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Queen — Keep Yourself Alive
Album: Classic Queen
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1374









Released: 1973
Length: 3:38
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I was told a million times
Of all the troubles in my way
Tried to grow a little wiser
Little better ev'ry 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
Well they say your folks are telling you
To be a superstar
But I tell you just be satisfied
To stay right where you are

Keep yourself alive keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money
Honey you'll survive

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 ev'rything 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 ev'ry 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

Keep yourself alive keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money
Honey you'll survive

Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and a money
To keep me satisfied
Do you think you're better ev'ry day?
No I think I'm two steps nearer to my grave
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive mm
You take your time and take more money
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
It'll take you all your time and money
To keep me satisfied
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and money
Honey you'll survive

Keep you satisfied
Keep you satisfied.
Comments (274)add comment
Brian May isn't always remembered in the discussion of truly great guitarists, but he has such a distinct tone and style. Love it!
I am pretty sure this version of song was released in 1973, not 1989... But there is indeed a live version that was released in 1989.
It makes me feel pretty old picturing someone in, say, 1983 jumping up and dancing to a song from 1934.  Or maybe I'm looking at it wrong -- I'm not that old and this music is just timeless.
 Aaronosteo wrote:

This song is almost FIFTY YEARS OLD!



Not everything gets better with age
 coloradojohn wrote:

Nice rocker from a golden age!  Also recall jamming hard to a piece they did from one of their first two records:  Seven Seas of Rhye...  we knew even then that it just didn't get any better than these guys were in their day!  ROCKIN'; LOVE IT!

this and Tie Your Mother Down - perfect for the dance clubs back in the day

 dmcanany wrote:


You mean, considering he was gay?


Except he was bi.
This song is almost FIFTY YEARS OLD!
 unclehud wrote:

They put a note on their album covers: "No synthesizers were used in the making of this music," or some such.  That's what got me listening.  Too bad they couldn't hold together after Mr. Mercury died.



Dire Straits - Knopfler
Police - Sting

Some people are just irreplacable!
 Pioneer_Sing wrote:
They should play this in hospitals around the world
 
or better. conor oberst's 'i don't want to die in the hospital"
 JFL wrote:
So many memories.... This 14 year old sitting on his bedroom floor, headphones on, switching between air guitar and air drums. Now 54, still doing the same thing.
 
same here except i dont sit on the floor these days; too far down and further back up.
They should play this in hospitals around the world
They opened for Thin Lizzy at Winterland in San Francisco. What a show!
Ericocean wrote:
Great choice, saw them play this in 1977.  Way to dig deep for this great band.
 

So many memories.... This 14 year old sitting on his bedroom floor, headphones on, switching between air guitar and air drums. Now 54, still doing the same thing.
 Chewie wrote:
Curious to know where this particular version is from - is it an alternate take? So very similar, but definitely doesn't sound like it does on the album 
 
Heh.  I came here to make the same observation.  It sounds like a different mix.
We appreciate you caring about us, Bill; and we all hope you and Rebecca do the same. <3
Curious to know where this particular version is from - is it an alternate take? So very similar, but definitely doesn't sound like it does on the album 

 
Larrygrrl wrote:
Well this appropriate today with Covid-19 running amok! 
 

Yes. More older Queen. No Brainer.
 TJS wrote:


I'm not buying the first part of this...
 

You mean, considering he was gay?
Well this appropriate today with Covid-19 running amok! 
 Cynaera wrote:

I SO miss Freddie Mercury - sure, he was a drama-queen (HAR!), but oh, the man had timing, pipes, and a flair for what worked and what didn't.  I still love Queen, individually and as a group.  I think the only people I mourned the loss of more than Mercury were George Harrison and John Lennon...

 

Miss you so much, Cynaera...

everybody in my church loves this song...
 
