How Queen use key changes 

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Wonder if Brian will see this. He seems quite up on his RU-vid music personalities. David might even get an interview, like Rick did!

I'd love to see deeper analysis of Queen's (heavily underrated) prog era: Queen 1, Queen 2 and Sheer Heart Attack

Finally, somewhere to make note of some of my favourite Queen key changes. -"Love of My Life", mostly in F Major, but the verses start in C Major and then manage to modulate smoothly back to F Major. -"Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon", mostly in Eb Major, but modulating a tritone to A Major for its ending guitar solo. Always grabs my attention. -"Innuendo", modulating from E Major (double harmonic major?) to G# Major, then to C# Major, then to F# Major, and back to E Major. Then having a middle section that features A Minor and C Major (and a 5/4 time signature for added fun). -"The March of the Black Queen", too many to note here. Just go listen to it, it's a masterpiece.

You missed out on Now I'm Here, which has a lot of rapid key changes: Chorus 1 (D mixolydian) Band kicks in (A major to B major) Riff 1 (E) Verse 1 (E major) Post-Verse 1 (A to C# to E to B) Riff 2 (E) Verse 2 (E major) Post-Verse 2 (G to B to A to B) Solo 1 (B) Truncated Post-Verse (G to B) Chorus 2 (D) Riff 3 (E) Solo 2 (B)

There is much more "wilder" key change in "The Show must go on", when the lyrics go to "My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies, Fairy tales of yesterday, grow but never die I can fly, my friends" ...

As someone who spent a lot of time learning a lot of Queen songs, you got me laughing out loud at the 1:38 mark with "this would have been the easier and more intuitive thing to do" . But not the Queen thing to do. The best stuff about playing their music (and the hardest) is that it constantly changes and almost never repeats. Key changes, dropped beats, added beats, orchestration and arrangement changes, or structures that just don't confirm to any "normal" repetitive patterns. There is no "going on autopilot" playing their material. But it is so rewarding to get it right.

Queen really are fantastic. As much as they are indisputably one of the greatest bands alive there’s still so much brilliance that goes unpacked. They survived three decades making hits in each one, had band members who stood out each having their own hit, had fantastic lyrics, instrumentals and of course vocals. It’s kinda annoying how some people are saying they’re overrated when really there’s still so much that goes unnoticed despite being one of the most analysed bands in history. Well done Roger Taylor, John Deacon, Brian May and of course Freddie Mercury

You could tell Freddy was self taught cos he used some crazy changes ...but like the greats you don't really notice ...like Brian Wilson and Elton John he used weird bass notes over standard chords . I think cos your following Freddies voice but the mood changes underneath were fantastic

Most of the key changes in Queen songs serve the song well, but one of my favorites is during the refrain at the end of "Keep Yourself Alive," where they shift a number of times, sometimes, up, sometimes down, but mostly because it sounds cool as hell and lets them all show off a bit.

In the "night at the Odeon", Hammersmith concert 1975 there's an incredible key change they do live, passing from the end of Bohemian Rhapsody's solo to Killer Queen in a really cool and smooth way.

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon is one of my favorite key changes ever. It shifts up a tritone to one of Brian May's snazziest solos. The abrupt and pretty noticeable key change really brings character to the extremely flamboyant nature of the song.

I think I associate key changes with Queen as much as multi-part vocal harmonies, top-notch arrangements and progressive yet tasteful studio musicianship.

So what you're telling me is that Queen knew how to right key changes that elevate people's mood? That sounds about right.

Innuendo was the first example that came to my mind reading the title, I knew it would probably not make the cut for a quick video but I think I never heard a song that can switch so smoothly between so different universes. Brilliant.

