All Right Now
Encyclopedia
"All Right Now" is a rock
single
by the English rock band Free
. The song, released in mid-1970, hit #2 on the UK singles chart
and #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100
singles chart. "All Right Now" originally appeared on the album Fire And Water, which Free recorded on the Island Records
label, formed by Chris Blackwell
. In 1991, the song was remixed and re-released, reaching #8 on the UK singles chart.
"All Right Now" was a #1 hit in over 20 territories and was recognised by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) in 1990 for garnering 1,000,000 plus radio plays in the U.S. by late 1989. In 2006 the BMI
London awards included a Million Air award for 3 million air plays of All Right Now in the USA.
The song has recently found a home as part of the encore set for Queen + Paul Rodgers
. Before "We Will Rock You
" and "We Are the Champions
", it offers the fans one more chance to sing along. One of the engineers during the recordings of "All Right Now" was Roy Thomas Baker
, who would later become Queen's producer (he mixed "Killer Queen
", "Bohemian Rhapsody
" and "Don't Stop Me Now
" among others).
According to drummer Simon Kirke, "All Right Now" was written by bassist Andy Fraser and singer Paul Rodgers in the Durham Students' Union
building, Dunelm House. However, Paul Rodgers stated whilst performing with Queen that he wrote the lyric of "All Right Now". This remark can be heard on the Queen + Paul Rodgers CD, Return of the Champions
, when "All Right Now" starts.
; this version has the click track accidentally mixed into it. When the band sent the album off to be mastered, they then pressed all the records, finally one of the members noticed it in the mix when he heard the song on the radio.
Furthermore, there are two mixes of the common 4:13 version. The first is the original '1970s' version; this was later remixed using exactly the same vocal track, but replacing the guitars and drums with heavier, rockier sounding ones.
There is an outtake version on their box-set, and a version on Free Live!#
The striking absence of bass guitar during the song's verses may be informed by the same arrangement feature on the Rolling Stones' Honky Tonk Women
(1969), which, moreover, also begins with several bars of unaccompanied drumming.
in 1975 (as a demo), (Rick) Santers http://www.santers.com/ in 1984, Rod Stewart
in 1985, ex-Wham!
backing singers Pepsi & Shirlie
in 1987, and by Scottish girl band Lemonescent
in 2003. It has also been sampled in Tone-Loc's song "Funky Cold Medina
" in 1989. The Who
covered it at a concert in Passaic
, New Jersey on September 11, 1979. The Sweet once covered this song at a 1976 concert following the death of Paul Kossoff in Santa Monica
, California with Ritchie Blackmore
guesting on guitar .. Sawyer Brown
covered "All Right Now" as a part of their 2008 tour.
"All Right Now", recorded by Mike Oldfield
(produced by Tom Newman
), with vocals by Wendy Roberts and Pierre Moerrlen, was issued as a one-sided promotional blue flexi-disc 7" single in 1979. The single was given only to Virgin Records
executives and was never issued to the public, making it one of the most elusive collectors' items in the Oldfield catalogue. Its catalogue number is "Virgin TT-362".
Since 1976, "All Right Now" has been the de facto fight song of the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band. The band and the student section all jump in the air when the song starts.
Steve Miller
acknowledged that the intro to his 1976 #1 single
"Rock 'n Me" was a tip of the hat to All Right Now. "Yeah, it's a tack on the wall for Paul. I did one concert in the two years that I was off the road. I went to London and played with Pink Floyd
...it was a big, huge outdoor show so we needed a big rock and roll number that was really going to excite everybody. I just put it together and didn't think much about it."http://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&pg=PT456&lpg=PT456&dq=%22yeah+it%27s+a+tack+on+the+wall+for+Paul%22&source=bl&ots=cHAn3hgbeE&sig=Rz6q1bCsh7V7h9w3tr07e97uTbU&hl=en&ei=kaF4SqjmDMOelAeY0JWZBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=%22yeah%20it%27s%20a%20tack%20on%20the%20wall%20for%20Paul%22&f=false
Christina Aguilera
covered this song in 2000 at a concert, and it appeared on her My Reflection
DVD.
David Cook
covered this song during Top 20 week on American Idol: Season 7.
Paige Miles
also sang this song on American Idol
as her Top 24 performance.
White Noise perform this song regularly at their gigs in Playa Flamenca
Nightshade perform this song regularly at their gigs in Playa Flamenca
Chris Holder covered this song but changed the lyric from All Right Now to 'All Night Long'.
Ali Campbell
covered the song on his 2010 album 'Great British Songs'.
