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{{short description|1984 Queen single}}
{{short description|1984 single by Queen}}
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"'''Hammer to Fall'''" is a 1984 song by the British rock band [[Queen (band)|Queen]]. Written by guitarist [[Brian May]], the song is the eighth track on their 1984 album ''[[The Works (Queen album)|The Works]]''.<ref name="Hammer">[http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/songs/works.htm The Works] Ultimate Queen. Retrieved 11 July 2011</ref> It was the fourth and final single to be released from that album, although the single version was edited down by thirty seconds in contrast to the version on the album. Different sleeves were used to package this single and the live picture sleeve is now a [[collectable|collector's item]]. The song harks back to the Queen of old, with a song being built around a hard angular and muscular riff.
"'''Hammer to Fall'''" is a 1984 song by the British rock band [[Queen (band)|Queen]]. Written by guitarist [[Brian May]], the song is the eighth track on their 1984 album ''[[The Works (Queen album)|The Works]]''.<ref name="Hammer">[http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/songs/works.htm The Works] Ultimate Queen. Retrieved 11 July 2011</ref> It was the fourth and final single to be released from that album, although the single version was edited down by thirty seconds from the version on the album. Different sleeves were used to package this single and the live picture sleeve is now a collector's item. The song harks back to the old roots of the band, being built around a hard angular and muscular riff.


The song peaked at number 3 in South Africa, and 13 in the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="Roberts, David 2006">Roberts, David (2006). [[British Hit Singles & Albums]]. London: Guinness World Records Limited</ref> It was featured in the film ''[[Highlander (film)|Highlander]]'', a movie that the band had composed tie-in songs for. The music video was filmed in Brussels during [[The Works Tour]], and features drummer [[Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)|Roger Taylor]] wearing an [[Katharine Hamnett#Media exposure|oversized message T-shirt]] ("CHOOSE LIFE") created by [[Katharine Hamnett]].
The song peaked at number 3 in South Africa, and 13 in the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="Roberts, David 2006">Roberts, David (2006). [[British Hit Singles & Albums]]. London: Guinness World Records Limited</ref> It was featured in the film ''[[Highlander (film)|Highlander]]'', a movie for which the band had composed tie-in songs. The music video was filmed in Brussels during [[The Works Tour]], and features drummer [[Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)|Roger Taylor]] wearing an [[Katharine Hamnett#Media exposure|oversized message T-shirt]] ("CHOOSE LIFE") created by [[Katharine Hamnett]].


"Hammer to Fall" was the third song the band performed at [[Live Aid]] in 1985.<ref>{{cite web |first=Peter |last=Stanford |date=24 Sep 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/8785536/Queen-their-finest-moment-at-Live-Aid.html |title=Queen: their finest moment at Live Aid |work=The Telegraph |access-date=15 May 2012}}</ref><ref name="LAid"/><ref>[http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/videos/liveaid.htm Live Aid: Hammer to Fall] Ultimate Queen. Retrieved 11 July 2011</ref> The song features in the setlist of both The Works Tour and [[Magic Tour (Queen)|The Magic Tour]].<ref name="Works"/><ref name="Magic"/> The full album version of the song appears on ''[[Queen Rocks]]'' while the single version appears on ''[[Greatest Hits II (Queen album)|Greatest Hits II]]'' and ''[[Classic Queen]]''.<ref name="Hammer"/>
"Hammer to Fall" was the third song the band performed at [[Live Aid]] in 1985.<ref>{{cite web |first=Peter |last=Stanford |date=24 Sep 2011 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopmusic/8785536/Queen-their-finest-moment-at-Live-Aid.html |title=Queen: their finest moment at Live Aid |work=The Telegraph |access-date=15 May 2012}}</ref><ref name="LAid"/><ref>[http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/videos/liveaid.htm Live Aid: Hammer to Fall] Ultimate Queen. Retrieved 11 July 2011</ref> The song features in the setlist of both The Works Tour and [[Magic Tour (Queen)|The Magic Tour]].<ref name="Works"/><ref name="Magic"/> The full album version of the song appears on ''[[Queen Rocks]]'' while the single version appears on ''[[Greatest Hits II (Queen album)|Greatest Hits II]]'' and ''[[Classic Queen]]''.<ref name="Hammer"/>
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</cite></blockquote>
</cite></blockquote>


