Peak
50
Weeks
10
Score
581
Chart Year
1989
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, London 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.
This song is about having ambition and a drive to get things done. Brian May wrote the song, which was inspired by his wife, Anita Dobson, who used to say, "I want it all and I want it now." Dobson is an English television actress. >> For Brian May to write such a proud and powerful anthem at the time, especially based on something Dobson said, was a statement of intent - his first marriage had broken up partly due to the affair he was having with Dobson. This caused him a great deal of depression, which seemed to come out in songs like this. Also considering this was one of the first singles off Miracle, which was around the time Mercury revealed to his bandmates that he was suffering declining health, it has all the marks of a band coming out fighting - the accompanying music video also backs this theme up. See "Scandal" (also on the album) for a similar feel, with lyrics more specifically targeted towards those 'against' Queen at that time - largely the mainstream media. Freddie Mercury takes lead vocals on this song, with May singing and duetting with Mercury in several lines in the pre-solo bridge ("I'm a man with a one track mind, so much to do in one lifetime..."). This is one of a number of Queen singles released from 1987 onwards, when the band had stopped touring because of Mercury's declining health. As such, this is one of many songs that Freddie never sung live. Many others have, however, including Rodger Daltrey from The Who, who performed a show-stopping vocal on this song at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992, which also featured Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath on guitar. The song remains a live favorite and has been a fixture on the "Queen+" tours, both with Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert. This was used in the 2013 movie Despicable Me 2 and in the 2018 Cobra Kai episode "Mercy."
Adventure seeker on an empty street Just an alley creeper, light on his feet A young fighter screaming, with no time for doubt With the pain and anger can't see a way out It ain't much I'm asking, I heard him say Gotta find me a future move out of my way I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now I want it all, I want it all, I want it all, and I want it now Listen all you people, come gather round I gotta get me a game plan, gotta shake you to the ground But just give me, huh, what I know is mine People do you hear me, just gimme the sign It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth Here's to the future for the dreams of youth I want it all (give it all I want it all) I want it all (yeah) I want it all and I want it now I want it all (yes I want it all) I want it all hey I want it all and I want it now I'm a man with a one track mind So much to do in one lifetime (people do you hear me) Not a man for compromise and where's and why's and living lies So I'm living it all, yes I'm living it all And I'm giving it all, and I'm giving it all Oh oh yeah yeah ha ha ha ha ha Yeah yeah yeah yeah I want it all It ain't much I'm asking, if you want the truth Here's to the future Hear the cry of youth (hear the cry of youth) (hear the cry of youth) I want it all, I want it all, I want it all and I want it now I want it all yeah yeah yeah I want it all, I want it all and I want it now Oh oh oh oh oh And I want it (now) I want it, I want it Oh ha
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 13, 1989 | 92 | 34 |
| 2 | May 20, 1989 | 82 | 44 |
| 3 | May 27, 1989 | 74 | 52 |
| 4 | Jun 3, 1989 | 65 | 61 |
| 5 | Jun 10, 1989 | 58 | 68 |
| 6 | Jun 17, 1989 | 50 | 76 |
| 7 | Jun 24, 1989 | 61 | 65 |
| 8 | Jul 1, 1989 | 71 | 55 |
| 9 | Jul 8, 1989 | 83 | 43 |
| 10 | Jul 15, 1989 | 94 | 32 |