To think, a reactor has committed to doing fifty (50) songs by one of our favorite bands, committing considerable time and effort to prepare and give added value to each of her videos due to her musical expertise. And we thank her for this enormous project by lamenting missing a favorite track every now and then. It’s like, “She’s giving us 50 when she could have just reacted to “We Are The Champions” and then moved on to Nightwish or something like most other reaction channels. If the channel still exists, I’m sure she will revisit Queen from time to time after the completion of the series. 50 songs is an embarrassment of riches.
I agree. I like hearing Amy break down Queen songs. I’m just grateful she and Vlad are doing 50. I’d love for more songs to be added in the future but I’ll take whatever they want to give us. I rewatch her Queen videos and have learned so much! Best reaction channel for music on TH-cam. ❤
What I love about Queen is that they never repeat theirselves in a song, there are always changes 'till the end! :) (They're my favourite band, love them since I was a little kid) :)
This one is a complex song. I had to listen to the lyrics a few times before I realized how deep it goes.I love that about Queen. Can’t wait to hear Amy’s reaction.
I just listened to a 2021 interview with Brian May, he said, I want a piece of the verse. I want to be joining in and taking the story a bit further. I always hear the solo piece as part of the vocals. It’s like the vocalist hands over to someone, momentarily, who’s going to continue the story and then give it back to the main raconteur who is the vocalist
Yes! That was his interview with Rick Beato. He was speaking with him about Queen’s creation of Bohemian Rhapsody and of his distinctive style of playing. Great interview. I hope when Brian May feels up to it he will catch a VirginRock video of Queen too. Amy always has unique insights as a musician and teacher.
when people say 'why' in response to a modern technological medium or instrument, theyre treating it as something other. No one says but why paint? to a painter or why ceramics? why bronze? why a piano? etc. They all involve technological advances that were once cutting edge, whether its chemistry, mathematics or physics. The synth at the start grabs our attention and pulls us in and creates contrast, just as an orchestra might, so why not?
Amy you were born to do these videos. Your reactions are fabulous and how you describe what it makes you feel is priceless. It was a lucky day for us , Amy met Vlad , and you played the game. Your like a surfer , who at just the right time catches the perfect wave. We all smiled when you mentioned Deacon`s bass, this is the album were he takes centre stage and knocks everyone`s socks off.
There is a Queen song called, "It's a Hard Life" which musically recreates the feel of “Play the Game” in order to update the story, utilizing Freddie's piano playing and the band’s characteristic technique of layered harmonies. The opening of "A Hard Life" is based on an aria from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. Also, for the first time in ages, no synthesizers were used in the creation of this track and the melody and lyrics (part-written by Brian May) make this one of Freddie’s greatest moments. (Brian watched Freddie struggling to say what he wanted to say in this song, so Brian offered to help.)
Im not sure I believe one Freddie needed help Or Brian would have contributed without credit He said they didnt normally discuss their songs But implied Freddie did on this one Not sure Brian actually helped write it
The band members regularly contributed to each other's songs without credit. The bridge of Seven Seas of Rhye was written by Brian and Freddie contributed some lyrics to Save Me. Just two of many examples.
The intro synth makes me think of an old computer game being downloaded... into the mind and 'ready to play (the game)' and later the synth sounds like an arcade game being played.... now that we are 'in the game' of love...
The Game album was my first exposure to Queen as a 10-year-old. Of course I quickly fell in love. I also think this track refers directly to them "playing the game" of using synths during that age when new wave music was everywhere (an under-story if you will).
You and Vlad, ( I can feel his presence although we don't see him), are like two dear friends that come into my living room once or twice a week to talk about music, and how we love and care about this beautiful art that you have a special gift to put into words. Thank you for your work and dedication. A very happy Easter for you and your family. With love from Rio ❤
Tbh “It’s a Hard Life” has more in common with Freddie’s 70s material- more deep and heartfelt- but it was an exception in the 80s. “Play the Game” signals a move towards a more superficial and shallow sentiment that characterised his 80s output. I can still dig some of Queen’s 80s stuff but it’s not in the same league as what went before imo.
As a kid, when I had a good singing voice, I used to sing the guitar parts on Queen songs (as well as the vocals). Used to annoy the hell out of my Dad as I was at the back of the room he was trying to watch TV in and I had my headphones on. :) Guitar has always had a 'voice' as far as I am concerned. Loving this series, Amy.
I have learned so much about this song that never would have occurred to me without watching your video. I got the cassette when this first came out in 1980. 44 years ago. The 12 year old me was profoundly moved by this song even though it was not the popular song on the album. I think this is their best song because it contains all the elements of a great Queen song in the proper amounts. It is perfectly balanced.
Hmm…there are far more complex, and interesting Queen tunes. Leaving Home Ain’t Easy, The March of the Black Queen, The Fairy Feller’s Master Stroke, Long Away, etc
It's part of that old conundrum of 70s Queen v. 80s Queen. You cannot have one without the other. While Queen spared nothing in their early layered approach, there came a point where less became more...Brian or Freddie described it as streaming their approach. They were the reverse of the Beatles, going from complex composition to a more simplified sound, playing to their strengths. A toy like the synth moved in as a different applied way of layering (not as much to my personal taste, but I can hear it as punctuation in music).
I still think missing Queen 11, Vlad has missed a big part of what built this band. Maybe at the end of the 50, you will look at their BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test, Queen Live at The Hammersmith Odeon, Dec 24, 1975.
It's actually quite sad that's she's at #26 at this point. Vlad skipped a number of great songs (and included some he shouldn't have - like I'm in Love with my Car). She should be at somewhere between 35 and 40 at this point in my opinion. I predict she's in for a big letdown on this next 25 when she reflects back once she's finished. Just hope Amy is upfront about how she feels about what she hears vs. what she heard earlier.
Vladimir, please let Amy listen to some Elvis Presley songs before you introduce her to Crazy Little Thing Called Love. It doesn't make much sense otherwise. She should have long been introduced to Elvis Presley anyway.
Ever since I first heard this song in 1980, the opening part has sounded to me like a spaceship landing. It even makes me think of the line, "I descend upon your Earth from the skies" in Freddie's song, The Seven Seas of Rhye.
Two things: 1. I think most people think the synth intro is a spaceship landing. Loved it when I heard it in 1980 and still love it. 2. I'm surprised you didn't mention the alternation between single-tracked Freddie and multi-tracked - within the same line. That's rather fun. :-)
Brian was so amazing at making his guitar sing with whatever melody they were playing and made it fit into the song. he never wanted to stand out but to make his guitar part of the song. He didn't want a standout "rif" , but he wanted his guitar to be part of the song. So amazing! So unlike any other "lead guitarists" of his time. So unselfish.
