Queen — '39
Album: A Night At The OperaAvg rating:
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Length: 3:29
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In the year of '39 assembled here the Volunteers
In the days when lands were few
Here the ship sailed out into the blue and sunny morn
The sweetest sight ever seen.
And the night followed day
And the story tellers say
That the score brave souls inside
For many a lonely day sailed across the milky seas
Never looked back, never feared, never cried.
Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
Write your letters in the sand
For the day I take your hand
In the land that our grandchildren knew.
In the year of '39 came a ship in from the blue
The volunteers came home that day
And they bring good news of a world so newly born
Though their hearts so heavily weigh
For the earth is old and grey, little darling we'll away
But my love this cannot be
For so many years have gone though I'm older but a year
Your mother's eyes from your eyes cry to me.
Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
Write your letters in the sand
For the day I take your hand
In the land that our grandchildren knew.
Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
All your letters in the sand cannot heal me like your hand
For my life
Still ahead
Pity Me.
In the days when lands were few
Here the ship sailed out into the blue and sunny morn
The sweetest sight ever seen.
And the night followed day
And the story tellers say
That the score brave souls inside
For many a lonely day sailed across the milky seas
Never looked back, never feared, never cried.
Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
Write your letters in the sand
For the day I take your hand
In the land that our grandchildren knew.
In the year of '39 came a ship in from the blue
The volunteers came home that day
And they bring good news of a world so newly born
Though their hearts so heavily weigh
For the earth is old and grey, little darling we'll away
But my love this cannot be
For so many years have gone though I'm older but a year
Your mother's eyes from your eyes cry to me.
Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
Write your letters in the sand
For the day I take your hand
In the land that our grandchildren knew.
Don't you hear my call though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you
All your letters in the sand cannot heal me like your hand
For my life
Still ahead
Pity Me.
Comments (136)add comment
Can I assume that's John Deacon on upright bass?.. first time I noticed.. Glorious
On_The_Beach wrote:
Because "one" has moved out of his parent's basement?
Crappy retort of the year so far. Six months to go, good luck!
Because "one" has moved out of his parent's basement?
Crappy retort of the year so far. Six months to go, good luck!
jpfueler wrote:
Because "one" has moved out of his parent's basement?
Roger is the high voice in all the Queen stuff. How can one not know that?
Because "one" has moved out of his parent's basement?
cosmiclint wrote:
Also: yes, Roger sings. On this album he wrote and sang I'm In Love With My Car. And - for completeness - John wrote and sang You're My Best Friend.
Roger is the high voice in all the Queen stuff. How can one not know that?
Also: yes, Roger sings. On this album he wrote and sang I'm In Love With My Car. And - for completeness - John wrote and sang You're My Best Friend.
Roger is the high voice in all the Queen stuff. How can one not know that?
radiolilith wrote:
njegbers wrote:
Also: yes, Roger sings. On this album he wrote and sang I'm In Love With My Car. And - for completeness - John wrote and sang You're My Best Friend.
This is Queen? Roger sings?
njegbers wrote:
Brian May wrote this song and sings it.
Also: yes, Roger sings. On this album he wrote and sang I'm In Love With My Car. And - for completeness - John wrote and sang You're My Best Friend.
Grayson wrote:
I should hope not, "Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole"
...Never won any of those battles when she was at that helm...
I should hope not, "Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole"
radiolilith wrote:
Brian May wrote this song and sings it.
This is Queen?? Roger sings??
Brian May wrote this song and sings it.
This is Queen?? Roger sings??
Still my favorite song by these guys...
On the topic of yer man becoming a Sir, a great tabloid headline read: "King Knights Queen" :o)
Edweirdo wrote:
Don't forget John Deacon - a really very fine bass player and writer of some excellent songs.
...and Roger! A great song writer, singer and drummer! He is the highest of high notes too!
Don't forget John Deacon - a really very fine bass player and writer of some excellent songs.
...and Roger! A great song writer, singer and drummer! He is the highest of high notes too!
joelbb wrote:
At first, neither did I. After closer listening, the weight of outstanding talent among the band's personnel changed my mind. As a Wikipedia bio states, Freddie Mercury is "Regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music." BTW, that regard includes how many other rock vocalists think of him. His 3-1/2 octave vocal range and control of falsetto are legendary. And that's not to mention a terrific guitarist in Brian May.
