Classic Queen Songs
Reviews of Queen Songs By Queen Fans
This page is for reviews of Queen songs by Queen fans themselves. Too often the only reviews we see are by so-called 'expert critics', many of whom's experience of the band is limited to Bohemian Rhapsody and We Will Rock You. I hope this page will allow us, the fans, to have our say on the Queen tracks which don't receive the attention they deserve, so if you feel like writing about your favourite (or perhaps your least favourite) songs, please email me your reviews Also, please ensure that they are under 250 words in length. Cheers!!!
Dear Friends
Drowse
Going Back
Innuendo
Don't Try So Hard
Ogre Battle
White Queen
See What A Fool I've Been
March of the Black Queen
Dear Friends by Me
This song is a wonderful example of how to produce a short, effective ballad. Too many groups write songs which are great for the first few verses, and then deteriorate into trash in an attempt to produce a song long enough for a single (R.E.M.s "Everybody Hurts" is a fine example). Dear Friends is so gentle it could almost be used as a lullaby to sooth a restless child (note the line "Go to sleep..."), and the vocals are in perfect harmony.
The song's mood flows from sympathy to reassurance, and the closing line "And there'll be no crying soon" is a sentiment echoed by all the eternal optimists among us. Pure poetry.
Drowse is one of many Queen songs that never gets airplay due to the fact that Roger is on lead vocals. However, his gravelly singing adds another dimension to what could have been an ordinary song. The guitar work fits the theme of the song perfectly, with the use of a slide creating the effect of a swound or drowsiness.
Many songs with Roger on lead vocals offer much for youths to relate to (for example, "Tenement Funster"), and the lines "we broadened our minds, more in the pool hall than we did in the school hall", are ones which sum up many a day in the lives of teenagers. Drowse manages to cocoon a stark look at life from the point of view of a youth, along with a microcosm of the seediness of life in general, into this dirge-like song.
Wow. That is the first thing that came to my mind after hearing Freddie Mercury sing this song for the first time. I have heard other versions of the song, even one done by the writer, the wonderfully talented Carole King. Few come close to topping the Queenly version. Lush vocals & nifty piano playing.
The irony of a young and energetic Freddie singing lyrics like "For thinking young and growing older is no sin, & I can't play the game of life to win." is poignant. One can easily imagine him singing this song on Innuendo or Made In Heaven, but he is not. This is Freddie (and Queen) before Wembley, before naked bicycle races, before "Scaromouche, scaromouche will you do the fandango". This wonderful little song was the shape of great things to come. 'Nuff said.
Another one of those hidden gems of rock music. Roger Taylor once remarked about Innuendo: "Us meets Led Zeppelin". He's not far off. The title track from Queen's fantastic Innuendo album is arguably their finest musically. It is one of their few tracks that can stand on equal footing with their class magnum opus "Bohemian Rhapsody".
The 6-1/2 minute epic features Queen showing their oft-forgotten "serious side", this ushered in by the drum-roll and somber keyboard that open the song. From lyrics like "Our lives dictated by tradition, superstition, false religion", you know you are listening to a song that is epic or wants urgently to be so. And this song is.
Steve Howe's acoustic guitar is an effective bridge, technically brilliant, very reminiscent of Rick Wakeman's piano bridge of Yes's "Southside of the Sky". May's recapitulation of this solo on his trusty "Red Special" provides the emotional buildup to the final vocal section, which provides acceptance, perhaps closure with "Yes, we'll keep on trying...to the end of time". It is left at that, with nothing like the gong that ends "Bohemian Rhapsody". Perhaps it is just as well.
This is my favourite song on Innuendo. It's haunting melody is reminiscent of "Who Wants To Live Forever", yet it also has a powerfully uplifting section, almost like a burst of optimism.
I think Freddie's voice was at his best for this song, and the lyrics are really poignant. The opening line "If you're searching out for something, don't try so hard" seems, to me, to be a motto for life. It can be read alongside "Nothing really matters to me" from Bohemian Rhapsody, as a statement, perhaps, about how Freddie himself viewed life. Perhaps...
Ogre Battle by Salman Bakhtiyar
If you don't have access to a TV and you would still like to view a picture on your stereo, listening to this song is probably the best you could do. Freddie Mercury's masterpiece is a story of an 'Ogre Battle', which transforms the listener into one of the onlookers to a battle scene, humans (ogre-men) fighting against a one-eyed monster. This song employs the unparalleled story telling technique of Freddie; from the first to last verse the listener is kept fully captivated in the story.
Although the story telling is of the highest quality in 'Ogre Battle' its the music of this song that gives it the distinct visual quality. The multi-layered sound, complicated vocal harmonies and high pitched shrieks and screams all combine to create an illusion of a battle, which is even more impressive due to the absence of synthesizers. A review of 'Dear Friends' described it as a soft ballad suitable enough to be sung as a lullaby. Well, in that case 'Ogre Battle' could easily be used to scare not only a child but even an adult.
White Queen (As It Began) by Joe Fischer
ohhhhhhhhh i could go on and on about this one.The pure beauty and the splendid songwriting just puts you in a good mood and, even though the lyrics make wonder what the hell a white queen is, the music... ohhhhh!!
The guitar work of Brian and vocals by Freddie are beautiful, even John and Roger kick ass. The crescendo changes... I cant put this into words its the best song by queen thats not a hit.
IF YOU HAVE QUEEN II GIVE IT A LISTEN! BUY THE ALBUM IF YOU DON'T!
See What A Fool I've Been by Christine Kolenda
this is a song that is hidden at the end of one of queens reworked cds that came out after freddies death: SEE WHAT A FOOL IVE BEEN. It is one of Queen's most underrated, if ever rated, songs. I think Queen should have explored further into the blues. Even though it sounds like they recorded this song a little tongue in cheek, Freddie's voice is remarkable on it! I can just listen and listen to this song.
The March Of The Black Queen by Daniel Duret
At first I used to skip the track, because it was too long for my liking. Then, when I finaly heard the complete song for the first time I couldn't believe my ears. WHAT was THIS !
In all it's glory it topped Bohemian Rhapsody, and most of all it was artistically perfect. If music is art, then 'The March' is the Mona Lisa. Freddie's voice abducts your mind to a far off place in this song, and brings it back when the next song begins.
Would you like to submit a review? Email me:
choh@globalnet.co.uk
Copyright © 1998 S. C. Productions
This Home Page was created on 18 April 1998