The Cosmos Rocks
Encyclopedia
The Cosmos Rocks is the debut studio album by Queen + Paul Rodgers
released on 15 September 2008 in Europe and 28 October 2008 in North America. It contains 14 new tracks written by Brian May
, Paul Rodgers
and Roger Taylor
. This is the first studio album of new material from the two remaining members of Queen since 1995's Made in Heaven
, and is the only studio collaboration to date with Paul Rodgers
. The album hit #5 in the UK and #1 in Estonia, where it stayed for ten weeks.
's continued retirement meant that bass duties are shared between Rodgers and May. The first single, "Say It's Not True
" was released nine months before the album was released. The second single, "C-lebrity
" was previewed on Al Murray's Happy Hour
in April, five months before the album was released. The album's release came 17 years after the death of Queen's lead singer, Freddie Mercury
, in 1991.
Note: The Japanese edition includes a CD audio version instead of the DVD.
album.
" from the album News of the World
, also written by May. The song features Rodgers on lead vocals, coupled with Taylor who also sings during the 'call and response' style chorus. It is probable that Queen + Paul Rodgers recreated the 1-1-2 beat, as the sample does not sound identical to the 1977 version.
An alternate version of the song is performed by stage actress and singer Kerry Ellis
. It is featured on her debut album Anthems
under the name of "I Loved a Butterfly". May produced the track and also contributed guitar.
. It was released as the second single from the album on 8 September 2008. Rodgers sings lead vocals, Taylor Hawkins
of Foo Fighters
sings additional backing vocals, and May plays bass guitar on the track.
On 4 August 2008 the track was premiered for the first time on Ken Bruce's radio show on BBC Radio 2. The single reached #33 in the UK pop singles chart and #1 on the UK Rock Charts.
's 46664
anti-AIDS campaign, and was debuted at the November 2003 concert. It features Taylor, May and Rodgers on vocals. It was released as a single on New Year's Eve 2007, but despite the fact that all proceeds went to 46664, it only peaked at #90 in the UK charts.
The song is sung as a duet between Rodgers and Taylor, and also features Rodgers playing harmonica (a skill showcased on several Paul Rodgers-era Bad Company songs, including "Oh, Atlanta" from 1979's Desolation Angels
). It is also the only Queen song to feature this instrument.
and Max Crook
and released as Shannon's hit debut single in 1961, this was originally planned to feature on the album but was later omitted, instead featuring as an iTunes store exclusive bonus track. The track was recorded during a jam session which lasted 12 minutes long but was later cut for the album.
. The band attempted to record it for the album but could not quite get it to sound right, so they decided to leave it unrecorded.
score of 42/100. According to Metacritic, the Cosmos Rocks holds the 28th place in the 'worst-reviewed' albums list. A review on website Pop and Rock gave it two out of five stars "the lyrics were stupid, trite, a bit offensive and bound to have an undermining effect on whatever musical efforts they put behind it". Critic website Pop Matters gave it a largely positive review, stating "Paul Rodgers breathes new life into Queen, while still keeping the band's tremendous legacy intact as they soldier forth with new material into the 21st century". Pop Matters gave the Album a 70/100. Mojo gave it a 60/100, stating "Occasionally they stumble, as on the clunky 'Warboys.' But with Rodgers' imperious, Queen's second coming is vindicated".
, Ukraine
which garnered 350,000 people. Over the course of the tour, Queen played to just short of a million viewers.
Queen + Paul Rodgers
Queen + Paul Rodgers was a supergroup collaboration between Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen and Paul Rodgers...
released on 15 September 2008 in Europe and 28 October 2008 in North America. It contains 14 new tracks written 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...
, Paul Rodgers
Paul Rodgers
Paul Bernard Rodgers is an English rock singer-songwriter, best known for his success in the 1970s as a member of Free and Bad Company. After stints in two less successful bands in the 1980s and early 1990s, The Firm and The Law, he became a solo artist. He has recently toured and recorded with...
and Roger Taylor
Roger Meddows-Taylor
Roger 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...
. This is the first studio album of new material from the two remaining members of Queen since 1995's Made in Heaven
Made in Heaven
Made in Heaven is the fifteenth studio album by British rock group Queen and the final one to feature lead singer Freddie Mercury and bassist John Deacon, released on 6 November 1995...
