Sadly, your ability to discern quality is (in your own words) "glaringly average". This track has everything - up beat tempo, and several tempo changes to keep us enthralled, technical mastery of the instruments, and a life story to tell that so many of us can relate to. And while a couple of the other tracks on this album don't quite hit these heights, they still have merit. Otherwise, they wouldn't have made it onto this album. You are kidding yourself if you think that your ability to assess musical worthiness is even remotely close to theirs, such that you can denigrate and dismiss any of the tracks on this (or any) Queen album. You seriously need to get over yourself.
It’s late is one of my all time favourite songs. Gutted you don’t like Spread your wings but that’s what’s great about music is how subjective it is. It would be a dull world if everyone liked the same thing. Great reaction as usual!
Although I do love Spread Your Wings, I mostly agree with your assessment with the songs that are more interesting... It’s Late is one of my favorite Queen songs. Definitely one of my favorite vocals from Freddie. It’s clearly right at the edge of his range and I like the sound that comes from it. Idk if you’re gonna like My Melancholy Blues - it’s definitely different from most of the album… but I like it.
One of my favourite Queen songs and I think Freddie's vocals on this are some of his best! John and Roger do write two of Queen's biggest hits in Another one bites the dust and Radio Ga GA respectively. So they can't be that bad Musical tastes are so subjective. And there's nothing wrong in a difference of opinion. It would be a very dull if we all agreed on what is good music, and what is not. Enjoy your reaction videos and listening to your options. Thanks.
Love this song, but I also Love John's songs❤...Brian & Freddie were writing WAY before Roger & John , no comparison in their writing techniques/ styles... but that's what I like about Queen, is they were very diverse... ❤something for everyone❤... Freddie wanted it that way... ❤no repeats❤.... Thanks for the great reaction.❤
John and Roger's writing at this point might not be up to the standard of Brian and Freddie's, but Freddie was pushing, John in particular, for them to include songs. It pays off in the long run. When they reach the eighties, they're all writing hit singles. Giving the band a broader voice and appeal that helped them weather changing trends. They were voted Britain's band of the eighties.
John never thought of himself as a writer but Freddie encouraged him to write. John was only 19 when he joined Queen (Freddie was 24, Brian 23, and Roger 22 when John joined) and he had to grow before he became a writer. Did you forget that John wrote "Another One Bites The Dust", their biggest U.S hit? He also wrote "I Want to Break Free". Freddie used to credit the fact that they all wrote songs and were able to express the creativity through that outlet that kept the band together for so long. Each of the members of Queen had different tastes and interests and the fact that each was allowed to express their own personal taste eliminated the frustration that many bands experienced. . John was a big fan of R&B, soul, and dance music but Roger and Brian were definitely not fans. So when John brought the song "Another One Bites The Dust", neither Roger nor Brian was convinced that they should record it but Freddie (who was a fan of all types of music) was very enthusiastic. Freddie convinced them to record it, though there was never any idea about releasing it as a single. The band included "Another One Bites The Dust" in their playlist on their American tour and it was enthusiastically received. When they played L.A., Michael Jackson came to the concert (he was a Queen fan and a friend of Freddie's). He, of course, came backstage after the concert and suggested to Freddie that "Another One Bites the Dust" be released as a single. Roger and Brian were not sure but they agreed. "Another One Bites The Dust" was a worldwide hit, charting at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, (being their second and final number-one single in the US). The song spent 15 weeks in the Billboard Top 10 (the longest-running top ten song of 1980), including 13 weeks in the top five, and 31 weeks total on the chart (more than any other song in 1980). It reached number two on the Hot Soul Singles chart and the Disco Top 100 chart, and number seven on the UK Singles Chart. The song is credited as Queen's best-selling single, with sales of over 7 million copies. He also wrote "Back Chat" and collaborated with Freddie to write "Cool Cat", which are two of Queen's most underrated songs.
I'm fine with you being that honest but calling Spread your Wings a low point on the album ... that's just wow. To me it's so beautifully written, a nice story and all the details in the guitar work make it so special. Listen to the live version on LIVE KILLERS when the whole audience sings the chorus. I once did an acoustic cover of that song on a show series I did with a friend years ago and he said: "How on earth can you remember all these chord changes of that song?" It's way more complex than you think. Maybe you really should give it another go. It's a true gem. Really curious about this album journey we're all on with you because I couldn't predict your reaction to songs like "If you can't beat them" or "Fun it" off of JAZZ which is next, right? JAZZ will be very interesting. Love that album, a lot of people don't - partly because of the strange production. Have a nice day.
