HOW is this SO GOOD?! What just happened?!! Let's try and find out!!! 

Adam is the real deal. Many are upset he isn't Freddie. He isn't. Nor is he trying to be. He's Adam, and he's AMAZING. Every band member in Queen, will tell you the same. Freddie would be SO very pleased.

I like Cher, but "Believe" was never a favorite of mine. Hearing Adam's arrangement with his amazing vocals turned it into a completely different song for me.😮 It's like I'm hearing it for the first time. All the meaning and emotion behind it was conveyed beautifully by Adam..whereas, Cher's version "reads" like a dance tune, which doesn't allow me to "digest" its meaning in the same way. It's amazing what a great voice and a great arrangement can do!😍 Thank you for this analysis, Fil! I love Adam!❤️❤️

Everybody is gushing over Adam's vocals and the arrangement. Well deserved, but I think the ANALYSIS is worthy of equal praise. Fil, you're an invaluable asset to the musical community!

I love that Adam Lambert is so good that Fil didn’t even stop the video. 😊

Adam actually created the version he sang, many years previously while on American Idol.

One thing that really makes this great is the audience. They sit quietly and enjoy the performance only clapping once towards the end at a crescendo. So many modern performances are ruined by modern audiences constantly clapping and cheering all through out a song and drowning out the actual performance. The only place you can actually enjoy live music anymore is the symphony or opera. Any band or singer of modern music is completely ruined by modern audiences, except in rare cases of educated audiences of professionals like the Kennedy Center.

Adam did a similar thing when he was on American Idol. He sang the BeeGee’s, “If I Can’t Have You”. It was so different than the original which was more of a disco dance track. He sang it slower and brought in all the angst of someone in an unrequited relationship or otherwise could not be with the person he loves. He was exposed with his heart on his sleeve. Had me mesmerized.

Adam is a singing genius. He could sing the phone book and people would cry.

Adam can sing anything. He's an amazing vocalist and, is it just me or...can anyone else see an astonishing likeness to Elvis in his face and eyes? Adam dressed in black leather looks almost like Elvis did in his 1968 TV comeback special. I find the likeness to a young fit Elvis is amazingly surreal.

Nice technical analysis! And good catch! He's classically trained and so as Luciano Pavarotti teaches - you must be ready to start your song seconds before the orchestra. Covered sound. Adam did that arrangement. He was famous for re-arranging songs on idol but THIS ONE he's done for years and years. He flings out the ear monitors at most of these shows because the engineers can never get them adjusted properly for his rare voice. But he's the ONLY one who can stay in tune when the sound is shitty. Past shows with Gaga, Xtina, of course Taylor, and others all go off key. With Queen he does signals the whole night when necessary.

Adam is one world class vocalists, and I don't understand why he isn't more recognized . Great reaction

I like how he dropped to the lower octave for the bridge - completely changes the function of that part of the song. And sets up the closing chorus with the unusual modulation.

Adam is an incredibly talented vocalist. He gives me chills!

Adam is known for changing-up songs with new arrangements since his days on American Idol. And I have to say this possibly is his very best. Pretty genius I must say.

I've seen Adam Live before. I couldn't believe how good of a singer he is!

Adam = Musical intelligence + an exceptional vocal instrument + a background in acting. He is known to be a kind person and he collaboratively works with an orchestra/band until the result suits their vision.

This guy is so good that I believe he's the best pop singer of many years. The emotion was intense and his delivery is perfect. It actually brought tears to my eyes.

Freddie would be blown away. ADAM has the most soaring stratospheric vocals I've ever heard and I'm speaking as professional singer artist. Its simply astounding Brings me to tears and evokes such.emotion Adam owns it he's earned the throne as one journalist said on the tour in 2014 with Queen:)

Brilliant analysis, Fil, with the added bonus of hearing your lovely voice. There aren’t enough superlatives for Adam Lambert’s skilled performance of what was pretty much another generic Cher-rendered dance tune. Adam’s performance transports all of us to a higher/deeper realm, as evidenced by the audience’s transfixed, visceral reaction. Command Performance takes on a new meaning in the hands of Adam Lambert. An absolutely stunning performance. Thank you Fil for your detailed analysis, quite possibly your best.

Wow he's good, wonderful, accomplished and emotional singer. I so so want to see Queen with Adam next summer.

Everyone around the world who can't sing wishes they had that control. Cher's version had more of an empowering/empowerment, girl power, triumphant, feeling. Adam's feels like working through the heartbreak, the journey through and answering of the question. Reminds me of George Michael's singing voice.