ApologetiX
recorded a parody version called "Go Right Now" on their album Jesus Christ Morningstar
Bad Company
, the supergroup with Free singer Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, covered this song in a 2002 concert, appearing on their In Concert: Merchants of Cool live album.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
by the English rock band Free
Free (band)
Free were an English rock band, formed in London in 1968, best known for their 1970 signature song "All Right Now". They disbanded in 1973 and lead singer Paul Rodgers went on to become a frontman of the band Bad Company along with Simon Kirke on drums; lead guitarist Paul Kossoff died from a...
. The song, released in mid-1970, hit #2 on the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and #4 on the US Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles chart. "All Right Now" originally appeared on the album Fire And Water, which Free recorded on the Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
label, formed by Chris Blackwell
Chris Blackwell
Christopher Percy Gordon "Chris" Blackwell is a British record producer and businessman, who was the founder of Island Records, acknowledged as the most successful and groundbreaking independent record company in history. Blackwell has been a music industry mogul for over fifty years...
. In 1991, the song was remixed and re-released, reaching #8 on the UK singles chart.
"All Right Now" was a #1 hit in over 20 territories and was recognised by ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) in 1990 for garnering 1,000,000 plus radio plays in the U.S. by late 1989. In 2006 the BMI
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
London awards included a Million Air award for 3 million air plays of All Right Now in the USA.
The song has recently found a home as part of the encore set for Queen + Paul Rodgers
Queen + Paul Rodgers
Queen + Paul Rodgers was a supergroup collaboration between Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen and Paul Rodgers...
. Before "We Will Rock You
We Will Rock You
"We Will Rock You" is a song written by Brian May and recorded and performed by Queen for their 1977 album News of the World. Rolling Stone ranked it #330 of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004, and the RIAA placed it at #146 on its list of Songs of the Century...
" and "We Are the Champions
We Are the Champions
"We Are the Champions" is a power ballad written by Freddie Mercury, recorded and performed by British rock band Queen for their 1977 album News of the World. One of their most famous and popular songs, it remains among rock's most recognisable anthems...
", it offers the fans one more chance to sing along. One of the engineers during the recordings of "All Right Now" was Roy Thomas Baker
Roy Thomas Baker
Roy Thomas Baker is a multiple award-winning Anglo-American music producer, songwriter, arranger and Recording Academy Governor, who has produced Platinum and Gold certified pop and rock records from the 1970s to the present.- Career :Baker began his career at Decca Records in England at the age...
, who would later become Queen's producer (he mixed "Killer Queen
Killer Queen (song)
"Killer Queen" is a song by British rock band Queen. Written by pianist and lead singer Freddie Mercury, it featured on their 1974 album Sheer Heart Attack, and also appears on the band's compilation album, Greatest Hits. When released as a single, "Killer Queen" was Queen's breakthrough hit,...
", "Bohemian Rhapsody
Bohemian Rhapsody
"Bohemian Rhapsody" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band's 1975 album A Night at the Opera...
" and "Don't Stop Me Now
Don't Stop Me Now
"Don't Stop Me Now" is a song by English rock group Queen, featured on their 1978 album Jazz. Written by vocalist Freddie Mercury, it was recorded in August/September 1978 at Super Bear Studios in Berre-les-Alpes , France, and is the twelfth track on the album.Musically, the song is based around...
" among others).
According to drummer Simon Kirke, "All Right Now" was written by bassist Andy Fraser and singer Paul Rodgers in the Durham Students' Union
Durham Students' Union
The Durham Students' Union is a body, set up as the Durham Colleges Students’ Representative Council in 1899 and renamed in 1969, with the intention of representing and providing welfare and services for the students of the University of Durham in England.-Location:DSU occupies and manages Dunelm...
building, Dunelm House. However, Paul Rodgers stated whilst performing with Queen that he wrote the lyric of "All Right Now". This remark can be heard on the Queen + Paul Rodgers CD, Return of the Champions
Return of the Champions
Return of the Champions is a double live album by English rock band Queen + Paul Rodgers. It was recorded in May 2005 during the Queen + Paul Rodgers Tour at the Hallam FM Arena in Sheffield, England and released on 19 September 2005...
, when "All Right Now" starts.
Versions/Mixes/Arrangement
There are (at least) two mixes of Free's "All Right Now". The most popular version heard on classic rock stations is 5:29 and a shorter mix is 4:13. The shorter one has a more complex guitar riff at the lead-in. The difference appears in the first seven seconds of the two tracks before Rodgers' "Whoa, whoa, whoa". The jazzier riff is apparent throughout the entire recording; there are also several slight variants to the basslineBassline
A bassline is the term used in many styles of popular music, such as jazz, blues, funk, dub and electronic music for the low-pitched instrumental part or line played by a rhythm section instrument such as the electric bass, double bass, tuba or keyboard...
; this version has the click track accidentally mixed into it. When the band sent the album off to be mastered, they then pressed all the records, finally one of the members noticed it in the mix when he heard the song on the radio.