Yeah awesome song... just the right amount of change ups and an awesome resolution at the end. Queen really knew how to do those harmonies.... simply no one else like em.
Great song of Brian's, and Freddie's vocals are fantastic. The band said when they gave Freddie a song he brought it to life. Freddie wanted everyone to write, take John for instance he wrote 10 songs and 5 were hits, Roger and John got better as time went on. Great reaction
It's Late - by Brian May John Deacon: Bass Brian May: Backing vocals and electric guitar Freddie Mercury: Lead and backing vocals Roger Taylor: Backing vocals and drums
This is a great song, it also features the highest note on a Queen album, an E6 whistle note from Freddie underneath the last guitar solo. I do think you are right about deals between the band members. I think their main objective was to keep the group together, royalties and song writing profits caused the most fighting within the band, so they came to some type of arrangement. You get that idea when you listen to some of Freddie's interviews.
It's well known the Queen production's redistributed the money equally amongst the members at Freddie's request.The last two records were songs all written by Queen as a whole to protect the others with Freddies health.Freddie Mercury was one of the kindest people the business has ever seen.
John & Roger developed their song writing as Queen developed, you will see this as you progress through Jazz and then The Game. They wrote some of the biggest hits of the 80s Another one bites the dust, Radio Ga Ga, I Want to break Free, A Kind of Magic, although from 84 onwards Queen lost a lot of the American market following the release of the video for I want to break free
it's because MTV banned the video. Their dressup was a parody of a popular British TV show not a "statement on sexuality". How many times has Monty Python done this? Practically every women (like in the days of Shakespeare) was played by male cast members. That;s what makes it funny.
Justin, there is another Album came out after this one. JAZZ, it is filled with great tunes. Couple were on the radio a lot, but as always the best tracks are the ones never heard on the airwaves. Must check it out. Was recorded when they were transitioning away from classic Rock into the newer soft music they were known for in the 90's. Anything they did after JAZZ never caught the Funk...!
It must have been a lot of pressure to come up with a new album every year. At this point in time each member came in with pretty much fully formed songs, and they underwent what they called a "sifting process". This meant arguing and throwing out what they felt didn't work. The band prided themselves on being democratic in their decision making. Freddie has been cited as the mediator when things got too hot. I think this system allowed Roger and John to develop as song writers, and pen the big hits yet to come. Enjoying your opinions, Justin.
Agree, I think the answer lies there. Some folk don't get that putting an album out every year was unheard of. even back then. Queen would write an album, tour it, small break (if any) and write another, for 2 decades!
Since purchasing this album when it came out in 1977, and being a huge Queen fan since 1974, my take is that ‘It’s Late’ is the gem of the whole album. ‘Get Down, Make Love’, ‘Sleeping on the Sidewalk’, and ‘ Who Needs You’ are the skippers. Everything after ‘A Day at the Races’ were touch and go compromises.
It's ironic how the Queen fans don't like Fight From The Inside a lot, and love Spread Your Wings. I mean, I really like Fight From The Inside, but Soread Your Wings is a cool song, very sweet writing.
I like em all... I don't find them vanilla either... but then again I grew up with these songs and maybe if I was listening to them from anew I would feel different, especially as my ears are full of jazz and jazz fusion since about 1986. Same with Misfire... totally brilliant song and in my top 10 Queen songs along with Drowse! It just shows how we're all different.
Lovin your reactions to the earlish Queen albums. Good endorphin hit. NOTW is one of my favourite albums because of the sound quality and engineering (along with the great tracks - except for sheer heart attack). Have been privileged enough to hear Brian’s red special twice in my life (one with Freddie up front) and this albums sounds as close to live as it gets. I love spread your wings by the way 😂. Some 79 bootlegs with them singing that song have Freddie reaching some ridiculous notes. Love it.
As someone who was a teenager when this album came out, we enjoyed it as it was written. Yes not every song on every album is gonna be a hit for everyone. That's cool, I'm not gonna demand people like everything I like. That said, back then you got the album listened to it, maybe heard some of it on the radio or if you got a chance to see a band live it might change a take on a song. Back in the dark ages there was no internet, RU-vid, Wikipedia or other ways to gather info other than talking with people about it. Each member wrote at least one #1 hit, some songs just didn't hit well. Freddie and Brian did most of the writing, Roger had his songs, but according Brian they pretty much had to drag a song out of John.
I’ll say that it depends on the delivery; I fell in love with the LIVE KILLERS version of that tune: Spread Your Wings. and because of that version, I came to enjoy the source but that LIVE one does show aspects that make it sort of special; audience participation, Freddie and Brian adding to third respective piano and guitar parts, etc.
