All God's People by Queen

Album: Innuendo (1991)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Queen sang about Jesus on their first album, and about God in this song from Innuendo, the last one released while lead singer Freddie Mercury was still alive. Mercury's lifestyle was at odds with many traditional religious tenets, but here he points out a simple truth: we're all God's people. He was raised in the Zoroastrian faith, which dates back to at least 1000 BC.

Mercury suffering from AIDS when he worked on the album and died nine months after it was released.
This started off as a song called "Africa By Night" that Freddie Mercury wrote this for his 1988 solo album, Barcelona. He recorded the song, but decided not to use it. When Queen was working on Innuendo, he revived the track and reworked it with the band.
With their soaring harmonies, Queen could deliver a sound that evoked gospel music, which they often accompanied with lyrics about love and understanding (see: "Somebody To Love"). They rarely mentioned God, but could do so convincingly, as demonstrated here.
This is one of the few Queen songs with an outside writer listed on the credits: Mike Moran, who worked on the original version with Mercury. Moran also co-wrote Lynsey de Paul's Eurovision song, "Rock Bottom."

Comments: 7

Steve from Hockessin, , DeMatt, Delilah is the worst song on Innuendo, except for the slide solo by Brian. Yes the band allowed Freddie this little indulgence of his to praise his cat, but it really is not a good song.
Louise from Winton, CaHave to admit that I am a Queen junkie, so I pretty much like what ever they recorded with Freddie. I love the uniqueness within each song.
Louise, Winton, CA
Ryan from Eaton, InFor a bit of clarification: "All God's People" was written for the 'Barcelona' album which Freddie did with Monseratte Caballe. This album was an opera written (primarily) by Freddie (with some co-writing going to Mike Moran and Tim Rice), the story of the opera being a priest going to Barcelona, only to run into the great love of his life there, and begin to question his calling as a priest.

For whatever reason, this song was never included in the final 'Barcelona' project (at the moment, I can't recall if it was included in the demos released in the Freddie box set a few years back); however, it makes sense that Freddie would want Brian to contribute guitar to the track-- John had played bass on a track on the album.
Matt from All Over The Shop, --ugh! never liked this one. even the harmonies don't sound as good as they normally do on any queen record. the bit about the magic light in the middle is cool. i particularly dislike the blatant drum machine cymbals. when you've got as good a drummer as taylor why would you use a bland machine that puts no fire in the beat? maybe the worst song on innuendo. i'll still listen to it of course. :-)
Andrew from Birmingham, United StatesA song mentioning the people of God? Talking about me and the other Christians? Wow! Since when does "Queen" sing about us? To talk about affiliation with us or to hurl insults on us? I don't know, since I haven't heard it before - that I recall. But Marlies, you're correct in saying that this song is different from the other songs by "Queen". Not anything I thought "Queen" would ever mention.
Stefano from Rome, ItalyThis song was definitely written for a Mercury's solo work. In fact, it's the only Queen song having Mike Moran credited as author, like some Freddie's solo songs.
Marlies from Epe, NetherlandsIt's not my favourite Queen song, but it's a nice one:) It's different from the other songs of Queen

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Master Of PuppetsMetallica

In Metallica's 1986 metal classic "Master Of Puppets," the "Master" represents drugs, controlling the user like a puppet. Lead singer James Hetfield wasn't an addict at the time, but 15 years later he needed rehab to treat his alcoholism.

Carolina In My MindJames Taylor

Before it was part of a Pink Floyd album title, James Taylor put the line "still I'm on the dark side of the moon" in his 1968 song "Carolina In My Mind." He was living in London and missing his home in North Carolina.

Free BirdLynyrd Skynyrd

The opening lines to "Free Bird," "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?" came from the girlfriend of Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins, who asked him that question during an argument.

SkyscraperDemi Lovato

Demi Lovato recorded a Spanish version of her song "Skyscraper," but she doesn't speak Spanish. She performed it on a Latin music awards show with help from a teleprompter.

Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)Eurythmics

The Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)" came top of a 2013 Spotify poll to find out which songs music fans most commonly hear people singing incorrectly. Many believe Annie Lennox is singing: "Sweet dreams are made of cheese, who am I to disagree?"

She Loves YouThe Beatles

"She Loves You" by The Beatles was the song that convinced Ozzy Osbourne to make music his life. The Beatles were a big influence on him because they were also poor kids from a small town in England.