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{{Short description|1989 rock single by Queen}}
{{otheruses}}
{{Other uses|I Want It All (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Single <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs -->
{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}
| Name = I Want It All
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}}
| Cover = Queen I Want It All.png
{{Infobox song
| Artist = [[Queen (band)|Queen]]
| Album = [[The Miracle (album)|The Miracle]]
| name = I Want It All
| B-side = "Hang on in There"
| cover = Queen I Want It All.png
| Released = 2 May 1989
| alt =
| border = yes
| Format = [[Gramophone record|7" vinyl]], [[12-inch single|12" vinyl]], [[CD single]], [[Compact Cassette]]
| Recorded = 1988
| caption = UK single picture sleeve
| type = single
| Genre = [[Hard rock]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]
| Length = 4:42 (album), 3:57 (single)
| artist = [[Queen (band)|Queen]]
| Label = [[Parlophone]], [[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
| album = [[The Miracle (album)|The Miracle]]
| Writer = [[Brian May]]
| B-side =
* "Hang on in There"
| Producer = Queen, [[David Richards (record producer)|David Richards]]
* "I Want It All" (album version)<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen UK Singles Discography 1984–1991 |url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/discography/singles-2.htm#I%20Want%20It%20All |website=www.ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref>
| Last single = "[[One Year of Love]]"<br />(1986)
| released = {{Start date|1989|05|02|df=y}}
| This single = "'''I Want It All'''"<br />(1989)
| recorded = 1988
| Next single = "[[Breakthru (song)|Breakthru]]"<br />(1989)
| studio =
| Misc = {{Extra track listing
| genre =
| Album = [[The Miracle (album)|The Miracle]]
* [[Hard rock]]
| Type = studio
* [[arena rock]]<ref name= "Rolli 2024">{{cite web|first= Bryan|last= Rolli|title= Top 35 Songs of 1989|website= [[Townsquare Media|Ultimate Classic Rock]]|date= January 11, 2024|url= https://ultimateclassicrock.com/1989-songs/|accessdate= January 12, 2024}}</ref>
| prev_track = "[[The Miracle (song)|The Miracle]]"
| prev_no = 3
| length =
* 4:41 (album version)
| this_track = "'''I Want It All'''"
* {{Duration|4:01}} (single version)
| track_no = 4
* {{Duration|4:30}} (''[[Queen Rocks]]'' version)
| next_track = "[[The Invisible Man (song)|The Invisible Man]]"
| next_no = 5
| label =
* [[Parlophone]] (UK)
}}
* [[Capitol Records|Capitol]] (US)
{{Extra track listing
| writer =
| Album = [[Greatest Hits II (Queen album)|Greatest Hits II]]
* [[Brian May]]
| Type = compilation
* Queen (credited)
| prev_track = "[[Radio Ga Ga]]"
| prev_no = 3
| producer =
* [[David Richards (record producer)|David Richards]]
| this_track = "'''I Want It All'''"
* Queen
| track_no = 4
| next_track = "[[I Want to Break Free]]"
| prev_title = [[Who Wants to Live Forever]]
| next_no = 5
| prev_year = 1986
| next_title = [[Breakthru (song)|Breakthru]]
}}
| next_year = 1989
{{Extra track listing
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|hFDcoX7s6rE|"I Want It All"}}
| Album = [[Queen Rocks]]
}}
| Type = compilation
| prev_track = "[[Tie Your Mother Down]]"
| prev_no = 2
| this_track = "'''I Want It All'''"
| track_no = 3
| next_track = "[[Seven Seas of Rhye]]"
| next_no = 4
}}
}}
}}
"'''I Want It All'''" ({{audio|Queen - I Want It All.ogg|sample}}) is a song by English [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Queen (band)|Queen]], featured on their 1989 twelveth studio album ''[[The Miracle (album)|The Miracle]]''. Written by guitarist and backing vocalist [[Brian May]] (but credited to Queen) and produced by [[David Richards (record producer)|David Richards]], the song was released as the [[lead single]] from the album on 2 May 1989.<ref name="liner">{{cite album-notes |title=The Platinum Collection |albumlink=The Platinum Collection (Queen album) |artist=[[Queen (band)|Queen]] |year=2000 |first=Jim |last=Jenkins |coauthors=Smith, Jacky; Davis, Andy; Symes, Phil |page=12 |format=CD booklet |publisher=[[Parlophone]] |publisherid=7243 5 29883 2 7 |mbid=6178318e-5e21-4d73-b8d1-2350eb1eefd0 }}</ref> "I Want It All" reached number three on both the [[UK Singles Chart]]<ref name="UK">{{cite web |url=http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=400 |title=Queen |publisher=Chart Stats |accessdate=May 7, 2009 }}</ref> and the American ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks]] chart,<ref name="amcharts">{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jifpxqr5ldje~T51 |title=Queen > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles |publisher=[[allmusic]] |accessdate=May 7, 2009 }}</ref> number 50 on the ''Billboard'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] chart<ref name="amcharts"/> and number one in other European territories.<ref name="liner"/>