Don't forget John Deacon - a really very fine bass player and writer of some excellent songs.
At first, neither did I. After closer listening, the weight of outstanding talent among the band's personnel changed my mind. As a Wikipedia bio states, Freddie Mercury is "Regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music." BTW, that regard includes how many other rock vocalists think of him. His 3-1/2 octave vocal range and control of falsetto are legendary. And that's not to mention a terrific guitarist in Brian May.
Don't forget John Deacon - a really very fine bass player and writer of some excellent songs.
AhhtheMusic wrote:
FreddIE, rest his beautiful name too.
Damn it! After seeing Bohemian Rhapsody I don't think I could pick anything less than a 10 for any Queen tune forever more. What an amazing story!!! Each and every one of the guys in the band will have my undying allegiance..and Freddy (Farrokh Bulsara) rest his beautiful soul!
FreddIE, rest his beautiful name too.
Thought this was Peter, Paul, and Mary for a minute
What??
This is Queen?!
Whodathunkit
Probably my favorite Queen song.
EDIT: This is my favorite Queen song.
EDIT: This is my favorite Queen song.
thewiseking wrote:
At first, neither did I. After closer listening, the weight of outstanding talent among the band's personnel changed my mind. As a Wikipedia bio states, Freddie Mercury is "Regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music." BTW, that regard includes how many other rock vocalists think of him. His 3-1/2 octave vocal range and control of falsetto are legendary. And that's not to mention a terrific guitarist in Brian May.
While this cut is not one of their best, others have entered the culture permanently. Bohemian Rhapsody is the most difficult sing-along song of
all-time and the first half of We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions is just about universal, particularly during sporting events. I don't doubt it will be played at some time during the utterly non-American soccer World Cup. Killer Queen is a dynamite RnR cut and who cannot get off to Mercury shouting "Get on your bikes and ride!" near the end of Fat Bottomed Girls?
Be careful who you dis, My Man. It can demonstrate a lack of understanding of what good musicians are.
never much liked Queen
yeah, i know, SNL, Wayne's World, all the hype, movies, stage plays, and of course Brian May's brilliant guitar work etc...
At first, neither did I. After closer listening, the weight of outstanding talent among the band's personnel changed my mind. As a Wikipedia bio states, Freddie Mercury is "Regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music." BTW, that regard includes how many other rock vocalists think of him. His 3-1/2 octave vocal range and control of falsetto are legendary. And that's not to mention a terrific guitarist in Brian May.
While this cut is not one of their best, others have entered the culture permanently. Bohemian Rhapsody is the most difficult sing-along song of
all-time and the first half of We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions is just about universal, particularly during sporting events. I don't doubt it will be played at some time during the utterly non-American soccer World Cup. Killer Queen is a dynamite RnR cut and who cannot get off to Mercury shouting "Get on your bikes and ride!" near the end of Fat Bottomed Girls?
Be careful who you dis, My Man. It can demonstrate a lack of understanding of what good musicians are.
Roger's falsetto: ridiculous.
Pretty much the plot of Interstellar in a song that preceded it by decades.
This is quite nice, I'm not really into Queen and the big hits are a miss for me, an pretty instant >| most times.
I remember when killer queen came on my FM to AM converter driving to work and thought it was the bestest, but that was 1974 and I was 17.
I remember when killer queen came on my FM to AM converter driving to work and thought it was the bestest, but that was 1974 and I was 17.
never much liked Queen
yeah, i know, SNL, Wayne's World, all the hype, movies, stage plays, and of course Brian May's brilliant guitar work etc...
yeah, i know, SNL, Wayne's World, all the hype, movies, stage plays, and of course Brian May's brilliant guitar work etc...
This song is brilliant and demonstrates the incredible versatility of the band.
Grayson wrote:
I agree! Normally I despise Queen with all its cheesy-ass poppy commercial songs, but this one somehow is hard not to like. The rest can go in the dump!
So cheesy great. The only Queen song I ever liked. Queen brings up battles royale of '79, when my bestie, who had the fastest car in the county (ok, one of 'em) because her daddy worked on muscle cars, would insist on playing Queen at insane volumes in her Radio Shack's finest 8-track because it made her, well, totally insane. She could hit a road sign to her right at 80MPH with an empty Malt Duck bottle with Bohemian Rhapsody at 12... FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT! Lobbed over the roof of the car. I was wingman who insisted on more Peter Frampton less Queen. Never won any of those battles when she was at that helm. We never wore seat belts, either. Jeez we were totally bonkers.
