"Tie Your Mother Down" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by lead guitarist Brian May. It is the opening track and the second single from their 1976 album A Day at the Races. On its original release as a single in 1977 the song peaked at 31 in the UK Singles Chart. More than 20 years later, it was released as a double a-side to "No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)" where it reached 13 in UK Singles Chart. On the album the song is preceded by a one-minute instrumental intro featuring a Shepard tone melody, performed by Brian May, which is reprised in the ending of "Teo Torriatte": this was intended to create a "circle" within the album.

After its release in 1976, it was played by Queen on every subsequent tour.

Though it was a long-time live favourite and a US FM rock radio favourite, the song had limited chart success, making #31 in the UK and #49 in the US. Therefore, it was included on the band's first Greatest Hits compilation in certain markets only; however, the song is featured on the Queen Rocks compilation album, together with some of the band's heaviest songs.

In a BBC Radio 4 tribute program to Rory Gallagher, May stated that a key inspiration for the riff of this song came from Taste's "Morning Sun" from their On the Boards (1970) album.

Queen comments on the song

Reception

Cash Box said that it "explodes with thunder bolts of electric guitar that few other groups can equal." Record World called it "a no holds barred rocker" in which "the harmonies remain ever present."

Charts

{|class="wikitable sortable"

|-

!Chart (1977)

!Peak<br />position

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|-

|}

{|class="wikitable sortable"

|-

!Chart (1998)

!Peak<br />position

|-

|}

Personnel

  • Freddie Mercury – lead and backing vocals
  • Brian May – guitars, backing vocals, slide guitar, harmonium (album version only)
  • Roger Taylor – drums, backing vocals, gong (album version only)
  • John Deacon – bass guitar

Live performances

After its release in 1976, "Tie Your Mother Down" would go on to become a concert staple for the remainder of the band's long career. At the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, the song was co-performed by Queen and guests; Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliott and Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. May sang the first verse and chorus before handing over the vocal part to Elliot. On 5 September 2011, Jeff Beck performed the song with May and Taylor in celebration of what would have been Freddie Mercury's 65th birthday at an event titled 'Freddie for a Day' held at the Savoy Hotel in London.

Live recordings

  • Live Killers (1979)
  • We Will Rock You/Queen Rock Montreal (1981)
  • Queen on Fire – Live at the Bowl (1982)
  • Live at Wembley '86/Live at Wembley Stadium (1986)
  • Live Magic (1986)
  • Seville Expo 92 Concert (1992)
  • The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (1992)
  • Live at the Brixton Academy (Brian May album) (1993)
  • Return of the Champions (2005)
  • Super Live in Japan (2005)
  • Skin and Bones (Foo Fighters album/DVD, on the Hyde Park DVD) (2006)
  • Live in Ukraine (2008)

References

  • Official YouTube videos: original music video, Live at Wembley, Live at the Bowl, at Rock Montreal, Queen + Paul Rodgers (live), at Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (with Joe Elliot and Slash)
  • Lyrics at Queen official website