, and is the only studio collaboration to date with Paul Rodgers
Paul Rodgers
Paul Bernard Rodgers is an English rock singer-songwriter, best known for his success in the 1970s as a member of Free and Bad Company. After stints in two less successful bands in the 1980s and early 1990s, The Firm and The Law, he became a solo artist. He has recently toured and recorded with...
. The album hit #5 in the UK and #1 in Estonia, where it stayed for ten weeks.
History
The band entered Roger Taylor's Priory studio in late 2006 having completed the American leg of their world tour. Sessions were initially scheduled around Rodgers' other touring commitments. On the previous tour the band had debuted a new song, "Take Love", which did not make the album. Throughout the promotion for his solo tour, Rodgers' also debuted songs such as "Warboys", and "Voodoo". John DeaconJohn Deacon
John 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...
's continued retirement meant that bass duties are shared between Rodgers and May. The first single, "Say It's Not True
Say It's Not True
"Say It's Not True" is the first studio single by Queen + Paul Rodgers, It was released on World AIDS Day 1 December 2007. The song was available as a free download from QueenOnline.com. The track is written by drummer Roger Taylor and features all 3 members on vocal...
" was released nine months before the album was released. The second single, "C-lebrity
C-lebrity
"C-lebrity" is the second single from The Cosmos Rocks album by Queen + Paul Rodgers. It received its live debut on the series finale of ITV's Al Murray's Happy Hour. The song tells the story from the point of view of an aspiring celebrity, who does not let their apparent lack of talent hold them...
" was previewed on Al Murray's Happy Hour
Al Murray's Happy Hour
Al Murray's Happy Hour was a chat show presented by comedian Al Murray and produced by Avalon TV. The first series aired in early 2007. It is broadcast on the British terrestrial TV network, ITV, and the first series was broadcast on Saturday nights at 10pm. The second series aired on Fridays at 10pm...
in April, five months before the album was released. The album's release came 17 years after the death of Queen's 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...
, in 1991.
Track listing
Limited edition bonus DVD (Super Live in Japan – Highlights)
- "Reaching Out" (Hill/Black)
- "Tie Your Mother DownTie Your Mother Down"Tie Your Mother Down" is a song by the English rock group Queen, written by guitarist Brian May. It is the opening track and the second single from their 1976 album A Day at the Races...
" (May) - "Fat Bottomed GirlsFat Bottomed Girls"Fat Bottomed Girls" is a song by the English rock band Queen. Written by guitarist Brian May, the track featured on their 1978 album Jazz, and also appears on the band's compilation album, Greatest Hits...
" (May) - "Another One Bites the DustAnother One Bites the Dust"Another One Bites the Dust" is a song by the English rock band Queen. Written by bass guitarist John Deacon, the song featured on the group's eighth studio album The Game . The song was a worldwide hit, charting number one on the United States Billboard Hot 100, number two on the R&B charts and...
" (Deacon) - "Fire and Water" (Rodgers/Andy FraserAndy FraserAndy Fraser is an English songwriter and bass guitarist whose career has lasted over forty years and includes a notable period as one of the founding members, in 1968, at age 15, of the rock band Free.-Peak years :...
) - "Crazy Little Thing Called LoveCrazy Little Thing Called Love"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is a song by the rock band Queen. Written by Freddie Mercury in 1979, the track featured on their 1980 album The Game, and also appears on the band's compilation album, Greatest Hits...
" (Mercury) - "Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)is a song from the 1976 Queen album A Day at the Races and is written by guitarist Brian May. It is the closing track on the album.The song is notable for having two choruses sung entirely in Japanese, and it was released as a single exclusively in Japan, reaching #49 on the charts...
" (May) - "These Are the Days of Our LivesThese Are the Days of Our Lives"These Are the Days of Our Lives" is a song by English rock band Queen. It was written largely by their drummer Roger Taylor, and is the eighth track on the band's 1991 album Innuendo. It is harmonically and structurally one of the simplest songs of the band's catalogue...
" (Queen) - "Radio Ga GaRadio Ga Ga"Radio Ga Ga" is a 1984 song performed and recorded by the British rock band Queen, written by their drummer Roger Taylor. It was released as a single with "I Go Crazy" by Brian May on the original B-side and was included on the album The Works...