Deacon & Taylor's songwriting get progressively better as time goes by.... out of 10 greatest Queen hits from the 80's and beyond, 4 are written by Taylor, 2 by Deacon, 2 by all 4 Queen members together and only 1 by Mercury and May each :D
@@O_Towne_Bear yeah you're right about that, although I also like pop, I grew up with the 80's/90's stuff so I don't mind it too much. Still I think Innuendo (1991) is one of their better albums, especially considering the circumstances in which it was recorded. The title track is epic.
I love all the key changes in the instrumental. As a musician, i like music that challenges me, keeps me on my toes while playing along. When songs are repetitive and simple (E.g. INXS), i get bored pretty quick. I need changes in tempo or changes in something to keep me engaged; to keep me interested.
Frank Kelly Freas was a Good friend of mine...i would watch him paint and airbrush......wonderful man.....i know who the people are running from Bruce...the Norfolk Scope is the Building he is crushing.....
It's interesting what you say about Deacon's songs not being up to the level of Freddie's and Brian's. On the whole I tend to agree, however, John will go on to write Queen's biggest world wide hit. I'll wait until you get to it ;)
You are great, it is a great satisfaction watchng your videos and hearing your opinions. I hope you will keep it going for at least two more albums :) Cheers !
Sheer Heart Attack is better live. While Spread Your Wings is not my favorite it’s not so bad. Having said that this is really the beginning of John and Roger’s writing career. Later in the bands history they both had tremendous hits so they did get better with experience. Also Freddie in interviews said he wanted them to get more involved in the writing process. So that may have played into it. Also Freddie said something very interesting in another interview. He said the reason bands break up is because you have one very strong asshole who won’t give the other band members ideas a chance and eventually they say we don’t need this and leave. So maybe he understood he had to give them a chance and their ideas a try.
Love how your reactions are getting more honest with each album haha. Also love that Spread Your Wings has left such a lasting impression haha. It's Late is a great song though - the lyrics really make it. A great narrative. Bet song on the album for me
It’s all subjective, I prefer Spread Your Wings and Who Needs You way more than Sheer Heart Attack, Get down, Make Love and Fight From the Inside but it’s okay, Queen albums were always an eclectic mix and it’s okay for listener’s opinions to differ - it doesn’t make any of us right or wrong, just different. 👍
Thanks for the reaction! Yes, It's Late is a song about Brian's complicated life, which has generated several songs. Are you saying better writers than musicians? Sorry but I differ on that.
do you think they are better writers or musicians that was my question, I am sorry, you have your opinion and mine differs that is what makes the world go round@@JustinPanariello
I was looking forward to this. Brian's Rock sounds become pretty distinctive to his own 1/4 of the harder edge sound he offers the band from here on...
It’s interesting, most of the time I totally agree with your assessments. But liking Drowse better than Spread Your Wings is, well, head scratching. Even though I don’t skip Drowse I could and I wouldn't ever miss it. SYW on the other hand is a sing along for me. I like everything on this record. As an album it just works. Jazz and The Game will be interesting, lots of left turns on these albums.
Variety is what Queen is all about and of course people with genre preferences will not like all the tracks. There's usually something for everyone on each album though. As a Queen fan from the beginning I just loved the fact that every album was an adventure, never quite knowing what surprises lay in store. I hated bands being predictable and repetitive.
One thing a lot of Queen isn't, is like anything else, but it does that without being bombastic, over- complicated or self indulgent. It's creative but it's all well written and Freddy makes average songs, good.
This is by far the stand-out from an album that's thin on interest for me. On the one hand it's a Brian May rock song by numbers, but the band sound like they really mean it, and Freddie pushes his voice hard on this one.
I remember this one. It was a minor U.S. hit (in a trimmed down form.) At first I was thinking "This could have been a Faces with Rod Stewart song from the early 70's", but then that massed vocal chorus hits and "No -- it's Queen." 😀 The whole "Brian wrote a 3-part mini-opera!" is overblown, but yeah -- it's a solid rocker.
