Queen: Show Must Go On Meaning

Show Must Go On Lyrics

Empty spaces - what are we living for
Abandoned places - I guess we know the score
On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for...
Another hero, another mindless crime
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime
Hold the line, does anybody...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   Unforgivin

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   Oct 31st 2007 !⃝

   This is the only Queen song written about AIDS. In the song, Freddie laments how empty life seems (Does anybody know what we are living for.) He then points out that heroes and their exploits give people a reason to go on (another hero, another mindless crime...) In the chorus he urges others to continue with life, and he accepts his role and obligations as their hero, namely pressing on even though he is dying of AIDS (my makeup may be flaking, but my smile still stays on, AIDS victims often use makeup to cover the body legions that are a symptom of their condition) Through the rest of the song he continues to use theatrical imagery to show the difficulties of living in the public eye as an idol while concealing his own problems and trials, not only his affliction but according to Brian May and other band mates, his shyness and insecurities which he hid under his persona as a public figure. In the end he cries out his desire to do anything to be able to continue (I'll top the bill, I'll overkill, I have to find the wind to carry on,) and finishes by crying out "the show must go on" even if it goes on without him. Since his death this song has become a symbol for Mercury, and was performed in his honor by Sir Elton John at a memorial concert. Freddie Mercury desired that others move on with their lives, insoired by his own, rather than being paralyzed by the memory or method of his death.
2. anonymous

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   Jun 24th 2020 !⃝

   Life can throw us curveballs. We can get hit over and over yet it’s our own decision to either end the game or with dignity hold our heads up high and continue with a win!
3. anonymous

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   Mar 21st 2020 !⃝

   #3 you are wrong this wasn’t the last song he recorded with Queen it was actually mother love
4. anonymous

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   Aug 12th 2016 !⃝

   What a shame that the "cocktails" came so soon after he died. Every bit of his life and death is tragic.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
5. anonymous

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   Feb 28th 2013 !⃝

   This was the last song Queen ever recorded with Freddie. It means "No matter if I`m gone, the music will live on." Or something like that.
6. anonymous

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   Feb 5th 2013 !⃝

   This was the last song Queen realeased before Mercury died. This is sort of like a cry for life. "The show must go on" means "My life must go on"
7. anonymous

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   Jul 20th 2012 !⃝

   How do you know it was written by Brian May? Written during a time when all songs were credited to all four members. Don't state who it was written by unless you can support it.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
8. anonymous

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   Mar 31st 2011 !⃝

   It's all true. But it's not written by Freddie. Brian wrote the song. (Whilst knowing what was happening to Freddie and what would happen to the band when he's gone.) It's the same thing as Roger writing These Are The Days Of Our Lives. They each gave their good byes and were all in great misery of the situation.
9. anonymous

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   Sep 15th 2008 !⃝

   No one can say it better than you did ,yes this is the only song written about him having aids, I'm sick of others that links every song of Freddie with him having aids they even said killer queen is about him having aids
   yes Freddie made his life and death very memorable
   i think in this album he knew he is going to die you just knew it from the songs in the album I think he wanted to give queen and his audience all the music he had in him he didn't won't to die with music in him he can't share
   but he died and music still in his heart
   he was so brave and so giving I wish he was alive

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