C-lebrity

Album: The Cosmos Rocks (2008)
Charted: 33
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Songfacts®:

  • This was written and produced by Brian May, Paul Rodgers and Roger Taylor. It features guest vocals by Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters.
  • According to its press release, this song is a humorous "comment on the celebrity-driven times in which we live where the myriad of reality-based TV shows are producing a generation of C-lebrities."

    Drummer Roger Taylor commented: "'C-lebrity' is really a comment on the current concept of fame - success and all that goes with it. Getting your face on TV is enough - talent doesn't really enter into the equation. 'Celebrity' is an overused and devalued word today."

    Vocalist Paul Rodgers added: "I see the song as Roger's take on the increasing emphasis on fame for its own sake. It's quite ironic that Andy Warhol's statement that everyone will have fifteen minutes of fame is becoming something of a reality, although it may be down to fifteen seconds in today's world of instant communication."
  • The song was premiered in the UK on ITV's Al Murray's Happy Hour. Since when, according to Brian May, "we went back in and roughed up the studio version a bit."
  • It's likely that Taylor Hawkins' guest appearance on backing vocals came from the Foo Fighters' consistent friendship with Queen. The Foos have many times invited Brian May and sometimes Roger Taylor out on stage to perform with them, usually to play "Tie Your Mother Down," as was the case at Hyde Park 2005. There is also rough footage from Foo Fighters UK tours in the late 1990s of May performing "Now I'm Here" and selected other Queen songs with his group.

Comments: 4

  • Joe from , MoIt's not Queen! They formed a completely NEW group! They only use the Queen catalog when they tour! I wasn't to keen on Paul at first, but his talent is undeniable! He's a great singer and an ok frontman.I saw them in Chicago '06 and it was amazing! I'm glad Brian and Roger did this album and the tours with Paul! They proved that they are still the best at what they do. Rocking! Brian and Roger are playing better now than when they were in the 70's and 80's! Would you people rather them sit at home and wait to die with the Red Special sitting in a dusty corner? They sound amazing together and Pauls voice has gotten better with age too!
    And BTW. This song ROCKS!
  • Bob from Owen Sound, OnI respect Paul Rodgers and agree that he can sing very well but when you hear the name Queen you expect a certain sound and Paul Rodgers just isin't that sound that you expect. When Freddie died, and no body could ever replace Freddie ever! In other words, I don't think any Queen+Paul Rodgers songs are as good as Queen.
  • Valerie from Eureka, CaNo NO NO NO NO!!! what was the band thinking??? How could they ever even think of replacing Freddie Mercury???!!! This is not Queen. Queen died when Freddie died.
  • Chris from Meriden, Ctit seems like everyone wants to get "a face on TV."
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