I agree! Normally I despise Queen with all its cheesy-ass poppy commercial songs, but this one somehow is hard not to like. The rest can go in the dump!
Sounds more like "Sweet" than "Queen". Brian C. instead of Brian M. 
The day that the ship came in 🎶🎶🎶
KevinM wrote:
Hehe funny
I’ve always liked Brian May’s vocals more than Freddy
Hehe funny
I’ve always liked Brian May’s vocals more than Freddy
gmsingh123 wrote:
In the 70s when "News of the World" came out this song got a lot of airplay. It seems like we now look at Queen like a "one hit wonder" instead of a thirty hit wonder. Interestingly, when I saw Queen in concert when this album came out Freddie did the vocals. Word had it that Brian was too shy to sing in front of an audience.
Most of the time, anyway. But there's a capture of May singing it live effortlessly.... and playing pretty much every single note of this insanely complex and beautiful guitar part. By himself. On a single guitar. I couldn't quite believe it the first time.
In the 70s when "News of the World" came out this song got a lot of airplay. It seems like we now look at Queen like a "one hit wonder" instead of a thirty hit wonder. Interestingly, when I saw Queen in concert when this album came out Freddie did the vocals. Word had it that Brian was too shy to sing in front of an audience.
Most of the time, anyway. But there's a capture of May singing it live effortlessly.... and playing pretty much every single note of this insanely complex and beautiful guitar part. By himself. On a single guitar. I couldn't quite believe it the first time.
Just love this song, from one of the first albums I ever bought. I think Freddie Mercury described this song as a throwaway or filler, as it definitely has a different sound than the rest of the material on the album. Thank you, Dr. May.
Best song ever about Special Relativity!
Definitely works better with Brian singing it. And choirboy Rog of course.
pcicatar wrote:
george harrison?
It's my favorite Brian May song about interstellar space flight! 
george harrison?
It's my favorite Brian May song about interstellar space flight!
marysclark wrote:
More Kingston Trio
sounds like Peter, Paul and Mary : (
More Kingston Trio
A floor stomper for astrophysicists.
There are so much "unknown" queen's hits you could air which would amazed ears instantly.
MassivRuss wrote:
a poll at a webcomic asked what was ones favorite Queen song, and had a selection.
The forum was filled with other songs , and '39 was brought up.
You can have Bohemian Rhapsody or Killer Queen, but this may be my favorite Queen song.
a poll at a webcomic asked what was ones favorite Queen song, and had a selection.
The forum was filled with other songs , and '39 was brought up.
sounds like Peter, Paul and Mary : (
Don't you hear me calling you...
Steely_D wrote:
Time is a malleable thing. It can be replayed over and over and visited upon, if only we had a device to actuate the movement. ........ I think Uncle Rico was looking for something just like that ......to go take state
My astrophysicist college roomie is friends with Brian May (yeah, I know) and he appreciates that Bill accurately describes this tune as about time dilation.
Time is a malleable thing. It can be replayed over and over and visited upon, if only we had a device to actuate the movement. ........ I think Uncle Rico was looking for something just like that ......to go take state
A sad and beautiful journey.
My astrophysicist college roomie is friends with Brian May (yeah, I know) and he appreciates that Bill accurately describes this tune as about time dilation.
So these are not the Bay City Rollers?
drjimmy wrote:
Huh? This is certainly, specifically, the version from A Night At The Opera. Why do you think it isn't?
This is certainly not the original version off A Night at the Opera. In any case, I still like it.
Huh? This is certainly, specifically, the version from A Night At The Opera. Why do you think it isn't?
You can have Bohemian Rhapsody or Killer Queen, but this may be my favorite Queen song.
norbertZ wrote:
AhhtheMusic wrote:
'39 is one of their greatest songs. It's one of my all time favourites together with Bohemian Rhapsody and Somebody to Love.
Yep. Unbelievable that our rock stations completely overlooked this gem.Damn it! After seeing Bohemian Rhapsody I don't think I could pick anything less than a 10 for any Queen tune forever more. What an amazing story!!! Each and every one of the guys in the band will have my undying allegiance..and Freddy (Farrokh Bulsara) rest his beautiful soul!
