Album: A Night At The Opera (1975)

License This Song 

• You suck my blood like a leech
  You break the law and you breach
  Screw my brain 'til it hurts
  You've taken all my money
  And you want more
  Misguided old mule with your pigheaded rules
  With your narrow minded cronies
  Who are fools of the first division
  
  Death on two legs
  You're tearing me apart
  Death on two legs
  You never had a heart of your own
  
  Killjoy, bad guy, big talking small fry
  You're just an old barrow boy
  Have you found a new toy to replace me?
  Can you face me?
  But now you can kiss my ass goodbye
  
  Feel good? Are you satisfied?
  Do you feel like suicide?) (Think you should)
  Is your conscience all right
  Does it plague you at night?
  Do you feel good? (Feel good)
  
  (Ah) Talk like a big business tycoon
  You're just a hot air balloon
  So no one gives you a damn
  You're just an overgrown schoolboy
  Let me tan your hide
  A dog with disease
  You're the king of the sleaze
  Put your money where your mouth is, Mister Know-All
  Was the fin on your back
  Part of the deal? (Shark)
  
  Death on two legs
  Tearing me apart
  Death on two legs
  You never had a heart (you never did)
  Of your own (right from the start)
  
  Insane, should be put inside
  You're a sewer rat decaying in a cesspool of pride
  Should be made unemployed
  Then make yourself null and void
  Make me feel good (I feel good) Writer/s: Freddie Mercury
  Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 25