"'''I Want It All'''" is a song by British [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Queen (band)|Queen]], featured on their 1989 studio album, ''[[The Miracle (album)|The Miracle]]''. Written by guitarist and vocalist [[Brian May]] (but credited to Queen) and produced by [[David Richards (record producer)|David Richards]], it was released as the first single from the album on 2 May 1989.<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes |title=The Platinum Collection |title-link=The Platinum Collection (Queen album) |others=[[Queen (band)|Queen]] |year=2000 |first=Jim |last=Jenkins |author2=Smith, Jacky |author3=Davis, Andy |author4=Symes, Phil |page=12 |type=CD booklet |publisher=[[Parlophone]] |id=7243 5 29883 2 7 }}</ref> "I Want It All" reached number three on the singles charts of the United Kingdom, Finland, Ireland and New Zealand, as well as on the US ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Album Rock Tracks]] chart. Elsewhere, it peaked at number two in the Netherlands and charted within the top 10 in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Norway and Switzerland. With its message about fighting for one's own goals it became an anti-[[South Africa under apartheid|apartheid]] protest song in South Africa.<ref name="liner"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Queen's 50 UK singles – ranked! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/oct/26/queen-freddie-mercury-50-uk-singles-ranked |access-date=13 March 2019 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
The song was first played live on April 20, 1992, during [[The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert]], performed by the three remaining members of Queen, with [[Roger Daltrey]] singing lead vocals and [[Tony Iommi]] playing rhythm guitar.


The song was first played live on 20 April 1992, three years after its release, during [[The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert]], performed by the three remaining members of Queen, with [[Roger Daltrey]] of The Who singing lead vocals and [[Tony Iommi]] of Black Sabbath playing rhythm guitar.<ref>[http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/videos/fmtributedvd.htm#iwantit The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert: I Want It All] Ultimate Queen. Retrieved 5 July 2011</ref> [[Freddie Mercury]] himself never performed the song live, as he died in November 1991 from [[AIDS]] at the age of 45, and his final performance with Queen was at the end of [[Magic Tour (Queen)|The Magic Tour]], at [[Knebworth House|Knebworth Park]] on 9 August 1986. The record is sung mainly by Mercury, with May singing backing vocals on the choruses and a solo-and-duet bit with Mercury on the [[Bridge (music)|middle eight]].
==Background==
The song is notably heavy for Queen and features themes relating to [[rebellion]] and social upheaval. Songwriter May, however, claims that it is about having ambitions and fighting for one's own goals; because of this, the song became an anti-[[South Africa under apartheid|apartheid]] song in [[South Africa]] and has also been used as a [[LGBT rights|gay rights]] protest theme and a rallying anthem for African-American youth.<ref name="liner"/>