'39 is one of their greatest songs. It's one of my all time favourites together with Bohemian Rhapsody and Somebody to Love.
AhhtheMusic wrote:
'39 is one of their greatest songs. It's one of my all time favourites together with Bohemian Rhapsody and Somebody to Love.
Damn it! After seeing Bohemian Rhapsody I don't think I could pick anything less than a 10 for any Queen tune forever more. What an amazing story!!! Each and every one of the guys in the band will have my undying allegiance..and Freddy (Farrokh Bulsara) rest his beautiful soul!
'39 is one of their greatest songs. It's one of my all time favourites together with Bohemian Rhapsody and Somebody to Love.
Damn it! After seeing Bohemian Rhapsody I don't think I could pick anything less than a 10 for any Queen tune forever more. What an amazing story!!! Each and every one of the guys in the band will have my undying allegiance..and Freddy (Farrokh Bulsara) rest his beautiful soul!
Grayson wrote:
Same era, less lasting impact...But I can't wait until that Frampton biopic comes out!
I was wingman who insisted on more Peter Frampton less Queen.
Same era, less lasting impact...But I can't wait until that Frampton biopic comes out!
So cheesy great. The only Queen song I ever liked. Queen brings up battles royale of '79, when my bestie, who had the fastest car in the county (ok, one of 'em) because her daddy worked on muscle cars, would insist on playing Queen at insane volumes in her Radio Shack's finest 8-track because it made her, well, totally insane. She could hit a road sign to her right at 80MPH with an empty Malt Duck bottle with Bohemian Rhapsody at 12... FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT! Lobbed over the roof of the car. I was wingman who insisted on more Peter Frampton less Queen. Never won any of those battles when she was at that helm. We never wore seat belts, either. Jeez we were totally bonkers.
spectacular -- thank you RP
10/10 Naturally... great tun from a classic album
I actually like this better than Bohemian Rhapsody. Good song.
happy
This is certainly not the original version off A Night at the Opera. In any case, I still like it.
Almost operatic
mattcol99 wrote:
In the 70s when "News of the World" came out this song got a lot of airplay. It seems like we now look at Queen like a "one hit wonder" instead of a thirty hit wonder. Interestingly, when I saw Queen in concert when this album came out Freddie did the vocals. Word had it that Brian was too shy to sing in front of an audience.
I like the way, in interviews, you get the feeling Brian was a bit miffed that he released this song on the same album as Bohemian Rhapsody! No contest for which would be the single.
So a great, underlooked song.
So a great, underlooked song.
In the 70s when "News of the World" came out this song got a lot of airplay. It seems like we now look at Queen like a "one hit wonder" instead of a thirty hit wonder. Interestingly, when I saw Queen in concert when this album came out Freddie did the vocals. Word had it that Brian was too shy to sing in front of an audience.
I think this has become my favorite Queen song. Maybe because the other songs are so overplayed.
phlattop wrote:
Same, I would have never guessed Queen.
Damn. I would never have guessed this was Queen. Some late 60s folk group, sure. But Queen?
Same, I would have never guessed Queen.
With pleasure !!!
I like the way, in interviews, you get the feeling Brian was a bit miffed that he released this song on the same album as Bohemian Rhapsody! No contest for which would be the single.
So a great, underlooked song.
phlattop wrote:
My reaction exactly.
Damn. I would never have guessed this was Queen. Some late 60s folk group, sure. But Queen?
My reaction exactly.
The whole theme of the movie Interstellar in this one song.
phlattop wrote:
Brian May's guitar is pretty unmistakable.
Damn. I would never have guessed this was Queen. Some late 60s folk group, sure. But Queen?
Brian May's guitar is pretty unmistakable.
Damn. I would never have guessed this was Queen. Some late 60s folk group, sure. But Queen?
Baby_M wrote:
Probably the most touching and poignant song ever written about time dilation.
and nice time segue, Bill, to Jackson Browne The Pretender
"I've been aware of the time going by
They say in the end it's the wink of an eye"
on the subject of Time may I suggest Shona Laing 1905 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwRAmKtKEwE
VV wrote:
these are two different questions.
Am I crazy? This almost sounds like early Bee Gees?
these are two different questions.
Queen play Hooters or vice versa?
Proclivities wrote:
Well, Brian May did study astrophysics in the early 1970s.
