Recorded July to September 1974 at Trident, Wessex, Rockfield and Air Studios
UK release: Friday 1st November 1974
Highest Chart Position: 2 (42 weeks on chart)
Award status: Gold
USA release: 12th November 1974
Highest Chart Position: 12 (32 weeks on chart)
Award status: Gold
Highest Japanese Chart Position: 23 (34 weeks on chart)
Highest Dutch Chart Position: 6
Produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Queen
Engineered by Mike Stone
Cover Concept by Queen

This is where things started to work out for Queen. Before, the progress was quite slowly, and what they earned wasn't really much, since in the UK they take a lot from you on taxes, but when 'Sheer Heart Attack' came out the results of hard work came by themselves. Queen got what they were expecting from for all those years. The world saw that a new great band was born, but what they didn't know was, how hard was for them to get that breakthrough.

ALBUM AVERAGE RATING: 8.6

Brighton Rock
Words and music by Brian May

Not so long ago I saw in a guitar magazine in the US an article about the best guitar solos ever, and 'Brighton Rock' was one of them, and it's really great. Another amazing thing about this song is how Freddie manage to play both male and famale voices. The song is a story of two teenagers who meet and fall in love in a Brighton Beach holiday.

Rating: 8.9
Happy little day Jimmy went away
Met his little Jenny on a public holiday
A happy pair they made so decorously laid
'Neath the gay illuminations all along the promenade
"It's so good to know there's still a little magic in the air
I'll weave my spell"

-"Jenny will you stay tarry with me pray
Nothing 'ere need come between us
Tell me love what do you say?"-
-"Oh no I must away to my mum in disarray
If my mother should discover how I spent my holiday
It would be of small avail to talk of magic in the air
I'll say farewell"-

Oh rock of ages do not crumble, love is breathing still
Oh lady moon shine down, a little people magic if you will

Jenny pines away writes a letter every day
-"We must ever be together, nothing can my love erase"-
-"Oh no I'm compromised
I must apologize if my lady should discover how I spent my holidays"-

KIller Queen

Words and music by Freddie Mercury
Released on October 11th 1974
Highest UK Chart Position: 2 (12 weeks on chart)
Highest USA Chart Position: 12
Highest Australian Chart Position: 23 (7 weeks on chart)
Highest Japanese Chart Position: 27 (19 weeks on chart)
Highest Dutch Chart Position: 3 (11 weeks on chart)

This was the first Queen song to get a constantly radio air play on different countries worldwide. Very popular in Japan, where Queen was received with all honours, and by thousands of crazy fans who kinda new that Queen was the world's new great phenomenon.

Rating: 9.3
She keeps Moet and Chandon in her pretty cabinet
'Let them eat cake' she says, just like Marie Antoinette
A built in remedy for Khrushchev and Kennedy
And anytime an invitation you can decline
Caviar and cigarettes well versed in etiquette
Extr'ordinarily nice

She's a killer queen gunpowder gelatine, dynamite with a lazer beam
Guaranteed to blow your mind... (anytime)
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
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 gelatine
Dynamite with a lazer beam, guaranteed to blow your mind (anytime)
Recommended at the price, Insatiable an appetite (wanna try?)

Drop of a hat she's as willing as a playful as a pussy cat
Then momentarily out of action, temporarily out of gas
To absolutely drive you wild, wild
She's out to get you
She's a killer queen gunpowder gelatine
dynamite with a lazer beam, guaranteed to blow your mind (anytime)
Recommended at the price, insatiable an appetite (wanna try?)

Tenement Funster
Words and music by Roger Taylor

The original working title for this song was 'Tin Dreams'. According to Matt Pinfield (MTV VJ) this song was a tip of the hat to another the British rock star 'T Rex'.

Rating: 8.2
My new purple shoes, bin amazing the people next door
And my rock'n'roll forty fives, bin enraging the folks on the lower floor

I got a way with the girls on my block, try my best to be a real individual
And when we go down to smokies and rock, they line up like it's some kind of ritual

Oh give me a good guitar, and you can say that my hair's a disgrace
Or just find me an open car, I'll make the speed of light out of this place

I like the good things in life, but most of the best things ain't free
It's the same situation just cuts like a knife
When you're young and you're poor and you're crazy
Young and you're crazy... Oh give me a good guitar
And you can say that my hair's a disgrace, or just find me an open car
I'll make the speed of light out of this place

Flick Of The Wrist
Words and music by Freddie Mercury

The B-Side to 'Killer Queen'. Similar to those Queen epic medieval tales from the first 2 albums. It talkes about some kind of mystic character who rules your life. Ends up with a nice piano intro to 'Lily of the Valley'

Rating: 8.6
Dislocate your spine if you don't sign
He says I'll have you seeing double
Mesmerize you when he's tongue tied
Simply with those eyes oooh
Synchronize your minds and see
The beast within him rise

