C-lebrity
| "C-lebrity" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
C-lebrity is the second single from The Cosmos Rocks album by Queen + Paul Rodgers. It received its live debut on the series finale of ITV's Al Murray's Happy Hour. The song tells the story from the point of view of an aspiring celebrity, who doesn't let their apparent lack of talent hold them back. It was released on September 8 2008[1] and is available on CD, 7" Vinyl and digital downloadable formats[2]. Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters sings backing vocals.[3] Brian May plays bass guitar on the track.[4]
On August 4 2008 the track was premiered for the first time on Ken Bruce's radio show on BBC Radio 2. The song has so far reached number 1 on the UK Rock Singles Chart.
Queen + Paul Rodgers on the single
C-lebrity was born of a great lyrical idea from Roger – a theme very relevant right now – the current obsession with fame – the cult of Celebrity. I threw in some riffs to hang it on, and some arrangement ideas, and Paul tore in and tore it up! It was Paul’s idea to present things from the point of the view of the aspiring Talent Show contestant, in a positive way. We chose this track as a first taster from the album, performing it live on Al Murray’s TV show. It got a great reaction, so we went back in, roughed up the studio version a bit .... and there it is. I think it gives a fair idea of the kind of energy on the album – our first studio creation together. I think we sound like a group ! These things have to happen organically.
— Brian May
C-lebrity is really a comment on the current concept of fame – success and all that goes with it. Getting your face on TV is enough – talent doesn’t really enter into the equation. “Celebrity” is an overused and devalued word today.
— Roger Taylor
“I see the song as Roger's take on the increasing emphasis on fame for its own sake. It’s quite ironic that Andy Warhol’s statement that everyone will have fifteen minutes of fame is becoming something of a reality, although it may be down to fifteen seconds in today’s world of instant communication.”[5]
— Paul Rodgers
Chart positions
| Chart | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Pop Singles Chart | 33 |
| UK Rock Singles | 1 |
