Queen

Released: May 21, 1982

Songwriter: Freddie Mercury

Producer: Reinhold Mack Queen

[Verse 1]
Guilt stains on my pillow
Blood on my terraces
Torsos in my closet
Shadows from my past

[Chorus]
Life is real, life is real
Life is real, so real

[Verse 2]
Sleeping is my leisure
Waking up in a minefield
Dream is just a pleasure dome
Love is a roulette wheel

[Chorus]
Life is real, life is real
Life is real, oh yeah

[Bridge]
Success is my breathing space
I brought it on myself
I will price it
I will cash it
I can take it or leave it
Loneliness is my hiding place
Breastfeeding myself
What more can I say
I have swallowed the bitter pill
I can taste it, I can taste it

[Chorus]
Life is real, life is real
Life is real

[Verse 3]
Music will be my mistress
Loving like a whore
Lennon is a genius
Living in every pore

[Chorus]
Life is real, life is real
Life is real, so real

[Outro]
Life is cruel
Life is a bitch
Life is real, so real
Life is real, life is real
Yeah, life is real

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.

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