“I Want It All” is a powerful, hard-hitting rock anthem by Queen, released in May 1989 with “Hang On in There” on the B-side as the lead single from their album The Miracle. Written by guitarist and vocalist Brian May (but credited to Queen), the song is known for its driving guitar riffs, bold lyrics, and soaring vocals, making it one of Queen’s most anthemic tracks.
Lyrically, I Want It All is about ambition, determination, and refusing to settle for less. Though 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., it has also been adopted as an anthem for activism and social change.
Musically, the song features a powerful opening riff by Brian May, a dynamic structure that shifts between heavy rock and melodic sections, and Freddie Mercury’s commanding vocals. Unlike many of Queen’s earlier hits, I Want It All follows a straightforward hard rock style, with less operatic influences and more of a raw, anthemic sound.
The song was a commercial success, reaching No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and on Billboard Mainstream Rock chart in the United States, and performing well across Europe and Australia. Although it was released two years before Mercury’s passing, it became a posthumous anthem for Queen’s legacy, especially as it was never performed live by the full band with Mercury.
The music video, featuring the band performing in a darkened studio with dramatic lighting, reinforces the song’s intense and determined tone. It was directed by David Mallet and filmed at Elstree Studios, Borehamwood in March 1989