== Background ==
==Style and reception==
In reviewing ''The Miracle'' for [[Allmusic]], Greg Prato suggested that the song, like title track "[[The Miracle (song)|The Miracle]]", "reflect[s] on [...] the state of the world in the late '80s," summarising the song stylistically as "heavy rock."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:g9fixqr5ldte~T1 |title=The Miracle > Review |publisher=[[allmusic]] |last=Prato |first=Greg |accessdate=May 7, 2009 }}</ref> [[Melville, New York|Melville]]-based newspaper ''[[Newsday]]'' mentioned "I Want It All" as one of "The best" of the album, describing it as "colored by [[Brian May|May]]'s rocking guitar rolls and [[Freddie Mercury|Mercury]]'s rough-boys vocals."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_06-25-1989_-_The_Miracle_-_Newsday_(Melville%2C_NY) |title=06-25-1989 - The Miracle - Newsday (Melville, NY) |work=Queen Music Reviews |publisher=Queen Archives (originally published by ''[[Newsday]]'') |date=June 25, 1989 (original publication) |accessdate=May 7, 2009 }}</ref> In reviewing the album, ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'' described "I Want It All" in some depth, explaining how it "starts off with a [[David Bowie|Bowie]]sque guitar part, picks up a heavy cargo of steel, quickly lays down the hard line implied by the title, then takes flight along Mr. May's greased fretboard."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_07-02-1989_-_The_Miracle_-_The_Dallas_Morning_News |title=07-02-1989 - The Miracle - The Dallas Morning News |publisher=Queen Archives (originally published by ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'') |date=February 7, 1989 (original publication) |accessdate=May 7, 2009 }}</ref>


The song, according to [[John Deacon]], was one of only a few which was already written before the band entered the studio in the beginning of 1988 for what would become ''The Miracle'' album. The song was inspired by May's conflicted feelings after his breakup with his first wife, Christine Mullen, and his new relationship with [[Anita Dobson]].
==Music video==


"I Want It All" is notably heavy and features themes relating to [[rebellion]] and social upheaval. Songwriter May, however, claims that it is about having ambitions and fighting for one's own goals; because of this, the song became an anti-[[South Africa under apartheid|apartheid]] song in [[South Africa]] and has also been used as a [[LGBT rights|gay rights]] protest theme and a rallying anthem for Black American youth.<ref name="liner"/>
The music video features the band performing in a studio that used [[halogen lamp|halogen lighting]]. This was done in an attempt to disguise Freddie's gaunt appearance due to his battle with [[AIDS]]. It was directed by [[David Mallet (director)|David Mallet]].


The song was a live favourite, and has been a fixture regularly performed on Queen's "Queen+" tours, both with [[Paul Rodgers]] and subsequently [[Adam Lambert]].
==Video game appearances==
===''Guitar Hero'' series===


== Versions ==
The song is available as a playable track in the 2009 [[music video game]] ''[[Guitar Hero: Van Halen]]''.


There are at least three different versions of the song. The album version included on ''The Miracle'' features an acoustic and electric guitar intro, leading into a power chord section and a brief solo, and later on a two-part main guitar solo, the first section played at the same [[tempo]] as the rest of the song, followed by a second, faster-paced section.
===''Rock Band'' series===


For its single release, the track was edited slightly. Most obviously, the instrumental intro was replaced with an [[a cappella]] rendition of the chorus, leading directly into May's first short guitar solo from the intro. The slower first section of the main guitar solo was also removed. As well as the various single releases, this version was also used in the music video and is found on the band's ''[[Greatest Hits II (Queen album)|Greatest Hits II]]'' compilation.
The song was made available as [[downloadable content]] for the ''[[Rock Band]]'' series of [[music video game]]s as part of the 10 song Queen pack on October 20, 2009.


A third version of the song was prepared especially for the ''[[Queen Rocks]]'' compilation. Essentially a hybrid of the previous versions, it features the ''a cappella'' intro of the single version and the full-length guitar solo of the album version.
===''SingStar''===
The song is featured in the music video game [[SingStar Queen]].


