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Post by kds on Jan 16, 2019 8:54:22 GMT -5
I actually meant to start this thread two days ago, as it was the 28th anniversary of the release of Queen's final album while Freddie Mercury was alive - Innuendo - but, better late than never.
Queen are a special band to me, as they are the first rock band I ever really explored.
Up until 1992 (age 12), the vast majority of my music was from active rock radio. However, that format greatly changed from 1992-93 with the explosion of grunge. Suddenly, the active rock station I listened to wasn't very good anymore.
But, in the summer of 1992, a Queen single from 1975 became a huge hit again. Thanks in part to its clever use in the movie, Wayne's World (which is why I'll never begrudge a song or band's use in pop culture, be it Blue Oyster Cult on SNL, Journey on The Sopranos, or The Beach Boys on Full House), the classic Bohemian Rhapsody was fully on my radar. I wound up getting a cass-single, and wearing the thing out.
In the fall, Queen Greatest Hits (the 1992 Hollywood Records version) and its companion Classic Queen on cassette, and played them to death also. I was fascinated with the music of Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon like I've never been with any other group.
In late 1992 into 1993, I made copies of my father's Queen CD collection onto tapes and played them endlessly. I also watched concert and music video VHS tapes and even got a book on the band - the first music related book I ever owned. My fascination, which bordered on obsession at the time, with Queen was the key to my becoming a full fledged music geek.
I remember being very excited in Christmas 1995 when I got my very first Queen CD - the newly released final album - Made in Heaven. Over the next two years, I would collect the entire Queen catalog on CD.
In 2006, something I never thought imaginable happened. I got to see Brian May and Roger Taylor in person, doing the music I loved. Granted, Freddie Mercury had long passed (Free/Bad Company legend Paul Rodgers was on vox), and John Deacon had retired. But, what a thrill to hear these legendary songs in person by half of the band that made them - plus Spike Edney, who was Queen's touring keyboard player in the 1980s.
Over a quarter century later, the music of Queen still fills me with awe, their first five albums in particular. I've listened to all the albums, watched all the live footage and docs, and have read several books on the band. I haven't watched it yet, but I'm really looking forward to seeing the Bohemian Rhapsody biopic.
Feel free to share any other reflections of one of the greatest, most unique, bands of all time.
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Post by g00dvibrations on Jan 16, 2019 16:57:23 GMT -5
One of the first two bands I really dug into - and the first I sought out the whole catalogue of. I haven't listened to them much for the past few years, but everytime I drop into an album I'm reminded of how great they are.
I think I'm probably the same here too.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2019 17:47:19 GMT -5
Good call, kds. I only cottoned onto the greatness of Queen and King Freddie in particular after seeing Live Aid in '85. If I have to choose one Queen song it has to be this one. The point where Freddie takes over from Brian for the second verse is one of the crowning moments in all pop. Chills-down-the-spinesville. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Wants_to_Live_Forever
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2019 18:47:55 GMT -5
I'll admit I only really know Queen from the hits. Right now my favorite song is actually Killer Queen for whatever it's worth.
I'd like to check out their albums though if anyone could tell me which I should start with.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2019 19:17:05 GMT -5
I'll admit I only really know Queen from the hits. Right now my favorite song is actually Killer Queen for whatever it's worth. I'd like to check out their albums though if anyone could tell me which I should start with. I only know two of their albums. I started with A Night at the Opera years ago and much more recently bought A Kind of Magic, because it has the wondrous "Who Wants to Live Forever" on it. This is another great track from AKOM:
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2019 19:24:28 GMT -5
My exposure to Queen started pretty early but was brief to begin with. My dad was a pretty big Queen fan so I remember hearing them being played a lot up until I was 7. But he took his music collection with him (of course) when he moved out, so unfortunately I never got to engage with his records. I’ll never know what his favourite was, but I do remember him playing Hot Space quite a bit, probably because it was their latest album at the time he left. Anyway, my appreciation for Queen was also truly kickstarted with the appearance of Bohemian Rhapsody in Wayne’s World. I was 16 at the time and something about it just felt really massive and important. I went out and bought the Classic Queen compilation on cassette and played the hell out of it, singing along to them at the top of my lungs every day after school. As much as I love Bohemian Rhapsody, Killer Queen, Radio Ga-Ga and so many other great Queen songs, my favourite has to be The Show Must Go On. It has never not spiked my adrenaline. I actually just saw the Bohemian Rhapsody movie last weekend and really liked it. I don’t want to spoil it for you kds so I won’t give a review, but I will say it was very easy to enjoy a film that contains such an epic soundtrack. I had to fight the urge to sing along all the way through.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2019 20:00:18 GMT -5
I'll admit I only really know Queen from the hits. Right now my favorite song is actually Killer Queen for whatever it's worth. I'd like to check out their albums though if anyone could tell me which I should start with. Sheer Heart Attack is all you need.
