Meaning of “We Will Rock You” by Queen

Queen’s “We Will Rock You” is a song known more for its highly-infectious chorus than for its overall lyrical content. In other words, the general meaning of this song is widely understood, but the story being told therein is largely unknown.

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Queen's We Will Rock You at Lyrics.org.

This song follows the life of a male through three stages – childhood, adulthood and his elder years. And life is not easy for this person. For example, in his youth, he is presented as a dirty, disappointing street boy. However, despite this he seems very – if not overly – optimistic about his future.

His manhood still finds him on the streets. Despite this, instead of aimlessly kicking cans, he now seems to have found a concrete cause in life. Also he is still optimistic about the future.

However, in his old age we find that he actually made little, if any, progress. In fact he is described as being “poor” and seems to be going through the same issues he went through as a child. Also he still has yet to find “peace” and obviously contentment. So when you look solely at the life’s journey of the individual who is the subject of this song, the logical conclusion would be that “We Will Rock You” is a track about vain, failed ambitions.

However, the chorus of the song is highly-energetic and anything but depressing. So if the chorus is actually related to the story of this individual, the likely explanation would be that it is symbolic of the high level of confidence he had throughout most of his life, as indeed the boy even sings it at the beginning of the track. 

We Will Rock You lyrics

But that being said, it is also possible that the verses and the chorus are unrelated, with the latter being added primarily due to its mass appeal. Either way, “We Will Rock You” will continue to serve as a song played at sporting events and other venues where the desired effect is to inspire a person or group of individuals.

48 Responses

  1. Moos says:

    Thanks!

  2. Android Gigs says:

    There are lots of people who completely get it wrong, but i understood the song when i first listened to it. But thanks for this too and its a yeah great song man

  3. AJ says:

    does this song have anything to do with LGBTQ+ community

  4. Will Garrison says:

    Fun fact! There are 82 *stomp* *stomp* *clap*s in We Will Rock You!

  5. Chrissy says:

    Can’t understand why this is being used to denigrate those choosing or not able to wear a face mask? Nothing connects except that there’s a face involved…

  6. Atticus says:

    I always thought that it was about the plight of Palestinians in Israel. Though they did not have weapons equal to the Israelis, that they would use what they had.

    • Hasta Be says:

      “…the plight of the Palestinians…?” They are not a government. Palestinian is the Roman name for Philistines. It is their leaders who cause all the fighting, not the Israelis. At the end of the day, Israel will prevail.

  7. Anonymous says:

    My whole thing with this awesome song is.. I sing it.. and still believe it should have been “f” instead of rock, you stays, and there is perfect space for “up” .. it is what it is

  8. Joseph says:

    I always thought this was a song you sing when you achieve something and all the haters told you you couldn’t do it and no one could put you back into your place

  9. Anonymous says:

    F*** all you liberals I’m a Christian and it ain’t fun with you all screwing up my childhood

    • ChosenFan34712 says:

      I find it hard to believe that you’re Christian if you would use such foul language, especially online, when you have the ability to censor and/or edit what you say.

      As to the meaning of the song: I believe it is simply about perseverance, and standing up for what you believe in, even when the whole world is against you and treating you like dirt.

    • Anonymous says:

      Why are you talking about your childhood in the past tense?

  10. Anonymous says:

    wow

    never knew there was so much argument about a rock song out there

  11. Anonymous says:

    Seem to be sang from the perspective of a watcher not a human

  12. Anonymous says:

    I always thought it described the rise of the Hitler’s party

  13. Anonymous says:

    I always thought it ws the leadup to a big event or battle being played at the start of sports events.

  14. Anonymous says:

    Some of the most ridiculous comments I have ever read!

  15. Lincoln Wing says:

    Love the song. Naturally handycap but with courage struggled to live up the world for the best honoured life updated in the future.

  16. Noa says:

    IMO, I feel like this song symbolizes perseverance and standing up for yourself, no matter what anyone thinks.

  17. Anonymous says:

    I think it’s about the labor protests in Britain. Like union workers, strikes.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Jeezus

  19. The Mayor of Saga City says:

    I was curious what this song was about after reading the NDE testimony of 3-year old PK Colton Burpo who insisted that angels sang to him, but refused his request “We will, We will Rock You!”
    With all this speculation, I’m still not sure, but it can’t be good.😅

  20. Tamir says:

    YOU all got it wrong, It means that when everyone considers you a failure, we’ll still support your efforts, no matter what the result is.

  21. Anonymous says:

    There’s a thread with so many opinions, yet no facts. According to Brian May, it was written as an optimistic child and young man who ended up losing faith/hope Don’t read into it so much

  22. Anonymous says:

    I swear over half of this comment section, ABOUT A SONG, is discussing the LGBTQ community

  23. Anonymous says:

    These comments funny

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may also like...