@ZENOBlAmusic2 yes, the first album track indeed, but those two other songs were released in 79. Being that Amy has been focusing on chronological order of reactions, that is what I meant. 🙂
I have to comment on this one, which I think is one of the most complex, or simple, to interpret (depending on your point of view). I don't think this song is about love. I've always had the feeling that I was being 'hypnotized' by the piano. And the lyrics suggest that something wants to invade my mind and persuade me, control me. I imagine that 'love' is just a form of disguise and part of the plan. These are just thoughts And Amy, you're absolutely fantastic 🤩
Very interesting thoughts about love! To allow someone "invading" your mind and body can actually be a very agressive act. The more I think about it, the more realistic it seems. Frightening! I've never looked at it this way..... And if you think further, it means we are all manipulated by "falling in love" only to become part of natures masterplan.
I really enjoyed this reaction. I wonder if the song title "Play the Game" contained a commentary on their decision to use synths, since they finally gave in and decided to play the game everyone else at the time was playing. Probably due to pressure from the record labels. I don't personally think the synths contributed much to this song. I always liked some of the synth like textures and effects that Brian has done with his guitar in their prior songs. The synths make more sense in some of their other songs which follow. While I really like some of these songs, I have always preferred the earlier Queen. But with these changes I think they were able to appeal to a new generation of fans, which is a good thing.
You're not alone in thinking that way. "Play The Game" is a subtle gem of a song but the synths don't add much depth to the song's structure, but given that this was their first foray into synthesizer, it's understandable. They would become more at home with fusing essential synth sounds into their song arrangements (without coming off as cheesy) as the 80's progressed. "Radio Ga Ga," "I Want It All," and "Days Of Our Lives" spring to mind of that mature musical fusion.
Come to think of it, when Queen played this song live in 1980 and 81, they never used synthesizers. In fact the live versions sound much better without them. The 1981 Montreal version is a case in point... th-cam.com/video/BzvGF7TrpD8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=OObpiDyBNgwdgsn5
@@Mrvictorfernandes Yeah, those were some of songs I had in mind when I said they would make better use of synths later on. Thanks for the live performance link. I hadn't seen this one before. A really good illustration of how this song works perfectly fine, or even better, without the synths. Sounded great. I hope Amy sees your link so she can experience this performance without the synths as a comparison.
Great reaction to a great song. By 1980 this band had really distilled their sound. 1974`s Queen II is an absolute showcase of soundscape you may enjoy.
There is said to be an unreleased take of the song ‘Play the Game’ by Queen with Andy Gibb singing the first verse. The circumstances are unknown. According to the same sources, the tape was found about 1990 in a search of Queen tape archives for bonus tracks for CD, but was not used. Since it has not been heard by any Queen collectors, its existence is somewhat doubtful. The released take without Andy was recorded between February and May 1980 (or possibly June or July 1979) and is on Queen’s album The Game, released in 1980. Thank you.
Queen used many musical devices in their songs. Their songs were crafted meticulously with very careful attention to details. When they used signature changes, modulations ect they were never merely just tricks. They knew what worked and every detail and choice was there to serve the song. In interviews they talked about how they would argue over what choices to use, and all four members had strong input, however they resisted what they thought might sound cool or flashy, and again always opted for what would best serve the song
Great reaction again! I think the intro bit is done with the upcoming videoclip in mind. Queen just learned all the cool stuff you could do with videos. Welcome to the eighties 😅🔥👑
The sound changed considerably. They went to produce their albums with Reinhold Mack from that point on. You can recognize this by the very specific sound of the drum-set. All Mack productions use it.
I always thought this was Queen by numbers, almost a parody of what people think Queen ought to sound like. Presumably this was intentional by Freddie.
As a Queen fan from Queen II it was always a point of pride and a show of expertise that Queen was able to make all the amazing sounds through so many previous albums - all without synthesizers. Seeing the tag line on each album "No Synthesizers" meant quality and creativity. It felt like a betrayal at the time this album was released. I would guess nowdays they would use a tag like "No Autotune". This was the last Queen album I loved - not due to the synths but more the change in style moving forward. They were masters at whatever they did - just what they did wasnt my thing.
I feel Queen used the synthesizer in a way that added a fullness and didn't over use it. The opening to this song was not needed, on most songs it's used tastefully. Every album had great music on it. Innuendo is fantastic, along with their early work are my favorite.
NOTE: The begining of the song is not a synth, it is a backward recording, and the point of it was to introduce the album since "Play The Game" is its first song.
Originally, the amplification of the guitar was purely a solution to the problem of how loud drums are inherently. They needed the guitars to heard well over the drums, and invented a way. Then, as things always go, loudness became a competitive selling point between amp-makers and the loudness of genre of Rock itself is bemoaned by its detractors, especially by parents who are dealing with what they often call “loud music.” …and the slamming on the locked bedroom door shouting ‘turn it down!” That characteristic of Rock was always going to appear because drums are just really loud.
I agree. There was another factor as well. As fans became more demonstrative and loud, and crowds and venues larger, even the drums had to be miked and amplified. Beatlemania with its screamers drove that group to ask Marshall to build more powerful amplifiers, just to be heard at all. Which other makers had to compete with, and the power race was on.
@@jamesredman1263 You would think it is mostly due to the natural progression of technology and loud crowds that evolved during those times, but I think it is actually more complex. It was also more socially driven then people realize. Interestingly enough, during the 50's and 60's, in other words, even during the heart of Beatlemania, the crowds at opera houses were acting exactly the same, and they obviously don't have any amplification there. They often needed extra police presence at operas houses during this time, crowds often became frenzied, there were a lot of riots at opera houses, during this exact same time. Audiences were acting the same in two very different genres. Just as it was a golden period for rock and popular music, it was also a golden period in opera as well. Therefore it was actually something bigger then technological changes, it was really a social movement. People wanted to get out and enjoy themselves after all of the wars, they were happy to grab onto every opportunity. Here is example just listen to this crowd, it sounds more like a rock concert then a classical performance in an opera house: th-cam.com/video/T-RrG4sfdis/w-d-xo.htmlsi=sQ5KLROluau4YYtj And now we are at a completely different cycle, where all of the genres of music including rock, are not doing that well these days.