I got this vibe tonight:  Melodramatic.  Yessir, and they played with the amazingness to put that melodrama into it.  
FINALLY a Queen song that jams out! Wonder if this was my upload?
 vandal wrote:
Well I've loved a million women
In a belladonic haze
And I ate a million dinners
Brought to me on silver trays
 
 

I'm not buying the first part of this...
...am liking the astrophysicist on guitar...
Sadly Freddy was unable to follow his own advice.
Nice rocker from a golden age!  Also recall jamming hard to a piece they did from one of their first two records:  Seven Seas of Rhye...  we knew even then that it just didn't get any better than these guys were in their day!  ROCKIN'; LOVE IT!
Great choice, saw them play this in 1977.  Way to dig deep for this great band.
 billybob123 wrote:
What a great set, spanning three decades of great music.  Thanks Bill, RP is the best!

Queen - Keep Yourself Alive
Steely Dan - Don't Take Me Alive
Simple Minds - Alive & Kicking
Gorillaz - Demon Days
 
I was just thinking that I enjoy hearing the three oldest songs occasionally but get uneasy when RP plays FM radio chestnuts like these in a string. If I wanted to listen to a block of 70-80AOR rock I'd tune into a nostalgia station. I do appreciate though that mixing old and new is a balancing act that Bill does quite well overall. 

OK...Bill's back in the present with The Black Keys. A trip in the time machine is just fine as long as it's not too long... 

Well I've loved a million women
In a belladonic haze
And I ate a million dinners
Brought to me on silver trays
 

Queen is for me a band who's music I mostly like when I hear it played on the radio, but I would'nt turn up myself easily...
This absolutely freakin rocks man
best queen song ever.
 unclehud wrote:
They put a note on their album covers: "No synthesizers were used in the making of this music," or some such.  That's what got me listening.  Too bad they couldn't hold together after Mr. Mercury died.
 
They did introduce synths on The Game and the little note was almost an apology...
 GregX59 wrote:
The dude had some pipes, didn't he?
 
I SO miss Freddie Mercury - sure, he was a drama-queen (HAR!), but oh, the man had timing, pipes, and a flair for what worked and what didn't.  I still love Queen, individually and as a group.  I think the only people I mourned the loss of more than Mercury were George Harrison and John Lennon...

OMG, this guy's totally copying the guy from Muse. But wait, Queen came before Muse.

Duped into liking them, I feel as though Ive been "Mused."
Thank you!!!!
The dude had some pipes, didn't he?
What a great set, spanning three decades of great music.  Thanks Bill, RP is the best!

Queen - Keep Yourself Alive
Steely Dan - Don't Take Me Alive
Simple Minds - Alive & Kicking
Gorillaz - Demon Days

Ah, I love Queen and I love this song. Turn it up!!!
My single all-time favorite Queen song.  Then and still.
 Dave_Mack wrote:
Love the phasey guitar.
 
Hot damn, but Brian May could crank a good riff.

They put a note on their album covers: "No synthesizers were used in the making of this music," or some such.  That's what got me listening.  Too bad they couldn't hold together after Mr. Mercury died.
Nice stereo effects...
Love the phasey guitar.
 mrdak wrote:
Bill should follow this one with Liar!  {#Yes}
 
Totally agree!  And this song is VERY timely for the world conditions of today..... {#Yes}
Bill should follow this one with Liar!  {#Yes}
the intro here effortlessly holds up until today. It would get a 9 if some of the rest wouldn't give away it's real age. The song is pretty cool anyway! {#Guitarist}
Ok..TURN IT UP....{#Dancingbanana_2}

How can this not be highly rated...?

From the early Queen days - their best music - excellent!


I´ve always felt sorry for the non-monarchic Queen haters...missed them in Venezuela back in 1980 I think after the death of an ex president, which led to the cancellation of the last 3 dates out of 5. On Christmas day I always parody Freddie and shout to my kids "helloooo you rock and rollers, having a good Christmas?" as in a famous concert I had on Betamax tapes!
Always was a sucker for a fazed guitar or drums!
Yay!
 rtwingo wrote:
Never heard this before {#Eek}
Nice... {#Dancingbanana}
 
I see by your birthdate you spent many of your formative years in the 1990's and never were exposed to this fine early Queen rave-up.