== Style and reception ==
==References==

{{reflist}}
In reviewing ''The Miracle'' for [[AllMusic]], Greg Prato suggested that the song, like the title track "[[The Miracle (song)|The Miracle]]", "reflect[s] on [...] the state of the world in the late '80s," summarising the song stylistically as "heavy rock."<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r15983/review|pure_url=yes}} |title=The Miracle > Review |website=[[AllMusic]] |last=Prato |first=Greg |access-date=7 May 2009}}</ref> [[Melville, New York|Melville]]-based newspaper ''[[Newsday]]'' mentioned "I Want It All" as one of "The best" of the album, describing it as "colored by May's rocking guitar rolls and Mercury's rough-boys vocals."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_06-25-1989_-_The_Miracle_-_Newsday_(Melville%2C_NY) |title=06-25-1989 – The Miracle – Newsday (Melville, NY) |work=Queen Music Reviews |publisher=Queen Archives (originally published by [[Newsday]]) |access-date=7 May 2009}}</ref> In reviewing the album, ''[[The Dallas Morning News]]'' described "I Want It All" in some depth, explaining how it "starts off with a [[David Bowie|Bowie]]sque guitar part, picks up a heavy cargo of steel, quickly lays down the hard line implied by the title, then takes flight along Mr. May's greased fretboard."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_07-02-1989_-_The_Miracle_-_The_Dallas_Morning_News |title=07-02-1989 – The Miracle – The Dallas Morning News |publisher=Queen Archives (originally published by [[The Dallas Morning News]]) |access-date=7 May 2009}}</ref> ''[[Cash Box]]'' said that it "is no '[[Bohemian Rhapsody]],' that’s for sure, but more along the '[[We Will Rock You]]' line" and said that it "should appeal to fans of ’90s pop-metal."<ref name=cb>{{cite magazine|title=Top of the Pops|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/80s/1989/CB-1989-05-27.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|date=May 27, 1989|accessdate=2022-12-21|page=22}}</ref>

== Music video ==

The music video features the band performing in a studio that used [[halogen lamp|halogen lighting]]. It was directed by [[David Mallet (director)|David Mallet]] and filmed at [[Elstree Studios (Shenley Road)|Elstree Studios]], [[Borehamwood]] in March 1989. In the ''[[Greatest Video Hits 2]]'' DVD audio commentary, [[Brian May]] and [[Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)|Roger Taylor]] recall that Mercury's health was already quite bad when the video's shooting took place, and it was remarkable that it did not show up in the video, with Mercury performing with all the energy he had. The video also features Mercury's first public appearance with a beard to hide the [[kaposi's sarcoma]] marks on his jawline, after shaving off his trademark moustache during the video shoot for "[[The Great Pretender#Freddie Mercury version|The Great Pretender]]" in February 1987.

== Track listings ==

'''7-inch Single'''
*A Side. "I Want It All" (single version) – 4:01
*B Side. "[[The Miracle (album)#"Hang on in There"|Hang on in There]]" – 3:45<ref>{{Cite web|title=Queen "The Miracle" album and song lyrics|url=http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/queen/songs/the-miracle.htm#Hang%20On%20In%20There|access-date=9 December 2020|website=www.ultimatequeen.co.uk}}</ref>

'''12-inch and CD single'''
*1/A Side. "I Want It All" (single version) – 4:01
*2/B1. "Hang on in There" – 3:45
*3/B2. "I Want It All" (album version) – 4:41

== Personnel ==

* [[Freddie Mercury]] – lead and backing vocals, synthesizer<ref name="Personnel">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/i-want-it-all-mt0041185673/attributes|title=I Want It All – Queen |date=1 February 2009|work=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
* [[Brian May]] – guitars, backing and co-lead vocals, programming
* [[Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)|Roger Taylor]] – drums, backing vocals, programming
* [[John Deacon]] – bass guitar, backing vocals