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Post by kds on Jan 17, 2019 8:15:20 GMT -5
Good call, kds . I only cottoned onto the greatness of Queen and King Freddie in particular after seeing Live Aid in '85. If I have to choose one Queen song it has to be this one. The point where Freddie takes over from Brian for the second verse is one of the crowning moments in all pop. Chills-down-the-spinesville. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Wants_to_Live_Forever I always wondered why Brian never sang the first verse in concert. Like you, I liked the transition from Brian's soft voice in the first verse and chorus to Freddie's.
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Post by kds on Jan 17, 2019 8:16:07 GMT -5
I'll admit I only really know Queen from the hits. Right now my favorite song is actually Killer Queen for whatever it's worth. I'd like to check out their albums though if anyone could tell me which I should start with. Their first five albums - Queen, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night at the Opera, and A Day at the Races - are IMO a great starting point.
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Post by kds on Jan 17, 2019 8:19:03 GMT -5
My exposure to Queen started pretty early but was brief to begin with. My dad was a pretty big Queen fan so I remember hearing them being played a lot up until I was 7. But he took his music collection with him (of course) when he moved out, so unfortunately I never got to engage with his records. I’ll never know what his favourite was, but I do remember him playing Hot Space quite a bit, probably because it was their latest album at the time he left. Anyway, my appreciation for Queen was also truly kickstarted with the appearance of Bohemian Rhapsody in Wayne’s World. I was 16 at the time and something about it just felt really massive and important. I went out and bought the Classic Queen compilation on cassette and played the hell out of it, singing along to them at the top of my lungs every day after school. As much as I love Bohemian Rhapsody, Killer Queen, Radio Ga-Ga and so many other great Queen songs, my favourite has to be The Show Must Go On. It has never not spiked my adrenaline. I actually just saw the Bohemian Rhapsody movie last weekend and really liked it. I don’t want to spoil it for you kds so I won’t give a review, but I will say it was very easy to enjoy a film that contains such an epic soundtrack. I had to fight the urge to sing along all the way through. Wow, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who was turned onto Queen by Wayne's World and the Classic Queen comp (which I'm pretty sure is out of print now). The Show Must Go On is an absolutely amazing song, especially considering what Freddie was going through when it was recorded. And, I think it's up there with the Abbey Road medley and Summer's Gone was great ways to end a recording career (unless you consider the patched together Made In Heaven, but Innuendo was, IMO, their final true album).
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Post by Beach Boys Fan on Jan 17, 2019 8:56:18 GMT -5
kds - What do you like about "Show Must Go On?" To me, the song isn't great by default if it's got downbeat dirge-like melody, I'd like to understand why people deliberately listen and even end up liking such music. Give reasons.
As to the next point you made, I wouldn't say it's really important what musicians/ singers go thru when recording songs. I'm strictly interested in music.
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Post by kds on Jan 17, 2019 9:01:37 GMT -5
kds - What do you like about "Show Must Go On?" To me, the song isn't great by default if it's got downbeat dirge-like melody, I'd like to understand why people deliberately listen and even end up liking such music. Give reasons. As to the next point you made, I wouldn't say it's really important what musicians/ singers go thru when recording songs. I'm strictly interested in music. I think The Show Must Go On, is a great "climbing song" in that the song keeps building and building as it goes on. For example, the first chorus is just Freddie, then the other members join it, and they overdub the voices to the each chorus bigger than the last one. Plus, there are two absolutely blistering Brian May guitar solos in the song. I don't find the song downbeat at all, in fact, quite the opposite. The lyrics are all about pushing through whatever obstacle you're facing. It's pretty inspirational really. I generally agree that the song itself is most important, but I think it's even more impressive to hear the power and passion in Freddie's voice, knowing that his body was failing at the time.
