In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
You suck my blood like a leech
You break the law and you breach
Screw my brain 'til it hurts
You've taken all my money
And you want more
Misguided old mule with your pigheaded rules
With your narrow minded cronies
Who are fools of the first division
Death on two legs
You're tearing me apart
Death on two legs
You never had a heart of your own
Killjoy, bad guy, big talking small fry
You're just an old barrow boy
Have you found a new toy to replace me?
Can you face me?
But now you can kiss my ass goodbye
Feel good? Are you satisfied?
Do you feel like suicide?) (Think you should)
Is your conscience all right
Does it plague you at night?
Do you feel good? (Feel good)
(Ah) Talk like a big business tycoon
You're just a hot air balloon
So no one gives you a damn
You're just an overgrown schoolboy
Let me tan your hide
A dog with disease
You're the king of the sleaze
Put your money where your mouth is, Mister Know-All
Was the fin on your back
Part of the deal? (Shark)
Death on two legs
Tearing me apart
Death on two legs
You never had a heart (you never did)
Of your own (right from the start)
Insane, should be put inside
You're a sewer rat decaying in a cesspool of pride
Should be made unemployed
Then make yourself null and void
Make me feel good (I feel good)
You break the law and you breach
Screw my brain 'til it hurts
You've taken all my money
And you want more
Misguided old mule with your pigheaded rules
With your narrow minded cronies
Who are fools of the first division
Death on two legs
You're tearing me apart
Death on two legs
You never had a heart of your own
Killjoy, bad guy, big talking small fry
You're just an old barrow boy
Have you found a new toy to replace me?
Can you face me?
But now you can kiss my ass goodbye
Feel good? Are you satisfied?
Do you feel like suicide?) (Think you should)
Is your conscience all right
Does it plague you at night?
Do you feel good? (Feel good)
(Ah) Talk like a big business tycoon
You're just a hot air balloon
So no one gives you a damn
You're just an overgrown schoolboy
Let me tan your hide
A dog with disease
You're the king of the sleaze
Put your money where your mouth is, Mister Know-All
Was the fin on your back
Part of the deal? (Shark)
Death on two legs
Tearing me apart
Death on two legs
You never had a heart (you never did)
Of your own (right from the start)
Insane, should be put inside
You're a sewer rat decaying in a cesspool of pride
Should be made unemployed
Then make yourself null and void
Make me feel good (I feel good)
Lyrics submitted by f_mercury, edited by cosmic philosopher, gregbra55
Death On Two Legs Lyrics as written by Freddie Mercury
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
A very to the point song by Freddie dedicated to Norman Sheffield there old manager from the Trident days(1972-1975). Legend says they were sucked like a leech and been exploited by this man without seeing a dime. Well they got money, but not that much.
mltm pretty much hit on the head, and even provided a nifty interview clip that all of you should watch.
Of course, most of you will skip over that, so I'll reiterate.
The song was about their former manager, Norman Sheffield, who reportedly mistreated the band, abused his role as manager, withheld money from them, all kinds of terrible things from 1972-75. During live shows, Freddie would commonly say re-dedicate the song to "a real mother-fucker of a gentlemen." But the line was censored on versions that appeared on live albums, because Norman Sheffield persued legal action on counts of defamation.
There you have it, now go watch the video mltm posted for God's sake.
This is one hell of a good song... brilliant. The anger, the hatred, the venom, it's like a blade.
I think we've come to a conclusion on who this song's about (Norman Sheffield).
I doubt I could write such a harsh song without feeling a wave of guilt afterwards, but Freddie was so damn bloody honest with it that I could be encouraged to give it a go, especially since this song is fantastic.
A Night at the Opera is probably my favourite of Queen's albums.
Jimmy Kane has this one right. It's definitely about their old manager. If I'm not mistaken I think he wanted to sue them for this song.
It´s dedicated to their former manager Norman Shefield at the Trident record company. the name was removed because of legal reasons.
Damn, tell em how you really feel!!!
I KNOW what it means! My Bro has a tape of a live concert where Freddie sung this song. He said the song was dedicated to his former manager. I am sorry to say I do not know his name. A bit of research from anyone would be great! Seren
What does this song mean to me? It means to me the beginning of one of the best albums ever written ( A Night at the Opera ). It was written about a former manager who tried his best to leave Queen high and dry and the pure hatred and venom expressed in the lyrics showed an amazing talent of Freddie's even in the very early days. This is a fantastic song to listen to whatever mood you are in, it has a great beat and to those of you who have never heard the entire album, you really should invest a few quid and add it to your collection today.
It deffinately sounds like it's dedicated to someone who used them! This could be related to relationships of many kinds, as it sounds like almost pure hatred of someone! I like the song too, its great, makes you feel better about hating someone.
Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...MY EX!!)
Haha, when I heard this song it was a week after I broke up with a girl who I caught cheating on me on my birthday. Not only that but she stole money from me, she lied to me and her friends and my friends. In the end, no one likes her after what she did to me, and what she did to them. But this song is a great song to listen to when you are hating somone. It makes you feel better and it has a great screeching rock sound. One of my favorites.