Queen, Breakthrough - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.ย. 2024
- #queen #freddiemercury #johndeacon #rogertaylor #brianmay #virginrock
Here, you get to see me completely change my way of relating to the piece midstream, merely by learning about one small detail! This was a lot of fun!
Here’s the link to the original song by Queen:
• Queen - Breakthru
/ @amyscut
/ @littleliesel
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
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Credits: Music written and performed by Queen
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Although the critics were always very hard on Queen and many underestimated them, they always went ahead and gave us beautiful songs like this one, full of details and harmonies. They reached a level of perfection that many do not tolerate. Thank you for enjoying the music of Freddie and the boys.
I never heard it that way before, but this song seems like such a spectacular vocal flex from Freddie. He seems to sing in so many different styles there, and owns them with much presence and conviction
ive always though of the miracle and inuendo albums as a return to proper form, as he quit drugs drink and cigs to help him live longer, and the couple years off, he vocal cords would be in there best shape in over a decade
You need to watch the video for this song. It is filmed on a flatbed car of a train rolling down the tracks.
'The Miracle Express', no less!
'Breakthru' is the right title of the song instead of 'Breakthrough'. :)
Yesss!! 🙌
'through' seems like it has a few unnecessary letters anyway ;)
Probably an autocorrect error
The difference between American Standard and Actual English.
If you watch the Making of Breakthru documentary, John explains that they were listening to the song and Roger says that it sounds like a train’s engine and John And Freddie suggested a train called the Miracle Express. John’s bass and Roger’s drums really drives this song. In the video they all look like they are having so much fun on that train. I never thought about the music at the end emulating the Doppler effect.
Except that it's not John's bass: it's actually a synthesiser. John only played some few bits here and there including the solo.
React to March of the Black queen
A MUST ✌🏼
If she has not yet already, then... well, I'm not sure she's ready for it.
IMO, one of Queen’s most underrated songs. Breakthru takes you back to Queen’s earlier 70s songs (like Headlong on the Innuendo album). Much love to Freddie’s memory as he is already very ill while performing Breakthru.
This woman is like my old school teacher.
Thank you ma'am for this video. I will make sure i do my homework on time. 😊
The video for this song is awesome. The woman in the video is Debbie Leng, girlfriend of Roger Taylor. They have a son together, Rufus Tiger Taylor, drummer for The Darkness, and touring drummer for Queen + Adam Lambert. His godfather was drummer Taylor Hawkins from the Foo Fighters. Freddie Mercury picked the name Tiger for his middle name. You really have to watch the video, it is amazing!
You're right about Rufus, but Debbie and Roger also have two daughters: Tigerlily 😮 and Lola Daisy May ...
Was it all worth it, the song that closes this album, is the kind of piece you would enjoy, full of orchestral moments, funny bits etc. And regarding Freddie's voice perhaps he was starting to lose a bit of power or texture (I don't know thw right word) but imo he had also learnt a couple of tricks from Montserrat Caballé and in some ways his voice sounded better than in previous albums.
Yes ✌🏼
Maybe. I hear what you're saying and I respect that everyone hears music differently. Because my love of Queen is primarily around their first 5/6 albums (and watching Amy's reaction to 80's Queen, I think she's kinda there too - which I thought she would be when she started this journey), Was it All Worth It to me is one of many examples of 80's
Queen that is a good effort and has good elements but in the end is a swing and miss...or a song that they should have spent more time on. It has some nice moments - especially the intro - but as a song it sounds like kind of a mess to me and that lacks the switches from great to great that I appreciate in so many of their earlier songs. To me Innuendo (the song) was the closest they ever got to the quality of the songs in their earlier days. Just me....and I appreciate that it's something that you enjoy.
@toddmathers5075
I get where you are comming from. The fact that Queen does not want to repeat it self makes them go different places. We all have the earlier songs allready and can listen to them as soon as we wish. Queen went along on a journey and tried different styles. Successful or less successful is up to the listener...
Me? I think it is alright!
