 According to drummer Corky Laing, he had developed some of the lyrics and the drum part prior to his joining the band.Later, when guitarist Leslie West was looking for lyrics for a guitar part he had written, Laing pulled out "The Queen" and the two worked out the song together; bassist/producer Felix Pappalardi and lyricist David Rea also received songwriting credits.When the group proceeded to record "Mississippi Queen", Pappalardi insisted on numerous takes.