Dr. Brian May was part of the New Horizons team, with the spacecraft that mapped Pluto and beyond. My college roommate was part of that group as well and he's traded pleasantries with Dr. May. WAY COOL
Well, Brian May did study astrophysics in the early 1970s.
Dr. Brian May was part of the New Horizons team, with the spacecraft that mapped Pluto and beyond. My college roommate was part of that group as well and he's traded pleasantries with Dr. May. WAY COOL
Am I crazy? This almost sounds like early Bee Gees?
Proclivities wrote:
Well, Brian May did study astrophysics in the early 1970s.
Well, Brian May did study astrophysics in the early 1970s.
Baby_M wrote:
Well, Brian May did study astrophysics in the early 1970s.
Probably the most touching and poignant song ever written about time dilation.
Well, Brian May did study astrophysics in the early 1970s.
Good Lord.......how long since I've heard this gem?!?
Many, many thanks.
Many, many thanks.
Genius. Fabulous melody and harmonies.
Great song! I can't say I've listened to it much before?
Love this song, loved this band when Freddie Mercury was with them. So glad I got a chance to see them live.
This is so unlike their other songs... except maybe the falsetto in the background. Great change-of-pace.
Thanks for playing.
This was such an eclectic album when it came out. It help turn RnR on its head.
But that's what the 1970's were about. Push the musical envelope. Be different. Diversity reigned! .
This was such an eclectic album when it came out. It help turn RnR on its head.
But that's what the 1970's were about. Push the musical envelope. Be different. Diversity reigned! .
It's those little dittys that round up that album so beautifully.
what a night to be hearing this song. good play, Bill.
Totally underestimated song. Finally heard it on RP!! 100x Thanks!! Cheers! 
Thanks for playing this. Heard it from the shower this morning, I reflected on how different from the traditional Queen sound, until I heard that harmony...
Don't think I've heard this before now. What an unexpected gem from Queen. Thanks RP
Verry good memories
The norm for Queen was to be unconventional, and they did just that better than anybody else.
You'd think with a singer like Mercury, there would be no question he would do all the singing on every album, but he didn't. Far from it. Brian May does some good vocals on this song. Compliments the tune nicely.
You'd think with a singer like Mercury, there would be no question he would do all the singing on every album, but he didn't. Far from it. Brian May does some good vocals on this song. Compliments the tune nicely.
6 part harmonies from a 4 piece band....classic :)
Baby_M wrote:
Exactly. Lovely. "For my life, still ahead, pity me."
Probably the most touching and poignant song ever written about time dilation.
Exactly. Lovely. "For my life, still ahead, pity me."
pretty timeless, well-crafted, great harmonies. tbh I've always been a little surprised Queen was elevated to iconic supergroup level ... growing up in the late 70s and early 80s I thought even then they were considered a little over the top and campy. The Kinks were more of a supergroup than Queen. After Freddie died, I thought Queen had been relegated to to paleo-Brit-Rock kind of at the level of Status Quo. Then of all things Wayne and Garth adopted them and they became pop and relevant again. And a song like this justifies that.
I love this song. Always have, since I was 14 - which was a good deal of time ago. Brian May sings this so well, not even the great Freddie Mercury could carry it it as impressively when they played it live.
Amazing choice. Well done.
so many great songs on this album, typically overshadowed by Bohemian Rhapsody. thanks for playing the deeper cuts!
ccjemmett wrote:
About 3 quid, maybe? This sounds little more like The Moody Blues than it does The Four Freshmen.
The jewel of that great album. Did they know how much they owed to the Moodys?
About 3 quid, maybe? This sounds little more like The Moody Blues than it does The Four Freshmen.
First time I hear this song on Radio Paradise, and this makes me very happy.
The Today's playlist (I mean the last hour ), is exceptionnally excellent!
The Today's playlist (I mean the last hour
), is exceptionnally excellent!Probably the most touching and poignant song ever written about time dilation.
Kinda hippyish... Like it!
I love the Queen songs in which Brian May sings! 
Probably my favorite Queen song, if only because it's not what everyone thinks of them for.
Thank you B&R: You are the only ones cappable of picking up a great song from the side A of an old album and put it here for others to enjoy. This was one of my favorite songs of Queen of all times, despite Freddie is not singing and I usually find Brian's songs a bit too sweet. But this one is great music and great lirics too!
Masterpiece !
yay — always fantastic throwback for me to hear this.. 