== Charts ==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

=== Weekly charts ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (1989)
!scope="col"|Peak<br/>position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|10|artist=Queen|song=I Want It All|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Austria|11|artist=Queen|song=I Want It All|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Flanders|10|artist=Queen|song=I Want It All|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|34|chartid=6417|access-date=22 September 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=6|issue=20|page=20|date=20 May 1989}}</ref>
| 8
|-
!scope="row"|Finland ([[The Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book|first=Jake|last=Nyman|year=2005|title=Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja|edition=1st|publisher=Tammi|location=Helsinki|isbn=951-31-2503-3|language=fi}}</ref>
| 3
|-
!scope="row"|France ([[Institut français d'opinion publique|IFOP]])<ref>[http://www.infodisc.fr/Tubes_Artistes_Q.php "Queen a-t-il battu le record des Beatles ?"]. Info disc.</ref>
| 47
|-
{{single chart|Ireland2|3|artist=Queen|song=I Want It All|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row" |Italy (''[[Musica e Dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php|title=Classifiche|work=[[Musica e Dischi]]|language=it|access-date=28 May 2022}} Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Queen".</ref>
| 7
|-
{{single chart|Dutch40|2|year=1989|week=23|access-date=22 September 2018|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|2|artist=Queen|song=I Want It All|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|3|artist=Queen|song=I Want It All|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Norway|4|artist=Queen|song=I Want It All|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
!scope="row"|Spain ([[Productores de Música de España|AFYVE]])<ref>{{cite book|last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st|date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>
| 12
|-
{{single chart|Sweden|14|artist=Queen|song=I Want It All|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|8|artist=Queen|song=I Want It All|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|3|date=19890513|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|50|artist=Queen|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardmainstreamrock|3|artist=Queen|access-date=26 March 2016|rowheader=true}}
|-
{{single chart|West Germany|9|artist=Queen|song=I Want It All|songid=1967|rowheader=true|access-date=26 March 2016}}
|}
{{col-2}}

=== Year-end charts ===

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center"
!scope="col"|Chart (1989)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/9GTxuJZ.jpg|title=The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – 1989|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]], via Imgur.com|access-date=7 January 2020}}</ref>
| 71
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1989|title=Jaaroverzichten 1989|publisher=[[Ultratop]]|language=nl|access-date=23 September 2018}}</ref>
| 59
|-
!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Eurochart Hot 100 1989|magazine=Music & Media|volume=6|issue=51|page=6|date=23 December 1989}}</ref>
| 57
|-
!scope="row"|Germany (Official German Charts)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1989|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1989|publisher=[[GfK Entertainment]]|language=de|access-date=23 September 2018}}</ref>
| 47
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1989|title=Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1989|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=15 March 2021}}</ref>
| 30
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1989&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten 1989|publisher=[[MegaCharts]]|language=nl|access-date=23 September 2018}}</ref>
| 33
|}
{{col-end}}

== Certifications ==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=Queen|title=I Want It All|award=Gold|relyear=1989|certyear=2019|access-date=14 October 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=I Want It All|artist=Queen|award=Silver|relyear=1989|certyear=1989|id=3156-1614-1|access-date=26 March 2016}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|title=I Want It All|artist=Queen|award=Gold|relyear=1989|certyear=2022|access-date=29 August 2022}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|nosales=true}}

