Freddie's vocals are just gorgeous in this song. (his bandmates, Brian in particular, loved the song and HATED the video. Roger & John do not have a poker face in this).
Great reaction guys! Cutting edge video which was Freddie’s idea the others didn’t care for the costumes and such. It’s like watching a small theater production with a complete story! Love it!
As a side note, the lady in black who Steps on his foot is Barbara Valentin, German actress, who was an important part of Freddie's life, and his " flat mate" in Munich. There are also photos of her at Garden Lodge for gatherings with friends. She had said Freddie was the love of her life although he was dating both Winnie and Jim. Brian said this song represented Freddie very well.
My god I love this video, Freddie always reminds me of a beautiful shrimp 🦐. And I just realized that when I show someone a Queen video I have this same reaction of stopping to point out details that I think are important 😂, but they are incredible! A fan fact is that in the final scene where Freddie sits on the stairs and puts his hand on his knee it's because he had injured it (if I'm not mistaken he accidentally got kicked in a bar fight) and was no longer able to stand up. , people thought it was part of the video and just continued. Freddie says this in a radio interview after suffering an injury to his knee again, this time on stage during the performance of Hammer To Fall, they were going to cancel the rest of the show but Freddie was just carried back to the piano with the audience chanting his name and he played the last three songs despite the pain, unfortunately he was unable to go on stage for months but luckily he recovered before Live Aid and was able to give an even more energetic performance when he sang this same song.
“It’s A Hard Life” opening is based on an aria from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (Freddie loved opera). For the first time in ages, no synthesizers were used in the creation of this track and the melody and lyrics (which Brian helped to write) make this one of Freddie’s greatest moments. Musically, the song recreates the feel of “Play the Game". The music video was filmed at Arri Film Studios in Munich in June of 1984 and is set at a masquerade ball. Almost as if to contrast the melancholic mood of the lyrics, the video features Freddie surrounded by high decadence, which is being enjoyed by all around him. The video was entirely Freddie’s idea - he had wanted to recreate the set of the Pagliacci opera. Once again, the video was an expensive one. As well as the large number of extras and the enormous set, the video also featured a custom-made guitar. Made for Brian in Japan, the piece with its skull-shaped body and long, bone-shaped neck was impossible to play and far too small for Brian, but at a cost of over £1000, it was used rather wisely as much as possible. (BTW - Brian still has that guitar.) Both Roger and John absolutely hated their costumes and it shows. They also didn't have any favorable comments about the video itself. Evidently, it was a very expensive pain in the ass to film. Keen-eyed fans might also have spotted how Freddie takes his time to sit down on the steps in the final shot of the video. This was because of an earlier injury: he had damaged ligaments in his knee outside a club in Munich and it is clear from the way he lowered himself onto the stairs that he was in great pain. The cast had just been removed from the leg to film this video. Thankfully, Freddie’s assistants were on hand with vodka and champagne for all still on set by the time Tim Pope called the final ‘cut’.
Hey Guys!! I absolutely LOVE this song live, at: Rock in Rio in 1985 Freddie sings the opening (reeaallyyyy HIGH) operatic line LIVE, which is a rarity for him. Then... it's allllll Freddie and the piano - which I love. (The only "down side": The video that's posted on Queen's official channel, sadly includes a GOOF that Freddie made - he forgot the words for one of the lines. (Which, obv, he improvised to cover it up, just fine.) There IS, tho, a BETTER copy of the performance posted - it's taken from the Rock In Rio DVD... where they "fixed" Freddie's little mistake & overdubbed the line... you'd NEVER even know it was there.) There's also a FANTASTIC performance on video from: Japan in 1985 (Freddie jumps down an OCTAVE to a low baritone mid-opening, something I've not seen anywhere else!)
thanks, guys! Such a great song.. but the video.. eh...(not JUST b/c Freddie dramatic costumes.. although they are a distraction-lol, but b/c it doesn't feature the rest of the band as much as it should) lol appreciate your reactions...
Love the song, but this is a bizarre video! Typical Freddie extravaganza, but John and Roger are doing their best to hide in their costumes. Ha ha.....
First of all, react to the live version at Rock n Rio 1985 next. It’s very emotional & the camera view of Freddie playing the piano is spectacular! The opening lyric & melody is based on the line “Ridi, Pagliaccio, sul tuo amore infranto!” Which means: Laugh, clown, at your broken love. That alone, is very sad! I find the music video a little distracting but Freddie’s vision of the theatrics & costumes is stunning!! 🤹🏻♂️🎭🩰🎼
Freddie's vocals are just gorgeous in this song. (his bandmates, Brian in particular, loved the song and HATED the video. Roger & John do not have a poker face in this).
The Greatest Band of all Time ❤
that's one of my favourites songs by Queen
Same. I have so many favorite Queen songs, though. ☺️
Lol I freaking love you guys!!! Great reaction again!!! LOVE Queen Wednesday!!!!
Awe, shucks! Thank you! 🥰 Love you right back!
Great reaction guys! Cutting edge video which was Freddie’s idea the others didn’t care for the costumes and such. It’s like watching a small theater production with a complete story! Love it!
Thank you! 🥰
I love this song, live in rocking rio 1985. Queens live performances are the best!!!!
