Today, it’s difficult to believe that a rock band known for its flamboyant lead singer, wild hairdos and ambiguous name made its way through the 70s without attracting much unwanted attention. But it was the days of glam rock, when wearing black nail polish wasn’t effeminate it was punk. For Queen, the transition from small art-school rock band to international megastardom was largely founded on the operatic voice of their lead singer, Farrokh Bulsara (a.k.a. Freddy Mercury).
Born in Zanzibar, the Zoroastrian Mercury found fellow bandmates Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor while attending Ealing Art College in West London. Apart from choosing the groups name, Mercury also designed the iconic Queen logo a fusion of their four zodiac signs, framed by a regal crest. Their early hits in the mid 70s made them staples on the disco-dominated music scene, with a new style of rock that fused hard guitar licks with the booming voice of a seemingly classically trained tenor.
Though their discography has been enshrined in the rock canon for generations, is Queen nevertheless a little overrated? Don’t get me wrong: They have plenty of great hits, but we shouldn’t overlook the stinkers. Avoiding the trap of absolute Queen worship, we break down their best and not-so-great tracks.
The Good
5. Under Pressure (1981)
https://youtu.be/YoDh_gHDvkk
When Queen collaborated with David Bowie, the result was a masterpiece of rock n’ roll androgyny. The fact that everyone loves a song usually sullies my affection for it, but not here. This track marked the band’s first pairing with another artist, a serendipity that almost didn’t happen. Bowie stopped by one day to say hi to the band as they recorded a new album in their studio, and a spontaneous writing session ensued.
“Under Pressure”
Pressing down on you, no man ask for
Under pressure that burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streetsIt’s the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming, “Let me out!”
Tomorrow gets me higher
Pressure on people – people on streetsChippin’ around, kick my brains ’round the floor
These are the days – it never rains but it pours
People on streets – people on streetsIt’s the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends
Screaming, “Let me out!”
Tomorrow gets me higher, higher, higher…
Pressure on people – people on streetsTurned away from it all like a blind man
Sat on a fence but it don’t work
Keep coming up with love but it’s so slashed and torn
Why, why, why?
Love
Insanity laughs under pressure we’re cracking
Can’t we give ourselves one more chance?
Why can’t we give love that one more chance?
Why can’t we give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love?..
‘Cause love’s such an old-fashioned word
And love dares you to care for
The people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves
Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure
4. Play the Game (1980)
Queen marched into the 80s with a dramatic sonic about-face. Written by Mercury, the song marked the band’s first use of electronic synthesizers, as they had previously sworn them off. Musically, it was an acceptance of the new wave in English and American rock that would soon dominate the airwaves.
“Play The Game”
Rest your weary head and let your heart decideIt’s so easy
When you know the rules
It’s so easy,
All you have to do
Is fall in love
Play the game,
Everybody play the game of love (yeah)When you’re feeling down and your resistance is low
Light another cigarette and let yourself goThis is your life
Don’t play hard to get
It’s a free world
All you have to do is fall in love
Play the game,
Everybody play the game of loveMy game of love has just begun
Love runs from my head down to my toes
My love is pumping through my veins (play the game)
Driving me insane
Come, come, come play the game, play the game, play the game, play the game
Everybody play the game of love
This is your life
Don’t play hard to get
It’s a free, free world
All you have to do is fall in love
Play the game
Play the game of love
Your life
Don’t play hard to get
It’s a free, free world
All you have to do is fall in love
Play the game
Play the game of love
Click “NEXT” to see more…