== Video game, film and TV appearances ==
* ''Madden NFL 12'' – A mash-up rap version with "[[We Will Rock You]]" included is featured in ''[[Madden NFL 12]]''. It features the rapping of Armaggedon, a former member of [[Terror Squad (group)|Terror Squad]]. This mash-up rap version of the song was also featured in the 2011 film ''[[Sucker Punch (2011 film)|Sucker Punch]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/first_listen_sucker_punch_will_rock_1mXIZdvJ96P60XHXtVpAiO |title=First Listen: 'Sucker Punch' will 'Rock You' |date=3 March 2011 |first=Jarett |last=Wieselman |work=[[The New York Post]] |access-date=12 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129182232/http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/popwrap/first_listen_sucker_punch_will_rock_1mXIZdvJ96P60XHXtVpAiO |archive-date=29 November 2011 }}</ref>
* ''SingStar Queen'' – The original version of the song was featured in the [[PlayStation]] karaoke music video game ''[[SingStar Queen]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/games/singstar-queen-ps3/ |title=SingStar Queen (PS3) |publisher=PlayStation.com}}</ref>
* ''Guitar Hero'' series – The single version of the song was available as a playable track in the 2009 [[music video game]] ''[[Guitar Hero: Van Halen]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/08/05/exclusive-guitar-hero-van-halen-song-list-and-release-date-revealed/|title=Exclusive: 'Guitar Hero: Van Halen' Song List And Release Date Revealed|first=Russ|last=Frushtick|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=5 August 2009|access-date=5 August 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910211508/http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2009/08/05/exclusive-guitar-hero-van-halen-song-list-and-release-date-revealed/|archive-date=10 September 2015}}</ref> The song was also featured in ''[[Guitar Hero Live]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/11/11/here-are-all-of-the-currently-available-guitar-hero-live-tracks.aspx | title = Here Are All of the Currently Available Guitar Hero Live Tracks | date = 24 November 2015 | access-date = 25 November 2015 | first = Mike | last = Futter | magazine = [[Game Informer]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151121055510/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/11/11/here-are-all-of-the-currently-available-guitar-hero-live-tracks.aspx | archive-date = 21 November 2015 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
* ''Rock Band'' series – The song was originally released as downloadable content on 20 October 2009, alongside a pack of other Queen songs. The song was later re-released as downloadable content for ''[[Rock Band 3]]'' to support the new pro guitar and keyboard features.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/gaming/news/article_1603349.php/More-Queen-Tracks-Coming-to-Rock-Band-3 |title=More Queen Tracks Coming To Rock Band 3 |first=Hector |last=Cortez |date=4 December 2010 |access-date=9 November 2012 |publisher=m&c |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129111413/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/gaming/news/article_1603349.php/More-Queen-Tracks-Coming-to-Rock-Band-3 |archive-date=29 January 2013}}</ref>
* T-Mobile – The song appears in a 2020 [[TV commercial]] for [[T-Mobile US|T-Mobile]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ispot.tv/ad/tYPv/t-mobile-5g-network-anthem-song-by-queen|title=T-Mobile TV Commercial, '5G Network Anthem' Song By Queen|publisher=ispot.tv| date=18 October 2020}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* Official [[YouTube]] videos: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFDcoX7s6rE original music video], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKE3Kh6syb8 Queen + Paul Rogers (live)], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwnJxyVE8IQ Queen + Paul Rodgers – 'Hammer To Fall/ I Want It All' (Live In Ukraine)], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXO6BYFDiC8 at Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert] (with [[Roger Daltrey]])
* [http://www.queenonline.com/en/the-band/discography/queen-rocks/#lyrics Lyrics at Queen official website] (from ''[[Queen Rocks]]'')


{{Queen singles}}
{{Queen singles}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Queen (band) songs]]
[[Category:1988 songs]]
[[Category:1989 singles]]
[[Category:1989 singles]]
[[Category:Queen (band) songs]]
[[Category:Parlophone singles]]
[[Category:Parlophone singles]]
[[Category:Protest songs]]
[[Category:Protest songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Brian May]]
[[Category:Songs written by Brian May]]
[[Category:Capitol Records singles]]

[[Category:Hollywood Records singles]]
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[[Category:British hard rock songs]]
[[Category:Music videos directed by David Mallet (director)]]
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Latest revision as of 09:25, 15 December 2024

For other uses, see I Want It All (disambiguation).