Excellent analysis, as usual. Examples abound, indeed, but I'd like to mention 'The Millionaire Waltz' as it's a bit of a follow-up to 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in the sense of being a long and elaborate number. Coincidentally, it starts firmly in the key of F Major (where 'Rhapsody' ended) and stays there for a while, until the lyrics state 'now I am sad', by which time they've moved on to the parallel key of F minor; the first solo then modulates to E-Flat Major (one of Mercury's favourite keys), then there's a hard-rock section back in F minor, which moves to its relative (A-Flat Major) and stays there for the waltz solo, which ends with a chain of fifths shifting the key to E-Flat Major again, where it stays for the 'my fine friend' section. It then moves to the distant key of B Major ('Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy', from the same album, also has that Eb>B change, which could also be read as Eb>Cb), and then it moves up a tritone to F Major via using the minor version of the subdominant (E minor instead of major) and then going with another chain of fifths (G > C(7) > F), for a triumphant return of the verse and a happy ending. It's gorgeous and brilliant!

Glad you're doing Queen. Such a brilliant, brilliant band and still so unique.

Fantastic video, David! Never knew these songs changed key before, it all sounds so natural!

I'd love you to talk about Queen's "Innuendo" some day. That song goes through so many transformations in arrangement and style, and it's one of their lesser-known songs despite sharing a lot of DNA in their other hits.

Great video. You should check out the key-change from Eb to B then quickly back to Eb in the 'let me feel your heart beat' section of Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy.

I absolutely LOVE that you show what the song would've sounded like if they didn't change keys.

'The Miracle' - changes 4 or 5 times in the first minute! Fantastic song and a pretty decent video to go with it.

Save Me springs to mind. The verses being in a melancholic key of G (reminiscent of the reference to Under Pressure in this video) to then being uplifted to the heavy chorus, now in D major.

Always been a great admirer of Queen, definitely one of the greatest rock bands ever produced in this country. Top video again, David.

Queen used chords and tonality in the same way a great thespian uses facial expressions and body language... They don't just express themselves, they move people, and even result in catharsis at a subconscious level! ✨ Amazing video! Bravo❣️

Yet another great video on Queen. It perfectly shows their extraordinary music skills. As always, very educational stuff. Cheers David

so THIS is the reason Queens music sounds so triumphant and epic✨💕

Queen is by far my most favourite band and I love your analysis!

The one and only Queen. As regards key changes, I suppose almost every Queen song has it😉

The example in The Show Must Go On is also great because the modulation up heading into the 2nd verse, which respresents optimism and hope is followed by a return to the original key, which seems to represent resignation, acceptance and a bit of sadness as Freddie confronts the dire reality of his situation…

Deep Purple's I feel like screaming is a great example of many key changes. The finale solo is a great exercise for understanding the key changes. Take a look, also, to Natural Science by Rush.

One of the things I love most about Queen and especially Freddie Mercury’s writing is how complex it can be without sounding too complex. It’s not like modern prog rock that plays complex music for the sake of it being complex. Queens music is so good. It’s also very unique and different than anything else. I wonder how much theory Freddie knew and did it play into his writing or was it all just by feel and where the song was moving naturally for him. Edit: I wrote this before I even started watching the video and within the first few seconds you cover pretty much exactly what I was talking about. Noice!

Princes Of The Universe has some killer key changes, in the chorus alone it goes from A major to D# minor and then to B minor.

"Drowse" it happens to be my favorite Rodger Taylor lyric. The lyric is very smartly done. And the key changes work out great

There are really tons of key change in Queen’s songs

I love how you pivot from the sponsor message back to content. queen’s killer key changes. And then you show killer queen. You do in content kinda what the key changes does in music. Which is moving to something else to have a reason to reintroduce something new in an energetic way

Great video. It is not possible to overstate Freddie's mastery of song writing.

I don’t know why, but I‘m super happy that Andy Deacon is one of your top patreons again. I’ve always remembered his name (because of John Deacon) and was so confused that he stopped donating for a while

The key change in good old fashioned lover boy is so great!

I find the most unusual but cool chord changes in Bicycle Race. And so many of them, between and within phrases.

