Queen

Lyrics

[Guitar Intro]
[Verse 1]
Sleeping very soundly on a Saturday morning
I was dreaming I was Al Capone
There's a rumour going round
Gotta clear out of town
Yeah, I'm smelling like a dry fish bone
Here come the law
Gonna break down the door
Gonna carry me away once more
Never, never, never get it any more
Gotta get away from this stone cold floor

[Chorus]
Crazy (stone cold crazy, you know)
Woo! Aw!

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 2]
Rainy afternoon, I gotta blow a typhoon
And I'm playing on my slide trombone
Anymore, anymore, cannot take it anymore
Gotta get away from this stone cold floor
[Chorus]
Crazy (stone cold crazy, aw! You know)

[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
Walking down the street, shooting people that I meet
With my rubber tommy water gun
Here come the deputy
He's gonna come and getta me
I gotta get me get up and run
They got the sirens loose
I ran right outta juice
They're going to put me in a cell
If I can't go to heaven
Will they let me go to hell?

[Chorus]
Crazy (stone cold crazy, you know)

[Outro]
Ow!

Queen, undoubtedly one of the greatest rock bands of all time, has countless hits that have stood the test of time. One such track is "Stone Cold Crazy," a hard-hitting tune that packs a punch with its thundering drums, shredding guitars, and Freddie Mercury's raw vocals.

About Stone Cold Crazy

Initially performed as early as the late 1960s by Freddie Mercury's earlier band, Wreckage, "Stone Cold Crazy" debuted as the first song Queen played live in 1970. The song evolved musically and lyrically over the years, and by 1974, it earned a spot on the band's album, Sheer Heart Attack. Despite not being released as a single, the song featured heavily during the band's concerts in the 1970s and quickly became a fan favorite.

Described as "thrash metal before the term was invented," "Stone Cold Crazy" is an unfiltered expression of rage and instability. Released amidst the Vietnam War and the Watergate Scandal, the song's lyrics depict the chaotic thoughts of a person pushed to their limits by society's expectations. As the lyrics go, "Blasting was the main thing/ And rock and roll, the only king/ Through the blast, and the lasers/ I'll see you later." These lyrics, underpinned by heavy guitar riffs and an intense tempo, capture the raw emotion of frustration and anger.

Interestingly, the credit for the songwriting of "Stone Cold Crazy" is given to the entire band, although Freddie Mercury played its early version with his previous band. In this song, the entire band comes together harmoniously, and each instrument plays an essential role in elevating the track's abrasive sound.

"Stone Cold Crazy" has also been covered by various artists over the years, including Metallica, who released their version of the song in 1990 for Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary compilation, Rubaiyat.

On top of its powerful lyrics and intense instrumentals, "Stone Cold Crazy" also stands out for its historical significance. It's regarded as one of the earliest examples of speed metal, a subgenre that emerged in the 1980s and is characterized by fast guitar riffs and complex drumming. As a testament to its impact, "Stone Cold Crazy" was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

All in all, "Stone Cold Crazy" is a musical masterpiece – a testament to Queen's musical prowess and Freddie Mercury's extraordinary ability to captivate an audience. It's pegged as an example of early speed metal, and a song that will continue to rock listeners for generations to come.

• Release Date: November 8, 1974
• Artist: Queen