doing all right
Doing all right
Great King Rat
Words and music by Freddie Mercury
This is a song that really sounds like the 'Classic Queen'. It's an Epic medieval story that sounds pretty much like the songs from 'Queen II'. Very heavy, with a very cool beat. My favorite song of the album.
Great King Rat died today, born on the twenty first of May
Died syphilis forty four on his birthday, every second word he swore
Yes he was the son of a whore, always wanted by the law
Wouldn't you like to know?, Wouldn't you like to know people?
Great King Rat was a dirty old man, and a dirty old man was he
Now what did I tell you, would you like to see?
Now hear... Where will I be tomorrow? Will I beg will I borrow?
I don't care I don't care anyway, Come on come on the time is right
This man is evil and that is right,I told you... Ah yes I told you
And that's no lie oh no no no
Wouldn't you like to know? Wouldn't you like to know? Wouldn't you like to know?
Great King Rat was a dirty old man, and a dirty old man was he
How what did I tell you?... Would you like to see?
Wouldn't you like to know? Wouldn't you like to know people?
Great King Rat was a dirty old man, and a dirty old man was he
Now what did I tell you... Would you like to see?
Now listen all you people, put out the good and keep the bad,
don't believe all you read in the Bible
You sinners get in line, saints you leave far behind,
very soon you're gonna be his disciple
Don't listen to what mama says, not a word, not a word mama says
Or else you'll find yourself being the rival, the great Lord before he died
Knelt sinners by his side, and said you're going to realise tomorrow
No I'm not gonna tell you, What you already know
Because time and time again, The old man said it all a long time ago
Come come on the time is right, This evil man will fight
I told you once before
Wouldn't you like to know? Wouldn't you like to know? Just like I said before
Great King Rat was a dirty old man, and a dirty old man was he
The last time I tell you... Would you like you see?
My Fairy King
Words and music by Freddie Mercury
Another amazing epic story... It shows clearly Freddie's vocal abilities.
Rating:8.3
In the land where horses born with eagle wings, and honey bees have lost their stings
There's singing forever, lions den with fallow deer, and rivers made from wines so clear
Flow on and on forever, Dragons fly like sparrows thru' the air
And baby lambs where Samson dares... To go on on on on on on
My fairy king can see things, He rules the air and turns the tides
That are not there for you and me, Oooh yeah he guides the winds
My fairy king can do right and nothing wrong, Then came man to savage in the night
To run like thieves and to kill like knives, To take away the power from the magic hand
To bring about the ruin of the promised land
They turn the milk into sour, like the blue in the blood of my veins
Why can't you see it, fire burning in hell with the cry of screaming rain
Son of heaven set me free and let me go, Sea turn dry no salt from sand
Seasons fly no helping hand, Teeth don't shine like pearls for poor man's eyes
Someone someone just drained the colour from my wings, Broken my fairy circle ring
And shamed the king in all his pride, changed the wings and wronged the tides
Mother mercury mercury, look what they've done to me
I cannot run I cannot hide
Liar
Words and music by Freddie Mercury
The coolest thing about this song, is John's bass around the middle. Sounds great.
Rating:7.8
I have sinned dear father, father I have sinned
Try and help me father, Won't you let me in?... LIAR!
Nobody believes me... LIAR!
Why don't they leave me alone?
Sire I have stolen, stolen many times
Raised my voice in anger
When I know I never should
LIAR!... oh everybody deceives me, LIAR!... why don't you leave me alone
LIAR!... I have sailed the seas. LIAR!... from Mars to Mercury
LIAR!... I have drunk the wine. LIAR!... time after time
LIAR!... you're lying to me. LIAR!... you're lying to me
Father please forgive me, You know you'll never leave me
Please will you direct me in the right way
LIAR! LIAR! LIAR! LIAR!
LIAR! that's what they keep calling me
LIAR! LIAR! LIAR!
