Queen drummer Roger Taylor has quietly dropped a new solo single titled “Chumps,” a stark and pointed protest track in which the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer criticizes figures he describes as lacking morality, empathy and humanity. The song’s blunt message — explained simply in its YouTube description as “Gotta say something” — signals Taylor’s return to politically charged music decades after earlier solo efforts took on social and political issues.
“Chumps” pairs spare synthesizer washes with lyrics that paint a scathing portrait of an unnamed individual consumed by vanity, lies and self-importance. Lines such as “We’re drowning in your self regard / We’re drowning in your lies / We drown in your pomposity / In your atrocities” underscore the track’s unapologetic tone, with Taylor calling out “men of no morality” whose popularity he deems an “endless mystery.”
While Taylor hasn’t officially identified a specific target, the timing and tone of “Chumps” place it alongside other recent protest music emerging from rock artists. The provocative lyricism follows Taylor’s recent Instagram poem “Gangsters Are Running This World,” which similarly lambasted power and corruption in broader terms.
This isn’t Taylor’s first foray into socio-political commentary. His 2019 track “Gangsters Are Running This World” and earlier songs like those on his 1994 album Happiness — including “Dear Mr. Murdoch” and “Nazis 1994” — tackled media influence and rising xenophobia, while his 1998 cover of “Working Class Hero” further showcased his willingness to blend music and message.
Taylor’s new release arrives as the political climate continues to stir strong reactions within the music community, with multiple musicians speaking out about governance, leadership and societal values in recent months. “Chumps” extends that lineage, offering sharp critique from one of rock’s enduring voices.
