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 pig-headed 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-

Kill joy, 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 (I think you should)?
Is your conscience all right?
Does it plague you at night?
Do you feel good? Feel good!

You 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
You're tearing me apart
Death on two legs
You've never had a heart (you never did) of your own
(right from the start)
Insane you 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

Track duration: 03:44


Death on Two Legs (Dedicated to...) song meanings
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47 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment: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.
    Flag Unstoppableon February 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I may be a little late in the game but I know for a fact that's the song is about a former manager. Its amazing how so many people things its referring to AIDS or some failed romantic relationship (with another man). If anyone attending the a live Queen concert in the 70s ....I was 10 years old and I remember him saying something to that nature. I can't remember verbatum except it was "nasty words"referred to some blood sucking manger SOB I can't remember...Can someone help me out? Did anyone go to a Queen concert then?
    Flag missglam67on October 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Hey, guys, he had a girlfriend, then started to like men.
    I qualify that as being bi. (since I am, myself, a bisexual)
    But, this song was dedicated to their old manager at the time.
    They had sold several recods after Sheer Heart Attack was released and they were broke.
    Needless to say, Freddie was pissed.
    And why is half the song gone/ out of order?
    D:
    Flag Izzygirl771on April 06, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Death On Two Legs is about Norman Sheffield, Queen's former manager who cheated and schemed just to get their money. Once he had what he wanted he ran off and hid from Freddie. Freddie was so damn angry about it he wrote this. When they sung it live, he always re dedicated it to "A real mother-f***er of a gentlemen. As for theMelancholywlarus, you are the moron. Freddie Mercury was bisexual, not that it matters one bit. The only thing that matters is he was the best songwriter ever, and the way he wrote this song and used childishly cruel metaphors to describe Sheffield, is absolute proof of that. QUEEN FOREVER.
    Flag shcorporationon December 16, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it really doesnt matter weather freddy was gay or bi. i mean, in the words of the great brian may "if you see it darling, its there" or something along those lines.

    also theres a good cover of this in the album killer queen
    Flag lennonmercury520on August 07, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Damn, tell em how you really feel!!!
    Flag dengeiston August 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about their previous manager. He had cheated them, they'd had so much success yet the band was still in debt. This was freddie's backlash at him. they actually named the dedicated to... at one concert and it resulted in legal action. all the other guys were really shocked at how nasty freddie wanted to be with this song and wanted him to tone it down, but basically the songwriter gets his way. i love the venemous tone in freddies voice as he sings. and the lyrics are really clever too. my favourite line: "you're a sewer rat decaying in a cesspool of pride"
    Flag Venus53on July 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song was written as a hate letter 2 queen's former manager.
    Flag spooner113on June 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I know it's NOT, before you all kill me, but this song kind of reminds me of AIDS and HIV. "you suck my blood like a leech"

    "you're tearing me apart"


    Anyway, this is an awesome song. Definately a good break up song xD
    Flag giantwhitebirdon May 14, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment: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.
    Flag SouthendDaveon April 26, 2007   Link

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