Furthermore, there are two mixes of the common 4:13 version. The first is the original '1970s' version; this was later remixed using exactly the same vocal track, but replacing the guitars and drums with heavier, rockier sounding ones.
There is an outtake version on their box-set, and a version on Free Live!#
The striking absence of bass guitar during the song's verses may be informed by the same arrangement feature on the Rolling Stones' Honky Tonk Women
Honky Tonk Women
"Honky Tonk Women" is a 1969 hit song by The Rolling Stones. Released as a single on 4 July 1969 in the UK and a week later in the US, it topped the charts in both nations.-Inspiration and Recording:...
(1969), which, moreover, also begins with several bars of unaccompanied drumming.
Use in the media
- This song is used in TV series Supernatural, as the closing music for season one episode Skin.
- A UK advert for Wrigley's chewing gum in the late 1980s and early 1990s used this song.
- This song was used in an episode of The SopranosThe SopranosThe Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
. In the episode The Ride, the song plays while Tony SopranoTony SopranoAnthony John "Tony" Soprano, Sr. is an Italian-American fictional character and the protagonist on the HBO television drama series The Sopranos, on which he is portrayed by James Gandolfini. The character was conceived by The Sopranos creator and show runner David Chase, who was also largely...
and Christopher MoltisantiChristopher MoltisantiChristopher "Chris" Moltisanti, played by Michael Imperioli, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He was Tony Soprano's protégé and a Capo in the Soprano crime family.-Biography:...
happen upon bikers who are robbing a liquor store. - This song was featured on the American BeautyAmerican BeautyAmerican Beauty may refer to:*Rosa 'American Beauty', a hybrid perpetual roseAmerican Beauty may also refer to:*The American Beauty, a 1927 film by Richard Wallace*American Beauty , a 1931 novel...
Soundtrack.
Personnel
- Written by Andy FraserAndy FraserAndy Fraser is an English songwriter and bass guitarist whose career has lasted over forty years and includes a notable period as one of the founding members, in 1968, at age 15, of the rock band Free.-Peak years :...
and Paul RodgersPaul RodgersPaul Bernard Rodgers is an English rock singer-songwriter, best known for his success in the 1970s as a member of Free and Bad Company. After stints in two less successful bands in the 1980s and early 1990s, The Firm and The Law, he became a solo artist. He has recently toured and recorded with... - Produced by Andy Fraser, Paul Rodgers, Simon KirkeSimon KirkeSimon Kirke is an English rock drummer best known as a member of Free and Bad Company.-Biography:...
and Paul KossoffPaul KossoffPaul Francis Kossoff was an English rock guitarist best known as a member of the band Free.Kossoff was ranked 51st in Rolling Stone magazine list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" -Early days:...
- Paul Rodgers – Lead vocals
- Paul Kossoff – Guitar
- Andy Fraser – Bass guitar
- Simon Kirke – Drums
Cover versions
"All Right Now" has been covered by many bands and artists; the most popular are by The RunawaysThe Runaways
The Runaways were an American all-girl rock band that recorded and performed in the second half of the 1970s. The band released four studio albums and one live set during its run. Among its best known songs: "Cherry Bomb", "Queens of Noise", "Neon Angels On the Road to Ruin", "California Paradise"...
in 1975 (as a demo), (Rick) Santers http://www.santers.com/ in 1984, Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
in 1985, ex-Wham!
WHAM!
Wham! were a short-lived British musical duo formed by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley in the early 1980s. They were briefly known in the United States as Wham! UK due to a naming conflict with an American band....
backing singers Pepsi & Shirlie
Pepsi & Shirlie
Pepsi & Shirlie were a British pop duo who released two albums, All Right Now in 1987 and Change in 1991.-Career:The act comprised Helen "Pepsi" DeMacque and Shirlie Holliman , who had been Wham! backing vocalists. Holliman's original singing partner, Dee C...
in 1987, and by Scottish girl band Lemonescent
Lemonescent
Lemonescent were a Scottish girl group formed in 2002. After several hit singles and one album, they split up in 2005.-History:Lemonescent came together through auditions for singers held by former Johnny Hates Jazz songwriter/member Iain MacDonald; He had chosen eight girls and then cut down to...
in 2003. It has also been sampled in Tone-Loc's song "Funky Cold Medina
Funky Cold Medina
"Funky Cold Medina" is a hip hop song written by Young MC, Michael L. Ross and Matt Dike, and first performed by Tone Lōc. It was the second single from Lōc's debut album Lōc-ed After Dark . The single was released on March 18, 1989, and rose to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 the following month...
" in 1989. The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
covered it at a concert in Passaic
Passaic
-In New Jersey:*Passaic, New Jersey, a city in Passaic County*Passaic County, New Jersey*Passaic River, a river in northern New Jersey*Glacial Lake Passaic, a prehistoric proglacial lake-Historical events:...
