Doing All Right

The song Doing All Right has an interesting history that dates back to before Queen existed as such. It was composed by Brian May and Tim Staffell when they were both part of the band Smile. In fact, Staffell was the one who originally sang it. When Freddie Mercury joined May and Roger Taylor to form Queen, they adopted this song. Interestingly, Staffell still receives a portion of the profits from Queen's sales to this day. What makes Doing All Right special is its sonic evolution within a single piece. It begins with a lighter, almost pop feel, then transitions to acoustic guitars and culminates in a section that evokes the sound of heavy metal. It is one of the few Queen compositions where Brian May can be heard on the piano, in addition to using his old acoustic guitar Hairfred, an instrument he would also use in later tracks like White Queen (As It Began) and Jealousy.

The recording of Doing All Right took place at Trident Studios and De Lane Lea Music Centre in London. The production was a joint effort, with the participation of Roy Thomas Baker, John Anthony, and the band members themselves. Queen's debut album, which includes this song, was released in the UK on July 13, 1973, under EMI Records, and in the United States on September 4, 1973, with Elektra Records. The total duration of the piece is 4 minutes and 10 seconds. It is noteworthy that Freddie Mercury played the piano live for the first time on this song when it became a Queen track, attempting to emulate Staffell's vocal style.