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Post by The Cap'n on Jan 17, 2019 9:16:55 GMT -5
I’m sure I’m repeating myself somewhat. Half-hearted apologies all around. Queen is one of the most talented bands in the history of modern pop-rock music, in America they are one of the most underrated bands, and they have been one of my three or four favorite bands since I was about 14 years old—so for about 28 years. I fell in love with Queen songs as a little kid, when I heard them on radio and thought they were the Beatles. (“Killer Queen,” “You’re My Best Friend,” “Bicycle Race.” I don’t know why I thought they were the Beatles. Good melodies and memorable refrains = Beatles to Youngest Luther.) I stuck to them when, a little older, I was being told by the Peters Brothers and assorted “Satanic Panic” preachers that they were devil-worshippers whose “Another One Bites the Dust” was telling us—backwards—to “smoke some more marijuana.” (Which isn’t really satanic, but whatever.) I lost track in the later 80s, probably because Queen just wasn’t much of a presence in America during that time. I probably would have really liked A Kind of Magic when it came out had I heard it then, but it was a few years old by the time I did. I doubt I’d have liked The Miracle when it came out, though there are parts of it I really do like now. (It’s still lower down on the list for me.) I’m not entirely sure what it was that kindled “serious music fan Luther” to like Queen, but it happened right around the time Freddie Mercury died. It was insane. I must have heard some press about Innuendo or maybe even gossip about Freddie’s health—I’m not sure—but I remember putting together the pieces and realizing there were a dozen or more songs I knew by this band that were just great. The sequence isn’t entirely clear to me, but within a few months I got (on cassette) A Night at the Opera, Sheer Heart Attack, Innuendo, and probably News of the World and A Day at the Races, and Freddie Mercury died. It seemed like a cruel joke that right when I dug in, the possibility of more music (seemingly) disappeared. At least there was a big back catalogue. Then of course Wayne’s World hit, and, pretentious prick that I am, I halfway judged those latecomers to the party, as if I weren’t about two decades late to the party, myself, beating these fairweather fans by all of, what, a year? Six months? I love Queen. My favorite parts of rock and pop are melodies, harmonies, hooks, and clever arrangements (especially of harmonies or background vocals). Queen were as good as anyone ever was in these areas. And they displayed those talents in so many styles: prog, metal, folk, ragtime/jazz, disco, funk, pop … amazing range. Queen also did what musicians (or probably artists in general) often do more effectively than activists or politicians, which is change minds about acceptance. In the rare moments when I heard anyone speak so-called seriously about gay people in the first 15 years of my life, the general sentiments ranged from “they should be killed” to “they should be kept away from kids” to “they’re ok … as long as they don’t hit on me!” [heh heh heh chuckles the redneck who seems to be flattering himself about his attractiveness]. Freddie Mercury was probably the first person I knew was gay (or bisexual or whatever Freddie was) whom I deeply loved, and my thoughts and feelings changed pretty quickly on the subject. Just as race relations were improved by great musicians working together and giving audiences of all races joy, so too were “gay relations” (which is an awkward term, but roll with it) improved dramatically by Queen—at least for me, and some of my friends. But it’s the music that is primary, because that effect wouldn’t have happened if the music weren’t great. Their music was mostly great. I agree with KDS that those first albums are a great starting point and a fabulous string of albums, but I’d say that string of greatness continues right up through The Game. And even the spottier albums that followed weren’t abysmal. Great, legendary band. Well worth exploring for any fan of virtually every subgenre of rock/pop music.
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Post by AGD on Jan 17, 2019 9:31:08 GMT -5
As to the next point you made, I wouldn't say it's really important what musicians/ singers go thru when recording songs. I'm strictly interested in music. So the fact that a lot of Brian's music was inspired directly by his moods and what was happening in his life at the time isn't really important to you ? God, but you do spout some complete and utter hogwash. Music doesn't exist in isolation.