" (Taylor) - "Can’t Get EnoughCan't Get Enough (Bad Company song)"Can't Get Enough" is a song by English supergroup Bad Company. It is their biggest-hit and is considered their most popular song which is from their 1974 self-titled debut album. As a single, this song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and #1 on Cashbox magazine's Top 100 Singles...
" (Mick RalphsMick RalphsMichael Geoffrey "Mick" Ralphs is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was a founding member of rock bands Mott the Hoople and Bad Company.-Career:...
) - "I Was Born to Love YouI Was Born to Love You (song)"I Was Born to Love You" is a 1985 song by Freddie Mercury, and was released as a single and on the Mr. Bad Guy album. After Mercury's death, Queen remixed this song for their album Made in Heaven in 1995, by having the other members play their instrumental parts over the original track.The song...
" (Mercury) - "All Right NowAll Right Now"All Right Now" is a rock single by the English rock band Free. The song, released in mid-1970, hit #2 on the UK singles chart and #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. "All Right Now" originally appeared on the album Fire And Water, which Free recorded on the Island Records label, formed...
" (Rodgers/Fraser) - "We Will Rock YouWe Will Rock You"We Will Rock You" is a song written by Brian May and recorded and performed by Queen for their 1977 album News of the World. Rolling Stone ranked it #330 of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004, and the RIAA placed it at #146 on its list of Songs of the Century...
" (May) - "We Are the ChampionsWe Are the Champions"We Are the Champions" is a power ballad written by Freddie Mercury, recorded and performed by British rock band Queen for their 1977 album News of the World. One of their most famous and popular songs, it remains among rock's most recognisable anthems...
" (Mercury) - "God Save the QueenGod Save the Queen"God Save the Queen" is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown Dependencies. The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of the current monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns...
" (Trad.)
Note: The Japanese edition includes a CD audio version instead of the DVD.
Cosmos Rockin'
This is a song dealing with partying and generally having a good time. Its working title was "Whole House Rockin'". May confirmed it was written by Taylor. Rodgers sings all the lead, with the chorus vocals dominated by Taylor. The introductory distortion is reminiscent of the 1985 hit "One Vision", and of the film dialogues from the beginning of the Flash GordonFlash Gordon (album)
-Personnel:* John Deacon: bass guitar, rhythm guitar, synthesizer* Brian May: lead guitar, backing vocals, synthesizer, piano on "Flash's Theme" and "The Hero," co-lead vocals on "Flash's Theme," guitar orchestration on "The Wedding March"...
album.
Time to Shine
This track was written by Rodgers, according to an interview with the three of them published on May's website. It also features him singing all vocals.Still Burnin'
This song was written by May. It briefly samples the famous "stomp, stomp, clap" of the band's previous 1977 hit "We Will Rock YouWe Will Rock You
"We Will Rock You" is a song written by Brian May and recorded and performed by Queen for their 1977 album News of the World. Rolling Stone ranked it #330 of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004, and the RIAA placed it at #146 on its list of Songs of the Century...
" from the album News of the World
News of the World (album)
News of the World is the sixth studio album by British rock group Queen, released in 1977. Containing hit songs "We Will Rock You", "We Are the Champions" and "Spread Your Wings", the album went 4x platinum in the US, 2x platinum in the UK, and achieved high certifications around the world as...
, also written by May. The song features Rodgers on lead vocals, coupled with Taylor who also sings during the 'call and response' style chorus. It is probable that Queen + Paul Rodgers recreated the 1-1-2 beat, as the sample does not sound identical to the 1977 version.