I love your analyses of Queen's songs. Greetings from Spain and thank you for sharing. ❤
It's not one of Queen's most epic, important or popular songs, but to my ears it's one of Freddie's most impassioned and powerful vocals. He sings his absolute socks off!
I absolutely love Breakthru. It's just so energetic.
Watching Queen's video we can realize that much of what you're saying in your analysis...is there.
Listening to this song feels like traveling on a train.
It's worth mentioning Honegger's Pacific 231 as another example of "trainlike music".
Thank you for this reaction.
Regards from Argentina.
I hope 'Was is all worth it' is next.
Awesome train video notwithstanding, this is definitely a love song (about a person not a train!) and Amy's initial reaction was spot on! However you interpret it though, it is just a perfectly crafted engine of pure joy.
They did a great job in merging the slow vocal melody part written by Freddie for another song, with the faster paced part written by Roger. As always I loved Brian's guitar compositional ideas and realization. And as you noted, the bass really is the drive behind this song. The credits list both real bass and synth bass. I really enjoyed your lyrical interpretation. I thought it was referring to a breakthrough in a relationship, but your train analogy works, particularly considering the video which I don't remember seeing. Also hard to ignore the subtext of Freddie hoping for a breakthrough with his illness. I loved your enthusiasitic reaction.
Such a difficult song to drive to and avoid a speeding ticket.
The video filmed on a moving train dubbed the miracle express. Fearless Freddie doing pull ups off the sides of the train and the constant smiles the guys have makes this one of the fun videos😎
Freddie Mercury was a man of many talents and many different sides. The songs he wrote for and with Queen filled stadiums around the globe and have rightly gone down in history, but he also embarked on a solo career that took him from the clubs of Munich and New York to the great opera houses of the world.
He was the ultimate showman, but he kept his private life away from the prying eyes of the media; a larger than life rock star who loved disco, classical music and ballet. He was a restless spirit, a true chameleon who revelled in his own contradictions.
Freddie Mercury - Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow, taken from the 1985 album Mr. Bad Guy.
Thank you.
.th-cam.com/video/H1Wbu_AF2e4/w-d-xo.html
…wow. A true chameleon who reveled in his own contradictions… TY That’s my Freddie 😊
Brilliant reaction as always. Thanks. X
The beginning is my favorite part of this song. I mean no one has a voice that is so glorious and is powerful enough to hear above the other sounds. It makes me want to hear the original song. But breakthrough is certainly an energetic song. I love Deacon’s bass pushing this forward too! It seems like the band was trying so hard to produce as much music as they could while Freddie was well enough to sing.
This was my introduction to Queen via one of the Now albums in the UK. I wasn't sure if it was actually liked by many people but I'm glad it seems to have mostly favourable comments. My sister and I had both just got Walkmen for Christmas or something, and we loved how the bass riff switches between ears. Simple times!
I always thought this song was Freddie singing as if he was the train and he is excited for a new day. The thrill of making it count. A force pushing ahead.
The panting is actually Roger.
“Is about breaking through to the next part of your life” )Brian May)
Thanks Amy, I could see/hear you were both enjoying 'The Train Song'! Gives a fuller meaning to 'optimism and infectiousness'. A scintillating 'carry us along' composition. Amazing arrangement too.
You have to keep going! Please do the deep cuts! They’re even better. As a life long Queen fan 64 years old I don’t agree with these choices! ❤ But appreciate very much the series and your expertise. Concerning this train as the love interpretation - not mine - but Freddie always said if you see it then it’s there.
Hi Amy ! You would love the video. Hope you watch it 🌷
Reminds me of a British light classical piece called Coronation Scot, that was a favourite of my father’s, who was a train driver 😊love the fun they clearly have, while filming the music video for this.
Thank you for the parallel with Glinka! Now I see it too.
These guys! So brilliant!
Freddie struggled with his voice, and in many ways, for sure, but it NEVER showed in his singing voice, not even at the very end, that’s how amazing he was.
