#3 Don’t Stop Me Now
The song was written and recorded in August 1978, released on the album Jazz. Musically, the song is based around Mercury’s piano playing, with John Deacon and Roger Taylor providing a bass guitar and drums backing track. On the studio version, Brian May’s only guitar playing is in his guitar solo, but on live versions performed on the band’s 1978 and 1979 tours, May would also play rhythm guitar throughout the rest of the song to add a rockier feeling to it.
Many fans have speculated that the song is, in part, also a reflection on the change of direction and lifestyle for Freddie Mercury. This is seen through some of the adjectives used that refer to euphoria, happiness, and joy, showing the brilliant, visionary insight of the songwriter Freddie Mercury. It’s about pretty much exactly what it says in the lyrics- “don’t stop me now… I’m having a ball!” To put it in context, Freddy Mercury wrote the song when he had discovered the gay club scene and was unashamedly “out” and indulging himself of every pleasure available to a successful and popular man of exceedingly broad sexual tastes in the pre-AIDS age (although it was out there, it wasn’t anything that regular people were aware of, or worried about for that matter). He was very likely warned by friends that he ought to cool it- the rest of the band- in hindsight at least- recognize that Freddie was partying very hard at this point, and that it wasn’t necessarily good for him, personally or professionally. That might be where the slightly defiant, confrontational title lyric comes from. There are (very thinly) veiled references to sex and drugs there, but essentially the song is just a man intent on having a wild night out in any and every way he can think of, and inviting the rest of us to come along for the ride or else get out of his way.
The video was also symbolic for Freddie Mercury’s new image, his shorter hair and his costume, notably the Jean Paul Gaultier leathers, Brando biker cap with chain and the Mineshaft T-Shirt.
The rest of the band, particularly Brian May, hate this song because it was this scene and this attitude that led to Freddie contracting HIV, which is what killed him. In an interview between Brian Mays and Roger Taylor, the lead drummer, commented on Freddie’s behavior in relation to the song. This is what they had to say:
Brian Mays: “I think there was also a feeling that it lyrically represented something that was happening to Freddie which we kind of thought was threatening him, and probably it was in a sense. But having said that, it’s full of joy and optimism and stuff and…”
Roger Taylor: “Yeah, I think it’s very joyous and, actually, I still think he had his tongue slightly in his cheek, you know – I’m a rocket ship I’m like an atom bomb – they’re great lines.”
Brian May: “Yeah, very witty as usual.”
Shortly later, Freddie following a split with his long term girlfriend Mary Austin, pursued a change in lifestyle and direction (bisexual), a move to America, New York and a more hedonistic lifestyle, parties, etc. changing his lifestyle entirely. The video was also symbolic for Freddie Mercury’s new image, his shorter hair and his costume, notably the Jean Paul Gaultier leathers, Brando biker cap with chain and the Mineshaft T-Shirt.
Check it out here!——-> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgzGwKwLmgM
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