Released: July 6, 1973

Songwriter: Brian May

Producer: John Anthony Roy Thomas Baker Queen

[Intro]
Taking off

[Verse 1]
I was told a million times of all the troubles in my way
Mind you grow a little wiser, little better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Bread and butter for a smile
Well I sold a million mirrors in a shop in Alley Way
But I never saw my face in any window any day
Now they say your folks are telling you
"Be a superstar"
But I tell you, just be satisfied
And stay right where you are

[Chorus]
Keep yourself alive (Yeah)
Keep yourself alive (Ooh)
Take you all your time and your money
Honey, you'll survive

[Verse 2]
Well, I've loved a million women in a belladonnic haze
And I ate a million dinners brought to me on silver trays
Give me everything I need
To feed my body and my soul
And I'll grow a little bigger
Maybe that can be my goal
I was told a million times of all the people in my way
How I had to keep on trying and get better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I'd still be where I started
Same as when I started

[Chorus]
Keep yourself alive (Come on)
Keep yourself alive (Ooh)
Take you all your time and your money
Honey, you'll survive (Shake)

[Interlude]
(Ow!)

[Chorus]
Keep yourself alive (Whoa)
Keep yourself alive (Oh)
Take you all your time and your money
To keep me satisfied

[Bridge]
Do you think you're better every day?
No, I just think I'm two steps nearer to my grave

[Chorus]
Keep yourself alive (Come on)
Keep yourself alive (Ooh)
You take your time and take my money
Keep yourself alive

[Chorus]
Keep yourself alive (Come on)
Keep yourself alive
All you people, keep yourself alive

[Chorus]
Keep yourself alive (Come on, come on)
Keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and your money
To keep me satisfied

[Outro]
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
All you people, keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and money, honey
You will survive
Keep you satisfied
Keep yourself alive

Queen

Formed in 1970, Queen was a British rock band whose classic line-up consisted of Freddie Mercury on lead vocals and piano, Brian May on lead guitar, Roger Taylor on drums, and John Deacon on bass. Although Mercury and May wrote the bulk of the band’s material, all four contributed to the songwriting, churning out huge hits. Initially a progressive rock band with strong metal influences, their sound evolved dramatically over time. The band went on to refine, if not define “stadium rock,” as they grew to become one of the most beloved rock bands of all time.

Their early progressive phase spawned epic tracks like “March of the Black Queen” and one international hit “Killer Queen.” But it was their 1975 track “Bohemian Rhapsody” which catapulted the group to super-stardom. The song reigned at #1 on the UK charts for nine weeks and has since been praised as one of the greatest songs of all time

Moving away from their album-orientated sound, the band only grew in popularity with such songs as November 1976’s “Somebody to Love,” October 1977’s “We Are the Champions,” January 1979’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” June 1980’s “Another One Bites the Dust,” January 1984’s “Radio Ga Ga,” and many more. These songs are so beloved that a musical based on the band’s discography, titled We Will Rock You, became one of West-End’s longest-running shows with a 12-year run through May 2014—and more events being featured internationally, as well.