There are several reasons so many of us geek out on time signatures. One reason is precisely because it's so rare for a band / artist to be able to pull it off so well. Probably 95% of songs are in 4/4 or 3/4 or (I guess we can include 6/8 and 12/8), because the musicians are just so accustomed to standard time that they can't imagine pulling off anything else. We get excited because it's like spotting a wild animal in a developed neighborhood. The example here is a great one, because ... it's the perfect choice for this song. And you're right, many of us hardly notice because it's just so obvious that that note NEEDED to be held. 🙂 I remember being a bit taken aback when you listened to "Mother" from The Wall, and called it "simple". It became clear that you were referring to the harmonic pattern (most of the song sticks to a I-IV-V pattern), and not the rhythms, which of course are quite unusual. In fact, Pink Floyd's drummer ended up not playing on the song because he just couldn't pull it off. But the song sounds quite natural with the time signature changes, and of course as a classical musician time signatures don't really stick out to you as much. But for the rest of us who are accustomed to pop and rock music being in 4/4, it's a big deal. 🙂
Time signature changes used to be rare and exotic in Rock and Pop. It was a sign of musical sophistication back in the day to use them ostentatiously. Bands like Yes, Rush, and various other prog bands have since done it so much that it’s not as rare as it used to be. Still, a lot of Rock fans are still awed and shaken by its use. As an addendum, rather than a human to human interaction, Freddie is embodying Eros, Love, itself. He’s telling all of us to Come, play the game of Love! Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.
The synths at the start were just a continuation of their habit of including a distinctive layered intro such as on Night at The Opera, Day at The Races
29:20 - About the fade-out, I think you've heard a fade-out in "In the Lap of the Gods Revisited", but that one made sense at the end of the album with a sing-along that continues on for eternity. 🙂
The opening of the inaugural track of the album seemed to me an unambiguous statement: "Well - here it is, the synthesizer". Intentionally devoid of any subtlety, it couldn't be mistaken for Brian's customary richly textured guitar work.
The studio recording of Don't Stop Me Now KIND OF has a fade out at the end? But it's not really a typical sounding fade-out, since it's just Freddie's voice, and the effect gives more the impression of hearing him move further away as he's singing the last little bit, which is different than the whole song being faded out, so I'm not entirely sure it qualifies as the same thing.
Amy, how are you? First I have to say that I respect how think’s different of me, but I must to say you listened the best songs of Queen (the opera’s fase), by now starts the pop fase. In this fase theres great songs (I hope Vlad choses this songs) like Who Wants to Live Forever, Inuendo, I Want to Break Free, Show Must go On, etc…, but unfortunately the quality is not the same. Im fan of the first fase of Queen, but how I said theres peoples that like the pop fase and I have no problem if this. At the end we all love Queen.
Those parts you suspect may be synthesizer... Well, yeah, they might be. The period when The Game was recorded was kind where Queen was transitioning from "No Synths!", to, "Sure, okay, some synths." However, to my ear, both of those synth-y parts sounded more like tape-machine trickery. One could record, say, a cymbal roll, while gradually slowing down the tape machine. When played back, the sound of the cymbal would swoop upwards in pitch. Add a ton of reverb and other effects, and et voilà, crazy spaceship landing sound. If you've already reacted to the tune, "Prophets Song", you may recall a part about two thirds though, (after the la-la part) where the whole band suddenly changes pitch into a key change. That's an example of that same putting-one's-thumb-on-the-tape-reel-to-slow-it-down-while-recording trick. This part: th-cam.com/video/HzdjMLKKdgk/w-d-xo.html (happens at the 6:39 point of the song)
Imagine the kids from Brixton area years later having to admit that they once asked Thier physics teacher if he was a rock star and then using punch line of Brian.May saying no not yet.
Many artists were very reluctant to embrace the synthesiser. Back in the late 70s/early 80s the media very much presented synths as "cheating" saying things like "they just write the music for you". Which was clearly nonsense. Having said that, some bands and performers even now seem to stick to a small range of sounds and phrases, but I guess lazy is lazy, whatever instrument you use. Nevertheless, synths became a powerful tool in the hands of artists. Whether it be Kraftwerk, Gary Numan, Human League or Queen. Indeed, it would have been difficult to write the Flash Gordon music without synths!
Could it be that the fade-out is symbolic that 'the game' is continually ongoing, that the point of view is just focusing elsewhere, rather than being wrapped up in the game.
Oh yeah, this song, "Save Me" and "Sail Away sweet sister" from this album are one of my favorites songs from Queen. oh wait, then I listen to literally any other Queen album (except Flash) and now my favorite songs from Queen changed. oh wait, now it's back to The Game again. oh, and now again it's from different albums. Wait, doesn't this mean all of their songs and albums (except Flash) are my favorite? OH YEAH
Thank you for another great reaction, Amy. The first Queen song I ever heard was Killer Queen and one of the things that I loved was the sound of Brian's guitar and how it sounded like it was singing. I'm not a fan of the synthesizer but it was in fashion at the time. The 80s songs with synth were played differently live for the most part which I enjoy much more. Hopefully Dragon Attack is next?
I noticed that you skipped maybe the most inspired album of Queen. I'm talking about QUEEN II. I can't believe that songs like ogre battle, white queen, fairy fellers' master stroke/nevermore, but mostly The march of the black queen are ignored 😥 Also notice that in ther first albums Queen usually tied songs one to another. For example The prohet's song (other song you HAVE to listen) is just before "love of my life" and the end of that is the beginning of the other. In the end I hope thato your journey will take care of the second album Queen II, and it should end with "None but you", the last song they wrote togheter.
Hot Space coming next. I think this is an undervalued album. Queen really tried something different. People may reappraise this when Amy takes it on. For me The Miracle is the Queen record that I least like returning to form with Innuendo.
Actually on the 15 albums and almost 700 songs they released its a very small number of records you'll hear the synthesiser, even on the solo albums from three of the group hardly used, they came from the generation of raw music, and a lot of the sound they wanted had been built into The Red Special when both Sir Brian and his dad were building it back 60 years ago, and John with the Amps and his degree in electronics, they were ahead of their time in many respects
Last time you wrote your nonsense it was 300 songs now it is 700 songs. With your imagination you could easily write another version of The Bible and so called Jesus Christ miracles of multiplying fishes and breads. Laughable
@@peaceofiona9198 that's because I first thought it was around 300 however I checked on Queen own TH-cam channel and counted the number under the section of released songs and it's almost 700 go and check
15 albums, with a maximum of 15 songs per album. At best case that's 225. If you were inclined to be incredibly generous and include the non queen albums (Freddie 2, Brian 3, Roger 10) that's another 225. I'm not sure what the website refers to, but something is not adding up to 700.
On synthesizers, I guess how you're defining it. But from the Jupiter on this album to the Fairlight on The Works through the Korg after that, every single album had significant synthetic instrumentation. I belive their addition was additive and nothing to be disappointed in. Machines wouldn't exist without it, and that's a masterful creation.
