Alternating two stomps and one stomp from the song We Will Rock You are now familiar to every athlete or fan, even if he is indifferent to the work of Queen, because this rhythm is performed in the stands during most of the competition. With it, fans support their favorite team and try to demoralize the opponent. The song “We will rock you” is one of the most recognizable and striking creations of the Queen group. From the first beats of the drum, it invigorates and energizes. I want to dance and shake my head to the beat. But almost no one thought about the meaning of this song. Behind the bright sound, the meaning was lost, which is very sad. But we decided to restore this “gap” in the knowledge of the listeners and tell about the meaning of the song.
Let’s remember how the legendary song of the cult rock band was written.
The story of creation and the meaning of the song We Will Rock You
In 1977 the band played a concert at Bingley Hall in Stafford. Having played the program, the musicians went backstage, but the audience, as usual, demanded them for an encore. And she did it not with applause, but with the help of the song You’ll Never Walk Alone, which is traditionally sung by football fans in stadiums around the world.
The members of Queen were very touched by this and, of course, returned to the stage. And Brian May (Brian May) decided to write a composition in the performance of which the listeners could take part. The next morning, he composed the rhythm, and a little later he wrote the lyrics.
It is curious that Freddie Mercury wrote the equally successful We Are the Champions the night before, and these two songs were destined to constantly accompany each other in the future. Queen often performed We Are the Champions following We Will Rock You. The songs are in the same order on the News of the World album. Later, DJs at radio stations also began to play them in a row without a break. Gradually, this custom took root.
But back to We Will Rock You. In the first version, it is performed without musical accompaniment, with the exception of the guitar solo in the final part. Freddie sings to a rhythm of two kicks and one clap.
A little history that will show the meaning of the song
Few people know, but the song was invented during the concert. The audience began to beat out a well-known rhythm in order to call the group for an encore. The performers were touched by such a sign of attention from the public, so they set about creating a song in which both the audience and the group would sing. So two compositions were created – “We are the champions” and “We will rock you”. Their goal was to get the crowd going, set the pace, and also allow the audience to take part in the concert. And the group was a success.
But you can’t create a song without meaning. Therefore, there is a need to learn about it by analyzing the lyrics of the song.
Recording and release
The song We Will Rock You was recorded in an abandoned London church, where the musicians stomped on a pile of planks. Then the audio tracks were manually superimposed on each other, slightly shifting in time. This created the effect of the participation of a large number of people.
During live performances, Roger Taylor set the rhythm, playing the drum kit. John Deacon’s bass guitar and Brian May’s guitar were connected to it. Also known is the fast version of We Will Rock You, which was not included in any of the group’s albums, although it was often performed at concerts.
Numerous We Will Rock You covers have since been recorded. The most successful was the variant of the group Five, rising to first place in the British single chart.
Rolling Stone ranked We Will Rock You number 338 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The composition is also featured in the Grammy Hall of Fame and the RIAA Songs of the Century catalog.
The meaning of Queen’s song “We will rock you”
The meaning of the song “We will rock you” No. 1. The desire to list all listeners
We will shake (light, shake – how not to translate) you – this is how the title of the song is translated. The group wanted to create a song that would be relevant, interesting and incendiary for everyone. In fact, it was created for an audience that wants a “powerful explosion” of emotions. In each verse, a person of different ages is listed: a teenager, an adult, an old man. In fact, it is each of the possible listeners. And it is them that Queen is trying to shake.
And it turns out that this rhythm has become known all over the world. He was reproduced in many films, songs, theatrical productions. The song instantly gained cult status, which was quite predictable. Well, such a masterpiece cannot fail to receive the approval of the listener.
The meaning of the song “We will rock you” No. 2. Growing up a man
One of the band members once stated that the song is a detailed description of a man growing up. And this idea is confirmed by the meaning of the lines.
Before us appears the maturation of a young man. At first he fools around, runs around, his face is covered in mud, but no one cares. Then he dreams of getting the whole world, but the dirt has not gone away – everyone forgives this shortcoming. But the older he gets, the more people around him condemn the very dirt on his face. This shows us that a man must, as he grows up, eliminate his own shortcomings, otherwise he can go beyond the level of a stupid child. Self-improvement is a must for an independent adult man. Otherwise, in old age, his shortcomings will show an insufficient level of his development.
Yes, this is very cruel, because a person can decide his own future. But the condemnation of society will not go anywhere from this. A man will be perceived as a clown, as a jester, but not as an adult. Deep, isn’t it?
This is such an odd song. The Queen group did not like to directly demonstrate the meaning of the song. The listener, according to the idea of the performers, had to find this meaning himself. And this strategy, perhaps, allowed to attract the attention of the audience to the songs of the group.
Interesting Facts
- In 2004, We Will Rock You was used in a Pepsi commercial starring Brian May, Roger Taylor, Beyoncé, Pink and Britney Spears.
- Brian May does not consider We Will Rock You to be a frivolous pop song meant to turn on the crowd. He claims that the text is about the transformation of a boy into a man.
- In honor of We Will Rock You, a musical based on the work of the band Queen was named.
- It is said that in the first draft of the text, the main phrase was “We Will Beat You”, but Mercury convinced May to replace the words.
We Will Rock You Lyrics
Buddy you’re a boy, make a big noise
Playin’ in the street, gonna be a big man someday
You’ve got mud on your face
You big disgrace
Kickin’ your can all over the place
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
Buddy you’re a young man hard man
Shoutin’ in the street, gonna take on the world someday
You’ve got blood on your face
You big disgrace
Wavin’ your banner all over the place
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
Buddy you’re an old man poor man
Pleadin’ with your eyes, gonna make you some peace someday
You’ve got mud on your face
You big disgrace
Somebody better put you back into your place
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
We Will Rock You Lyrics Alternative
Buddy, you’re the bragging boy
Playing in the street, but someday will become a man.
You have a dirty face
You’re not ashamed at all
Kicking a tin can down the street.
We are you, we will rock you.
We are you, we will rock you.
Buddy, you’re a young man, a tough guy,
Who yells in the street, but someday will own the world.
Your face is bled,
You’re not ashamed at all.-
Waving a poster in the street.
We are you, we will rock you.
We are you, we will rock you.
Buddy, you are an old man, poor fellow,
With a pleading look that someday will forever calm down.
You have a dirty face
You’re not ashamed at all
That someone more successful put you back in your place
We are you, we will rock you.
We are you, we will rock you.
