Writer - Brian May
Date of Writing - February 1972
Release Year - 1978
Album - News Of The World
Background:
Written in February 1972, the month Brian estimated to contain Lola's first birthday, the song reflects the emotions and events of 1971, which Brian would later go on to state in multiple interviews was his annus horribilus. 1971 saw the departure of Victoria, Deaky's car crash, Freddie's increased alcoholism, and Roger's sting in rehab. The pressure to keep the band in check only manifests itself in depression once the band has reunited in 1972.
This song reflects on Brian's fears throughout 1971 that the band would be unable to overcome to divisions caused by Victoria's departure to play future shows, and details his guilt at leaving Lola without her father. The song also covers Brian coming to terms with the loss of Victoria and beginning to understand that his infatuation with her was not the product of healthy love. In the song, Victoria consistently referred to as 'dead' and as the 'babe without a name', showing that Brian not only feared he would never see her again, but also that he never properly knew her in the first place. The song battles with the allegorical "death" of his friends and also his adolescent self.
Noteworthy References
She came without a farthing, a babe without a name - although a farthing is a reference to old English money, this is a play on words by Brian as he reflects on Lola coming into the world without a father due to his own actions. Lola and Victoria are both the 'babe without a name' - Brian doesn't know Lola's name, and feels as though Victoria was a stranger to him, an object he desired but in truth knew little about.
So much ado about nothing - Much Ado About Nothing was Victoria's favorite play in high school. The love interests, Claudio and Hero, almost have their relationship ruined by the embittered actions of a third person.
So many games we played, through every fleeting summer, through every preciois day - Brian is reminiscing of his adolescence with Tori - the games played refers to both actual games played by the pair and Brian's attempts to coax romance between the pair, which he now views as childish and delusional.
All Dead, All Dead, the dreams we had - During the dark period of 1971, he feared the band was at an end, their friendships irreparable. Victoria, Deaky, Roger and Freddie make up this list of the dead.
And alone, I'm spared - Brian feels as though he has been punished least by the departure of Victoria - he doesn't become lost in substance abuse or spend a prolonged period in hospital - although he feels as though he is the most deserving of such punishment.
At the rainbows end, and still I hear her own sweet song - Victoria's departure marked the ending of Brian's idyllic adolescence. He recognizes a part of him has been lost forever. Victoria is still being romanticized somewhat in his mind as this idyllic, ever-singing creature.
But please, you just forgive me, I'm old but still a child - Brian struggles to excuse his actions towards Victoria. He feels aged beyond his years but know his words denote a remnant of immaturity. This also provides the great juxtaposition of the song - Brian continually associates Victoria with his childhood self, both of which are supposedly 'dead', but then refers to himself as a 'child', showing his infatuation is not as dead as he would like to pretend.
Of course, I don't believe you're dead and gone - this refers to both Victoria herself (the hope she would come back), the depression Brian is battling, and his infatuation.
Lyrics
She came without a farthing
A babe without a name
So much ado about nothing
Is what she'd try to say
So much ado, my lover
So many games we played
Through every fleeted Summer
Through every precious day
All dead, all dead
All the dreams we had
And I wonder why I still live on
All dead, all dead
And alone, I'm spared
My sweeter half instead
All dead and gone
All dead
All dead, all dead
At the rainbow's end
And still, I hear her own sweet song
All dead, all dead
Take me back again
You know my little friend's
All dead and gone
Her ways are always with me
I wander all the while
But, please, you must forgive me
I am old but still a child
All dead, all dead
But I should not grieve
In time it comes to everyone
All dead, all dead
But in hope, I breathe
Of course, I don't believe
You're dead and gone