I so enjoyed the analysis between both Cher and Adam. Adam's sound was so remorseful and sad.... Totally loved this performance and your commentary. Thank you for doing this.

Loved watching him doing his rock covers auditioning on American Idol. He was outstanding from his first note of singing. I called friends to say "you have to listen to this guy!!".

Loved everything about your reaction and break-down of this performance, and love, love, love Adam Lambert!! I'm not sure who came up with this arrangement, but I do know that Adam did "his" take on the same song during his American Idol days, which was very similar. Prior to actually qualifying for the live shows, here's a snippet from 2009 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-SZCTpo4OBG4.html

Cher's version was the celebration of coming out of the feelings left after a dying/dead relationship. Adam's is the pain of saying goodbye, of healing, of coming to the understanding that one really can stand on one's own feet. The lyric is powerful. At first, I thought he was lip syncing Cher's voice! Question: why did he loose the ear piece? Beautiful redition, wonderful analysis, Fil!

I am truly shaken by this performance

It is a pity we can only give you one like. Amazing, both you and Adam. He is Adele’s level, should have much more appreciation. Thank you for this.

I loved seeing him pull his ear monitor. This is the first time I've heard this excellent singer. Wow. I did feel emotional as I listened. Much more so than the original. Fil your dialog has fired up my goal to learn dynamics. I'm a bassist. I'm now thinking more as I play, about applying how Adam sings and expresses, to my playing.

I was fortunate enough to see him take the front with Queen on their 2017 tour, and he was phenomenal! He even addresses the fact that he is not Freddie, but that he admired him so much.

He did the same with the Tears for Fears song on American Idol. His version gave me goosebumps!

He did that with his whole heart.

Thank you for taking a look at this video. Adam's version gave me chills. Cher dedicated the album Believe to her ex-husband Sonny Bono who had died in a tragic accident. I am old enough to remember that early relationship which gives me even more perspective into the song. I think Adam's version adds in the intent of the lyrics with all the emotion. Clearly, it affected not just Cher who lived it but the rest of us too.

Great choice with Adam Lambert his pipes are on another level. Fantastic job Fil

Fil could probably do a whole video in mic technique. Adam is constantly moving the mic for dynamics. He has probably sang and listened to this hundreds of times to get the proper mic distance to the effect he wants in this performance.

Adam touches us with his vocal interpretations. It appears so effortless but behind this is a very strong voice and understanding of how to deliver a lyric. Adam is incomparable!

I was excited when I saw Adam’s name on here. I’ve been a fan of his for a long time now and saw him perform with Queen at Wembley. Such a powerful voice and control. Loved it, thanks Fil

Ah those strings are haunting and setting a beautiful background for Adam’s superb voice. I love this arrangement with volume up to absorb those stunning strings. Enjoyable analysis with your superb voice, of course!!!

That's such a beautiful version. Adams voice is outstanding.

Watching from Sydney. Huge Adam Lambert fan and think he’s an outstanding artist. Been a fan since watching his journey on Idol. His control is amazing. Love your analysis’s Fil. Just have to say how talented you are. I learn so much watching your videos. Thank you.

I find Adam’s voice soul-piercing. I have listened to this performance for about 1000 times in recent years. His voice is magical. Thank you Fil ❤️

Saw Adam with Queen. Superb….

I so love this video. I've been singing for over 50 years and I felt exactly as you said in the beginning of your comments. It's almost unfair how incredible his voice is. And then your analysis of the arrangement is brilliant. You truly know how to explain the affect that minor vs major and differences in tempo have on the overall feeling and emotion of a song. Bravo. Great video.

Adam is must see. Phenomenal.

I enjoy your analysis! Your analogy of the crescendo toward the end of the song to going on "a journey... in a comfortable car... up the mountain" makes me smile; I have the feeling you're a great music teacher. Adam Lambert's vocals are amazing, this version always gets me a bit teary-eyed when he repeats that phrase "I don't need you any more". You're so right about the arrangement and orchestra, they enhance the emotions of the song. It must be an unforgettable moment for the live audience! Thank you.

Bizarrely, I just saw his performance on RU-vid…I wasn’t ever a ‘fan’, thinking he was just idol ‘pop’…so but was absolutely stunned to experience this and understand he was the real deal…Then RU-vid algorithms brought up your video… so glad to see my judgment confirmed and others appreciate his amazing performance as well!

I’m always amazed by Adam.

It's great to hear analysis beyond "it's good because of the way they've made it good". I'm a vaguely competent multi-instrumentalist, but I'm self-taught and also not massively well acquainted with my emotions, so I hear something like Adam's performance and about as much as I can tell you is that it sounds like it's probably very good. Having it broken down, not just in a level of detail I seldom find, but also in terms that make perfect sense to my modest understanding of music theory is just a treat. Thank you Fil!

