It's A Hard Life

Album: The Works (1984)
Charted: 6 72
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a song written by Freddie Mercury. It's about the hardships of maintaining any kind of significant relationship with somebody and have that person's complete trust and all the other things you give to somebody when together. Brian May did an excellent guitar solo on the track. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Adam - Boyce, VA
  • On Queen's Greatest Video Hits 2 collection, Roger Taylor said that this was one of his favorite songs that Freddie Mercury wrote, but he absolutely HATED the music video and being a part of it. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Blaze - Hendersonville, TN
  • Musically, the song harks back to classic Queen rock ballads like "Play The Game" and "Save Me," and the piano parts sound strikingly similar in places to the classic first section from "Bohemian Rhapsody."

    The very high notes in the opening lines ("I don't want my freedom, there's no reason for living with a broken heart") proved problematic to sing live at times. Nevertheless, the emotion is palatable - and real, according to Brian May on the Greatest Hits 2-DVD commentary. "To my mind this is one of the most beautiful songs that Freddie ever wrote. It's straight from the heart, and he really opened up during the creation of it, I sat with him for hours and hours and hours just trying pull it away and get the most out of it. It's one of his loveliest songs."
  • The intro is based on an aria called "Vesti La Giubba" from the opera Pagliacci by Italian opera composer Ruggero Leoncavallo. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 9

  • Debby Scofield from MilwaukeeThis is my ultimate favorite Queen song. Watching Freddie's live performances of this song is breathtaking.
  • Stefan from UsaThis song is breathtaking, the live performance in Rio stunning, the video very inspiring. It’s so personal and we all can feel and agree to Freddie’s message…it’s truly a hard life! But to list to this really helps, sometimes every day!
  • Eda from TurkeyIt's a hard life, thank God there is Queen music to make it easier! This song is so beautiful and powerful. Although I love as always Freddie's videos I can not understand what he meant by this. I wish someone can tell me.
  • Abraxas from CroatiaSo deep...so emotional...so lifelike and true..copy paste to all of us...so peronal and "global" ( to mainkind )..we all can identify with these words and emotions
    THANK YOU FREDDIE for this invaluable..priceless gift(s)!!
    ..
    "This is a tricky situation
    I've only got myself to blame
    It's just a simple fact of life
    It can happen to any one..

    LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU SOOOO MUCH!
    Sanja... from Zagreb. Croatia
  • Margaret from Terre Haute IndianaLove this song LOVE FREDDIE can see why Roger hated his role in the video.
  • Kat from Adelaide, AustraliaThis was apparently Freddie's favourite song that Queen did. I love it too, Freddie! Love the over the top theatrics of the film clip too.
  • Mil from Milan, --One of my favourite Queen songs!
  • Dave from London, EnglandThe intro to this song (until "with a broken heart") uses the tune from 'Vesti la Giubba', an aria from 'I Pagliacci'. Check out http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky271W94VHA at about 2:08 for Pavarotti singing it - you can sing "I don't want my freedom / There's no reason for living" along with him!!
  • Lindsay from Coweta, OkI absolutely love this song. It's sad and sweet and absolutely true.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?