A Mischievous Digression: Queen‘s “Bring Back That Leroy Brown”
At first blush, “Bring Back That Leroy Brown” might seem an incongruous track within the opulent, operatic tapestry that is Queen. Yet, this playful, blues-infused number is a testament to the band’s versatility and their penchant for the unexpected.
Released on their 1974 album, Sheer Heart Attack, the song stands as a quirky, almost defiant departure from the grandiose anthems that would come to define them.
Background
The song is a direct, albeit humorous, homage to Jim Croce’s iconic “Bad Bad Leroy Brown”. Where Croce painted a picture of a menacing, larger-than-life character, Queen transforms Leroy into a mythical figure, a phantom of the blues, conjured up in a moment of rock and roll revelry. It’s a cheeky wink to their audience, a declaration of their musical omnivorousness.
Freddie Mercury’s vocals on this track are a delight. His voice, usually soaring with operatic grandeur, here descends into a gritty, bluesy growl, adding a layer of authenticity to the character. The band’s musicianship is equally impressive.
Brian May’s guitar, typically layered with intricate harmonies and soaring solos, takes on a bluesy edge, while Roger Taylor’s drumming provides a steady, driving rhythm. John Deacon’s bassline, as always, is the unsung hero, providing the foundation for the song’s infectious groove.
Beyond its musical merits, “Bring Back That Leroy Brown” is a fascinating study in musical appropriation and transformation. It’s a testament to Queen’s ability to take a well-worn trope and infuse it with their own unique brand of showmanship. The song is a reminder that even the most flamboyant and theatrical of bands can find joy in the simple, unadorned pleasures of the blues.
What is particularly intriguing about this track is its placement within the album Sheer Heart Attack. Surrounded by songs of epic proportions like “Killer Queen” and “Stone Cold Crazy”, “Bring Back That Leroy Brown” acts as a palate cleanser, a moment of comic relief.
It’s a reminder that music, at its core, should be fun, and Queen, despite their penchant for the dramatic, never lost sight of that.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
Bring back, bring back, bring back that Leroy Brown, yeah!Bring back, bring back, gotta ring that Leroy Brown, yeah!Bet your bottom dollar bill you’re a playboy, yeah, yeah!Daddy cool, with a ninety dollar smile (oh yeah)Took my money out of gratitudeAnd he get right out of townWell, I gotta getty up steady up, shoot him downGotta hit that latitude, babeBring back, bring back, bring back that Leroy Brown, yeah!Bring back, bring back, gotta ring that Leroy Brown, yeah!Big, bad Leroy Brown – he got no common senseNo, no, he got no brains, but he sure gotta lot of styleCan’t stand no more in this, here, jailI gotta rid myself of this sentenceGotta get out of the heat, step into the shadeGotta get me there dead or alive, babe