The question of the meaning of the song was effectively settled when May wrote on his website that "Hammer to Fall is really about life and death, and being aware of death as being part of life", and that "the Hammer coming down is only a symbol of the [[Grim Reaper]] doing his job!"<ref>Brian May: ''Brian's Soapbox'', April 2004, [http://www.brianmay.com brianmay.com]</ref>
The question of the meaning of the song was effectively settled when May wrote on his website that "Hammer to Fall is really about life and death, and being aware of death as being part of life", and that "the Hammer coming down is only a symbol of the [[Grim Reaper]] doing his job!"<ref>Brian May: ''Brian's Soapbox'', April 2004, [https://web.archive.org/web/20041212165002fw_/http://www.brianmay.com/brian/brianssb/brianssbapr04.html brianmay.com]</ref>

==Reception==
''[[Cash Box]]'' said "With customary raw energy highlighted by the powerful vocals of Freddie Mercury and the unstoppable energy of guitarist/composer Brian May, Queen still exemplifies the essence of solid rock. The song itself offers nothing particularly new, but is performed energetically and contains more than enough of what Queen’s fans have come to expect.."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1984/CB-1984-10-27.pdf|title=Single Review|magazine=[[Cash Box magazine|Cash Box]]|via=World Radio History|page=8|date=27 October 1984|access-date=8 December 2021}}</ref>


==Music video==
==Music video==
The music video was directed by [[David Mallet (director)|David Mallet]], containing footage of a performance of the song in Brussels during [[The Works Tour]].<ref>[http://www.queenzone.com/queenzone/bio_view.aspx?q=16 Queen Biography 1984] {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/652N94jXS?url=http://www.queenzone.com/errors/404.aspx?aspxerrorpath=%2Fqueenzone%2Fbio_view.aspx |date=28 January 2012 }} Queen Zone. Retrieved 11 July 2011</ref>
The music video was directed by [[David Mallet (director)|David Mallet]], containing footage of a performance of the song in Brussels during [[The Works Tour]].<ref>[http://www.queenzone.com/queenzone/bio_view.aspx?q=16 Queen Biography 1984] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217041340/http://www.queenzone.com/errors/404.aspx?aspxerrorpath=/queenzone/bio_view.aspx |date=17 February 2012 }} Queen Zone. Retrieved 11 July 2011</ref>


==Live performances==
==Live performances==
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At the [[Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert]] in 1992, [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]] singer [[Gary Cherone]] performed the song with Queen and [[Tony Iommi]] of [[Black Sabbath]], having previously done a medley of other Queen songs with his own group.<ref>[http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/videos/fmtributedvd.htm#hammer The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert: Hammer to Fall] Retrieved 25 May 2011</ref>
At the [[Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert]] in 1992, [[Extreme (band)|Extreme]] singer [[Gary Cherone]] performed the song with Queen and [[Tony Iommi]] of [[Black Sabbath]], having previously done a medley of other Queen songs with his own group.<ref>[http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/videos/fmtributedvd.htm#hammer The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert: Hammer to Fall] Retrieved 25 May 2011</ref>


A different version of the song with the first part played in the style of a [[ballad]] was played by May on his 1998 solo tour promoting second album [[Another World (Brian May album)|Another World]]. This arrangement was revived for [[Queen + Paul Rodgers]] in 2005.
A different version of the song with the first part played in the style of a [[ballad]] was played by May on his 1998 solo tour promoting his second album [[Another World (Brian May album)|''Another World'']]. This arrangement was revived for [[Queen + Paul Rodgers]] in 2005.