@@S0ldeed that's what I thought until I went onto Queen own TH-cam channel and looked under released and counting the numbers up under each record comes to almost 700 there's 47 on just the new version of The Miracle, we all make mistakes but the numbers on their own channel doesn't lie
Excuse me, Jon Anderson, to most folk, is a Godfather of prog music, for his work as founder member of that genre’s pioneering group Yes. But he’s much more than that. He made pop music with a classical bent during his decade or so with Greek synth hero Vangelis, and has released several splendid, diverse albums under his own name. Thank you.
By this album you can find a different personality of Freddie. Exactly as you says, you can hear by the lyrics, a kind of maturity in the Freddie compositions. It's the maturity in the sexual way. He started to keep his famous mustachous that were the gay fashion of the '80s but also in the late '70s. He is doing a n official coming out of himself started with Bohemian Rhapsody but only in this album you can see a certainty that he had not before.. And here, afther a lot of experiences, he his now proposing to follow the rules of love... In few words, while before you can hear a Freddie like a young boy, now, you're starting to hear a mature man proud of what he is..
This song isn't all that dissimilar to, 'Don't Stop Me Now', in it's lyrical context. The idea of basically doing whatever you want, going with the flow of how you feel about things and hang the consequences. Literally, 'playing the game of love.' Make of that what you will. This album does mark a change in Queen's output, and not just because of the inclusion of synthesizers! Freddie in particular was in a transitional period of the type of music he wanted to produce, having been influenced with ideas different to that he'd taken notice of before. I suppose it could be his confidence expanding to embrace even more genres of music. Which doesn't sound all that different to what went on before, but he takes it more into a specific direction. That being more along a funk line. They do it in their own inimitable style, of course, but it's still quite distinct. I suspect you'll hear it in all its glory, soon enough.
I was looking forward to The Game coming up. This album came out when I was transitioning into an adolescent and that' when music really grabbed me.. I really hope that Dragon Attack is one of the selected songs. Brian May has a very specific guitar tone that nobody else has duplicated. Dragon Attack is a prime example of that tone.
Hey, I think the "no synths" thing came about b/c critics and listeners just did not believe that the sounds they had in the past could have been done "without synthesizers"... Brian's guitar and the incredible vocals with Freddie and Roger were simply not "believed"... lol (p.s. the synths were used "judiciously".. and not throughout the song... I do kind of hate the weird swell toward the end.. )
Well, they waited to use synth until there were both programmable and polyphonic synth. And with the OB-X also one that was stable enough to be used live. Interesting is, they later based some numbers around synihs like "Radio Ga Ga" and "I Want to Break Free". "I Want to Break Free" has a nice synth-solo, that reminds of Brians guitar solos. However, it's actually hired session musician Fred Mandel playing ALL keyboards!!! (Single version is longer and better than album version). About time-sigs: Changes in a piece usually are only between part-changes (verse, chorus, bridge) in rock music, because it breaks the rhythm. Here they add time, while the drums rest after the cymbal crash making a smooth suspension. There are however surprisingly many numbers in odd time-sigs like 5/4, 13/8 etc. Also guitarist like to play for themselves in 6/8, but with a band it ends up like a waltz, but there are perhaps numbers that may have an guitar-intro in 6/8....
Hello Ms Amy. th-cam.com/video/mgkvU5eCaYo/w-d-xo.html. This link is an interview betw Brian May and Rick Beato from Sept '21. It's about an hour and almost all the "tricks" Brian has employed in his guitar playing is discussed. Worth your time... when you have the time.... and yes you're correct. Brian's solos do tend to speak or accentuate the actual vocals.
Grande Prof! Il mio Solo preferito di Brian May è nel brano "Let me live" Mi piace tutto ciò che fa Brian alla chitarra, ma il solo di "let me live" mi da delle emozioni incredibili Pur essendo nulla di particolarmente virtuoso Chi lo sa, magari un giorno farete un video su quel Brano Sarebbe un piacere grande
To think, a reactor has committed to doing fifty (50) songs by one of our favorite bands, committing considerable time and effort to prepare and give added value to each of her videos due to her musical expertise. And we thank her for this enormous project by lamenting missing a favorite track every now and then. It’s like, “She’s giving us 50 when she could have just reacted to “We Are The Champions” and then moved on to Nightwish or something like most other reaction channels. If the channel still exists, I’m sure she will revisit Queen from time to time after the completion of the series. 50 songs is an embarrassment of riches.
I agree, but I can still lament the ones that she skips. 🙂
I just have faith that after a pause, she will doubleback and pick up the tracks folks are most yearning to hear.
A second reign of Queen!
I agree. I like hearing Amy break down Queen songs. I’m just grateful she and Vlad are doing 50. I’d love for more songs to be added in the future but I’ll take whatever they want to give us. I rewatch her Queen videos and have learned so much! Best reaction channel for music on TH-cam. ❤
What I love about Queen is that they never repeat theirselves in a song, there are always changes 'till the end! :) (They're my favourite band, love them since I was a little kid) :)
The sense of melody that Freddy Mercury had as a songwriter is incomparable.
Great that you noticed Johns brilliant bass lines. 😁
I never understood why so many people regard him as someone who plays only _simple_ bass lines!? 🤯
In a world of CopyCat reactions you really are a unique, fresh and learned reactor and as a singer-songwriter I really appreciate and enjoy it 💜
This one is a complex song. I had to listen to the lyrics a few times before I realized how deep it goes.I love that about Queen. Can’t wait to hear Amy’s reaction.
I love John’s bass in this song…❤love this played live Montreal 81’…Thanks for your great reaction..❤
Amy: picks this song on the album to start talking about the bass
Me: patiently waiting for her to get to Another One Bites the Dust and Dragon Attack
In the UK, Dragon Attack was the B-side of Another One Bites The Dust and I played it just as much. Awesome bass!
Exactly what I thought LOL
Me: Waiting for reaction to CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE
Fun fact:
The parts that Freddie sings in falsetto in the studio version he sings with full chest voice live hitting the same notes.