Wow! I totally forgot about this song. It must be decades. Another reminder to visit my stored vinyl once in a while. I loved this then. Love it just as much now. I need to expose my kids to this. All they know is..well you can guess.
ppopp wrote:
So true. I was talking to a friend just last night about how there are fewer and fewer acts with "moment" in the biz since the 60's and 70's. Who today will be around 40 years from now? There are some great acts these days, but they are Zeitgheist. Who has the staying power of Queen, the Beatles, the Stones, or even Springsteen, U2, or Pearl Jam? The type of breadth and creativity expressed in this song is perhaps a reason.
I love this. No record company would allow this be released today. Queen didn't give a hoot about what anyone thought. They just went ahead and did what they did best. And believe it or not, people love it.
So true. I was talking to a friend just last night about how there are fewer and fewer acts with "moment" in the biz since the 60's and 70's. Who today will be around 40 years from now? There are some great acts these days, but they are Zeitgheist. Who has the staying power of Queen, the Beatles, the Stones, or even Springsteen, U2, or Pearl Jam? The type of breadth and creativity expressed in this song is perhaps a reason.
Damn, that was amazing. Ahem.
Haven't heard this in ages! I guess I did about 18 months ago, when I wrote here how it reminded me of the Moody Blues and made me want to hear Death on Two Legs from the same record...Those thoughts haven't changed — gonna dig this thing out and JAM to it!
Don't think that was this.
The jewel of that great album. Did they know how much they owed to the Moodys?
This is one the reasons that RP is the best radio station on the planet.
And you can see how much talent Queen had when you hear this.
And you can see how much talent Queen had when you hear this.
fedtho wrote:
I thought this was my own "secret" favorite Queen song, but having read the comments, I now know I'm not alone
This is one of my "secret favorites" too, fedtho. Didn't know it was in the library, but I'll be listening for it now.
As far as I know, Freddie always sang lead when they performed this one live. Here's a YouTube clip of them performing it in 1977, so you can get your live fix :)
I thought this was my own "secret" favorite Queen song, but having read the comments, I now know I'm not alone
This is one of my "secret favorites" too, fedtho. Didn't know it was in the library, but I'll be listening for it now.
I also thought for a long time Mercury was singing the lead on the studio version... May's voice is pretty close to Freddy's, but once I had been told, I could hear the difference.
(I actually don't remember which one of them sings it on the live album, as I know they both performed it depending on the circumstances. Uh... I *think* they did... maybe it was always May after all...does someone know this?)
(I actually don't remember which one of them sings it on the live album, as I know they both performed it depending on the circumstances. Uh... I *think* they did... maybe it was always May after all...does someone know this?)
As far as I know, Freddie always sang lead when they performed this one live. Here's a YouTube clip of them performing it in 1977, so you can get your live fix :)
How refreshing to hear this in lieu of the tired old standards...probably my favorite Queen song
Sbed wrote:
I thought this was my own "secret" favorite Queen song, but having read the comments, I now know I'm not alone
@Sbed: you take it one step further down my alley as, for a very long time, I only knew the song as performed on LIVE KILLERS... that's the version that burned itself right into my DNA, and I admit I was actually pretty disappointed when I first heard the studio version. It did take me some time to fully appreciate all the subtleties one can hear there, most of which get drowned in the sonic wilderness of the live version.
I also thought for a long time Mercury was singing the lead on the studio version... May's voice is pretty close to Freddy's, but once I had been told, I could hear the difference.
(I actually don't remember which one of them sings it on the live album, as I know they both performed it depending on the circumstances. Uh... I *think* they did... maybe it was always May after all...does someone know this?)
Anyway, just great to hear it on RP !!!
Maybe Bill could consider the live version as an alternative now and then...?
Be it just to encourage people to give a listen to LIVE KILLERS, this testimony to Queen being the supreme live act they were (assuming it's still available at all...!?)
There is a fantastic live version of it on a live album, different but great!
I thought this was my own "secret" favorite Queen song, but having read the comments, I now know I'm not alone
@Sbed: you take it one step further down my alley as, for a very long time, I only knew the song as performed on LIVE KILLERS... that's the version that burned itself right into my DNA, and I admit I was actually pretty disappointed when I first heard the studio version. It did take me some time to fully appreciate all the subtleties one can hear there, most of which get drowned in the sonic wilderness of the live version.