• Borogo from NoruegaDoes anyone have a copy of the night at the opera album on lp where death on two legs is omitted? I have! Released in south corea. Is it rare? Could i make a fortune out of it if i sold it?
• Bill from Lodi CaFreddie Mercury had fun with the audience in concert trying to introduce who the song is dedicated to. There would always be certain "problems" occurring when he would say "this song is dedicated to...", after he said "to" sometimes the microphone would cut out, he would try again then guitar feedback drowned out what he said, then he would try again then the drums would drown out the name of who it's dedicated to. He then gave up and the song began, fun stuff.
• Tom from AlabamaThis song is actually the second of two songs about Sheffield and Trident... see also Flick of the Wrist from their third album, Sheer Heart Attack.
• Brad from FlExcellent analysis Jfv.
• Lindsay from Coweta, OkYou can't help but feel a little angry. Which is what makes the song great.
• Ryan from Eaton, InIt's commonly believed that part of the betrayal Queen felt was particularly on the part of Freddie, who had apparently been "initiated" into the gay lifestyle by Sheffield (prior to this, he was heavily involved with his girlfriend, Mary Austin). So, this man "helping" Queen by allowing them to record their albums at his studio for next to nothing, involving himself sexually and romantically with the lead singer of the band he was "helping", all the while robbing the band blind through bad publishing deals, and then trying to sue when actually being confronted about all this. You can certainly understand why Queen were feeling so betrayed that they would write something so vicious as this.
• Ryan from Eaton, InThere were actually several songs Queen wrote on this subject..."Death On Two Legs"; "Flick of the Wrist" seems to be about signing a bad contract (same general idea); "If You Can't Beat 'Em", is basically about the band setting up their own publishing deal, so they stop getting screwed out of royalties.
• Titania from Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaFreddie was just a human,theyre getting peanuts from their ex-manager who was driving 2 rolls royce cars,when they ask 2000 sterling pounds for John Deacon who just married,his asnwer was:what 2000? what you are thinkingof yourselves!!!!thats why he got mad..and the ex manager regretted it when he lose the Queen..you can watch in utube.
• Jfv from Philadelphia, PaFirst of all, Brian May does not sing every other line of the lead vocals. It's Freddie Mercury in all cases. However the lines are nearly overlapping such that they could not have been sung in one continuous take. That's is why when you hear Freddie sing this song live, he either omits the first word of the line or rushes it. Although Mercury and May did occassionally share lead vocals (Who Wants To Live Forever, I Want It All, one short line in Las Palabras de Amor) it did not happen often. In fact, Roger Taylor sang as much if not more more lead vocal parts in songs on which Freddie also sings lead (Keep Yourself Alive, March Of The Black Queen, Rock It (Prime Jive), Action This Day)than Brian did.
• Nikki from Perth, AustraliaIt says "the only reason we found out it was dedicated to their ex-manager was when he tried to sue for defamation of character." I actually think from memory (Possibly from Classic Albums: A Night At The Opera) that they DID mention his name somewhere, before they played it at a concert, hence why he went to sue. You've got no case sueing for defamation of character unless you can prove the songs about you, so I think that's where that came from. I could be wrong, but I do seem to remember that being said somewhere. That Freddie named him in relation to the song, that is.
  And in relation to the comment about Brian May feeling that the song was too vicious, apparently they tried to talk Freddie into reigning it in a bit, but ultimately he wrote the song so they couldn't make him.
• Liquid Len from Ottawa, CanadaYes this is a vicious song, indeed, my hair stands up on end when I hear this. And Norman Sheffield made himself a (black) name in rock history, when he sued the band and revealed who the song was about. Talk about being hoisted on your own petard....
• Beatriz from Campinas, BrazilThis song is really amazing. I love to listen to Freddie singing this song. He was really angry. I love Freddie. He is a legend.
• Jonathon from Clermont, FlOn the live album, Freddy dedicated the song something like this: "Ladies and gentlemen, this next song is dedicated to a real mother@#$%er of a gentleman!"
• Headbanger1 from Orangeville, Canadawhat a vicious song
• Theresa from San Diego, CaI LOVE this song so much! It's my second favorite Queen song, after Don't Stop Me Now. I know it's dedicated to someone, but it's an EXCELLENT song!!!!!! Queen is the best band EVER (in my opinion)
• Brian from Overbrook, KsActually Brian does sing on the song, he sings every other line. Freddie and Brian share vocals in many songs.
• Alicia from Tamaqua, Pamy goodness..... Freddie had to be extremely ticked off to write something so angry. He's generally such a loving person...... but this is totally understandable. I'd do the same. I love this song never-the-less.... One of the only songs I ever heard Freddie curse.... The concerts are a different story...lol.. But on a CD I mean. I just love it!!!
• Narin from London, EnglandI read in a book that when Freddie was recording the vocals for this song, he had so much anger in him that when he took the headphones off there was blood coming out of his ears. And this was told by someone who was there.
• Jared from North Bend, Waas* and dam* r bleeped oput on the live verison
• Shawn from Rochester, NhThat is an awesome question Gordon....I wish I knew. Anyone???
• Freddie from Orlando, Flwhen he said that Bri felt bad singing it, its like... they all sing in the choruses and stuff you know.
• Freddie from Orlando, FlI have never ever heard Fred so POed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Gordon from Glasgow, Scotlandon the live album what is bleeped out
• Jared from North Bend, Wagood thing he didn't sing it, freddie did. but i would feel kinda bad singleing him out and being aprt of it
• Carolina from São Paulo, BrazilI read that Brian May, Queen´s guitarist, said the song was so vicious, he felt bad singing it.

More Songfacts:

The CaveMumford & Sons

"The Cave" by Mumford & Sons is based on the philosophy of Plato and his work called "Allegory of the Cave."

ShoutThe Isley Brothers

Otis Day And The Knights, the fictional band created to perform "Shout" in the movie Animal House, became a real band, performing the song at colleges and other venues.

Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'Journey

Journey lead singer Steve Perry wrote the rather dramatic "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" with the opening lyrics, "You make me weep, I wanna die," after seeing his girlfriend kissing another man.

Why Should I Love You?Kate Bush

The Kate Bush song "Why Should I Love You?" is a collaboration with Prince. He completely re-worked her demo, so Bush spent a lot of time piecing it back together to keep her imprint.

Forever Your GirlPaula Abdul

Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl" was written by Oliver Leiber, who despite being the son of Jerry Leiber from Leiber & Stoller, was an unknown songwriter.

Everything ZenBush

References to David Bowie, Tom Waits and Allan Ginsburg are peppered into the Bush song "Everything Zen."

Editor's Picks

Colbie CaillatSongwriter Interviews

Since emerging from MySpace with her hit "Bubbly," Colbie has become a top songwriter, even crafting a hit with Taylor Swift.

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Name the Character in the SongMusic Quiz

With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?