Warboys
"Warboys" was written by Rodgers as a protest song against war. It was given the subtitle "A Prayer for Peace" to make it clear as to what the intention of the song was. It was debuted as one of two new songs by Rodgers on his 2007 tour of Britain, although it was unclear whether this new song had been written for the then upcoming Queen + Paul Rodgers album. It first appeared on Rodgers' solo live album and DVD Live in Glasgow, and was later performed solely by Rodgers on acoustic guitar on a radio show after listeners called in to request something to be played from the new album. It was officially revealed as an album track in August 2008. It features Rodgers playing acoustic guitar, and also samples many rifle noises. Taylor also sings additional vocals on this track along with Rodgers' lead.We Believe
"We Believe" was written by May. It is the longest song on the album. It is mainly sung solely by Rodgers, but the end does feature singing from all three band members. An edited version of the song has been released as a promo single in Italy.Call Me
Written and sung solely by Rodgers, this song is a bluesy rocker. The vocals are a lighthearted take on love.Some Things That Glitter
This love song/piano ballad was penned by May. The track features Rodgers on piano.An alternate version of the song is performed by stage actress and singer Kerry Ellis
Kerry Ellis
Kerry Jane Ellis is an English stage actress and singer who is best known for her work in musical theatre and subsequent crossover into music...
. It is featured on her debut album Anthems
Anthems (Kerry Ellis album)
-Notes:* Tracks that were specifically written for this album.* Tracks that were originally songs by Queen.* Tracks 4, 5 and 10 were originally featured on Ellis' teaser album, Wicked in Rock....
under the name of "I Loved a Butterfly". May produced the track and also contributed guitar.
C-lebrity
Taylor wrote the song about obsession with instant stardom. It received its live debut on the series finale of ITV's Al Murray's Happy HourAl Murray's Happy Hour
Al Murray's Happy Hour was a chat show presented by comedian Al Murray and produced by Avalon TV. The first series aired in early 2007. It is broadcast on the British terrestrial TV network, ITV, and the first series was broadcast on Saturday nights at 10pm. The second series aired on Fridays at 10pm...
. It was released as the second single from the album on 8 September 2008. Rodgers sings lead vocals, Taylor Hawkins
Taylor Hawkins
Oliver Taylor Hawkins is an American musician, best known as the drummer of the rock band Foo Fighters....
of Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
sings additional backing vocals, and May plays bass guitar on the track.
On 4 August 2008 the track was premiered for the first time on Ken Bruce's radio show on BBC Radio 2. The single reached #33 in the UK pop singles chart and #1 on the UK Rock Charts.
Through the Night
Written by Rodgers, this song is about someone who believes their life is almost at an end, and asks the person they are in love with to help them through their hardship.Say It's Not True
"Say It's Not True" was originally written by Taylor for Nelson MandelaNelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
's 46664
46664 (number)
46664 is a series of AIDS charity concerts played in honour of Nelson Mandela by South African musicians in the 2000s.-Origin:Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island in 1964, and was the 466th prisoner to arrive that year...
anti-AIDS campaign, and was debuted at the November 2003 concert. It features Taylor, May and Rodgers on vocals. It was released as a single on New Year's Eve 2007, but despite the fact that all proceeds went to 46664, it only peaked at #90 in the UK charts.
Surf's Up... School's Out!
Written by Taylor, this harks back to the old Roger Taylor-written songs about youth and rebellion.The song is sung as a duet between Rodgers and Taylor, and also features Rodgers playing harmonica (a skill showcased on several Paul Rodgers-era Bad Company songs, including "Oh, Atlanta" from 1979's Desolation Angels
Desolation Angels
Desolation Angels is a 1979 album by the hard rock band Bad Company. It was their 5th studio release. Paul Rodgers revealed on In the Studio with Redbeard that the album's title came from the novel of the same name by Jack Kerouac.Desolation Angels was recorded at Ridge Farm Studios in Surrey,...
). It is also the only Queen song to feature this instrument.
Small Reprise
This is a slower, shorter, mostly instrumental version of the earlier album track.Runaway
Originally written by Del ShannonDel Shannon
Del Shannon was an American rock and roll singer-songwriter who had a No. 1 hit, "Runaway", in 1961.- Biography :...
and Max Crook
Max Crook
Maxfield Doyle Crook is an American musician, a pioneer of electronic music in pop. He probably remains best known as the featured soloist on Del Shannon's 1961 hit "Runaway", which he co-wrote and on which he played his own invention, the Musitron...
and released as Shannon's hit debut single in 1961, this was originally planned to feature on the album but was later omitted, instead featuring as an iTunes store exclusive bonus track. The track was recorded during a jam session which lasted 12 minutes long but was later cut for the album.
