Queen were always hated by critics, but loved by the masses. I still meet the occasional Pitchfork-reading snob who claims to hate everything Queen stood for, only to have them finish by saying “…but, Innuendo is a good song”. Since Mercury’s death, they also have a massive case of hypocritis, lambasting everything May and Taylor do with Queen’s legacy by saying “Freddie would be turning in his grave”.
Ironically, Freddie was on record as saying that his music meant nothing. Apparently on his deathbed he said “do what you want with my music, but never make me boring”. I have made a lot of excuses for Queen’s actions over time, making the argument that they were simply keeping the band fresh in people’s minds, and I actually quite enjoyed the Queen + Paul Rodgers project (I took exception with Adam Lambert, that was going too far). And it’s hard to deny that, if this was the reasoning behind a lot of their projects since 1991, then they have succeeded, because Queen are as big in the UK as they ever have been.
This week is forty years since the release of Queen’s debut album, even though, for some reason, they felt the need to celebrate their 40th anniversary last year; a year after they formed and a year before their debut. You have to wonder what goes through Brian May’s head recently. First he can’t do math, despite having a PhD in physics and secondly he thought this would stop the badger cull and is in any way a good idea:
But, I digress. To commemorate this moderately momentous occasion, I’m going to list the Top 10 Queen album tracks for shits and giggles. I grew up as a massive Queen fan. For a good few years, they were just about the only band I listened to. So, because I have a big head, I think that qualifies me to have some authority on this. There’s going to be no hits, no Bohemian Rhapsody, no sporting anthems. This is pure obscurity.
10. Need Your Lovin’ Tonight
I’ll admit, a pretty lightweight number from 1980’s The Game. Basically, it’s a Beatles-sounding power pop number by John Deacon. But, as pop songs go, it’s pretty catchy and I can never get it out of my head when I’ve heard it.
9. Keep Passing The Open Windows
Freddie Mercury initially wrote this song for the movie The Hotel New Hampshire, but it wasn’t used so it ended up on 1984’s The Works. You can kind of tell it was written for a movie, because there’s something quite cinematic about it. Quite heavy use of synths. Always loved this one. Real shame that it’s not very well known.
8. Was It All Worth It?
By 1989’s The Miracle, Freddie knew he didn’t have long to go. In fact, it was a miracle in itself that he managed to make another album in his lifetime. That gives this song some added weight. As he muses over his career, he sums it all up; “yes, it was a worthwhile experience”. It also helps that the song harks back to the band’s 70s sound somewhat, including an orchestrated breakdown halfway through.
7. Death on 2 Legs (Dedicated 2...)
Probably Queen’s most vindictive song. Opening the A Night At The Opera album, it’s Mercury’s “fuck you” to former manager Norman Sheffield. May was so tacken aback by the incisiveness of the lyrics that he claims he felt uncomfortable singing them.
6. Mother Love
This is the last track Freddie ever recorded. In fact, he never finished it (hence why Brian May sings the final verse). Appeared on 1995’s posthumous Made In Heaven.
5. One Year Of Love
John Deacon truly was Queen’s secret weapon. To this day, he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. This was one of the songs the band composed for the movie Highlander and is culled (sorry Brian, "taken") from 1986’s A Kind of Magic.
4. Doin’ All Right
This is actually a song from May and Taylor’s previous band, Smile, and consequently, the other member of Smile, Tim Staffell, gets a writing credit. It’s quite a 60’s sounding song as a result, and the first of many Queen songs to feature several musical styles throughout.
3. Tenement Funster
Roger Taylor sings this one from 1974’s Sheer Heart Attack (unscientifically non-proven by moi to be Queen’s greatest album). This is probably as cool as Queen get, which isn’t saying much in fairness. Taylor’s delivery is top notch. His voice is like a less annoying Rod Stewart.
2. March of the Black Queen
A Freddie song from 1974’s Queen II. I wish I could tell you what this song is about. I really do. But I haven’t got a fucking clue. And people thought Bohemian Rhapsody was bonkers…
1. It’s Late
A Brian May song from 1977’s News of the World. It just rocks. It starts as a mid-tempo rocker and gets surprisingly heavy. With A Kind Of Magic and Radio GaGa constantly drowning out the airwaves, it’s easy to forget how hard Queen could rock. All you need to do is play this to remind yourself. Maybe the best song they ever recorded?
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