I really wish more people would breakdown some of Queen's earlier more obscured works. For example, The March Of The Black Queen, In The Lap Of The Gods, and The Prophet's Song feature so many key changes within such a small amount of time compared to most Progressive Rock bands at the time. It just feels like whenever people make videos analysing Queen, it's always the same hits.

Please do these kind of detailed analysis on the other intricacies of Queen's songs.

The last key change you mentioned is the most beautifull!

let me in your heart again when it goes in the solo

9:37 We have the same taste man. I absolutely agree, its probably my favourite few seconds too. I've never heard anyone else say this, or focus on it before.

This reminds me of Genesis changes, Tony Banks has a well developed sense of harmony.

Really Brings a smile on my face when I see the pop up on my phone of Davids video 😊 because it's relates to the kind of music theory I'm always looking for here.. Keep them coming David.. You are the best 👍💯 pretty excited to watch this one as I type this 😍

Would love to see you do a video about when one song transitions into a second without a break!

Another awesome vid, thank you so much! I would´ve love to see Bicycle Race, that song has TONS of key changes.

I like that you show how the song would change within this analysis. Well done, sir.

There are so many more, but pain is so close to pleasure popped out instantly in my mind.

I feel like Freddie did such things instinctively, and Brian did them using theory. The finest band ever.

I'm really enjoying your videos. I've been in various choirs for 25 years but I've never studied music so although I have a practical working knowledge of music theory I've never understood it formally. Saying 'You know, in bar 27, where it goes da-DAA' only gets you so far.

"And back to queen and their "killer" key changes" *killer queen* Lmaoo

David you know I’ve been waiting for a Queen video for so long. This is awesome!

Really enjoyed these insights ... when I'm playing these I don't even think of these, key changes are so smooth they just happen flawlessly !

I know the songs as everyone else and I'm trying to understand music theory. this video is pure gold 💕

I really love seeing these kinds of videos, not only because I like to geek out over music theory!!! I'm a huge fan of Queen, and remembering these sounds from my pre-music theory listening experience, it gives me a very specific relationship with the sound of these modulations. It also inspires me to use more modulations in my own work!! Thanks David, another great video.

In this video, you're breaking down the secrets of a lot of what makes Queen's music so powerful, especially the uplift that makes this into music that gives me hope and strength if I'm feeling down. Now I need a hug, and I might cry a little...but then, back to the keyboard, where my fingers will have new magic. Just wanted to thank you.

Check out the modulations on Keep Yourself Alive, Bicycle Race, Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy, The Millionaire Waltz, The Great King Rat, The March of the Black Queen, In the Lap of the Gods, The Miracle, The Prophet Song.

There is no bottom to the rabbit hole that is music! Thanks for posting.

Somebody To Love!! In the bridge section, before the guitar solo, it quickly modulates to Db and then to Gb and comes back to Eb through a grand Bb with the harmonized vocals.

Thank you for yet another awesome video! You obviously couldn’t include as many songs as there actually are. It's always nice to see some appreciation of the legendary band with four extremely talented individuals.

"Good old-fashioned lover boy" changes key from Eb (Ab maj) to F# (Ab min, Db7). "The game" has a lot of key changes, and it sounds a small bit like Bohemian Rhapsody in a way, but it's like the other side of the story, the voice in the boy's head telling him to find a place where he fits in.

Love of my life, the instrumental solo

Yesssssss I've been hoping for some more Queen on this channel! ✨

Queens "Save Me" also modulates by 5ths between the verses in G and choruses in D.

as a huge queen fan, thank you for explaining their music so well! great video

Awesome video!!! Its always really interesting seeing what makes our favourite songs are so amazing. Thanks for all you do :)

Thank you so much for doing these videos. They are always well made, pedagogical and super interesting.

Fascinating as always. Thanks so very much for making these inspiring videos available to all x

Another brilliant analysis. I've learned so much.

