Guitarist Brian May wrote “Keep Yourself Alive” after the band had been formed, but before John Deacon joined, as confirmed by former bass player Barry Mitchell (on an unofficial Q&A session held on an online forum). According to what May said in a radio special about their 1977 album, News of t...
[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
Take you all your time and-a money, honey, you'll survive
[Verse 2]
Well, I've loved a million women in a belladonic haze
And I ate a million dinners brought to me on silver trays
Give me everythin' 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 tryin' 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
Take you all your time and-a money, honey, you'll survive (shake)
[Drum Solo]
[Guitar Solo]
(Ow!)
[Chorus]
Keep yourself alive (whoa), keep yourself alive
Oh, take you all your time and-a money to keep me satisfied
[Bridge: Roger Taylor & Brian May]
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
You take your time and take my money, keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive (come on), keep yourself alive
All you people, keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive (come on, come on), keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and-a money to keep me satisfied
Keep yourself alive, keep yourself alive
All you people, keep yourself alive
[Outro]
Take you all your time and money, honey, you will survive
Keep you satisfied, keep yourself alive…
Keep Yourself Alive was written by Brian May.
Keep Yourself Alive was produced by John Anthony & Roy Thomas Baker & Queen.
Queen released Keep Yourself Alive on Fri Jul 06 1973.
Brian May – 1983, BBC Radio One :
The first recording of it ever was in De Lane Lea when we did it ourselves and I’ve still got that recording and I think it’s very good and has something which the single never had. But THEY pressurised us very strongly to redo all the tracks and we redid ‘Keep You...