Don't look back, don't look back
It's a rip off
Flick of the wrist and you're dead baby
Blow him a kiss and you're mad
Flick of the wrist, he'll eat your heart out
A dig in the ribs, and then a kick in the head
He's taken an arm and taken a leg
All this time honey, baby you've been had

Intoxicate your brain with what I'm saying
If not you'll lie in knee deep trouble
Prostitute yourself he says
Castrate your human pride oooh
Sacrifice your leisure days
Let me squeeze you 'till you've dried

Don't look back don't look back
It's a rip off
Work my fingers to my bones
I scream with pain I still make no impression
Seduce you with his money make machine
Cross collateralise big time money money
Reduce you to a muzak fake machine
Then the last goodbye, It's a rip off

Flick of the wrist and you're dead baby
Blow him a kiss and you're mad
Flick of the wrist he'll eat your heart out
A dig in the ribs and then a kick in the head
He's taken an arm and taken a leg
All this time honey baby you've been had

Lily Of The Valley
Words and music by Freddie Mercury

The B-Side to 'Now I'm Here'. It's a nice ballad that can be called the soft side of 'Flick of the Wrist'

Rating: 8.5
I am forever searching high and low
But why does everyone tell me no
Neptune of the seas an answer for me please
The lily of the valley doesn't know

I lie in wait with open eyes
I carry on through stormy skies
I follow every course my kingdom for a horse
But each time I grow old
Serpent of the Nile relieve me for a while
And cast me from your spell and let me go

Messenger from seven seas has flown
To tell the king of Rhye he's lost his throne
Wars will never cease
Is there time enough for peace?
The lily of the valley doesn't know

Now I'm Here

Words and music by Brian May
Released on January 17th 1975
Highest UK Chart Position: 11 (7 weeks on chart)
Highest Japanese Chart Position: 87 (7 weeks on chart)
Highest Dutch Chart Position: 32 (3 weeks on chart)

This song rocks! It was one of those songs that made the audience go nuts during the 'Sheer Heart Attack' tour. When played live, various Freddie Mercurys start to appear on different places on stage, and finally the real one comes out while the crowd goes wild. The Def Leppard version is quite good... you can find it as a B-side to 'Let's Get Rocked'.

Rating: 8.9
Here I stand (here I stand..)
Look around around around around
(Around around around around..)
But you won't see me (you won't see me..)
Now I'm here (now I'm here..)Now I'm there (now I'm there..)
I'm just a just a... (just a new man)
Yes you made me live again

A baby I was when you took my hand
And the light of the night burned bright
And the people all stared didn't understand
But you knew my name on sight
Whatever came of you and me?
America's new bride to be
Don't worry baby I'm safe and sound
Down in the dungeon just Peaches and me
Don't I love her so?
Yes she made me live again Yeah!

A thin moon me in the smoke screen sky
Where the beams of your love light chase
Don't move don't speak don't feel no pain
With the rain running down my face
Your matches still light up the sky
And many a tear lives on in my eye
Down in the city just Hoople and me
Don't I love him so don't I love him so?
Whatever comes of you and me
I love to leave my memories with you

Now I'm here (now I'm here.)
Think I'll stay around around around
(Around around around around..)
Down in the city just you and me
(Down in the city just you and me..)
Don't I love you so?
Go Go Go Little Queenie

In The Lap Of The Gods
Words and music by Freddie Mercury

The song has a very cool intro, that at one point fades and comes back again. That's perhaps the only cool thing about it. The other version at the end of the album is a lot much better

Rating: 7.8
Ah ah ah ah ah
Leave it in the lap of the gods
Ah ah ah
I live my life for you
Think all my thoughts with you and only you
Anything you ask I do for you
I touch your lips with mine
But in the end I leave it to the lords
Leave it in the lap of the gods
What more can I do?
Leave it in the lap of the gods
I leave it to you
Leave it in the lap of the gods
Leave it in the lap of the gods
I want you to
Leave it in the lap of the gods
Leave it in the lap of the gods
Leave it in the lap of the gods

Lap of the gods

Stone Cold Crazy
Words and music by Queen

This song is for all the metal heads out there. This is Queen at their heaviest, and it's the first Queen song written by all the four members of the band. You can find the cover version by Metallica on the album 'Garage Inc.' which is very cool

Rating: 8.8
Sleeping very soundly on a Saturday morning, I was dreaming I was Al Capone
There's a rumour going round , gotta clear out of town
I'm smelling like a dry fish bone, here come the law gonna break down the door
Gonna carry me away once more

Never never I never want it anymore
Gotta get away from this stone cold floor
Crazy... stone cold crazy you know
Rainy afternoon I gotta blow a typhoon, and I'm playing on my slide trombone
Anymore anymore cannot take it anymore, Gotta get away from this stone cold floor
Crazy... stone cold crazy you know

Walking down the street, shooting people that I meet, with my rubber Tommy water gun
Here come the deputy, He's gonna come and get me, I gotta get me up and run
They got the sirens loose, I ran right out of juice
They're gonna put me in a cell, if I can't go to heaven , Will they let me go to hell?
Crazy... stone cold crazy you know

Dear Friends
Words and music by Brian May

Something very weird about this album is that they put 'Dear Friends' which is a very soft ballad after the heaviest 'Stone Cold Crazy'. A complete change of mood who like to listen this album, but still I love this song.