, New Jersey on September 11, 1979. The Sweet once covered this song at a 1976 concert following the death of Paul Kossoff in Santa Monica
Santa Mônica
Santa Mônica is a town and municipality in the state of Paraná in the Southern Region of Brazil.-References:...
, California with Ritchie Blackmore
Ritchie Blackmore
Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, who was known as one of the first guitarists to fuse Classical music elements with rock. He fronted his own band Rainbow after leaving Deep Purple where he was unhappy because his favourite musical style wasn't adequately...
guesting on guitar .. Sawyer Brown
Sawyer Brown
Sawyer Brown is an American country music band founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by five members of country pop singer Don King's road band: Bobby Randall and Jim Scholten , both from Midland, Michigan; Joe Smyth , Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard , and Mark Miller...
covered "All Right Now" as a part of their 2008 tour.
"All Right Now", recorded by Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
(produced by Tom Newman
Tom Newman (musician)
Not to be confused with Thomas Newman.Tom Newman is an English record producer and musician...
), with vocals by Wendy Roberts and Pierre Moerrlen, was issued as a one-sided promotional blue flexi-disc 7" single in 1979. The single was given only to Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
executives and was never issued to the public, making it one of the most elusive collectors' items in the Oldfield catalogue. Its catalogue number is "Virgin TT-362".
Since 1976, "All Right Now" has been the de facto fight song of the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band. The band and the student section all jump in the air when the song starts.
Steve Miller
Steve Miller (musician)
Steven H. "Steve" Miller is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter who began his career in blues and blues rock and evolved to a more popular-oriented sound which, from the mid 1970s through the early 1980s, resulted in a series of successful singles and albums.-Early years:Born in Milwaukee,...
acknowledged that the intro to his 1976 #1 single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Rock 'n Me" was a tip of the hat to All Right Now. "Yeah, it's a tack on the wall for Paul. I did one concert in the two years that I was off the road. I went to London and played with Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
...it was a big, huge outdoor show so we needed a big rock and roll number that was really going to excite everybody. I just put it together and didn't think much about it."http://books.google.com/books?id=PgGqNrqfrsoC&pg=PT456&lpg=PT456&dq=%22yeah+it%27s+a+tack+on+the+wall+for+Paul%22&source=bl&ots=cHAn3hgbeE&sig=Rz6q1bCsh7V7h9w3tr07e97uTbU&hl=en&ei=kaF4SqjmDMOelAeY0JWZBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=%22yeah%20it%27s%20a%20tack%20on%20the%20wall%20for%20Paul%22&f=false
Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
covered this song in 2000 at a concert, and it appeared on her My Reflection
My Reflection
My Reflection is a concert DVD by Christina Aguilera, released in 2001. The concert early before being released on DVD was shown in a one-hour special on ABC in around Christmas time in 2000...
DVD.
David Cook
David Cook (singer)
David Roland Cook is an American rock singer-songwriter, who rose to fame after winning the seventh season of the reality television show American Idol...
covered this song during Top 20 week on American Idol: Season 7.
Paige Miles
Paige Miles
Paige Sade Miles is an American singer from Naples, Florida, who was the eleventh place finalist on the ninth season of American Idol.- Early life :...
also sang this song on American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
as her Top 24 performance.
White Noise perform this song regularly at their gigs in Playa Flamenca
Nightshade perform this song regularly at their gigs in Playa Flamenca
Chris Holder covered this song but changed the lyric from All Right Now to 'All Night Long'.
Ali Campbell
Ali Campbell
Ali Campbell, , is a British singer, solo artist and songwriter and was the lead singer and founding member of UB40. As part of UB40, Campbell sold over 70 million records world wide and toured the globe for 30 years. In 2008 Campbell left UB40 and embarked on a successful solo career.-Personal...
covered the song on his 2010 album 'Great British Songs'.
ApologetiX
ApologetiX
ApologetiX is a Christian parody band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The band was founded in 1992, and since then, has played in 44 states, released 17 studio albums, and built up a fan club that includes 45,000 people. The band is currently composed of J...
recorded a parody version called "Go Right Now" on their album Jesus Christ Morningstar
Jesus Christ Morningstar
Jesus Christ Morningstar is the 4th album by Christian parody band ApologetiX. 4 songs from the album were later included on the band's greatest hits album, 2 others were included on Hits: The Road, while "Narrow Way To Heaven" was later featured on Chosen Ones.-Track listing:# "Hotel Can't Afford...
Bad Company
Bad Company
Bad Company were an English rock supergroup founded in 1973, consisting of two former Free band members — singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke — as well as Mott the Hoople guitarist Mick Ralphs and King Crimson bassist Boz Burrell. Peter Grant, who, in years prior, was a key component of...
, the supergroup with Free singer Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke, covered this song in a 2002 concert, appearing on their In Concert: Merchants of Cool live album.