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Post by kds on Jan 17, 2019 9:33:36 GMT -5
@the Cap'n, I agree that Queen overall are criminally underrated in America. They even abandoned touring in the States in the mid 80s while they were selling out soccer stadiums all across the globe.
I think that's sort of changed though the increased presence of Queen music in pop culture, starting with Wayne's World. I also think the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert helped too. I'm willing to bet that seeing like the likes of Metallica, Guns N Roses, Def Leppard, and the various singers pay tribute to Freddie opened up a lot of eyes.
Then, there's the massively successful Bohemian Rhapsody (coming full circle, featuring Mike Myers in a small role) which is exposing even more people to this great music.
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Post by Silken on Jan 17, 2019 10:22:23 GMT -5
I love them. They are my favorite band since I was 12 (27 years ago).
(I'm also in the minority who didn't like the movie).
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Post by Silken on Jan 17, 2019 10:24:50 GMT -5
I'll admit I only really know Queen from the hits. Right now my favorite song is actually Killer Queen for whatever it's worth. I'd like to check out their albums though if anyone could tell me which I should start with. Their first five albums - Queen, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night at the Opera, and A Day at the Races - are IMO a great starting point. @iluvleniloud I'd go with Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, Jazz and Innuendo (the album that turned me into a fan).
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Post by kds on Jan 17, 2019 10:27:56 GMT -5
Their first five albums - Queen, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night at the Opera, and A Day at the Races - are IMO a great starting point. @iluvleniloud I'd go with Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, Jazz and Innuendo (the album that turned me into a fan). I definitely should've mentioned Innuendo. It's a great album. No love for the s/t debut?
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Post by Silken on Jan 17, 2019 12:14:14 GMT -5
@iluvleniloud I'd go with Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, Jazz and Innuendo (the album that turned me into a fan). I definitely should've mentioned Innuendo. It's a great album. No love for the s/t debut? I like it but I don't love it.
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Post by kds on Jan 17, 2019 12:24:05 GMT -5
I definitely should've mentioned Innuendo. It's a great album. No love for the s/t debut? I like it but I don't love it. Gotcha. It's definitely a little more raw than the next few albums.
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Post by The Cap'n on Jan 17, 2019 12:59:08 GMT -5
It is a nice debut but compared to everything after, sounds almost like a demo.
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Post by Silken on Jan 17, 2019 18:26:17 GMT -5
It is a nice debut but compared to everything after, sounds almost like a demo. Exactly.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2019 6:42:09 GMT -5
I love them. They are my favorite band since I was 12 (27 years ago). (I'm also in the minority who didn't like the movie). I was also disappointed by the movie...thought the acting was pretty bad and I didn’t learn much about Freddie or the band. It was like the writers read a short Wikipedia article on Queen and wrote the movie based on that. The music was enjoyable, but I could have just put on my favorite albums and sat in the dark listening to them at home. As for the band, I would say Queen is easily in my top 10 most talented pop/rock artists of the 20th century. Their songwriting is genius and their execution was often perfect. Great mix of classical and modern music. Stellar harmonies, second only to The Beach Boys in my book. And no one can belt it out like Freddie.
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Post by kds on Jan 18, 2019 8:13:24 GMT -5
It is a nice debut but compared to everything after, sounds almost like a demo. The production isn't nearly as good, but IMO those songs (Keep Yourself Alive, My Fairy King, Great King Rat, Liar, Son & Daughter, etc) are just so great. Also, nobody ever mentions this, but did Queen invent power metal on Queen II?
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Post by The Cap'n on Jan 18, 2019 11:03:18 GMT -5
It is a nice debut but compared to everything after, sounds almost like a demo. The production isn't nearly as good, but IMO those songs (Keep Yourself Alive, My Fairy King, Great King Rat, Liar, Son & Daughter, etc) are just so great. Also, nobody ever mentions this, but did Queen invent power metal on Queen II? OK, I have to plead ignorance here. What's power metal?
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