As a side note, the lady in black who Steps on his foot is Barbara Valentin, German actress, who was an important part of Freddie's life, and his " flat mate" in Munich. There are also photos of her at Garden Lodge for gatherings with friends. She had said Freddie was the love of her life although he was dating both Winnie and Jim. Brian said this song represented Freddie very well.
Great info! Thank you!
My god I love this video, Freddie always reminds me of a beautiful shrimp 🦐. And I just realized that when I show someone a Queen video I have this same reaction of stopping to point out details that I think are important 😂, but they are incredible! A fan fact is that in the final scene where Freddie sits on the stairs and puts his hand on his knee it's because he had injured it (if I'm not mistaken he accidentally got kicked in a bar fight) and was no longer able to stand up. , people thought it was part of the video and just continued. Freddie says this in a radio interview after suffering an injury to his knee again, this time on stage during the performance of Hammer To Fall, they were going to cancel the rest of the show but Freddie was just carried back to the piano with the audience chanting his name and he played the last three songs despite the pain, unfortunately he was unable to go on stage for months but luckily he recovered before Live Aid and was able to give an even more energetic performance when he sang this same song.
Great info! And, yes! He does look like a beautiful shrimp!
“It’s A Hard Life” opening is based on an aria from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (Freddie loved opera). For the first time in ages, no synthesizers were used in the creation of this track and the melody and lyrics (which Brian helped to write) make this one of Freddie’s greatest moments. Musically, the song recreates the feel of “Play the Game".
The music video was filmed at Arri Film Studios in Munich in June of 1984 and is set at a masquerade ball. Almost as if to contrast the melancholic mood of the lyrics, the video features Freddie surrounded by high decadence, which is being enjoyed by all around him. The video was entirely Freddie’s idea - he had wanted to recreate the set of the Pagliacci opera.
Once again, the video was an expensive one. As well as the large number of extras and the enormous set, the video also featured a custom-made guitar. Made for Brian in Japan, the piece with its skull-shaped body and long, bone-shaped neck was impossible to play and far too small for Brian, but at a cost of over £1000, it was used rather wisely as much as possible. (BTW - Brian still has that guitar.)
Both Roger and John absolutely hated their costumes and it shows. They also didn't have any favorable comments about the video itself. Evidently, it was a very expensive pain in the ass to film.
Keen-eyed fans might also have spotted how Freddie takes his time to sit down on the steps in the final shot of the video. This was because of an earlier injury: he had damaged ligaments in his knee outside a club in Munich and it is clear from the way he lowered himself onto the stairs that he was in great pain. The cast had just been removed from the leg to film this video.
Thankfully, Freddie’s assistants were on hand with vodka and champagne for all still on set by the time Tim Pope called the final ‘cut’.
Great info!
I gotta say... that is one cuddly-looking beef of a man. Very cute.
This was not a costume party, in fact it was just a regular Sunday afternoon home video at Freddie Mercury’s house with a few friends.. 😜🤣😎🥳👑
Lol it could have been! 😂
Fun fact : Roger and John *hated* their costumes, even though they looked wonderful in them.
Indeed. You can tell by their faces that they weren't exactly enamoured by their performances in this video.
Hi guys keep up the great work
Hi, Graham! Thank you! 🥰
Hey Guys!!
I absolutely LOVE this song live, at:
Rock in Rio in 1985
Freddie sings the opening (reeaallyyyy HIGH) operatic line LIVE, which is a rarity for him. Then... it's allllll Freddie and the piano - which I love.
(The only "down side": The video that's posted on Queen's official channel, sadly includes a GOOF that Freddie made - he forgot the words for one of the lines. (Which, obv, he improvised to cover it up, just fine.)
There IS, tho, a BETTER copy of the performance posted - it's taken from the Rock In Rio DVD... where they "fixed" Freddie's little mistake & overdubbed the line... you'd NEVER even know it was there.)
There's also a FANTASTIC performance on video from:
Japan in 1985
(Freddie jumps down an OCTAVE to a low baritone mid-opening, something I've not seen anywhere else!)
Hi, Marcie! We'll have to check those out!
thanks, guys! Such a great song.. but the video.. eh...(not JUST b/c Freddie dramatic costumes.. although they are a distraction-lol, but b/c it doesn't feature the rest of the band as much as it should) lol appreciate your reactions...
Thank you! 🥰
Have you seen the video for "the miracle" it's fantastic, and another great queen song, have a look and tell me what you think...
Added it to our request list! Thank you!
Do not know your names but am sure? the female is the bigger fan of Queen and Freddie,sorrry if i am wrong.
Angie and David. Yes! I'm a huge Queen/Freddie fan! 💛
Love the song, but this is a bizarre video! Typical Freddie extravaganza, but John and Roger are doing their best to hide in their costumes. Ha ha.....
First of all, react to the live version at Rock n Rio 1985 next. It’s very emotional & the camera view of Freddie playing the piano is spectacular! The opening lyric & melody is based on the line “Ridi, Pagliaccio, sul tuo amore infranto!” Which means: Laugh, clown, at your broken love. That alone, is very sad! I find the music video a little distracting but Freddie’s vision of the theatrics & costumes is stunning!! 🤹🏻♂️🎭🩰🎼