Rating: 8.5
So dear friends, your love has gone
Only tears to dwell upon, I dare not say
As the wind must blow, so a love is lost
A love is won, go to sleep and dream again
Soon your hopes will rise, and then from all this gloom
Life can start a new, and there'll be no crying soon

Misfire
Words and music by John Deacon

The first song written by the shy boy of the band, John Deacon. It's very nice indeed, and to tell you the truth I like all of John's songs... even though they are quite a few

Rating: 8.6
Don't you misfire fill me up , with the desire to carry on
Don't you know honey that love's a game, It's always a hit or miss
So take your aim, Got to hold on tight, Shoot me out of sight
Don't you misfire fill me up, with the desire to carry on
Don't you misfire fill me up, with the desire to carry on

Your gun is loaded, and pointing my way
There's only one bullet, so don't delay
Got to time it right, fire me through the night
Come on take a shot, fire me higher
Don't you miss this time, Please don't misfire
Misfire

Bring Back That Leroy Brown
Words and music by Freddie Mercury

Just like 'Stone Cold Crazy', this a song about gangsters, with an oldie taste of the 30's. There's also a song from Frank Sinatra where 'Leroy Brown' is also mentioned

Rating: 8.6
Bring back, bring back, bring back that Leroy Brown Yeah!
Bring back, bring back, gotta ring that Leroy Brown Yeah!

Bet your bottom dollar bill you're a playboy Yeah Yeah!
Daddy cool with a ninety dollar smile (oooh Yeah)
Took my money out of gratitude, and he git right out of town
Well I gotta getty up steady up shoot him down
Gotta hit that latitude babe
Bring back bring back bring back that Leroy Brown Yeah!
Bring back bring back gotta ring that Leroy Brown Yeah!
Big bad Leroy Brown he got no common sense
No no he got no brains but he sure gotta lot of style
Can't stand no more in this here jail, I gotta rid myself of this sentence
Gotta get out of the heat step into the shade, Gotta get me there dead or alive babe
Woooh woooh big bad Leroy, Woooh woooh woooh woooh
Big bad Leroy Brown
Bring back bring back bring back that Leroy Brown Yeah!
Bring back bring back gotta bring back Leroy Brown Yeah!

Big mama Lulu Belle she had a nervous breakdown
She had a nervous breakdown, Leroy's taken her honey chile away
But she met him down at the station (woooh woooh)
Put a shotgun to his head and unless I be mistaken
This is what she said

Big bad big boy big bad Leroy Brown
I'm gonna get that cutie pie
Bring back bring back bring back that Leroy Brown Yeah!

Big bad caused a mighty fine sensation Yeah Yeah!
Gone and got himself elected President
We want Leroy for President
Next time (you gotta hit a bitty baddy weather)
This time (like a shimmy shammy leather)
He's a big boy bad boy Leroy
I don't care where you get him from
Bring that big bad Leroy back
Want him back

She Makes Me(Stormtrooper In Stilettos)
Words and music by Brian May

A slow song by Brian... kinda lame. You can fall at sleep listening to it... if you suffer from imsomnia I recommend you listening to this one.

Rating: 7.6
I love... she makes me, she is my heart
She is my love, she is my love
I know you're jealous of her, she makes me need
She is my love, she is my love
Who knows who she'll make me, as I lie in her cocoon
But the world will surely heal my ills, I'm warm and terrified
She makes me so, I know the day I leave her, I'd love her still
She is my love, she is my love
Who knows where my dreams will end, I'll follow as they grow
But the world will know, How long I'll take
And if I'm very slow, she makes me so
She is my love, she is my love

In The Lap Of The Gods... Revisited
Words and music by Freddie Mercury

This song is truly an anthem. When played live, people start to hold their hands and wave them, even though some of them might never heard the song. In a few words it's a song that brings people together, and that's pretty much what Queen's music is all about.

Rating: 9.5
It's so easy, but I can't do it
So risky but, I gotta chance it
It's so funny, there's nothing to laugh about
My money, that's all you want to talk about
I can see what you want me to be, but I'm no fool

It's in the lap of the gods, Wo wo la la la
I can see what you want me to be, but I'm no fool

No beginning there's no ending, there's no meaning in my pretending
Believe me life goes on and on and on, Forgive me when I ask you where do I belong
You say I (you can do it) can't (you can do it)
(You can go and) set you free from me, but that's not true

It's in the lap of the gods Wo wo la la la
I can see what you want me to be, but I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the gods Wo wo la la la wo
Wo wo la la wo wo woooh, but that's not true
It's in the lap of the gods
Wo wo la la la wo, Wo wo la la wo wo woooh
But I'm no fool, It's in the lap of the gods
Wo wo la la la wo, Wo wo la la wo wo woooh