The Hitman

Album: Innuendo (1991)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Freddie Mercury wrote this song, where he takes on the persona of a nefarious hitman. It could be a metaphor, but it sounds like this guy really likes killing people:

    Gun in my pocket
    Don't get me wrong


    Mercury was responsible for some of the heaviest tracks by the band, like "Ogre Battle," "Stone Cold Crazy" and this one.
  • When Mercury wrote this, it was not as heavy. It was originally written in keyboards, then Brian May transferred it to guitar, changed the key, and added some new parts (he even did a demo with him singing those). Bassist John Deacon reconstructed the track and that's what finally came out. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Sebas - Tokyo, Japan, for above 2

Comments: 5

  • Mamakidd from UsaFreddie wrote hits. He was the hit man.
  • AnonymousI've read that the "hitman" in this song is the HIV that was ravaging Freddie's body at the time. Listen to the lyrics from this perspective and they take on a whole new meaning.
  • Lori from Greenville, ScI like in the song where he says "I'm been to hitman school"..love Freddie's yeah's at the end.
  • Jonathon from Clermont, FlI like the main riff in the song, and Freddy's interjections.
  • Amy from Dallas, Tx'I'm the hitman I'm your prize', Yes you are Freddie =)
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.