==In other media==
==In other media==
* The song appears in the 1987 science fiction book ''[[The Tommyknockers]]'' by [[Stephen King]].<ref name="Hammer to Fall">[https://books.google.com/books?id=_EwdaKZmwfIC&pg=PT689&lpg=PT689&dq=hammer+to+fall+tommyknockers&source=bl&ots=1kL1pxKR4R&sig=lZOQ1ZAftHy-UIfE3X75SCGwHiE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=H_r3U6CFOMvT7Aaju4HADg&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAQ The Tommyknockers (1987)] Google Books Result</ref>
* The song appears in the 1987 science fiction book ''[[The Tommyknockers]]'' by [[Stephen King]].<ref name="Hammer to Fall">[https://books.google.com/books?id=_EwdaKZmwfIC&dq=hammer+to+fall+tommyknockers&pg=PT689 The Tommyknockers (1987)] Google Books Result</ref>
* A portion of the song is heard during the scene with the well-armed Vietnam veteran in the 1986 film ''[[Highlander (film)|Highlander]]''.<ref name="SoundTreks | Highlander">{{cite web|url=http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/948669-soundtreks-highlander|title=SoundTreks - Highlander|work=CraveOnline|access-date=2017-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029131413/http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/948669-soundtreks-highlander|archive-date=29 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* A portion of the song is heard during the scene with the well-armed Vietnam veteran in the 1986 film ''[[Highlander (film)|Highlander]]''.<ref name="SoundTreks | Highlander">{{cite web|url=http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/948669-soundtreks-highlander|title=SoundTreks - Highlander|work=CraveOnline|access-date=2017-02-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029131413/http://www.craveonline.com/entertainment/948669-soundtreks-highlander|archive-date=29 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* A portion of the song is heard during a scene of the sixth episode of [[Netflix|Netflix's]] ''[[Stranger Things]]'' second season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/stranger-things/268557/stranger-things-2-complete-easter-egg-and-reference-guide/page/0/5|title=Stranger Things 2: Complete Easter Egg and Reference Guide|work=Den of Geek|access-date=2017-10-29|language=en}}</ref>
* A portion of the song is heard during a scene of the sixth episode of [[Netflix|Netflix's]] ''[[Stranger Things]]'' second season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/stranger-things/268557/stranger-things-2-complete-easter-egg-and-reference-guide/page/0/5|title=Stranger Things 2: Complete Easter Egg and Reference Guide|work=Den of Geek|access-date=2017-10-29|language=en}}</ref>
* The song is heard in the biopic ''[[Bohemian Rhapsody (film)|Bohemian Rhapsody]]'' where Queen's [[Live Aid]] performance is reenacted.
* The song is heard in the 2018 biopic ''[[Bohemian Rhapsody (film)|Bohemian Rhapsody]]'' where Queen's [[Live Aid]] performance is reenacted.


== Track Listings ==
== Track listings ==
'''7" Single'''
'''7" Single'''


A Side. "Hammer to Fall" (Single Version) - 3:40
* A Side. "Hammer to Fall" (Single Version) - 3:40
⚫
* B Side. "Tear It Up" - 3:24<ref>{{Cite web|title=Queen "The Works" album and song lyrics|url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/songs/the-works.htm#Tear%20It%20Up|access-date=2020-12-10|website=www.ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref>

⚫
B Side. "Tear It Up" - 3:24<ref>{{Cite web|title=Queen "The Works" album and song lyrics|url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/songs/the-works.htm#Tear%20It%20Up|access-date=2020-12-10|website=www.ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref>


'''12" Single'''
'''12" Single'''


A Side. "Hammer to Fall" (Extended Version) - 5:25
* A Side. "Hammer to Fall" (Extended Version) - 5:25
⚫
* B Side. "Tear It Up" - 3:24

