Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...)
Encyclopedia
"Death on Two Legs" is a song by British rock group Queen
, the opening track on their fourth studio album A Night at the Opera
. The song was written by Freddie Mercury
and describes his hatred toward Queen's ex-manager, Norman Sheffield, who is reputed to have mistreated the band and abused his role as their manager from 1972-1975.
The song was recorded and mixed at Sarm East Studios
in late 1975. As with "Bohemian Rhapsody
", most of the guitar parts on the song were initially played on piano by Mercury, to demonstrate to Brian May
how they needed to be played on guitar.
Although "Death on Two Legs" never made a direct reference to Sheffield, upon listening to the song, he attempted to sue the band for defamation, and this revealed to the public the subject of the song. Before releasing the album, EMI paid "a substantial sum." Sheffield later admitted that his lawsuit probably gave the band an incentive to dedicate the song to him. During live performances, Mercury would usually re-dedicate the song to "a real motherfucker of a gentleman". This line was censored out of the version of the song that appeared on their Live Killers
album in 1979.
. However, there is only one live version of the song ever officially released, appearing on the 1979 album Live Killers
.
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
, the opening track on their fourth studio album A Night at the Opera
A Night at the Opera (Queen album)
A Night at the Opera is the fourth studio album by the British rock group Queen, released in November 1975. Co-produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Queen, A Night at the Opera was, at the time of its release, the most expensive album ever recorded...
. The song was written by Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
and describes his hatred toward Queen's ex-manager, Norman Sheffield, who is reputed to have mistreated the band and abused his role as their manager from 1972-1975.
The song was recorded and mixed at Sarm East Studios
Sarm East Studios
Sarm East Studios is a recording studio that was located at the southern end of Brick Lane in east London. It is now called The London Recording Studios.- History :...
in late 1975. As with "Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band's 1975 album A Night at the Opera...
", most of the guitar parts on the song were initially played on piano by Mercury, to demonstrate to Brian May
Brian May
Brian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
how they needed to be played on guitar.
Lyrics
The song is considered to be Mercury's "hate letter" towards Queen's former manager Norman Sheffield, incorporating a vast range of vicious lyrics, as described by Mercury, "It's so vindictive that Brian felt bad singing it. I don't like to explain what I was thinking when I wrote a song. I think that's awful, just awful."Although "Death on Two Legs" never made a direct reference to Sheffield, upon listening to the song, he attempted to sue the band for defamation, and this revealed to the public the subject of the song. Before releasing the album, EMI paid "a substantial sum." Sheffield later admitted that his lawsuit probably gave the band an incentive to dedicate the song to him. During live performances, Mercury would usually re-dedicate the song to "a real motherfucker of a gentleman". This line was censored out of the version of the song that appeared on their Live Killers
Live Killers
Live Killers is a double vinyl and compact disc live album by English rock band Queen. It was released on June 22, 1979.It was recorded live during the European leg of Queen's Jazz world tour between January and March 1979...
album in 1979.
Live Recordings
"Death on Two Legs" was regularly performed live by Queen up until, and during, The Game TourThe Game Tour
The Game Tour was a concert tour by the English rock band Queen to support their successful 1980 album The Game. This tour saw the band being the first to play in South American stadiums in early 1981. In Buenos Aires, Queen drew a crowd of 300,000—the largest single concert crowd in Argentine...
. However, there is only one live version of the song ever officially released, appearing on the 1979 album Live Killers
Live Killers
Live Killers is a double vinyl and compact disc live album by English rock band Queen. It was released on June 22, 1979.It was recorded live during the European leg of Queen's Jazz world tour between January and March 1979...
.
Cover versions
- RooneyRooney (band)Rooney is an American rock band from Los Angeles, currently self-produced and formerly signed to Geffen Records. The band is now composed of Robert Schwartzman , Louie Stephens , Taylor Locke , Ned Brower , and Brandon Schwartzel...
covered "Death on Two Legs" on the 2005 tribute album Killer Queen: A Tribute to QueenKiller Queen: A Tribute to QueenKiller Queen is a tribute album of Queen songs. The album is named for the 1974 Queen song of the same name that first appeared on the Sheer Heart Attack album.The album peaked at #104 on the Billboard 200 on August 27, 2005...
. - The song was covered by Tony Zaikowski as part of the "Loser's LoungeLoser's LoungeLoser's Lounge is an ongoing tribute project which performs music by songwriters and bands like Queen, Serge Gainsbourg, Neil Diamond, Paul Williams, Lee Hazlewood, Devo, and David Bowie. Each show explores greater- and lesser-known works by a single artist, or pits two musical forces against one...
" project. - GoGoGo AirheartGoGoGo AirheartGoGoGo Airheart was a post-punk band from San Diego, California, that was active from 1996 to 2006.-Career:The band started out by local independent label, Vinyl Communications, and released their self-titled debut in 1997. By that time drummer Andy Robillard and violinist Teri Hoefer joined the...
also recorded a version of the song. - Dream Theater recorded their version to this song for their CD "Uncovered 2003-2005", released by their own label as part of their "Official Bootleg" collection.
- HeathenHeathen (band)Heathen is an American thrash metal band originating from the Bay Area San Francisco, founded in 1984 by guitarist Lee Altus and drummer Carl Sacco...
covered this song on their 2004 EP Recovered.
Personnel
- Freddie MercuryFreddie MercuryFreddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
- lead and backing vocals, piano - Brian MayBrian MayBrian Harold May, CBE is an English musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the guitarist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen...
- guitars, backing vocals - John DeaconJohn DeaconJohn Richard Deacon is a retired English multi-instrumentalist and song writer, best known as the bassist for the rock band Queen. Of the four members of the band, he was the last to join and also the youngest, being only 19 years old when he was recruited by the other members of the band...
- bass guitar - Roger TaylorRoger Meddows-TaylorRoger Meddows Taylor , known as Roger Taylor, is a British musician, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the drummer, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of British rock band Queen. As a drummer he is known for his "big" unique sound and is considered one of...
- drums, backing vocals