"I Want It All"
UK single picture sleeve
Single by Queen
from the album The Miracle
B-side
  • "Hang on in There"
  • "I Want It All" (album version)[1]
Released2 May 1989 (1989-05-02)
Recorded1988
Genre
Length
  • 4:41 (album version)
  • 4:01 (single version)
  • 4:30 (Queen Rocks version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Queen singles chronology
"Who Wants to Live Forever"
(1986) 		"I Want It All"
(1989) 		"Breakthru"
(1989)
Music video
"I Want It All" on YouTube

"I Want It All" is a song by British rock band Queen, featured on their 1989 studio album, The Miracle. Written by guitarist and vocalist Brian May (but credited to Queen) and produced by David Richards, it was released as the first single from the album on 2 May 1989.[3] "I Want It All" reached number three on the singles charts of the United Kingdom, Finland, Ireland and New Zealand, as well as on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. Elsewhere, it peaked at number two in the Netherlands and charted within the top 10 in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Norway and Switzerland. With its message about fighting for one's own goals it became an anti-apartheid protest song in South Africa.[3][4]

The song was first played live on 20 April 1992, three years after its release, during The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, performed by the three remaining members of Queen, with Roger Daltrey of The Who singing lead vocals and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath playing rhythm guitar.[5] Freddie Mercury himself never performed the song live, as he died in November 1991 from AIDS at the age of 45, and his final performance with Queen was at the end of The Magic Tour, at Knebworth Park on 9 August 1986. The record is sung mainly by Mercury, with May singing backing vocals on the choruses and a solo-and-duet bit with Mercury on the middle eight.

Background

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The song, according to John Deacon, was one of only a few which was already written before the band entered the studio in the beginning of 1988 for what would become The Miracle album. The song was inspired by May's conflicted feelings after his breakup with his first wife, Christine Mullen, and his new relationship with Anita Dobson.

"I Want It All" is notably heavy and features themes relating to rebellion and social upheaval. Songwriter May, however, claims that it is about having ambitions and fighting for one's own goals; because of this, the song became an anti-apartheid song in South Africa and has also been used as a gay rights protest theme and a rallying anthem for Black American youth.[3]

The song was a live favourite, and has been a fixture regularly performed on Queen's "Queen+" tours, both with Paul Rodgers and subsequently Adam Lambert.

Versions

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There are at least three different versions of the song. The album version included on The Miracle features an acoustic and electric guitar intro, leading into a power chord section and a brief solo, and later on a two-part main guitar solo, the first section played at the same tempo as the rest of the song, followed by a second, faster-paced section.

For its single release, the track was edited slightly. Most obviously, the instrumental intro was replaced with an a cappella rendition of the chorus, leading directly into May's first short guitar solo from the intro. The slower first section of the main guitar solo was also removed. As well as the various single releases, this version was also used in the music video and is found on the band's Greatest Hits II compilation.

A third version of the song was prepared especially for the Queen Rocks compilation. Essentially a hybrid of the previous versions, it features the a cappella intro of the single version and the full-length guitar solo of the album version.

Style and reception

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In reviewing The Miracle for AllMusic, Greg Prato suggested that the song, like the title track "The Miracle", "reflect[s] on [...] the state of the world in the late '80s," summarising the song stylistically as "heavy rock."[6] Melville-based newspaper Newsday mentioned "I Want It All" as one of "The best" of the album, describing it as "colored by May's rocking guitar rolls and Mercury's rough-boys vocals."[7] In reviewing the album, The Dallas Morning News described "I Want It All" in some depth, explaining how it "starts off with a Bowiesque guitar part, picks up a heavy cargo of steel, quickly lays down the hard line implied by the title, then takes flight along Mr. May's greased fretboard."[8] Cash Box said that it "is no 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' that’s for sure, but more along the 'We Will Rock You' line" and said that it "should appeal to fans of ’90s pop-metal."[9]

Music video

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The music video features the band performing in a studio that used halogen lighting. It was directed by David Mallet and filmed at Elstree Studios, Borehamwood in March 1989. In the Greatest Video Hits 2 DVD audio commentary, Brian May and Roger Taylor recall that Mercury's health was already quite bad when the video's shooting took place, and it was remarkable that it did not show up in the video, with Mercury performing with all the energy he had. The video also features Mercury's first public appearance with a beard to hide the kaposi's sarcoma marks on his jawline, after shaving off his trademark moustache during the video shoot for "The Great Pretender" in February 1987.