Perfection. A beautiful man. A beautiful voice.

Arrangement wise, I was blown away at the way the bass line walks up the scale throughout the chorus' after the break (as you noted). Brilliant arrangement. I literally burst into tears when the song got to that point. Loved the ending on the IV chord. As a pianist/keyboardist since before I can remember (my mom said she sat me down at the piano when I was 2-I'm 60 now), all these points you're explaining are like the act of breathing to me. It's all just part of my being. Would love to just sit in a quiet room and listen to music with you. My old writing partner and I could sit for hours, listening and more importantly, appreciating everything that the artist, writer and arranger, was conveying in a recording. It's one thing to listen to music and appreciate, it's a gift to be able to know (and feel) it from the inside out. Really enjoyed your breakdown of this piece. I found it to be like trying to explain color to a blind man. Kudos! And I'd add that both Adam, AND Jen Hudson, were the most talented to grace the American Idol stage. (Actually saw Hudson tape a song for a Disney Christmas special at Disney World back in 2011. She did the song 10+ times and her voice never faltered.)

I'm watching this again for about the fourth time. It's such a beautiful arrangement of this song. Adam sounds amazing, I get chocked up. And I adore your analysis ❤️ Thanks, Fil

This was a stunning performance! I had no idea Adam was this good.

Adam has always been amazing n 10 steps ahead of everyone else. Have n admired Adam from the beginning

Adam BEYOND nails this song. Cher wishes she sang this well! Hi Phil!

And there we sure have it, Fil...and thanks to you we have in addition the best of greater vision. And I couldn't be happier that Adam is with Queen...and honors Freddie unconditionally and eternally. TYSM, Fil. I am your faithful subscriber! Blessings and happiness to you. PS: Beautiful voice and music yourself, Fil. 😊🙂 Yes, emotional.

WOW! FANTASTIC. Cher was so proud of Adam. I like both renditions of this song. But Adam owened this song...

Yet again, a brilliant detailed analysis. I got introduced to Adam via Queen. He (aside from George Michael) is probably the only singer who could have taken on Freddie Mercury's front man status - and most importantly - not be a parody of it. He is his onw man and is great. I agree with every sentiment you make. I don't like Cher's original one jot - an auto-tune masterpiece for sure - but it doesnt reasonate with me. However, when I heard this version, I suddently 'got' the lyric. There are two things this performance brings to mind. 1. There is an art to a great cover version. When someone makes a song soooo different to the original it is a revelation (take Gun's version (I know you like the heavier stuff) of Cameo's 'Word Up!' it becomes something else entirely. 2. Bouncy songs that destroy the lyrical content. Two best examples of this are (a) Gloria Gaynor's "I will survive" which has an angry lyrical content, which (in my view) would be so much better with a slower 'mean' mood behind it; and (b) "Things can only get better" by D-REAM, which in the original is a slow ballad, because it is a song about someone explaining what it is like to be with AIDS. I am 100% convinced the Labour Party didnt know that when they used it. Again, like this song, when you hear that version, it knocks you sideways as the meaning behind the song is revealed. Keep up the good work, demistifying the work of the industry. Your videos are a high point of my day

I would love to hear your commentary on the Queen + Adam Lambert performance of Who Wants to Live Forever at the Isle of Wright.

I just stumbled across this song this year, and was moved for all the reasons you mention here, and started adding it to my karaoke list, can't hit that high, but getting better. And, now that you point out how good it is, well, thanks for the added pressure Fil! 😆🤙

This was the most enjoyable analysis I've ever seen you do Fil! Kudos! FYI, Adam performed this song when he started out on American Idol.

You know it's getting real when Adam takes out his ears. Whew. And you really know you've done it when you've made Cher cry.

Thank you for sharing this performance! I have always loved this song. It helped me get through a breakup. So hearing it as a ballad is special. Great Fil!

When Adam is holding out those notes in a gentle vibrato it makes me think of a cat purring. I sing, but not a performer but that is a big reason why I like to sing to myself. Those golden notes when ear and vocal cords and breathing are synced up together and the vibrato comes out as a smooth, velvety purrrrr in your throat, it is so pleasurable and comforting. I’m guessing it’s a little like the practice of yoga when breath and movement and thoughts are woven gently together. I bet Adam’s vibrato felt like magic in his throat. Man, I could float in that lovely stream all day.

I have heard hundreds of reaction to this song. But this is the first time I really understand everything. Congratulations you are really knowledge and have the ability to explain music.