Brian penned this song after finding himself stuck between a rock and a hard place ie., marriage in trouble and falling in love with his then girlfriend, Anita Dobson! Brian & Anita have been married now for many years! Brian has three children from his first wife. ⏰🕰️🕐
Thanks, Justin.. such a "Brian" song.. sung fantastically by Freddie, of course... back then, Brian said "we all wanted to do our own songs, but eventually agreed that everything sounded better when Freddie sang it" (paraphrase)... but I hope at some point, you will listen to some of Brian's solo work where he did his own vocals.. if you have time & inclination, one that will blow you away is a blues cover he did called "Teasin' around".... seriously, please! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sZAY6Ai0Ozw.html
This whole album feels like Queen deconstructing their sound into it’s component parts then they come together for this banger with all the components to almost say “oh yeah we can still put it all down together but is that what you want from us?” Would have been a shite time with punk and disco ruling the hearts and minds at the time.
I appreciate your insights, don't always agree. I still believe you would enjoy Live Killers in spite of all the negative comments you've read about it. Even if you only listen without doing a reaction video. I think you'd enjoy it. You can make a commentary video after. The fans aren't hostile.
Brian & his cheatin' songs! Roger drums like a madman at the end. It is a cool song. You said you liked "It's Late". I like this one too, well, except for the very end because despite Roger bashing away, it seems not to fit with the rest of the song. Oh, well. I'll never be a musician and I know nothing. I also agree that Freddie & Brian were better writers at this point. John's "You're My Best Friend" was an exception. Fortunately both John & Roger improve a lot in later albums. Still, Freddie & Brian remain strong. Next up, "My Melancholy Blues" - which I think is more jazz-like than blues. It evokes a nice feeling of being in a smokey little dive bar, listening to a trio play a set.
I respect your opinion and I will always respect it, but you cannot speak as if you own the truth. Your taste is different from mine which is different from the rest of the crowd. Some songs you hate, I love, and some songs you like, I can't stand. I like several of Deacon and Taylor's songs precisely because they are different from the style used by Mercury and May. I like when May and Taylor sing because they expand the band's diversity even more. I'm a fan of Queen because they don't make music to please their audience, they make music to please themselves. If you put on a song it's a "No", remember that it's a "No" to You.
He's simply providing his reaction to each song and sharing his opinions. He is not presenting it as the singular truth. Music is subjective art, after all.
Great song that annoys me bc Brian ( I feel ) was writing a song about leaving his first wife for the woman he was having an affair with. I think the song hurt the feelings of his first wife and I don’t like that But musically it is a good song.… loved it when you said ‘ glaringly average ‘ … great comment re certain songs ( which all bands have ) ✌🏼
He had been marrie to his first wife for only 1 year by this song, so perhaps not writing from person expereince. Altho - prescient of what was to come
@@dianecourtney2724 according to the internet, his first child was born 1978. So I think that this song is more him putting himself in someone else's shoes.
I’m disappointed how little time you gave to discussing the actual song you’re supposed to be reacting to. It’s Late, in my view, is fantastic and that guitar solo is brilliant.
Yeah i found that strange too. Spent basically no time talking about the song. He was more interested in slamming John and Roger. Its Late in my opinion is probably the best song on the album. @clintonsmith5163
Those four Queen guys appeal heavily to a variety of tastes, thus they've become a world-wide legendary band . . . Brian is my least favorite writer (noise/instrumental confusion I don't understand) . . .Roger and John's work please me. They provide pleasant musing moments.
sorry, but to say „spread your wings“ and „who needs you“ are low points is really ridiculous given those great songs and you having been involved in making records if that‘s true. if for anything queen was famous for having something for anyone on every record. that’s called versatility and i and indeed many are loving queen for exactly that. those mentioned two songs are one great contrast on the album if you find them awesome, like i do. it‘s very odd to me that you don‘t like those songs because they are musically great but here comes in matter of taste and subjectivity. „who needs you“ has been good enough for more than one a-capella group on youtube to cover this song and „spread your wings“, come on, it‘s simply great. it seems to me it‘s your special taste that doesn‘t allow you to appreciate queen‘s individual approach in making records because i for one am very glad that they‘ve done their records like that. please don‘t get involved in making records anymore😉😁.
@@greenogre22 my bad. Your opinion is the best. Mine doesnt matter. I should never not be into another song that you or others like ever again. How dare me. … good job. 👍 ill say what i want. And make what i want and like what i want. Without caring what other people like or dislike. Sorry you dont like that.
"We Will Rock You" & "We Are the Champions" are my least favorite songs on the album. Probably b/c I've heard them ad nauseam. The rest of the album is fire.(IMO) How you can call "Who Needs You" terrible, tells me that you don't really have good taste. Sorry, but Queen's worst is better than most bands' best.
@@user-er3ri6sc3j Agreed. I've just heard it _SO_ many times, it's lost it's charm for me. WWRY & WATC are part of why I bought the album in the first place. It/s just so overplayed