Track listings

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7-inch Single

12-inch and CD single

  • 1/A Side. "I Want It All" (single version) – 4:01
  • 2/B1. "Hang on in There" – 3:45
  • 3/B2. "I Want It All" (album version) – 4:41

Personnel

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Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Italy (FIMI)[38] Gold 25,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Silver 200,000^
United States (RIAA)[40] Gold 500,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Video game, film and TV appearances

[edit]

References

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  1. ^ "Queen UK Singles Discography 1984–1991". www.ultimatequeen.co.uk.
  2. ^ Rolli, Bryan (11 January 2024). "Top 35 Songs of 1989". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Jenkins, Jim; Smith, Jacky; Davis, Andy; Symes, Phil (2000). The Platinum Collection (CD booklet). Queen. Parlophone. p. 12. 7243 5 29883 2 7.
  4. ^ "Queen's 50 UK singles – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  5. ^ The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert: I Want It All Ultimate Queen. Retrieved 5 July 2011
  6. ^ Prato, Greg. "The Miracle > Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  7. ^ "06-25-1989 – The Miracle – Newsday (Melville, NY)". Queen Music Reviews. Queen Archives (originally published by Newsday). Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  8. ^ "07-02-1989 – The Miracle – The Dallas Morning News". Queen Archives (originally published by The Dallas Morning News). Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  9. ^ "Top of the Pops" (PDF). Cash Box. 27 May 1989. p. 22. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Queen "The Miracle" album and song lyrics". www.ultimatequeen.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  11. ^ "I Want It All – Queen". AllMusic. 1 February 2009.
  12. ^ "Queen – I Want It All". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  13. ^ "Queen – I Want It All" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  14. ^ "Queen – I Want It All" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  15. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6417." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 20. 20 May 1989. p. 20.
  17. ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
  18. ^ "Queen a-t-il battu le record des Beatles ?". Info disc.
  19. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I Want It All". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 28 May 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Queen".
  21. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 23, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  22. ^ "Queen – I Want It All" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  23. ^ "Queen – I Want It All". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  24. ^ "Queen – I Want It All". VG-lista. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  25. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  26. ^ "Queen – I Want It All". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  27. ^ "Queen – I Want It All". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  28. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  29. ^ "Queen Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  30. ^ "Queen Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  31. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Queen – I Want It All" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  32. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – 1989". ARIA, via Imgur.com. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  33. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  34. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 1989". Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. 6.
  35. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1989" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  36. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1989". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  37. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  38. ^ "Italian single certifications – Queen – I Want It All" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 14 October 2019. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "I Want It All" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  39. ^ "British single certifications – Queen – I Want It All". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  40. ^ "American single certifications – Queen – I Want It All". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  41. ^ Wieselman, Jarett (3 March 2011). "First Listen: 'Sucker Punch' will 'Rock You'". The New York Post. Archived from the original on 29 November 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  42. ^ "SingStar Queen (PS3)". PlayStation.com.
  43. ^ Frushtick, Russ (5 August 2009). "Exclusive: 'Guitar Hero: Van Halen' Song List And Release Date Revealed". MTV. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  44. ^ Futter, Mike (24 November 2015). "Here Are All of the Currently Available Guitar Hero Live Tracks". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  45. ^ Cortez, Hector (4 December 2010). "More Queen Tracks Coming To Rock Band 3". m&c. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  46. ^ "T-Mobile TV Commercial, '5G Network Anthem' Song By Queen". ispot.tv. 18 October 2020.
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