In the second verse he goes higher
I just listened to a 2021 interview with Brian May, he said, I want a piece of the verse. I want to be joining in and taking the story a bit further. I always hear the solo piece as part of the vocals. It’s like the vocalist hands over to someone, momentarily, who’s going to continue the story and then give it back to the main raconteur who is the vocalist
Yes! That was his interview with Rick Beato. He was speaking with him about Queen’s creation of Bohemian Rhapsody and of his distinctive style of playing. Great interview. I hope when Brian May feels up to it he will catch a VirginRock video of Queen too. Amy always has unique insights as a musician and teacher.
when people say 'why' in response to a modern technological medium or instrument, theyre treating it as something other. No one says but why paint? to a painter or why ceramics? why bronze? why a piano? etc. They all involve technological advances that were once cutting edge, whether its chemistry, mathematics or physics. The synth at the start grabs our attention and pulls us in and creates contrast, just as an orchestra might, so why not?
Amy you were born to do these videos. Your reactions are fabulous and how you describe what it makes you feel is priceless. It was a lucky day for us , Amy met Vlad , and you played the game. Your like a surfer , who at just the right time catches the perfect wave. We all smiled when you mentioned Deacon`s bass, this is the album were he takes centre stage and knocks everyone`s socks off.
There is a Queen song called, "It's a Hard Life" which musically recreates the feel of “Play the Game” in order to update the story, utilizing Freddie's piano playing and the band’s characteristic technique of layered harmonies.
The opening of "A Hard Life" is based on an aria from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci. Also, for the first time in ages, no synthesizers were used in the creation of this track and the melody and lyrics (part-written by Brian May) make this one of Freddie’s greatest moments. (Brian watched Freddie struggling to say what he wanted to say in this song, so Brian offered to help.)
Im not sure I believe one Freddie needed help
Or Brian would have contributed without credit
He said they didnt normally discuss their songs
But implied Freddie did on this one
Not sure Brian actually helped write it
I completely agree that if Brian had contributed lyrically he would've been credited.
The band members regularly contributed to each other's songs without credit. The bridge of Seven Seas of Rhye was written by Brian and Freddie contributed some lyrics to Save Me. Just two of many examples.
@@ianbrayshaw3863
Brian is suggesting they sat down and co wrote it
This is first time I have heard that Brian had any involvement in writing It's A Life, I don't think he did.
The intro synth makes me think of an old computer game being downloaded... into the mind and 'ready to play (the game)' and later the synth sounds like an arcade game being played.... now that we are 'in the game' of love...
I have the commodore loader and the Wizzball loader tunes on my playlist.
Oh yes, and a definite next should be "it's a hard life!"
Yes indeed and Amy should watch the official music video!
One of the best songs❤
Yes, when she gets to The Works album.
The Game album was my first exposure to Queen as a 10-year-old. Of course I quickly fell in love. I also think this track refers directly to them "playing the game" of using synths during that age when new wave music was everywhere (an under-story if you will).
Yes! I was hoping this would be the next one in the series!
You and Vlad, ( I can feel his presence although we don't see him), are like two dear friends that come into my living room once or twice a week to talk about music, and how we love and care about this beautiful art that you have a special gift to put into words. Thank you for your work and dedication. A very happy Easter for you and your family. With love from Rio ❤
Completely agree ☺️
I first heard this song when I was VERY young (when it was new) and it changed my music appreciation and desire to make music part of my life
Tbh “It’s a Hard Life” has more in common with Freddie’s 70s material- more deep and heartfelt- but it was an exception in the 80s. “Play the Game” signals a move towards a more superficial and shallow sentiment that characterised his 80s output. I can still dig some of Queen’s 80s stuff but it’s not in the same league as what went before imo.
As a kid, when I had a good singing voice, I used to sing the guitar parts on Queen songs (as well as the vocals). Used to annoy the hell out of my Dad as I was at the back of the room he was trying to watch TV in and I had my headphones on. :) Guitar has always had a 'voice' as far as I am concerned.
Loving this series, Amy.
Brian made that guitar with his Dad. That's why with the expert use of the instrument he can make it sing
Yooo let's go
It seems we just entered the 80s Queen
One of my favourite tracks off the album along with 'Sail away sweet sister'. Excellent analysis as always 😊
Amy you mention May's voice like guitar.... A great part of it is his exquisite vibrato
I have learned so much about this song that never would have occurred to me without watching your video. I got the cassette when this first came out in 1980. 44 years ago. The 12 year old me was profoundly moved by this song even though it was not the popular song on the album. I think this is their best song because it contains all the elements of a great Queen song in the proper amounts. It is perfectly balanced.
Hmm…there are far more complex, and interesting Queen tunes. Leaving Home Ain’t Easy, The March of the Black Queen, The Fairy Feller’s Master Stroke, Long Away, etc
It's part of that old conundrum of 70s Queen v. 80s Queen. You cannot have one without the other. While Queen spared nothing in their early layered approach, there came a point where less became more...Brian or Freddie described it as streaming their approach. They were the reverse of the Beatles, going from complex composition to a more simplified sound, playing to their strengths. A toy like the synth moved in as a different applied way of layering (not as much to my personal taste, but I can hear it as punctuation in music).
Freddie would just say the time changes just make things sound more interesting.
I still think missing Queen 11, Vlad has missed a big part of what built this band. Maybe at the end of the 50, you will look at their BBC's The Old Grey Whistle Test, Queen Live at The Hammersmith Odeon, Dec 24, 1975.
It's actually quite sad that's she's at #26 at this point. Vlad skipped a number of great songs (and included some he shouldn't have - like I'm in Love with my Car). She should be at somewhere between 35 and 40 at this point in my opinion. I predict she's in for a big letdown on this next 25 when she reflects back once she's finished. Just hope Amy is upfront about how she feels about what she hears vs. what she heard earlier.
I know that I am partial to Brian,but to skip Good Company, the Prophet Song,or Leaving Home ain't Easy seems questionable.
Vladimir, please let Amy listen to some Elvis Presley songs before you introduce her to Crazy Little Thing Called Love. It doesn't make much sense otherwise.
She should have long been introduced to Elvis Presley anyway.
How in the world can she not know anything about Elvis Presley? Honestly, it seems impossible.
Elvis Presley is an entertainer not a musical artist. He wrote no songs, mostly did covers and barely knew how to play the guitar.
40+ years ago and it sounds this good still today.....
Ever since I first heard this song in 1980, the opening part has sounded to me like a spaceship landing. It even makes me think of the line, "I descend upon your Earth from the skies" in Freddie's song, The Seven Seas of Rhye.
Yes. And a synth version of the intro to Ogre Battle?
Two things:
1. I think most people think the synth intro is a spaceship landing. Loved it when I heard it in 1980 and still love it.
2. I'm surprised you didn't mention the alternation between single-tracked Freddie and multi-tracked - within the same line. That's rather fun. :-)
This is in my top 5 queen songs.
Me too … esp Milton Keynes
It looks that you really enjoy Queen!