He certainly was rough at times live for the Kind of Magic and onwards, if compared to Montreal in the late 1970s. High notes on the album were often dropped an octave as well.
@@kentl7228 well yes, live was a different thing certainly, I was thinking of the studio albums. As to high notes on the album (this album you mean…?) being dropped an octave I’m not aware of that at all, but he certainly kept singing really high parts in this one and Innuendo, so I don’t know about that.
Pity you're not watching the official video which shows them on a train which the tempo of the song relates to.
The video is great. One funny thing that spoils it a bit are the white seams you see when the train breaks the foam wall. 😀
It was shot long before CGI became usable for rendering such scenes.
@@dmitrykazakov2829 It was 1989 and I've seen far worse videos even after that time LOL
@@dmitrykazakov2829 i doubt queen was paying for a 80s cgi wall
@@vinniedixon1140Amen !!
@@topmandog1 Of course not. It was a real prop. Jurassic Park that used CGI came out only in 1993.
If you love choral, you should definitely check out the Beach boys !! 😊
God only knows, good vibrations, don't worry baby...
I loved that album, mainly I guess for the production, it is really headphones friendly and slick, as was a lot of 80s rock. It is very clear to me that none of the 70s bands got out of the 80s unscathed...even the scrappiest, grittiest bands went through this carwash of sparkle that affected everything somehow. Khashoggi's Ship is fun and so is the title track, "the miracle". I'm glad you gave it some time even if it wasn't Queen's best or well known music.
The excitement and energy of how the desire for the person is expressed within the song as the driving force, much like a train under full steam, roaring along a train track. The relentless chugging, of course, is very symbolic and keeps the energy very high, throughout. They're almost pleading toward the end with, 'if I could only..', in order to reach the goal they set for themselves in letting their feelings be known to the person in question. I never noticed the Doppler effect before. The very end has an echoey effect that sounds like it's going through a tunnel. A highly interpretative song if ever there was one!
Another song which is helped by the video, and Sir Brian was depressed at this time, something he's had bouts of throughout his life. He recently had a minor stroke, but he's home and taking it easy
I've never really listened that closely to this one, but now I'm thinking this might just be some of John Deacon's best bass work.
Of course it's a love song! It's about how to catch the attention of a person you love. This is on top, don't search other meenings. And it's great!!!
So the song is "I'm in love with my train"
The thing I like most about this song is the length of phrases and the chord changes and how they drive the song (that train feel mentioned, where it gradually picks up speed until reaches the top of its speed range)
The verses begin with four-measure phrases where the melody just is the tonic triad (the chord does switch to the IV after two measures for a little bit of motion, but it's inverted so the bass note stays the same across the the four measures.) With the melody keeping to the first chord and having a long gap in the middle of the call-response style phrase (I woke up......feel just fine), it feels like one long phrase. That repeats 3x completing the first phrase group of 12 measures.
The next group is only 8 measures, because of the pace of the changes.
It begins on the IV chord (this is used as a temporary key change). After the first two measures, it moves to the V chord for two measures, but the gap between the call-response melody has a much shorter gap. The bass note does hold over, but with no common tones* in IV and V, it's a different feel from the first 12 bars; it's moving a little more quickly.
* The notes would make a 3rd inversion V/7 chord, but since IV is acting as I temporarily, it's a I to II function, rather than a IV to V/7 in the home key.
It goes back to IV for two measures, but this time the response jumps to vi chord bringing the bass with it, and goes for just one measure, setting up half measures which walk the bass line chromatically up to the tonic (I) key again - (it's four notes up starting on the sixth to get back to the tonic).
More simply the rate of change in the measures is something like this
4,4,4
4 (or a 2+2), 2 ,1, half, half then breaks through to the chorus.
