Misfire

Album: Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Queen's lyrics often reveal a quirky sense of humor, and this song seems to be about that peculiarly male problem of premature ejaculation. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Peter - Sydney, Australia
  • "Misfire" is notable in that it is the first song John Deacon was credited for writing in Queen history. His bandmates often noted in interviews how he was very shy and cautious about putting forward his suggestions for songs, not thinking that they were good enough for consideration. The band gently coaxed him out of his shell, though, and he became something of a "secret weapon" (as described my keyboardist Fred Mandel in the Days of our Lives documentary) for the group, writing "major hits out of nowhere" - the first of those being "You're My Best Friend" on A Night at the Opera, and perhaps his biggest being "Another One Bites The Dust."

Comments: 9

  • Deaky from Planet EarthSo, Tonya, you have repressed homosexual (lesbian) tendencies if that comes to your mind?
  • Bob from UkOne of my favourites by Queen.. Yep song is about Cupid and finding the one... seems everyone wants to think it's about something else.
  • Tonya from AzMisfire is about homosexual sex.
  • Babooshka from NetherlandsWhy does a song always need to have a meaning. When people asked Freddie about Bohemian Rhapsody, he would never say it. Fans need to interpret the songs themselves! This song has nothing to do with sex.
  • Michael from New York CityIs that a bass guitar solo, instead of the usual guitar solo?
  • Baconator from GxThe "Misfire" refers to Cupid (Amor/Eros) and his gold-tipped or lead-tipped arrows. Over a decade later Deacon picks up another line from Vergil's Eclogue: "Omnia vincit Amor: et nos cedamus Amori" - "Love conquers all, and so let us surrender ourselves to Love." in his song "One Year Of Love".
  • Jfv from Philadelphia, PaIn addition to his normal bass playing, John Deacon also played many of the guitar parts on Misfire. Also, the song is not about premature ejaculation.
  • Jacko from London, EnglandThere's no such thing as premature ejaculation.If women can't keep up that's their problem
  • Joe from , MoIs that what this song is really about that? Hmm? Its kinda funny if it is. Great song tho.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

In The Cards

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.

Kevin Godley

Kevin GodleySongwriter Interviews

Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.