Please see the live version of Save me before the studio version very very professionally done
Love this wonderful song and as a musician you would love this song LIVE at Milton Keynes Thank you Amy 🌷
The synth intro sound is the backbone of Flash Gordon album.
Brian was so amazing at making his guitar sing with whatever melody they were playing and made it fit into the song. he never wanted to stand out but to make his guitar part of the song. He didn't want a standout "rif" , but he wanted his guitar to be part of the song. So amazing! So unlike any other "lead guitarists" of his time. So unselfish.
Thank you for all that you do.. Have a happy day.
I learned the entire Piano part, very gratifying to play.
I am a little surprised that "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "Save Me" weren't reacted to first as those were both released in 1979.
@@XFLexiconMatt This is the first song on The Game.
@ZENOBlAmusic2 yes, the first album track indeed, but those two other songs were released in 79. Being that Amy has been focusing on chronological order of reactions, that is what I meant. 🙂
I have to comment on this one, which I think is one of the most complex, or simple, to interpret (depending on your point of view).
I don't think this song is about love. I've always had the feeling that I was being 'hypnotized' by the piano.
And the lyrics suggest that something wants to invade my mind and persuade me, control me. I imagine that 'love' is just a form of disguise and part of the plan.
These are just thoughts
And Amy, you're absolutely fantastic 🤩
Very interesting thoughts about love!
To allow someone "invading" your mind and body can actually be a very agressive act. The more I think about it, the more realistic it seems. Frightening! I've never looked at it this way.....
And if you think further, it means we are all manipulated by "falling in love" only to become part of natures masterplan.
I really enjoyed this reaction. I wonder if the song title "Play the Game" contained a commentary on their decision to use synths, since they finally gave in and decided to play the game everyone else at the time was playing. Probably due to pressure from the record labels. I don't personally think the synths contributed much to this song. I always liked some of the synth like textures and effects that Brian has done with his guitar in their prior songs. The synths make more sense in some of their other songs which follow. While I really like some of these songs, I have always preferred the earlier Queen. But with these changes I think they were able to appeal to a new generation of fans, which is a good thing.
You're not alone in thinking that way. "Play The Game" is a subtle gem of a song but the synths don't add much depth to the song's structure, but given that this was their first foray into synthesizer, it's understandable. They would become more at home with fusing essential synth sounds into their song arrangements (without coming off as cheesy) as the 80's progressed. "Radio Ga Ga," "I Want It All," and "Days Of Our Lives" spring to mind of that mature musical fusion.
Come to think of it, when Queen played this song live in 1980 and 81, they never used synthesizers. In fact the live versions sound much better without them. The 1981 Montreal version is a case in point...
th-cam.com/video/BzvGF7TrpD8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=OObpiDyBNgwdgsn5
@@Mrvictorfernandes Yeah, those were some of songs I had in mind when I said they would make better use of synths later on. Thanks for the live performance link. I hadn't seen this one before. A really good illustration of how this song works perfectly fine, or even better, without the synths. Sounded great. I hope Amy sees your link so she can experience this performance without the synths as a comparison.
You're so smart! this is love talking through Freddie!
In live shows, Freddie belted the falsetto parts (let me step ...inside etc.), and it sounded different but just as good.
Great reaction to a great song. By 1980 this band had really distilled their sound. 1974`s Queen II is an absolute showcase of soundscape you may enjoy.
Hang time! Great anyalysis. Thank you!
It's great that you love Bass, The game is a heavy bass centric album.
There is said to be an unreleased take of the song ‘Play the Game’ by Queen with Andy Gibb singing the first verse. The circumstances are unknown. According to the same sources, the tape was found about 1990 in a search of Queen tape archives for bonus tracks for CD, but was not used. Since it has not been heard by any Queen collectors, its existence is somewhat doubtful. The released take without Andy was recorded between February and May 1980 (or possibly June or July 1979) and is on Queen’s album The Game, released in 1980.
Thank you.
Queen used many musical devices in their songs. Their songs were crafted meticulously with very careful attention to details. When they used signature changes, modulations ect they were never merely just tricks. They knew what worked and every detail and choice was there to serve the song.
In interviews they talked about how they would argue over what choices to use, and all four members had strong input, however they resisted what they thought might sound cool or flashy, and again always opted for what would best serve the song
Great reaction again!
I think the intro bit is done with the upcoming videoclip in mind. Queen just learned all the cool stuff you could do with videos. Welcome to the eighties 😅🔥👑
The sound changed considerably. They went to produce their albums with Reinhold Mack from that point on. You can recognize this by the very specific sound of the drum-set. All Mack productions use it.
The article didn't mention the tapped cymbals played in reverse with the gradual tape speed adjustment in the intro.
I always thought this was Queen by numbers, almost a parody of what people think Queen ought to sound like. Presumably this was intentional by Freddie.
As a Queen fan from Queen II it was always a point of pride and a show of expertise that Queen was able to make all the amazing sounds through so many previous albums - all without synthesizers. Seeing the tag line on each album "No Synthesizers" meant quality and creativity. It felt like a betrayal at the time this album was released. I would guess nowdays they would use a tag like "No Autotune". This was the last Queen album I loved - not due to the synths but more the change in style moving forward. They were masters at whatever they did - just what they did wasnt my thing.
What about Innuendo????
Queen 1&2 seem to have been mostly bypassed and they are by far the best albums that they made
I feel Queen used the synthesizer in a way that added a fullness and didn't over use it. The opening to this song was not needed, on most songs it's used tastefully. Every album had great music on it. Innuendo is fantastic, along with their early work are my favorite.
The synth sounds used were also similar to some computer games sounds at that time . Another reference to the game I guess ?
NOTE: The begining of the song is not a synth, it is a backward recording, and the point of it was to introduce the album since "Play The Game" is its first song.
"may i step inside?" is so different to lyrics now: "I'm coming in, and you better like it"
Beautiful song. I just love it
Originally, the amplification of the guitar was purely a solution to the problem of how loud drums are inherently. They needed the guitars to heard well over the drums, and invented a way. Then, as things always go, loudness became a competitive selling point between amp-makers and the loudness of genre of Rock itself is bemoaned by its detractors, especially by parents who are dealing with what they often call “loud music.” …and the slamming on the locked bedroom door shouting ‘turn it down!” That characteristic of Rock was always going to appear because drums are just really loud.
I agree. There was another factor as well. As fans became more demonstrative and loud, and crowds and venues larger, even the drums had to be miked and amplified. Beatlemania with its screamers drove that group to ask Marshall to build more powerful amplifiers, just to be heard at all. Which other makers had to compete with, and the power race was on.