⚫
B Side. "Tear It Up" - 3:24


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
*[[Freddie Mercury]] – [[lead vocalist|lead]] and [[backing vocals]]
*[[Freddie Mercury]] – lead and backing vocals
*[[Brian May]] – [[electric guitar]], backing vocals
*[[Brian May]] – electric guitar, backing vocals
*[[Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)|Roger Taylor]] – [[drums]], backing vocals
*[[Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)|Roger Taylor]] – drums, backing vocals
*[[John Deacon]] – [[bass guitar]]
*[[John Deacon]] – bass guitar
*[[Fred Mandel]] – [[synthesizer|synthesiser]]
*[[Fred Mandel]] – synthesizer


==Charts==
==Charts==
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|-
|-
! scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])
! scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])
| 55
| 69
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Poland ([[Lista Przebojów Programu Trzeciego]])
! scope="row"| Poland ([[Lista Przebojów Programu Trzeciego]])
Line 139: Line 140:
! scope="col"| Position
! scope="col"| Position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019|work=Billboard|access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref><br>''[[Live Aid]] version''
! scope="row"| US Hot Rock Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2019/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019|magazine=Billboard|date=2 January 2013|access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref><br>''[[Live Aid]] version''
| 73
| 73
|}

====Queen + Paul Rodgers version====
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (2019)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| Portugal (AFP)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.audiogest.pt/documents/files/Top%20AFP-AUDIOGEST_01-52_2019_V2%20site%281%29.pdf|title=Top AFP - Audiogest - Top 3000 Singles + EPs Digitais|publisher=[[Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa]]|language=pt|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref>
| 1883
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
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==Certifications==
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|title=Hammer To Fall|artist=Queen|certyear=2024|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=1984|access-date=August 26, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Queen|title=Hammer to Fall|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2011|certyear=2020|id=16347-1614-1|access-date=17 April 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Queen|title=Hammer to Fall|award=Silver|type=single|relyear=2011|certyear=2020|id=16347-1614-1|access-date=17 April 2020}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true|nosales=true}}

Latest revision as of 16:58, 26 August 2024

"Hammer to Fall"
UK single picture sleeve
Single by Queen
from the album The Works
A-side"Hammer to Fall" (Extended Version) (12" single only)[1]
B-side"Tear It Up"
Released10 September 1984 (UK)
12 October 1984 (US)
RecordedJanuary 1984
Genre
Length
  • 4:28 (album version)
  • 3:40 (single version)
  • 5:25 (12" Headbanger's version)
Label
Songwriter(s)Brian May
Producer(s)
Queen singles chronology
"It's a Hard Life"
(1984) 		"Hammer to Fall"
(1984) 		"Thank God It's Christmas"
(1984)
Music video
"Hammer to Fall" on YouTube

"Hammer to Fall" is a 1984 song by the British rock band Queen. Written by guitarist Brian May, the song is the eighth track on their 1984 album The Works.[4] It was the fourth and final single to be released from that album, although the single version was edited down by thirty seconds from the version on the album. Different sleeves were used to package this single and the live picture sleeve is now a collector's item. The song harks back to the old roots of the band, being built around a hard angular and muscular riff.

The song peaked at number 3 in South Africa, and 13 in the UK Singles Chart.[5] It was featured in the film Highlander, a movie for which the band had composed tie-in songs. The music video was filmed in Brussels during The Works Tour, and features drummer Roger Taylor wearing an oversized message T-shirt ("CHOOSE LIFE") created by Katharine Hamnett.

"Hammer to Fall" was the third song the band performed at Live Aid in 1985.[6][7][8] The song features in the setlist of both The Works Tour and The Magic Tour.[9][10] The full album version of the song appears on Queen Rocks while the single version appears on Greatest Hits II and Classic Queen.[4]

Interpretation

[edit]

The lyrics at several points refer to the Cold War era in which the band members grew up, fuelling the popular conception that the song was about nuclear war:

For we who grew up tall and proud
In the shadow of the mushroom cloud

The term "waiting for the hammer to fall" in the song was taken to refer to the anticipation by the public that Cold War would turn "hot" – or, alternatively, as a reference to the Soviet Hammer and Sickle.[citation needed]

