From album
We Will Rock You
Queen · 1992 · Track 12
Details
TonalidadA
Compás4/4
Tempo136 BPM
Duración4:18
ÁlbumWe Will Rock You
Año1992
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The story behind
The raw energy of *Tie Your Mother Down* is born from a powerful, almost visceral riff that feels like an engine roaring from the very first moment. It's a piece that Brian May conceived during a moment of academic pause, while working on his astrophysics doctorate in Tenerife. The idea for the riff emerged almost spontaneously, played on a Spanish guitar, and the phrase that gave it its name, "tie your mother down," was born as a humorous whim. It was Freddie Mercury himself who, upon hearing it, encouraged May to keep it, recognizing its potential. The song was recorded in 1976 for the album A Day at the Races, and was released as a single in 1977, reaching number 31 in the UK.
This track became a staple of Queen's concerts, being played on practically all their subsequent tours. Its strength made it ideal for peak moments, such as at the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, where Joe Elliott of Def Leppard and Slash joined the band to perform it. Later, Brian May and Roger Taylor shared the stage with the Foo Fighters to play it at important events like Queen's induction ceremony into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and the VH1 Rock Honors in 2006. Even Jeff Beck joined May and Taylor in 2011 for a special celebration in London. The promotional music video, directed by Bruce Gowers, captured the intensity of a performance at the Nassau Coliseum in February 1977, during a US tour. Despite being a live and US rock radio favorite, its chart success was moderate, reaching number 49 in that country.
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