@@jamesredman1263 You would think it is mostly due to the natural progression of technology and loud crowds that evolved during those times, but I think it is actually more complex. It was also more socially driven then people realize. Interestingly enough, during the 50's and 60's, in other words, even during the heart of Beatlemania, the crowds at opera houses were acting exactly the same, and they obviously don't have any amplification there. They often needed extra police presence at operas houses during this time, crowds often became frenzied, there were a lot of riots at opera houses, during this exact same time. Audiences were acting the same in two very different genres. Just as it was a golden period for rock and popular music, it was also a golden period in opera as well. Therefore it was actually something bigger then technological changes, it was really a social movement. People wanted to get out and enjoy themselves after all of the wars, they were happy to grab onto every opportunity. Here is example just listen to this crowd, it sounds more like a rock concert then a classical performance in an opera house:
th-cam.com/video/T-RrG4sfdis/w-d-xo.htmlsi=sQ5KLROluau4YYtj
And now we are at a completely different cycle, where all of the genres of music including rock, are not doing that well these days.
There are several reasons so many of us geek out on time signatures. One reason is precisely because it's so rare for a band / artist to be able to pull it off so well. Probably 95% of songs are in 4/4 or 3/4 or (I guess we can include 6/8 and 12/8), because the musicians are just so accustomed to standard time that they can't imagine pulling off anything else. We get excited because it's like spotting a wild animal in a developed neighborhood. The example here is a great one, because ... it's the perfect choice for this song. And you're right, many of us hardly notice because it's just so obvious that that note NEEDED to be held. 🙂
I remember being a bit taken aback when you listened to "Mother" from The Wall, and called it "simple". It became clear that you were referring to the harmonic pattern (most of the song sticks to a I-IV-V pattern), and not the rhythms, which of course are quite unusual. In fact, Pink Floyd's drummer ended up not playing on the song because he just couldn't pull it off. But the song sounds quite natural with the time signature changes, and of course as a classical musician time signatures don't really stick out to you as much. But for the rest of us who are accustomed to pop and rock music being in 4/4, it's a big deal. 🙂
Time signature changes used to be rare and exotic in Rock and Pop. It was a sign of musical sophistication back in the day to use them ostentatiously. Bands like Yes, Rush, and various other prog bands have since done it so much that it’s not as rare as it used to be. Still, a lot of Rock fans are still awed and shaken by its use.
As an addendum, rather than a human to human interaction, Freddie is embodying Eros, Love, itself. He’s telling all of us to Come, play the game of Love! Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.
It is pretty rare today in popular music with three and four chord songs, but a lot of 70's bands used to do it quite naturally.
The synths at the start were just a continuation of their habit of including a distinctive layered intro such as on Night at The Opera, Day at The Races
live versions of this song are great
29:20 - About the fade-out, I think you've heard a fade-out in "In the Lap of the Gods Revisited", but that one made sense at the end of the album with a sing-along that continues on for eternity. 🙂
Happy Easter
The opening of the inaugural track of the album seemed to me an unambiguous statement: "Well - here it is, the synthesizer". Intentionally devoid of any subtlety, it couldn't be mistaken for Brian's customary richly textured guitar work.
The studio recording of Don't Stop Me Now KIND OF has a fade out at the end? But it's not really a typical sounding fade-out, since it's just Freddie's voice, and the effect gives more the impression of hearing him move further away as he's singing the last little bit, which is different than the whole song being faded out, so I'm not entirely sure it qualifies as the same thing.
The synth is so unnecessary which is why the live version is even better either at Montreal or at Milton Keyes in 82. Both stellar performances!
Amy, how are you? First I have to say that I respect how think’s different of me, but I must to say you listened the best songs of Queen (the opera’s fase), by now starts the pop fase. In this fase theres great songs (I hope Vlad choses this songs) like Who Wants to Live Forever, Inuendo, I Want to Break Free, Show Must go On, etc…, but unfortunately the quality is not the same. Im fan of the first fase of Queen, but how I said theres peoples that like the pop fase and I have no problem if this. At the end we all love Queen.
Those parts you suspect may be synthesizer... Well, yeah, they might be. The period when The Game was recorded was kind where Queen was transitioning from "No Synths!", to, "Sure, okay, some synths." However, to my ear, both of those synth-y parts sounded more like tape-machine trickery. One could record, say, a cymbal roll, while gradually slowing down the tape machine. When played back, the sound of the cymbal would swoop upwards in pitch. Add a ton of reverb and other effects, and et voilà, crazy spaceship landing sound.
If you've already reacted to the tune, "Prophets Song", you may recall a part about two thirds though, (after the la-la part) where the whole band suddenly changes pitch into a key change. That's an example of that same putting-one's-thumb-on-the-tape-reel-to-slow-it-down-while-recording trick.
This part: th-cam.com/video/HzdjMLKKdgk/w-d-xo.html (happens at the 6:39 point of the song)
Waiting........
Imagine the kids from Brixton area years later having to admit that they once asked Thier physics teacher if he was a rock star and then using punch line of Brian.May saying no not yet.
Many artists were very reluctant to embrace the synthesiser. Back in the late 70s/early 80s the media very much presented synths as "cheating" saying things like "they just write the music for you". Which was clearly nonsense. Having said that, some bands and performers even now seem to stick to a small range of sounds and phrases, but I guess lazy is lazy, whatever instrument you use. Nevertheless, synths became a powerful tool in the hands of artists. Whether it be Kraftwerk, Gary Numan, Human League or Queen. Indeed, it would have been difficult to write the Flash Gordon music without synths!
Could it be that the fade-out is symbolic that 'the game' is continually ongoing, that the point of view is just focusing elsewhere, rather than being wrapped up in the game.
Oh yeah, this song, "Save Me" and "Sail Away sweet sister" from this album are one of my favorites songs from Queen. oh wait, then I listen to literally any other Queen album (except Flash) and now my favorite songs from Queen changed. oh wait, now it's back to The Game again. oh, and now again it's from different albums. Wait, doesn't this mean all of their songs and albums (except Flash) are my favorite? OH YEAH
Thank you for another great reaction, Amy. The first Queen song I ever heard was Killer Queen and one of the things that I loved was the sound of Brian's guitar and how it sounded like it was singing. I'm not a fan of the synthesizer but it was in fashion at the time. The 80s songs with synth were played differently live for the most part which I enjoy much more. Hopefully Dragon Attack is next?
I noticed that you skipped maybe the most inspired album of Queen. I'm talking about QUEEN II. I can't believe that songs like ogre battle, white queen, fairy fellers' master stroke/nevermore, but mostly The march of the black queen are ignored 😥 Also notice that in ther first albums Queen usually tied songs one to another. For example The prohet's song (other song you HAVE to listen) is just before "love of my life" and the end of that is the beginning of the other.