The song also contains references to death and its inevitability:

Rich or poor or famous
For your truth it's all the same (oh no oh no)

The question of the meaning of the song was effectively settled when May wrote on his website that "Hammer to Fall is really about life and death, and being aware of death as being part of life", and that "the Hammer coming down is only a symbol of the Grim Reaper doing his job!"[11]

Reception

[edit]

Cash Box said "With customary raw energy highlighted by the powerful vocals of Freddie Mercury and the unstoppable energy of guitarist/composer Brian May, Queen still exemplifies the essence of solid rock. The song itself offers nothing particularly new, but is performed energetically and contains more than enough of what Queen’s fans have come to expect.."[12]

Music video

[edit]

The music video was directed by David Mallet, containing footage of a performance of the song in Brussels during The Works Tour.[13]

Live performances

[edit]

"Hammer to Fall" was the third song on the band's setlist at Live Aid, after "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Radio Ga Ga".[7] Live versions of the song in the 1980s also usually served as an opportunity for touring keyboardist Spike Edney to appear onstage playing rhythm guitar, as he was usually not visible from behind his keyboard stack. "Hammer to Fall" features in the setlist of both The Works Tour and The Magic Tour.[9][10]

At the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992, Extreme singer Gary Cherone performed the song with Queen and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, having previously done a medley of other Queen songs with his own group.[14]

A different version of the song with the first part played in the style of a ballad was played by May on his 1998 solo tour promoting his second album Another World. This arrangement was revived for Queen + Paul Rodgers in 2005.

In other media

[edit]

Track listings

[edit]

7" Single

  • A Side. "Hammer to Fall" (Single Version) - 3:40
  • B Side. "Tear It Up" - 3:24[18]

12" Single

  • A Side. "Hammer to Fall" (Extended Version) - 5:25
  • B Side. "Tear It Up" - 3:24

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[23] Gold 30,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[24] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Queen UK Singles Discography 1984-1991". www.ultimatequeen.co.uk.
  2. ^ Purvis, Georg (2007). Queen: Complete Works. Reynolds & Hearn. p. 60. ISBN 978-1-905-28733-8. Brian's love of hard rock is evident in 'Hammer To Fall'
  3. ^ "The Ten Heaviest Queen Songs Ever - Metal Hammer". TeamRock. 22 June 2017.
  4. ^ a b The Works Ultimate Queen. Retrieved 11 July 2011
  5. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums. London: Guinness World Records Limited
  6. ^ Stanford, Peter (24 September 2011). "Queen: their finest moment at Live Aid". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  7. ^ a b Queen Concerts: 13 July 1985 Wembley Stadium, London, (Live Aid) Retrieved 11 July 2011
  8. ^ Live Aid: Hammer to Fall Ultimate Queen. Retrieved 11 July 2011
  9. ^ a b Queen live on tour: The Works 1985 Queen Concerts. Retrieved 11 July 2011
  10. ^ a b Queen live on tour: Magic tour Queen Concerts. Retrieved 11 July 2011
  11. ^ Brian May: Brian's Soapbox, April 2004, brianmay.com
  12. ^ "Single Review" (PDF). Cash Box. 27 October 1984. p. 8. Retrieved 8 December 2021 – via World Radio History.
  13. ^ Queen Biography 1984 Archived 17 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine Queen Zone. Retrieved 11 July 2011
  14. ^ The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert: Hammer to Fall Retrieved 25 May 2011
  15. ^ The Tommyknockers (1987) Google Books Result
  16. ^ "SoundTreks - Highlander". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  17. ^ "Stranger Things 2: Complete Easter Egg and Reference Guide". Den of Geek. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Queen "The Works" album and song lyrics". www.ultimatequeen.co.uk. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Queen Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  20. ^ "Queen Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  21. ^ "Queen Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  22. ^ "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  23. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Queen – Hammer To Fall" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  24. ^ "British single certifications – Queen – Hammer to Fall". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
[edit]
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