I found it clever how the momentum builds to "breakthru" into the chorus.
the bass line from roger is basically "music for a found harmonium" of simon jeffes and his band "penguin caffe orchestra",the tue of the peguin's is from 1984 and the theme of queen is from 1989,probably taylor heard at some point the tune of simon and his band (from england too) and this inspired his line.
need to listen to the out take version on the miracle box set with real drums and bass, it has sooo much more energy, its fantastic.
the band focus is very very interesting and I think they are the best musicians in rock (70s), they have 5 wonderful songs, Eruption, Hamburger concert, Carnival fugue, Le Clochard and "Answers? questions! questions? answers!"
I loved the video for this song, and lived in Peterborough for over 10 years near where it was filmed.
There is a version on the the album The Miracle (collector’s edition) which is tilted Break thru (real bass and drums) . It is incomplete and a working studio version with some extremely poignant ad lib comments from Freddie (given the way his life was cut short).
The most dangerous Vedio ever made.
Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Last Train to London
Amy, I love this Queen series... just LOVE it. Can't wait until I hear how Bijou lands with you. it's emotionally stunning. Train songs? ABBA - The Day Before You Came is without a doubt my #1 fave from them. But please do that one WITH THE VIDEO (showing the train...). It's the most mature I've ever heard from them, it's melancholy and excited at the same time. So conflicted, so perfect. Another spine-chilling train song you would want to include is "Under Your Thumb" by Godley & Creme. Sounds rather "beige" on the surface, but it's rooted in understated drama... so banal in presentation but so rich in drama. It doesn't get the recognition it deserves, maybe because of the plasticky drum machines and synths. But it's a lyrical and emotional masterpiece!
Interesting and fun analysis! The song wasn't actually written about a train, but instead, after they recorded it, they realised the sound of the song was like an express train and that inspired the concept for the music video (filmed on a moving steam train). The lyrics were indeed about making a breakthrough with a person/relationship, rather than being specifically about a train :-)
The official video as one comment stated, is filmed with the band playing on the flat bed of a moving train car. However Like Freddie once said. " They never want to give us too much information. They would prefer that the listener use their imagination , and create their own scenario. Like most Queen songs there is no definitive ONE right meaning . It is intended to be translated and interpreted in many ways . Is it merely using the imagery of a train racing down the tracks to describe a certain aspect of a relationship?? This is what US the listener to decide. This is how they wrote most of their music.
L
The bass line is terrific
Cheesy half-step up modulation near the end, fun
👑👑👑❤️❤️❤️
After watching the video, at actually feels a bit like the lyrics were written with that train / wallbreaking image in mind. 😃Jethro Tull's 'Locomotive Breath' or Traveling Wilbury's 'End of the Line' must be other examples of 'train music'. Roger Taylor also wrote 'Ride he Wild Wind'... but that's about riding a motorbike through the night.
There are several works in classical music dedicated to trains and railways. One is Danish composer H.C. Lumbye's "Copenhagen Steam Railway Gallop' written for the opening of Denmark's first national railway line in 1847: th-cam.com/video/CJNVXrU4DgA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=kKSWoD4rC62LME33&t=80
I love how early Queen played with the stereoscopy, especially this song and _The Prophet's Song"_ - not that's those are the only options, but I feel they showcase this part of their style so well.
I think stereoscopy is images
They used delay machine
Brian was experimenting with the delays on his 🎸 (listen to Brighton Rock) and Freddie loved it and the voice delay were used in The Prophet Song. I just hope that Amy will listen to those masterpieces and more others after the 50 series...
And Depeche Mode ? Somebody, Soul with me, Litle Soul, Home and Manner of speaking with Martin Lee Gore singing.
It could be both ideas, the love interest could be the engine, and the lover could be the cars followed along in the wake, always behind and keeping up.
I like this music, but Amy if you like vocal harmony, you should listen the Beach Boys song.
Their harmonies aren’t as good as Queens. Especially Queens 70s output.
567 likes 0 dislikes, that’s called immaculate
I wish she did Invisible Man or Chinese Torture instead. The solo to the former is quite virtuosic with the rapid alternate picked chromaticism
I forgot you did Jethro before Bouree, so I was back watching both videos (when you made two
videos for each song).