In the end I hope thato your journey will take care of the second album Queen II, and it should end with "None but you", the last song they wrote togheter.
Hot Space coming next. I think this is an undervalued album. Queen really tried something different. People may reappraise this when Amy takes it on. For me The Miracle is the Queen record that I least like returning to form with Innuendo.
The start always reminds me of Ogre Battle from Queen II where the song is played in reverse and then forward.
Actually on the 15 albums and almost 700 songs they released its a very small number of records you'll hear the synthesiser, even on the solo albums from three of the group hardly used, they came from the generation of raw music, and a lot of the sound they wanted had been built into The Red Special when both Sir Brian and his dad were building it back 60 years ago, and John with the Amps and his degree in electronics, they were ahead of their time in many respects
Last time you wrote your nonsense it was 300 songs now it is 700 songs. With your imagination you could easily write another version of The Bible and so called Jesus Christ miracles of multiplying fishes and breads. Laughable
@@peaceofiona9198 that's because I first thought it was around 300 however I checked on Queen own TH-cam channel and counted the number under the section of released songs and it's almost 700 go and check
15 albums, with a maximum of 15 songs per album. At best case that's 225.
If you were inclined to be incredibly generous and include the non queen albums (Freddie 2, Brian 3, Roger 10) that's another 225.
I'm not sure what the website refers to, but something is not adding up to 700.
On synthesizers, I guess how you're defining it. But from the Jupiter on this album to the Fairlight on The Works through the Korg after that, every single album had significant synthetic instrumentation. I belive their addition was additive and nothing to be disappointed in. Machines wouldn't exist without it, and that's a masterful creation.
@@S0ldeed that's what I thought until I went onto Queen own TH-cam channel and looked under released and counting the numbers up under each record comes to almost 700 there's 47 on just the new version of The Miracle, we all make mistakes but the numbers on their own channel doesn't lie
Ogni volta che sento l'inizio di questo pezzo canticchio "flew in from Miami beach b.o.a.c..." anche se so che non c'entra niente😂
Underrated Queen song this. I love it.
Excuse me,
Jon Anderson, to most folk, is a Godfather of prog music, for his work as founder member of that genre’s pioneering group Yes. But he’s much more than that. He made pop music with a classical bent during his decade or so with Greek synth hero Vangelis, and has released several splendid, diverse albums under his own name.
Thank you.
Got confused about channel name. Okay. Queen's "Gimme the Prize', from, Highlander. Brian May says guitar!
IMO this album was the beginning of the end for Queen,and I don't think the synths are to blame.
Happy Easter 🐣
By this album you can find a different personality of Freddie. Exactly as you says, you can hear by the lyrics, a kind of maturity in the Freddie compositions. It's the maturity in the sexual way. He started to keep his famous mustachous that were the gay fashion of the '80s but also in the late '70s. He is doing a n official coming out of himself started with Bohemian Rhapsody but only in this album you can see a certainty that he had not before.. And here, afther a lot of experiences, he his now proposing to follow the rules of love... In few words, while before you can hear a Freddie like a young boy, now, you're starting to hear a mature man proud of what he is..
This song isn't all that dissimilar to, 'Don't Stop Me Now', in it's lyrical context. The idea of basically doing whatever you want, going with the flow of how you feel about things and hang the consequences. Literally, 'playing the game of love.' Make of that what you will. This album does mark a change in Queen's output, and not just because of the inclusion of synthesizers! Freddie in particular was in a transitional period of the type of music he wanted to produce, having been influenced with ideas different to that he'd taken notice of before. I suppose it could be his confidence expanding to embrace even more genres of music. Which doesn't sound all that different to what went on before, but he takes it more into a specific direction. That being more along a funk line. They do it in their own inimitable style, of course, but it's still quite distinct. I suspect you'll hear it in all its glory, soon enough.
I was looking forward to The Game coming up. This album came out when I was transitioning into an adolescent and that' when music really grabbed me.. I really hope that Dragon Attack is one of the selected songs. Brian May has a very specific guitar tone that nobody else has duplicated. Dragon Attack is a prime example of that tone.
Brian built his own guitar when he was a teen, with his dad, out of scraps of wood around the house.
Hey, I think the "no synths" thing came about b/c critics and listeners just did not believe that the sounds they had in the past could have been done "without synthesizers"... Brian's guitar and the incredible vocals with Freddie and Roger were simply not "believed"... lol (p.s. the synths were used "judiciously".. and not throughout the song... I do kind of hate the weird swell toward the end.. )
Great reaction 😊
The album just before this was Flash, and it has the same sound feel as that, but it could be the band coming back to land. ☺️Ala Back in the USSR?
So its Freddy on stage with the audience then :-)
Burt Bacharach is the master of time signatures. Listen to Promises Promises
Well, they waited to use synth until there were both programmable and polyphonic synth. And with the OB-X also one that was stable enough to be used live.
Interesting is, they later based some numbers around synihs like "Radio Ga Ga" and "I Want to Break Free".
"I Want to Break Free" has a nice synth-solo, that reminds of Brians guitar solos. However, it's actually hired
session musician Fred Mandel playing ALL keyboards!!! (Single version is longer and better than album version).
About time-sigs: Changes in a piece usually are only between part-changes (verse, chorus, bridge) in rock music,
because it breaks the rhythm. Here they add time, while the drums rest after the cymbal crash making a smooth
suspension. There are however surprisingly many numbers in odd time-sigs like 5/4, 13/8 etc.
Also guitarist like to play for themselves in 6/8, but with a band it ends up like a waltz, but there are
perhaps numbers that may have an guitar-intro in 6/8....
Hello Ms Amy. th-cam.com/video/mgkvU5eCaYo/w-d-xo.html. This link is an interview betw Brian May and Rick Beato from Sept '21. It's about an hour and almost all the "tricks" Brian has employed in his guitar playing is discussed. Worth your time... when you have the time.... and yes you're correct. Brian's solos do tend to speak or accentuate the actual vocals.
First time Queen used Synthesizers in this song.
Flash id a great album. "The Hero" is as good a rock song as they ever recorded.
Grande Prof!
Il mio Solo preferito di Brian May è nel brano "Let me live"
Mi piace tutto ciò che fa Brian alla chitarra, ma il solo di "let me live" mi da delle emozioni incredibili
Pur essendo nulla di particolarmente virtuoso
Chi lo sa, magari un giorno farete un video su quel Brano
Sarebbe un piacere grande