If that Sh@t don’t give you chills… it’s sad for you as a human. Simply Amazing🙏🏻

Wow I loved that, what an amazing voice ❤️‍🔥

My, my, my...how beautiful!!! I always come to hear how Fil is going to add sparkle to beauty. I'm never disappointed.

Arguably the best rendition of any song ever.

I dont know who the genius is that put this arrangement together but others who have arranged songs Adam sings have made particular mention of how much he is involved in the process. So I'd be pretty sure Adam had a lot of input here. Especially given how he did a short thrown together version similar to this for American Idol. Also I think he had almost no rehearsal for this performance so he must have had a solid knowledge of the intricacies of the arrangement.

yep. not only is it a superb performance you can hear the drops in db when he pulls the mic away. so perfectly natural

Adam Lambert is actually the real deal. I always thought of him as a TV construct. Because of the talent show thing. But he can bloody well sing. Hats off to the guy. Great video as ever.

The man can sing 👍👍✌🤘

This performance moved me to tears. Great choice and great breakdown of his performance.

Wow! First time seeing and hearing your analysis. As a music teacher, really appreciated the musical analysis provided. So refreshing and more in my wheelhouse than the singing aspect. Was never a fan of the original song but Adam is just amazing in conveying the emotion. Saw him live with queen and he’s truly one of a kind.

Adam originally sang this song with this arrangement back on one of auditions during American Idol.

This was a magnificent performance and your breakdown of it was excellent.

Thanks, Fil! That was beautiful! They are two different songs that are based on the same tune.

I enjoying your videos so much! I agree, very, very emotional performance by Adam Lambert.

Great content FIL. I've always liked Adam's voice, especially his work with Queen.

That was fascinating - Thank you! 😊

Hi Fil, another great job. The first time I heard ‘Believe’ treated in this way it was the DMA’s performing it on ‘Like A Version’. It is absolutely beautiful although of course not the same vocal pyrotechnics as Adam. This performance also takes me back to Adam’s take on ‘Mad World’ on Idol

I've always appreciated Adam, way before he came to stardom, such a gift!! ^_^ Glad to see you react to this performance, Fil ^_^

I love it when artists realize, "This dance track actually has beautiful lyrics!" _Come to My Window_ by Melissa Etheridge works really well this way, too. The high energy of both songs' original versions conceal some really beautiful first-person storytelling...worthy of a "scene" like the one Adam presents here. He's a true professional, and has just helped a lot of people hear this song for the first time. Now, even when they hear it at a club or in their car, they'll be moved by the lyrics because of how _he_ got them to pay attention. P.S. The violins in this arrangement are just magnificent, and that last ascending chord progression is just brilliant...much like the analyst who is pointing it all out.

LOL Adam, literally put a Dent in American idol.. he topped it, that I could no longer watch idol after Adam ruined it LOL.. everything after him was like child game to me.. so Adam lambert, is absolutely brilliant , and absolootley carismatic, and beautiful to look at, as well❤

Wow, this was great, thank you! Can't wait for your analyse of Adam's singing. His abilities are mindblowing!

Fil you are one of a kind. Your breakdowns are so enlightening and interesting. I am glad you chose Adam for this one. He is amazing,

Amazing amazing work as ever Fil, love it

I absolutely loved him back when he was on AI. So glad he has continued to succeed. This performance was beautiful. Brought a tear to Cher’s eyes.

Thank you for making this video, Fil my music professor. I'd never heard this song and I leave feeling lots more smart about music.

Also, his face at the end of the song where he holds on to the emotion, he is letting the audience know he's not done yet! Bravo

This is just my opinion. I'm old, grew up in a small town in central Virginia in the US, where music was the only pastime of all types. I think this is one of the greatest dicotomies in music. There is no one I believe can sing a more glorious, touch the depths of your soul, ballad singer than Adam, yet he defined himself and his preferred genre as a hard rocker. Can you imagine Jimmy Page and Adam performing the best of Zep? Love your channel, Patricia

AWESOME ANALYSIS. Loved Adam, always have since America Idol. Great video!

Absolutely fantastic analysis Fil! Thank you so much !

ADAM 'S. Voice Is so Beautiful & thrilling No one comes close to his amazing voice ♥️

What a voice.

That was Reba in the background. OMG, now Cher. Wow, killer cover. He made that song his own.

Fil, my applause here is for you. Outstanding analysis, man. No words......

I had never seen this. Wow. He knocked that out of the park.

he just stands there and delivers

Watching you love this music is joyful as listening to the music

I was blown away by his talent watching American Idol years ago. He amazed me.