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The Works Tour
The Works Tour was the tenth headlining concert tour by the British rock band Queen to promote their successful 1984 album '' The Works''. During the tour, Queen participated in the Rock in Rio festival in 1985; the concert was released on VHS. The band released a DVD from a concert in Tokyo titled '' We Are the Champions: Final Live in Japan'', but the name of the concert was incorrect as the band performed 2 further concerts after Tokyo in Nagoya and Osaka. Stage design The stage design was based on a scene from Fritz Lang's ''Metropolis'' with huge rotating cog-wheels at the rear of the stage and a brightly lit cityscape. Due to a prior ligament damage in his knee, it was somewhat of a challenge for Mercury to navigate the complex set of multiple levels and stairs. Eventually, in Hanover, Mercury fell down the stairs during the performance of "Hammer to Fall". He was only able to play "Bohemian Rhapsody", "We Will Rock You", and "We Are the Champions" afterwards, shortening th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Works (Queen Album)
''The Works'' is the eleventh studio album by the British rock band Queen. It was released on 27 February 1984 by EMI Records just shortly after recording for the album had been completed in the United Kingdom and it is the band's first studio album to be released by Capitol Records in the United States. After the synth-heavy ''Hot Space'' (1982), the album saw the re-emergence of Brian May and Roger Taylor's rock sound, while still incorporating the early 80s retro futuristic electronic music ( Freddie Mercury) and New York funk scenes (John Deacon). Recorded at the Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles, California, and Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany, from August 1983 to January 1984, the album's title comes from a comment Taylor made as recording began – "Let's give them the works!". During the decade, after a negative reaction to the music video for "I Want to Break Free" in the United States, the band decided not to tour in North America and lost the top spot in US ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Brian May
Brian Harold May (born 19 July 1947) is an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and astrophysicist, who achieved worldwide fame as the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen (band), Queen. May was a co-founder of Queen with lead singer Freddie Mercury and drummer Roger Taylor (Queen drummer), Roger Taylor. His songwriting contributions helped Queen become among the most successful acts in music history. May previously performed with Taylor in the blues rock band Smile (band), Smile, which he had joined while he was at university. After Queen's formation in 1970, bass guitarist John Deacon joined to complete the line-up in 1971. They became one of the biggest rock bands in the world with the success of the album ''A Night at the Opera (Queen album), A Night at the Opera'' and its single "Bohemian Rhapsody". From the mid-1970s until the early 1990s, Queen played at some of the biggest venues in the world, including at Live Aid in 1985. As a member of Queen, May became regarded ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Now I'm Here
"Now I'm Here" is a song by the British rock band Queen. Written by lead guitarist Brian May, it was the sixth song on their third album, ''Sheer Heart Attack'' (1974). The song is noted for its hard riff and vocal harmonies. In the UK, the song reached #11 on the charts when released as a single in 1975. The song was a live favourite, performed at virtually every concert from late 1974 to 1986. Details The song draws on May's fond experiences of the band's US tour earlier in 1974. Mott the Hoople, whom Queen was supporting, are referenced in the line: ''Down in the city, just Hoople and me''. It also appeared on the 1981 compilation album ''Greatest Hits'' and the 1997 compilation album ''Queen Rocks''. In March 2005, ''Q'' magazine placed "Now I'm Here" at number 33 in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks. Live performances "Now I'm Here" was a fixture of Queen's set lists, being performed on every concert tour from 1974 until the band's final tour in 1986. It ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Staying Power
"Staying Power" is the first track on Queen's 1982 album ''Hot Space''. It was written by lead singer Freddie Mercury and is notable as being the only Queen song to have a horn section, which was arranged by Arif Mardin. The song is driven by a funk-styled bass riff (played by Mercury) beginning in D minor and modulating to E minor throughout the song. John Deacon does not play bass guitar on this song—instead playing rhythm guitar on a Fender Telecaster. Roger Taylor programmed a Linn LM-1 drum machine for the track. Brian May is on his Red Special. In a ''Stylus'' review of the album, critic Anthony Miccio described the song's style as "an electro-disco track with frenetic horns." ''Stylus''. Retrieved 7 April 2012 The song was released as a single in Japan. Live performances ...