I also thought for a long time Mercury was singing the lead on the studio version... May's voice is pretty close to Freddy's, but once I had been told, I could hear the difference.
(I actually don't remember which one of them sings it on the live album, as I know they both performed it depending on the circumstances. Uh... I *think* they did... maybe it was always May after all...does someone know this?)
Anyway, just great to hear it on RP !!!
Maybe Bill could consider the live version as an alternative now and then...?
Be it just to encourage people to give a listen to LIVE KILLERS, this testimony to Queen being the supreme live act they were (assuming it's still available at all...!?)
There is a fantastic live version of it on a live album, different but great!
I love this. No record company would allow this be released today. Queen didn't give a hoot about what anyone thought. They just went ahead and did what they did best. And believe it or not, people love it.
seriously have not heard this in 20 -30 years,,,,,,how strange
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
Wiki says:
In Queen's three-part vocal harmonies, May's was generally the lower-range backing vocal. On some of his songs he sings the lead vocal, most notably the first verse of "Who Wants to Live Forever", the bridge on "I Want It All" and "Flash's Theme", and full lead vocals on "Some Day One Day", "She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettoes)", "'39", "Good Company", "Long Away", "All Dead, All Dead", "Sleeping on the Sidewalk", "Leaving Home Ain't Easy" and "Sail Away Sweet Sister".
Thanks---out of all those songs, I'm only familiar with "Good Company", as that's also on "Night at the Opera", and "I Want It All", which I probably haven't heard in at least 20 years. I guess I never really considered Brian was also singing on "Good Company", and his ukulele strumming is awesome.
I'll check out some of those other cuts when I can,
Wiki says:
In Queen's three-part vocal harmonies, May's was generally the lower-range backing vocal. On some of his songs he sings the lead vocal, most notably the first verse of "Who Wants to Live Forever", the bridge on "I Want It All" and "Flash's Theme", and full lead vocals on "Some Day One Day", "She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettoes)", "'39", "Good Company", "Long Away", "All Dead, All Dead", "Sleeping on the Sidewalk", "Leaving Home Ain't Easy" and "Sail Away Sweet Sister".
Thanks---out of all those songs, I'm only familiar with "Good Company", as that's also on "Night at the Opera", and "I Want It All", which I probably haven't heard in at least 20 years. I guess I never really considered Brian was also singing on "Good Company", and his ukulele strumming is awesome.
I'll check out some of those other cuts when I can,
10! What else?
Whoah whoah whoah. . .Are parts of this not very, very similar to Blitzen Trapper's Furr?
Great Folk Rock Hippies
Times I've ever heard Bohemian Rhapsody -- about 4,167, through interminable FM rotation in the ancient days when I cared a shit to listen to "classic rock." Times I've heard this on the same medium, or elsewhere. ZERO. And it's a pleasant surprise. Great melody.
treatment_bound wrote:
Really--I'm somewhat familiar with a good chunk of their catalogue (up through "The Game", anyway), and I can't think of another one. I'd really appreciate it if you'd spend a few minutes and list some others here, as I always thought he came through splendily on '39 and would love some comparison.
Wiki says:
In Queen's three-part vocal harmonies, May's was generally the lower-range backing vocal. On some of his songs he sings the lead vocal, most notably the first verse of "Who Wants to Live Forever", the bridge on "I Want It All" and "Flash's Theme", and full lead vocals on "Some Day One Day", "She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettoes)", "'39", "Good Company", "Long Away", "All Dead, All Dead", "Sleeping on the Sidewalk", "Leaving Home Ain't Easy" and "Sail Away Sweet Sister".
Really--I'm somewhat familiar with a good chunk of their catalogue (up through "The Game", anyway), and I can't think of another one. I'd really appreciate it if you'd spend a few minutes and list some others here, as I always thought he came through splendily on '39 and would love some comparison.
Wiki says:
In Queen's three-part vocal harmonies, May's was generally the lower-range backing vocal. On some of his songs he sings the lead vocal, most notably the first verse of "Who Wants to Live Forever", the bridge on "I Want It All" and "Flash's Theme", and full lead vocals on "Some Day One Day", "She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettoes)", "'39", "Good Company", "Long Away", "All Dead, All Dead", "Sleeping on the Sidewalk", "Leaving Home Ain't Easy" and "Sail Away Sweet Sister".