Listen, are you gonna listen,
Mama I'm gonna be your slave, All day long
Mama I'm gonna try behave, All day long
Mama I'm gonna be your slave, All day long
I'm gonna serve you till your dying day, All day long
I'm gonna keep you till your dying day, All day long
I'm gonna kneel down by your side and pray, All day long
And pray, All day long and pray
All day long, and pray
All day long, all day, long all day long
All day long, all day, long all day long
All day long, all day long, all day long
Liar, liar they never ever let you win
Liar, liar everything you do is sin
Liar, nobody believes you
Liar, they bring you down before you begin
Now let me tell you this
Now you know you could be dead before they let you
The Night Comes Down
Words and music by Brian May
Rating:7.5
When I was young it came to me, and I could see the sun breaking
Lucy was high and so was I dazzling, holding the world inside
Once I believed in everyone, everyone and anyone can see
Oh oh the night comes down, and I get afraid of losing my way
Oh oh the night comes down, Oooh and it's dark again
Once I could laugh with everyone, once I could see the good in me
The black and the white distinctively colouring, holding the world inside
Now all the world is grey to me, nobody can see you gotta believe it
Oh oh the night comes down, and I get afraid of losing my way
Oh oh the night comes down, Oooh and it's dark again
And it's dark again, and it's dark again
Modern Times Rock'n'Roll
Words and music by Roger Taylor
The fisrt song written by Roger on a Queen album. Quite groovy and heavy
Rating:7.9
Had to make do with a worn out rock and roll scene
The old bop is getting tired need a rest, well you know what I mean
Fifty eight that was great, but it's over now and that's all
Something harder's coming up, gonna really knock a hole in the wall
Gonna hit ya grab you hard, make you feel ten feet tall
Well I hope that big new baby's gonna come along soon
You don't know it could happen any old rainy afternoon
With the temperature down, and the juke box blowing no fuse
And my musical life's feeling, like a long Sunday School cruise
And you know there's one thing, every single body could use
Yeah listen to me baby, let me tell you what it's all about
Modern times rock and roll, Modern times rock and roll
Get your high heeled guitar boots and some groovy clothes
Get a hair piece on your chest, and a ring through your nose
Find a nice little man who says, he's gonna make you a real big star
Stars in your eyes ants in your pants, think you should go far
Everybody in this bum sucking world's, gonna know just who you are
Look out...
Modern times rock and roll!!
Son And Daughter
Words and music by Brian May
There's not much to say about this song. The only Queen song where the word
'shit' is used.
Rating:7.4
I want you
tried to be a son and daughter rolled into one
You said you'd equal any man for having your fun
Now didn't you feel surprised to find
The cap just didn't fit, The world expects a man
To buckle down and to shovel shit, what'll you do for loving
When it's only just begun?, I want you to be a woman
Tried to be a teacher and a fisher of men
An equal people preacher, will you lead us all the same?
Well I travelled all round the world, a brand new word for day
Watching the time mustn't linger behind, pardon me I have to get away
What'll you think of heaven, if it's back from where you came?
I want you to be a woman, I want you to be a woman yeah
Jesus
Words and music by Freddie Mercury
If Freddie was Zoroastrian... why did he want to write a song about Jesus? Nobody can say that this song is religiously offensive in anyway. It just talks about who was Jesus, and it's kinda cool. In fact, it might fit nicely in a church chorus... don't you think?
Rating:8.1And then I saw Him in the crowd
A lot of people had gathered round Him, the beggars shouted the lepers called him
The old man said nothing, he just stared about him
All going down to see the Lord Jesus, all going down to see the Lord Jesus
All going down
Then came a man before His feet he fell, unclean said the leper and rang his bell
Felt the palm of a hand touch his head, go now go now you're a new man instead
All going down to see the Lord Jesus, all going down to see the Lord Jesus
All going down
It all began with the three wise men, followed a star took them to Bethlehem
And made it heard throughout the land, born was a leader of man
All going down to see the Lord Jesus, all going down to see the Lord Jesus
All going down
It all began with the three wise men, followed a star took them to Bethlehem
And made it heard throughout the land, born was a leader of man
All going down to see the Lord Jesus, all going down to see the Lord Jesus
All going down
Seven Seas of Rhye
Music by Freddie Mercury
The instrumental version of the song from Queen II. It has a nice piano intro
Rating:7.9