If you were born 20 years earlier and lived in the U.S. midwest in the mid-1970's, you would have heard almost every bad ballroom/bar band wearing their finest "thrift store glam apparel" open their set with it. 

That said, they still didn't butcher it enough for me to get tired of it, and I even bought a CD reissue of the first album.


This was the first song I'd ever heard by Queen, back in the day. And I still love it.  It's the very best of the band, for that time. They just kept getting better, but I love this whole album - so many good songs!  Thank you to whoever uploaded this - could we get "Stormtrooper In Stilettos" or "39"?

Thanks!  I love Queen...
B    plus.plus.plus
Thank you Radio Paradise.  This is one of my favs.
 BKardon wrote:
This isn't my favorite song ever from Queen, but I'll take it.  It seems many people think the band is nothing more than We Will Rock You and Another One Bites The Dust.  They made some fantastic music beyond the radio-friendly cuts that is worth checking out.
 

too true!!
 Akaiila wrote:

Can't really agree with you there - I'd have to go with 'underplayed for a reason.'
 

...pinhead
This isn't my favorite song ever from Queen, but I'll take it.  It seems many people think the band is nothing more than We Will Rock You and Another One Bites The Dust.  They made some fantastic music beyond the radio-friendly cuts that is worth checking out.
See NOW your cookin....turning it up now...
this is probably certainly my least liked band ever on rp o well
maybe it's good forme


...,';;......,,''.;.;.....
nope
Never heard this before {#Eek}
Nice... {#Dancingbanana}
Good segue from Muse - these two bands have much in common...
Probably my favorite Queen song...
 More_Cowbell wrote:
Rock and Roll Music...Nice!
 
Something we don't hear nearly enough of on RP these days.

I miss the station that billed itself as playing eclectic, intelligent, rock.

This rocks nicely.


i am hoping to stay alive.  thanks.
 brewcity wrote:
Nice musical nugget from Queen. Underplayed and underrated!!!{#Roflol}
 
Can't really agree with you there - I'd have to go with 'underplayed for a reason.'
Nice musical nugget from Queen. Underplayed and underrated!!!{#Roflol}
"Tie your mother down" is another good one, Bill grab pen and paper ;)
I'm with you on this one. Most overplayed song this side of Stairway to Heaven. Bohemian Rhapsody, that is.

Al_Koholic wrote:

Really? 2,573,865 times wasn't enough?



Man, Mr. May could play even on their first. Amazing. {#Notworthy}
Xeric wrote:
I'd rather hear "Bohemian Rhapsody." Really.

Really?  2,573,865 times wasn't enough?

Wow...Been a while since I heard this. Still pretty good.
{#Dancingbanana_2}
Bravo!! 
Oh, yeah, baby, yeah!! {#Dancingbanana_2}
I'd rather hear "Bohemian Rhapsody."  Really.
this and others from this queen era always make me smile and take me back in time.
 Jungle_Jim wrote:
Great bit of early Queen - the first two albums - actually the first six albums - are a treasure. They weren't the only ones who couldn't keep the standard up forever.
 
Give (The Miracle) a listen, IMO it was one of there best since (Night at the Opera)

I LOVE THIS SONG
Thank you!
Rock & Roll 
Great bit of early Queen - the first two albums - actually the first six albums - are a treasure. They weren't the only ones who couldn't keep the standard up forever.
 stewliscious wrote:
Loud, dirty rock n' roll....thatsa very nice
 
Right on, bub! Their first album was a treasure. {#Clap}
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Just not in the mood for this today, thank goodness Porcupine Tree follows...
 