Take Love
Believed to have been written by Rodgers, this song was debuted on the North American and Japanese legs of 2005/2006 Queen + Paul Rodgers TourQueen + Paul Rodgers Tour
Queen + Paul Rodgers Tour was a world concert tour by Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, joined by singer Paul Rodgers under the moniker of Queen + Paul Rodgers. The tour was Queen's first since the Magic Tour in 1986, and the death of lead singer Freddie Mercury in November 1991...
. The band attempted to record it for the album but could not quite get it to sound right, so they decided to leave it unrecorded.
Singles
Three singles were released from the album:- "Say It's Not True" was the lead singleLead singleA lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
from the album, released in the UK on 31 December 2007; it reached #90 in the British charts although had been available as free download for some time. Its video features many clips of the suffering in South Africa as well as clips from Nelson MandelaNelson MandelaNelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
's 46664 concerts. The single was released for the 46664 charity, with all proceeds being donated there.
- "C-lebrity" was released as the album's second single on 8 September 2008, reaching #33 in the UK singles charts. Its B-side was a recording of "Fire and Water" live in Japan.
- "We Believe" was released as a promo single in Italy, and reached #1 in th Virgin radio charts. It was edited down from its original 6 minute album version to a more manageable 3 minutes.
Critical reaction
Cosmos Rocks received a MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
score of 42/100. According to Metacritic, the Cosmos Rocks holds the 28th place in the 'worst-reviewed' albums list. A review on website Pop and Rock gave it two out of five stars "the lyrics were stupid, trite, a bit offensive and bound to have an undermining effect on whatever musical efforts they put behind it". Critic website Pop Matters gave it a largely positive review, stating "Paul Rodgers breathes new life into Queen, while still keeping the band's tremendous legacy intact as they soldier forth with new material into the 21st century". Pop Matters gave the Album a 70/100. Mojo gave it a 60/100, stating "Occasionally they stumble, as on the clunky 'Warboys.' But with Rodgers' imperious, Queen's second coming is vindicated".
Personnel
- Brian May – guitar, bass, vocals, keyboards, piano
- Paul Rodgers – lead vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards, harmonica
- Roger Taylor – drums, percussion, vocals, keyboards
- Taylor HawkinsTaylor HawkinsOliver Taylor Hawkins is an American musician, best known as the drummer of the rock band Foo Fighters....
– backing vocals on "C-lebrity"
Charts
| Country | |Sales | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak position | Weeks | Certification | Sales | |
| Estonia | 1 | 10 | ||
| Czech Republic | 4 | 7 | ||
| Germany | 4 | 7 | ||
| Switzerland | 5 | 7 | ||
| United Kingdom | 5 | 6 | ||
| Italy | 6 | 5 | ||
| Netherlands | 8 | 7 | ||
| Greece | 9 | 1 | ||
| Austria | 11 | 8 | ||
| Hungary | 15 | 1 | ||
| Finland | 15 | 2 | ||
| Belgium Wa | 16 | 7 | ||
| Belgium Vl | 18 | 8 | ||
| Spain | 20 | 6 | ||
| Denmark | 24 | 1 | ||
| Sweden | 24 | 5 | ||
| Portugal | 25 | 1 | ||
| France | 28 | 4 | ||
| Norway | 31 | 1 | ||
| Canada | 33 | 1 | ||
| Japan | 40 | 6 | ||
| Malta | 20 | 2 | ||
| United States | 47 | 2 | ||
| 37,144 | ||||
| Ireland | 47 | 1 | ||
| Australia | 49 | 1 | ||
Formats
- Standard CD
- Special Edition CD and DVD
- Tour Edition (Queen Online only)
- Gatefold Vinyl
- iTunes Music Store edition
Tour
The "Rock the Cosmos Tour" began in September 2008 to promote the release of this album. The opening date was recorded for a DVD release, and was broadcast across digital video theatres across the United States on 6 November 2008 under the title "Let the Cosmos Rock". The tour included one of the largest open air concerts in KharkivKharkiv
Kharkiv or Kharkov is the second-largest city in Ukraine.The city was founded in 1654 and was a major centre of Ukrainian culture in the Russian Empire. Kharkiv became the first city in Ukraine where the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed in December 1917 and Soviet government was...
, Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
which garnered 350,000 people. Over the course of the tour, Queen played to just short of a million viewers.
External links
- Queen Archives – The Cosmos Rocks interviews and reviews