There are probably many songs involving trains, I already commented about "Doobies" Long Train Runnin';
but considering your thoughts about Locomotive Breath, it's time to check the more (lyrically) desperate
claim from SUPERTRAMP, that RUDY is on a train to nowhere! Though a metaphor-train, RUDY has real
train (station) sounds, adding to it's melancholic feel.
Supertramp was one of the more original and atmospheric symphonic bands. Like Queen based on
piano against rock-guitar (very different style), sometimes even two pianos and quite often extensive
woodwind (clarinet/sop. sax) soli. RUDY is a good entry to a very different sound of the 70ies.
Sticking together different song ideas is a very 'progressive' rock thing to do. The Beatles (of course) did it with A Day In The Life on Sgt. Pepper and even more on Abbey Road. One of the best examples is Question by The Moody Blues.
Please check out Texas Flood (Live at El Mocambo) by Stevie Ray Vaughan, or Riviera Paradise, also by Stevie Ray Vaughan. A Blues musician, one of the greatest guitarists ever if not #1
Tom waits.
I never talk to strangers. 😊
One more suggestion for the Train Songs playlist: Megadeth - Train of Consequences 🤘
Reminds me a little of 'The Game' .. Did you everlisten to that Queen song?
Armored Saint - Last train home
React. I'm going slightly mad QUEEN .
Next train song:
-Last train home by pat metheny group.
If you want to follow up the train theme, try "Casey Jones" by The Grateful Dead... :-)
You love choral music, you love vocal harmony. Please react to something by Jacob Collier (preferably Moon River)
I'd like to put in a vote for "Music", by John Miles. Sadly he's passed away in 2021.
The song is mainly music with just a few words to exlpain his love of music. The song came out in the 70s and although John did a lot in his career this was his most famous piece.
The original is available on youtube and a few versions recorded at the proms (a UK and European music festival) in which John has a full orchestra backing him (Belgium 2016).
I really think you'd love this.
Please do more Grateful Dead
There’s not much of a global audience for The Grateful Dead. Their popularity is pretty much limited to North America.
Breakthru is not one of my favorite I must say. I prefer the original “when love breaks up” even though it was just a few unfinished lines
I think that Queen decided to credit all of the songs they wrote to " Queen " after the day at the races album!
No
Only the last 3 albums
@@bluebell3720 okay... Seems to be AFTER "the works"... Something about 1986...
@@timnotbrianmayNo, it’s from The Miracle onwards, in 1989.
Sounds to me like a Hammond organ.
Trai(n-ish) songs? Locomotive by Guns n' Roses comes to mind..
This song was crap though and dark wicked devilish energy....horrible mercury 😮
It is Breakthru. Come on Vlad for God's sake!
Using a programmed bassline trapped this song in the past. It's not good.
For me, Queen gets steadily less and less inventive and interesting from the moment they hit the 80s and embrace synthesisers. And this song just about represents the absolute nadir of that decline. It’s almost impossible to believe that this disposable, boring pap comes from the same band that came up with Bohemian Rhapsody and Killer Queen.
You don’t listen to Rap ? Come On Easy listening Rap
Queen, Queen, Kween, Gueen........it's boring. Every second song from queen. There are so many artist you don't know and you never heard of em.
They all got fantastic songs you really hear it for the very first time. Your reaction songs are too much mainstream stuff. Lot of bullshit. You don't have to mention and react every queen or beatles song. Open your eyes, ears and your mind. Search for other artist. The sea is so deep, dive in....
Ahh take a hike. No space for your negativity here.
Can you name some that are better or more talented than Beatles and Queen and whose music stand the test of time? 🤔
If you are uncomfortable watching music evaluation videos that have been carefully produced, please leave this channel. uh?
If he did “that would really be a breakthrough”
She’s not the only reaction channel to do a series. Be glad she intersperses other artists instead of just doing the entire series straight through. Or be mad. Seems you prefer the latter.
My God what Are you doing musician 😢
??? …Troll!