Yeah, can't wait to get all depressed and introspective again.

 stewliscious wrote:
Loud, dirty rock n' roll....thatsa very nice
 
Wow—really?  Sounds more like very smooth, very carefully planned, very . . . oh, "fake" comes to mind . . . commercial rock.  To me.  YMMV!  {#Lol}
 DoctorHooey wrote:


Yeah, well I hung with Beethoven after the debut of the 9th Symphony. I tell you this - dude could HEAR. It was all a show. Marketing genius, he was.

Now where's my home defibrelator?
 
{#Lol}

AWRIGHT!!!

Bill, I'm beggin ya, let's rock a bit more ...

This is a GREAT start.



{#Dancingbanana_2}
DoctorHooey wrote:
Yeah, well I hung with Beethoven after the debut of the 9th Symphony. I tell you this - dude could HEAR. It was all a show. Marketing genius, he was. Now where's my home defibrelator?


{#Roflol}{#Roflol}

but dude, dont get me started on Mozart...........total twat.............did i ever tell u about the time.........
Loud, dirty rock n' roll....thatsa very nice
Rock and Roll Music...Nice!
 EssexTex wrote:
Oh the irony

 
{#Roflol}

Art_Carnage wrote:
Not one of their best.
It was the first thing they ever recorded. It hinted at the qualities we would come to associate with Queen, from Brian May's guitar work to their use of the studio as an instrument. And it rocks. Not one of their best indeed ...
Would love to hear more Queen in the rotation.
Art_Carnage wrote:
Not one of their best.
Yeah, but that's like saying that silver isn't that precious of a metal.
Not one of their best.
There are not enough ways to detail the ways that I love this station. Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you.
Oh the irony
Funny that we have the a very similar lineup today..Shesdifferent wrote:
Just not in the mood for this today, thank goodness Porcupine Tree follows...
acidreflucks wrote:
Whats that I hear you youngsters squabbling about ? eh? Speak up..I saw the Rolling Stones open for Bo Diddly so there... And anyone remember Lord Buckley? Nurse...?
Yeah, well I hung with Beethoven after the debut of the 9th Symphony. I tell you this - dude could HEAR. It was all a show. Marketing genius, he was. Now where's my home defibrelator?
Misterfixit wrote:
Oh yeah? Oh Yeah? Well I saw Patsy Cline open for Hank Williams at the Ryman .. so there. Walker? who needs one .. I got my zero-turn radius Medicare Scooter from WlMart. Now get outta my way!
Whats that I hear you youngsters squabbling about ? eh? Speak up..I saw the Rolling Stones open for Bo Diddly so there... And anyone remember Lord Buckley? Nurse...?
Okay, I saw Wet Willie and War open for the Guess Who, and the Grateful Dead open for Dylan and Petty. Getting old. Crap!
Just not in the mood for this today, thank goodness Porcupine Tree follows...
Darkmatter wrote:
Hah, at least Uncyclopedia got it right. Queen rules!
Wow! Thanks for the link to Uncyclopedia. I hadn't yet discovered this Wiki satire, and it looks like I'll be laughing a little more in the upcoming days.
Hah, at least Uncyclopedia got it right. Queen rules!
siandbeth wrote:
Well, I saw GunsNRoses open for The Cult, and Judas Priest open for UFO. In the little ole Santa Cruz Civic, no less! When you get back from your walk I have a lovely letter from my granddaughter to share with you.
Oh yeah? Oh Yeah? Well I saw Patsy Cline open for Hank Williams at the Ryman .. so there. Walker? who needs one .. I got my zero-turn radius Medicare Scooter from WlMart. Now get outta my way!
Everyone is all about Freddie on this thread, but that band is nothing without _the band_. Brian May's guitar is one unique and awesome force, for my money.
siandbeth wrote:
Well, I saw GunsNRoses open for The Cult, and Judas Priest open for UFO. In the little ole Santa Cruz Civic, no less! When you get back from your walk I have a lovely letter from my granddaughter to share with you.
I saw U2 open for the J Giels Band. Now where did I leave my cane?
there's absolutely no point in not liking queen...