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It's A Hard Life
"It's a Hard Life" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by lead singer Freddie Mercury. It was featured on their 1984 album '' The Works'', and it was the third single from that album. In 1991 it was included in the band’s second compilation album '' Greatest Hits II''. It reached number 6 in the UK Singles Chart and was their third consecutive Top 10 single from the album. It also reached number 2 in Ireland and number 20 in the Netherlands. It also came 19th in a poll, '' The Nation's Favourite Queen Song'' broadcast on ITV on 11 November 2014. Composition The opening lyric and melody of "It's a Hard Life" is based on the line "Ridi, Pagliaccio, sul tuo amore infranto!" (Laugh, clown, at your broken love!) from "Vesti la giubba", an aria from Ruggero Leoncavallo's opera '' Pagliacci''. The same melody is also quoted in the soundtrack of the movie '' A Night at the Opera'' after which Queen had named their 1975 album. Musically, the song recreates the feel of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Liar (Queen Song)
"Liar" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by the lead singer Freddie Mercury in 1970. The song featured on the band's 1973 debut album ''Queen.'' A heavily truncated version of "Liar" was released as a single – backed with "Doing All Right" – in the United States and New Zealand by Elektra Records in February 1974. The music video consisted of the band miming to the song on a sound stage. "Liar" was the band's second videoclip and it was filmed one year before it was released as a single. As confirmed by the transcription on EMI Music Publishing's ''Off The Record'' sheet music for the song, this is one of three Queen tracks, the others being "Now I'm Here" and "Under Pressure" (their collaboration originally with David Bowie), to feature a Hammond organ. This song briefly brought up the problem of songwriting credits within the band. May queried which band members would be credited for developing the music for each song, to which Mercury concluded the disc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Keep Yourself Alive
"Keep Yourself Alive" is the debut single by the British rock band Queen. Written by guitarist Brian May, it is the opening track on the band's eponymous debut album (1973). It was released as Queen's first single along with "Son and Daughter" as the B-side. "Keep Yourself Alive" was largely ignored upon its release and failed to chart on either side of the Atlantic. It was also re-released as the non-album B-side of "Lily of the Valley" in 1974. In 2008, ''Rolling Stone Magazine'' rated the song 31st on its list of "The 100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time". Writing and recording According to Mark Hodkinson, author of ''Queen: The Early Years'', "Keep Yourself Alive" was conceived on acoustic guitars during Queen's practice sessions at Imperial College and the garden at Ferry Road in 1970. At the time, Queen had not yet found a permanent bassist; the group consisted of lead singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, and drummer Roger Taylor. In a radio special about thei ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Seven Seas Of Rhye
"Seven Seas of Rhye" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was primarily written by Freddie Mercury, with Brian May contributing the second middle-eight. The song is officially credited to Mercury only. A rudimentary instrumental version appears as the final track on the group's self-titled debut album (1973), with the final version on the follow-up ''Queen II'' (1974). The completed version served as the band's third single, and after performing the song on the BBC's ''Top of the Pops'' in February 1974 it became their first hit, reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. It is the earliest-released song to appear on their ''Greatest Hits'' album, with the exception of some versions where their first single, "Keep Yourself Alive", is included. "Seven Seas of Rhye" is inspired by the fantasy world of Freddie Mercury and his sister, Kashimara Bulsara when they were children. Background Initially "Seven Seas of Rhye" was simply an "instrumental musical sketch closing th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Killer Queen
"Killer Queen" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by lead singer Freddie Mercury and recorded for their third album ''Sheer Heart Attack'' in 1974. It reached number two in the UK Singles Chart and became their first US hit, reaching number twelve on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The song is about a high-class call girl and has been characterised as "Mercury's piano-led paean to a Moët-quaffing courtesan". The song is included in Queen's 1981 ''Greatest Hits'' compilation. It is also recorded on the live albums ''Live Killers'' and ''Queen Rock Montreal''. History and recording Mercury commented he wrote the lyrics before the melody and music, whereas normally he would do the opposite. He stated that the song was about a high-class call girl. The song's first verse quotes a phrase falsely attributed to Marie Antoinette: "'Let them eat cake,' she says, Just like Marie Antoinette". "Killer Queen" retained the essence of Queen's trademark sound, particular ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Somebody To Love (Queen Song)
"Somebody to Love" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by the lead singer/pianist Freddie Mercury. It debuted on the band's 1976 album '' A Day at the Races'' and also appears on their 1981 compilation album ''Greatest Hits''. The song has similarities to Queen's earlier hit "Bohemian Rhapsody" with its complex harmonies and guitar solos; however instead of mimicking an English choir, the band turned to a gospel choir. It reached 2 in the UK and No. 13 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in the US. The song demonstrated that "Queen could swing as hard as it could rock, by channeling the spirit of gospel music". Written by Mercury at the piano, "Somebody to Love" is a soul-searching piece that questions God's role in a life without love. Through voice layering techniques, Queen was able to create the soulful sound of a 100-voice choir from three singers: Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor. John Deacon did not sing backing vocals on the recorded album. Mercur ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Under Pressure
"Under Pressure" is a song by the British rock band Queen and singer David Bowie. Originally released as a single in October 1981, it was later included on Queen's 1982 album ''Hot Space''. The song reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Queen's second number-one hit in their home country and Bowie's third, and also charted in the top 10 in more than 10 countries around the world. The song has been described as a "monster rock track that stood out" on the ''Hot Space'' album, as well as "an incredibly powerful and poignant pop song". "Under Pressure" was listed at number 31 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '80s, and voted the second-best collaboration of all time in a poll by ''Rolling Stone''. In 2021, it was ranked number 429 on ''Rolling Stone''s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It was played live at every Queen concert from 1981 until the end of the band's touring career in 1986. Live recordings appear on the Queen live albums ''Queen Rock Montre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tie Your Mother Down
"Tie Your Mother Down" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by lead guitarist Brian May. It is the opening track and the second single from their 1976 album '' A Day at the Races''. On its original release as a single in 1977 the song peaked at 31 in the UK Singles Chart. More than 20 years later, it was released as a double a-side to " No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)" where it reached 13 in UK Singles Chart. On the album the song is preceded by a one-minute instrumental intro featuring a Shepard tone melody, performed by Brian May, which is reprised in the ending of " Teo Torriatte": this was intended to create a "circle" within the album. After its release in 1976, it was played by Queen on every subsequent tour. At the 1992 The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, the song was co-performed by Queen and guests Joe Elliott and Slash. On several occasions in recent years, Brian May and Roger Taylor have played the song live with the Foo Fighters, including perf ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
