The Works - Tear It Up

Tear It Up

Igniting the raw, synth-tinged fire of Queen's 1984 album The Works, "Tear It Up" is a frenetic, flirtatious rocker penned by Roger Taylor, capturing the band's unbridled spirit amid the '80s pop-metal landscape. With Freddie Mercury's seductive snarls and playful commands over Brian May's slashing guitars and John Deacon's groovy bass, the song is a whirlwind invitation to chaos and connection—tearing down inhibitions, stirring up passion, and staking claims in the heat of the night. Drawing from Taylor's drum-heavy blueprint, it blends hedonistic energy with cheeky romance, from creeping streets to birthday toy fantasies, all while echoing the album's theme of breaking free from routine. A live favorite during the Works Tour, where crowds chanted along to its repetitive hooks, "Tear It Up" embodies Queen's knack for turning everyday rebellion into euphoric escapism, proving that when love drives you "ga ga," the only rule is to make it up as you go along.
# Lyric line Interpretation & Notes
Intro — Energetic buildup 0:00–0:20
1 Are you ready? Are you ready? Hooks the listener with a call to action, building anticipation for chaos and fun.
2 We gonna tear it up Promises unrestrained energy, setting the tone for wild abandon.
3 Tear it up Repeats the destructive, exhilarating motif.
4 Stir it up Suggests mixing things up, evoking excitement and improvisation.
5 Break it up, baby Calls for breaking conventions, with "baby" adding flirtatious intimacy.
6 Tear it up Reiterates the core command.
7 Shake it up Urges shaking off inhibitions, like dancing wildly.
8 Make it up as you go along Encourages spontaneity and creativity in the moment.
9 Tear it up Continues the rhythmic imperative.
10 Square it up Implies facing challenges head-on, squaring up for a fight or fun.
11 Wake it up, baby Calls to awaken energy and passion.
12 Tear it up Reinforces the theme of disruption.
13 Stir it up Repeats the mixing metaphor.
14 Stake it out and you can't go wrong Suggests claiming territory boldly leads to success.
Verse 1 — Seductive invitation 0:20–0:50
15 (Hey) Casual interjection adding playfulness.
16 Give me your mind, baby give me your body Demands total surrender, blending intellectual and physical attraction.
17 Give me some time, baby let's have a party Proposes a spontaneous celebration, emphasizing immediacy.
18 It ain't no time for sleepin' baby Rejects rest in favor of nonstop excitement.
19 Soon it's 'round your street I'm creeping Hints at stealthy pursuit, adding a thrilling, predatory edge.
20 You better be ready, you gotta Warns the lover to prepare for the intensity.
Chorus — Reprise of energy 0:50–1:20
21 Tear it up Returns to the central command.
22 Stir it up Repeats the stirring motif.
23 Break it up, baby Reiterates breaking free.
24 Tear it up Builds the rhythmic repetition.
25 Shake it up Continues the shaking energy.
26 Make it up as you go along Reaffirms improvisation.
27 Tear it up Sustains the tear motif.
28 Square it up Repeats the facing-up challenge.
29 Wake it up, baby Calls to awaken once more.
30 Tear it up Reinforces the theme.
31 Stir it up Closes the reprise.
32 Stake it out and you can't go wrong Reaffirms bold action leads to success.
Verse 2 — Playful adoration 1:20–1:50
33 (Hey) Playful interjection.
34 Love you 'cause you're sweet and I love you 'cause you're naughty Celebrates the lover's dual nature, sweet and mischievous.
35 I love you for you mind, baby give me your body Balances intellectual and physical attraction.
36 I wanna be a toy at your birthday party Expresses desire to be the center of playful attention.
37 Wind me up, wind me up, wind me up, let me go Begs to be energized and released into fun.
Chorus — Final energy burst 1:50–2:20
38 Tear it up Returns to the core motif.
39 Stir it up Repeats stirring.
40 Break it up, baby Reiterates breaking free.
41 Tear it up Builds rhythm.
42 Shake it up Continues shaking.
43 Make it up as you go along Reaffirms spontaneity.
44 Tear it up Sustains.
45 Square it up (ayy, yeah) Adds vocal ad-lib for energy.
46 Wake it up, baby Calls to awaken.
47 baby, baby are you ready for me? (Oh yeah) Direct question to the lover, building intimacy.
48 Baby, baby, baby are you ready for love? (Oh yeah) Escalates to readiness for passionate connection.
49 I love you so near, I love you so far Expresses boundless love, transcending distance.
50 I gotta tell you you're driving me ga ga Admits the lover's intoxicating effect, echoing Queen's playful chaos.

Reading guide: A high-octane rock romp of seduction and spontaneity, Tear It Up from Queen's 1984 album The Works channels Freddie Mercury's irrepressible energy into a call for wild, unscripted fun. With its repetitive, chant-like structure and flirtatious lyrics, the song explores themes of chaos vs. control , desire vs. surrender , and routine vs. rebellion , urging listeners to break free and embrace the moment. Backed by Brian May's fiery guitars and Roger Taylor's driving drums, it's a testament to Queen's ability to turn raw passion into infectious, party-ready anthems.

Tear It Up — Tech Specs

Album The Works (1984)
Released 19 February 1984 (album track)
Recorded August–January 1984, Record Plant Studios (Los Angeles) & Musicland Studios (Munich)
Genre Hard rock
Length 3:27
Producer(s) Queen & Reinhold Mack
Composer Brian May (credited to Queen)
Band Line-up Freddie Mercury – lead vocals
Brian May – electric guitars, backing vocals
Roger Taylor – drums, backing vocals
John Deacon – bass guitar
Technical Personnel Reinhold Mack – producer, engineer
Notable Features High-energy hard rock track written by Brian May, stylistically reminiscent of early Queen.
Used as a concert opener during the mid-1980s tours.
Lyrics are direct and aggressive — written as a stage anthem to "tear up" the audience.
Showcased Queen’s heavier side amidst the more pop-oriented tracks of The Works.

Radio Ga Ga

Tear It Up

It’s a Hard Life

Man on the Prowl

Machines (or ‘Back to Humans’)

I Want to Break Free

Keep Passing the Open Windows

Hammer to Fall

Is This the World We Created...?