Freddy Mercury forever! I will always remember the sad day he died
sfListener wrote:
Oh yeah?!! Well I saw ZZ Top open for Alice Cooper, Earth Wind and Fire open for Black Sabbath! Gotta go, the nurse is here to take me on my afternoon walk.
Well, I saw GunsNRoses open for The Cult, and Judas Priest open for UFO. In the little ole Santa Cruz Civic, no less! When you get back from your walk I have a lovely letter from my granddaughter to share with you.
sfListener wrote:
Oh yeah?!! Well I saw ZZ Top open for Alice Cooper, Earth Wind and Fire open for Black Sabbath! Gotta go, the nurse is here to take me on my afternoon walk.
LOL, I saw Van Halen open for Black Sabbath. Now, where's my d**n walker?
ziggytrix wrote:
the internet is full of people spewing "hatred" for anything and everything. it's amazing.
I hate the haters. Just joshin'. This is not my fave Queen material, but dang, Freddy Mercury could BRING IT! c.
was heading for the mute button, thinking it was that godawful Kings of Leon song, Knocked Up. Glad it wasn't!
Roverfish wrote:
Wow, where to start? Queen "bombastic and theatrical"...now there's a shocker!
no doubt. Saw them twice. Love Brian's guitar work...another killer riff at the beginning. Not my fave but an 8 anyway ed 11/15: Brian May guitar. What can you say? Too cool. Up to 9 because I just can't help myself
Volume can't Go Loud Enough !! Ratings either! 11+
fab4fan wrote:
The 1992 Rolling Stone Album Guide gives Queen a poor rating and said they were bombastic,theatrical...
Wow, where to start? Quoting RS as an authority...already covered here. Queen "bombastic and theatrical"...now there's a shocker! Of course Queen was, that's entirely the point. But for the time and place and the nauseous disco everywhere, Queen was a breath of fresh air. No, they're not the Beatles, and if the comparison is what bared your teeth, put 'em away. But there's no denying what an amazing vocal talent Freddie Mercury was. And for that alone, Queen's not worthy of such easy dismissal. This tune's likeable anyway, but there are so many so much better in their catalog.
Fortuantely for the rest of us, the Rolling Stone Record Guide means absolute sh*&. Rolling Stone has always been an arrogant, pompous rag that slammed Progressive rock, Heavy Metal and bands such as Queen. I have that same record guide you speak of and the critic, Mark Coleman, comes across as a smug condescending jackass who dogs Queen while, of course, frothing at the mouth over the Velvet Underground, one of the most overrated rock bands ever. We know, of course, that the Velvets are also a rock critic favorite. All music criticism is subjective, but as far I'm concerned the fact RS may not like a certain style or group means it most likely has infinite merit. Thank you *so* much tony0600 you really said the truth! I can't stand Queen I never could and I can't understand or believe that they are still popular especially with some young people! I guess compaired to a lot of the present new music garbage out there today,they think this cr*p is good! On Acclaimed Music.net which compiles many music reviews from many different rock critics from decades,Queen is # 113 but The Beatles are rightfully at # 1! The 1992 Rolling Stone Album Guide gives Queen a poor rating and said they were bombastic,theatrical overblown schlock rock that could have only happened in the 70's. They only gave 2 of their albums 3 stars,and gave every other album only 2 stars and none 4 stars! They said people should use caution in buying any of their albums because even their greatest hits sound dated! I knew I couldn't be alone in hating Queen so I typed on google.com in quotes "I hate Queen" or "Queen sucks" and many people on many pages turned up saying it! Also USA Today music editor Ken Barnes said on an online question and answer article,that he can't stand Queen and he said they were influential in all of the wrong ways!