“Keep Yourself Alive”
I was told a million times
Of all the troubles in my way
Mind you grow a little wiser
Little better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I’d still be where I started
Bread and butter for a smile
Well I sold a million mirrors
In a shop in Alley Way
But I never saw my face
In any window any day
Now they say your folks are telling you
Be a super star
But I tell you just be satisfied
Stay right where you are
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
It’ll take you all your time and a money
Honey you’ll survive
Well I’ve loved a million women
In a belladonnic haze
And I ate a million dinners
Brought to me on silver trays
Give me everything I need
To feed my body and my soul
Well I’ll grow a little bigger
Maybe that can be my goal
I was told a million times
Of all the people in my way
How I had to keep on trying
And get better every day
But if I crossed a million rivers
And I rode a million miles
Then I’d still be where I started
Same as when I started
Keep yourself alive
Come on
Keep yourself alive
It’ll take you all your time and a money
Honey you’ll survive
Shake
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
It’ll take you all your time and a money
To keep me satisfied
Do you think you’re better every day
No, I just think I’m two steps nearer to my grave
Keep yourself alive
Come on
Keep yourself alive
You take your time and take more money
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
Come on
Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
Come on
Come on
Keep yourself alive
It’ll take you all your time and a money
To keep me satisfied
Keep yourself alive
Keep yourself alive
All you people keep yourself alive
Take you all your time and money
Honey you will survive
Keep you satisfied
Keep you satisfied
Writer(s): MAY BRIAN HAROLD, TAYLOR ROGER MEDDOWS
Queen’s first single that was released with “Son and Daughter” as the B-side. It was also re-released as the non-album B-side of “Lily of the Valley” in 1974. Mark Hodkinson, author of “Queen: The Early Years” wrote in his book that “Keep Yourself Alive” had come from Queen’s practice sessions at Imperial College and the garden at Ferry Road in 1970. The demo version of the song with acoustic guitar, recorded at De Lane Lea Studios in summer 1971, remains Brian May’s favourite take.
