Published on Mar 16, 1999
After watching VH-1’s
Legends show on Queen, I felt the urge to speak to some of
the people who may not be aware of what Queen was and is. Queen was
a band that, though they never got much exposure in the States
after the late ’70s, is considered one of the best in all of rock.
Why? They were over-the-top and had musical abilities that were
sometimes second to none. Unfortunately, after their classic album,
The Game, the band dissapeared from the U.S. charts.
Anyway, thanks to the success of
Wayne’s World, the band was re-discovered by U.S. fans. This
allowed their new record company to release
Queen’s Greatest Hits. Thing was that album had appeared in
1981 and included none of the band’s later hits. Therefore, this
album was released. It combined some of their earlier hits with
newer ones, but took some of those early hits out.
Of course, this album includes “Bohemian Rhapsody.” What hasn’t
been said about this song? It is a classic. It’s the kind of song
that, well, comes along only once in a great while. Years from now,
that song will be remembered and sung by people as it was when it
came out.
Along with “Bohemian Rhapsody,” there’s “Stone Cold Crazy”
(great cover by Metallica, by the way) which rocks as does “Tie
Your Mother Down” and “Keep Yourself Alive,” which was their first
small hit. From their late ’70s/early ’80s period comes “Under
Pressure” (Vanilla Ice should burn in the deepest bowel of Hades
for violating that song), the trippy “Radio Ga Ga” and (probably
the hardest song they ever did) “Hammer To Fall.” If you fail to
notice a trend, good. Queen was the rare rock monster — one which
refused to be categorized under one box.
Add to that some of their later work. “These Are The Days Of Our
Lives” is so charming — Celine Dion WISHES she could get a song
like this! “Who Wants To Live Forever” is both haunting and
beautiful. “The Show Must Go On” can be creepy when placed against
the fact that this was the last new song heard from Mr. Freddie
Mercury before his death. Yet it is also a defiant song against the
darkness that came against him. “Headlong” is amusing and driving.
And another one of my favorites is “I Want It All.” (Though do
yourself a favor and pick up the album version as you’ll get the
full song instead of the single).
In short, this album is a must-get if you want to try what Queen
was. Trust me, you won’t be dissapointed.