You should do a video about The March of the Black Queen

I love your videos on key changes and Queen are my favourite band, thank you so much!

Ys by Joanna Newsom is my favorite album ever. I know that's unrelated to the main subject of this video, but since you mentioned her in the ad I thought I'd shout that album out. As usual, your tastes are impeccable. Radiohead, Beatles, Queen, Bjork, and Joanna Newsom would all go in my top 10.

Hi, I enjoy your videos so much! Could you make one about the fifth's circle? I'm really interested in how a major chord can be brighter than another one. Thank you!

Such a great video as always!

Now I'm Here is all over the place with key changes. Nice video, your analysis is always insightful.

At around 1:10, (on and on and on and on), you've listed the chords as a simple Bb and C progression. The piano version I play, which meshes with the isolated piano version, is a bit more interesting. It's Ab/Bb, Bb dim, Bb7, C7... Iconic, and a great set up for going into F major.

Really striking how shifting one tone massively changes the character of his voice.

Well done on this video. This a great illustration of how to use key changes in a creative way.

Queen is really so smooth with the modulations! But that’s just only one factor. The other is their vocal harmonic arrangements. These factors set Queen apart from other rock bands, absolutely! In Let Me Live, there’re four additional background vocals to Mercury, May and Taylor. You can hear the deep richness of the background vocals. Some 40 years ago, I had to give away the poster from the Jazz album (?) for I was afraid my Dad’s gonna find out it showed naked girls!! LOL!!

This has got to be my favourite video

Thank you for your outstanding work!

Favourite key change records - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Diana Ross), "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" (Fifth Dimension), "Thank You" (Petula Clark) several times and at the end there's a jokey NOT key change! (Tony Hatch's sense of humour?), "A Lover's Concerto" (Toys), the Beatles only ever did it once, on a single at least - "Penny Lane", "Roll Over Beethoven" (E.L.O. hastily edited!), "Good Vibrations" (Beach Boys), and probably "God Only Knows" and "Wouldn't It Be Nice" (on the flip side). Also "Cottonfields", "Dance Dance Dance", "Fun Fun Fun", Four Tops "I'm In A Different World" (all over the place, that one!) ... etc.! Oh, and "Time For Living" (Association) - how often do we hear a key change downwards? I know of one - Johnny Cash "I Walk The Line".

Very good video. And what a topic. Love Queen and their song writing style

Man, your work here on RU-vid is so important. Tnx for one more explendid vid

You vid tutorials are the best! Thanks for this great content.

It's so weird to hear We Are The Champions without the change

I love key change songs!

Thanks David.

My best key change happened when someone tried to break in. The locksmith did a great job.

Thanks for posting. I get it: most key changes Queen wrote usually only involved changing one note in the scale at a time, (although admittedly changed twice in Bohemian Rhapsody: once going into A Major and once going back to B Flat Major.) Do March of the Black Queen next. It might not have used as many overdubs Bohemian Rhapsody used, but it did have thicker vocal harmonies not including unison overdubs.

“Save me” also has a unanounced key change going from G (Verse and pre-chorus) D (Chorus). Excelent video as always!

i'd love to hear about the key changes in the ending of keep yourself alive and whether there's a system there or not!

I think what makes the key change in "We Are the Champions" feel so seamless is that right before the chorus, on "I've had my share of sand kicked in my face" we modulate to Bb major from Eb major. So we go around the circle of fifths from Eb-Bb-F.

Can you do a breakdown of "Total Eclipse of The Heart"? That song always sounds so fascinating to me

Key changes are much easier in a piece of music that is piano dominant. My heart goes out to the guitarist.

There's a place for us by Phil Collins has something similar to Bohemian Rhapsody - it's in Eb, but there is only one usage of that chord in the whole song and it's inverted, and brief and passing. Then the very final chord we land on it, and the constant tension dissipates and it does finally feel like this is the "place for us".

I love key changes