Killer Queen (song)
Encyclopedia
"Killer Queen" is a song by British rock
band Queen
. Written by pianist and lead singer Freddie Mercury
, it featured on their 1974 album Sheer Heart Attack
, and also appears on the band's compilation album, Greatest Hits. When released as a single, "Killer Queen" was Queen's breakthrough hit, reaching number two in the UK and number 12 in the United States. It was released as a double A-side in the UK, the US and Canada (where it reached number 15 in the RPM 100
national singles chart), with the song "Flick of the Wrist
". In 1986, it was featured as the B-side
to "Who Wants to Live Forever
".
Mercury commented that he wrote the lyrics first before adding the musical arrangements. The recording features elaborate four-part harmonies
(particularly in the chorus
es, and also providing backing parts in the verses), and also an elaborate multitracked
guitar solo by Brian May
, including use of the "bell effect
".
The song, in the first line, mentions the phrase "Let them eat cake
", a phrase attributed Marie Antoinette
: Let them eat cake, she said; Just like Marie Antoinette.
sound. At one point there are two bass guitar
s, one of which does a descending run. Contrary to songs for the first two Queen albums, this one was partly recorded outside England, at Rockfield Studios
in Wales.
Brian May:
. In 1974, the song was played following "In the Lap of the Gods
", and in 1975–76, the song was played after "Bohemian Rhapsody
". In 1977, the song was played as the introduction to a medley, followed by "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy", and in 1978, preceded "Bicycle Race
". In 1979, the band played most of the song, and after the guitar solo ended, the opening bars of "I'm in Love With My Car" were played. The song was played at the Montreal Forum
, Quebec
, Canada in November 1981, and is recorded in the live album, Queen Rock Montreal
. In 1984 and 1985, during The Works Tour
, it was reintroduced in a medley following a truncated version of "Somebody to Love
".
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Queen
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...
. Written by pianist and lead singer 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...
, it featured on their 1974 album Sheer Heart Attack
Sheer Heart Attack
Sheer Heart Attack is the third album by the British rock group Queen, released in November 1974. It was produced by Queen and Roy Thomas Baker and distributed by EMI in the United Kingdom, and Elektra in the United States....
, and also appears on the band's compilation album, Greatest Hits. When released as a single, "Killer Queen" was Queen's breakthrough hit, reaching number two in the UK and number 12 in the United States. It was released as a double A-side in the UK, the US and Canada (where it reached number 15 in the RPM 100
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
national singles chart), with the song "Flick of the Wrist
Flick of the Wrist
"Flick of the Wrist" is a song by English rock band Queen, released as a Double A-side with "Killer Queen" in the UK, Canada, the Netherlands, the US and most other territories...
". In 1986, it was featured as the B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
to "Who Wants to Live Forever
Who Wants to Live Forever
"Who Wants to Live Forever" is a song by the English rock band Queen. The song is the sixth track on the album A Kind of Magic, released in June 1986, and was written by guitarist Brian May for the soundtrack to the film Highlander, directed by Russell Mulcahy...
".
Mercury commented that he wrote the lyrics first before adding the musical arrangements. The recording features elaborate four-part harmonies
Vocal harmony
Vocal harmony is a style of vocal music in which a consonant note or notes are sung at the same time as a main melody in a predominantly homophonic texture. Vocal harmonies are used in many subgenres of European art music, including Classical choral music and opera and in the popular styles from...
(particularly in the chorus
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
es, and also providing backing parts in the verses), and also an elaborate multitracked
Multitrack recording
Multitrack recording is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole...
guitar solo by 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...
, including use of the "bell effect
Bell effect
The bell effect, also known colloquially as "bells", is a technique used in musical arrangement in which single notes of a chord are played in sequence by separate instruments which sustain their individual notes to allow the chord to be heard. It is, in effect, an arpeggio played by several...
".
The song, in the first line, mentions the phrase "Let them eat cake
Let Them Eat Cake
"Let them eat cake" is the traditional translation to English of the French phrase "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche", supposedly spoken by "a great princess" upon learning that the peasants had no bread...
", a phrase attributed Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette ; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was an Archduchess of Austria and the Queen of France and of Navarre. She was the fifteenth and penultimate child of Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I....
: Let them eat cake, she said; Just like Marie Antoinette.
Recording sessions
Besides using a grand piano as usual, Mercury overdubbed the song with an upright (credited as "jangle piano"), to give the track a vaudevilleVaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
sound. At one point there are two bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
s, one of which does a descending run. Contrary to songs for the first two Queen albums, this one was partly recorded outside England, at Rockfield Studios
Rockfield Studios
Rockfield Studios, near Monmouth in Wales and just outside the village of Rockfield, Monmouthshire are where many of British rock music’s most successful recordings have been made.-History:...
in Wales.
Queen on the record
Freddie Mercury:Brian May:
Live performances
The song was played from 1974–78 live in a medleyMedley (music)
In music, a medley is a piece composed from parts of existing pieces, usually three, played one after another, sometimes overlapping. They are common in popular music, and most medleys are songs rather than instrumental. A medley which is a remixed series is called a megamix, often done with tracks...
. In 1974, the song was played following "In the Lap of the Gods
Sheer Heart Attack
Sheer Heart Attack is the third album by the British rock group Queen, released in November 1974. It was produced by Queen and Roy Thomas Baker and distributed by EMI in the United Kingdom, and Elektra in the United States....
", and in 1975–76, the song was played after "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...
". In 1977, the song was played as the introduction to a medley, followed by "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy", and in 1978, preceded "Bicycle Race
Bicycle Race
"Bicycle Race" is a single by the English rock band Queen. It was released on their 1978 album Jazz and written by Queen's frontman Freddie Mercury. It was released as a double A-side single together with the song "Fat Bottomed Girls". The song is notable for its video featuring a bicycle race with...
". In 1979, the band played most of the song, and after the guitar solo ended, the opening bars of "I'm in Love With My Car" were played. The song was played at the Montreal Forum
Montreal Forum
The Montreal Forum was an indoor arena located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Called "the most storied building in hockey history" by Sporting News, it was home of the National Hockey League's Montreal Maroons from 1924 to 1938 and the Montreal Canadiens from 1926 to 1996...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada in November 1981, and is recorded in the live album, Queen Rock Montreal
Queen Rock Montreal
Queen Rock Montreal is a live album by English rock band Queen. It was released in 2007 as a double CD / triple vinyl on 28 October in Australia, 29 October in Europe, and 30 October in the US....
. In 1984 and 1985, during The Works Tour
The Works Tour
The Works Tour was one of the largest tours by the English rock band Queen. During this tour, Queen participated in the Rock in Rio festival in 1985; the concert was released on VHS but there has not been a worldwide DVD release as of 2011...
, it was reintroduced in a medley following a truncated version of "Somebody to Love
Somebody to Love (Queen song)
"Somebody to Love" is a song by British rock band Queen. Written by lead vocalist and pianist Freddie Mercury, the track featured on their 1976 album A Day at the Races, and also appears on the band's compilation album, Greatest Hits...
".
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 vocal, piano, jangle piano, backing vocals - 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...
: electric guitar, 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, backing vocals (on stage only), triangle (on stage only) - Roger Taylor: drums, backing vocals, triangle, chimes, and Falsetto