Queen - The March Of The Black Queen 

best Queen song of all time, without a doubt

“The March Of The Black Queen” is another example of Freddie’s love of oblique lyricism and storytelling featuring elaborate fairy-tales but with a hidden meaning known only to the songwrite"

This album really should be heard through from front to back because every track bleeds into the next, like The Dark Side Of The Moon.

My favorite 70s Queen song

Reevo, whoever you are man, thank you for forcing these two to react to a decent band for a change.

This is the proto version of Bohemian Rhapsody. One of my all time Queen Fave songs. Queen II is one of their best album, if not the best.

This is my favourite Queen Song!!! Hence where I get my username!

The March of the Black Queen and White Queen have nothing to do with each other. White Queen was written by the guitarist Brian May. It’s about a girl he knows he will never be with and she never knows about him. You really need to react to White Queen live at Hammersmith Oden 1975 if you want to hear one of the absolute best guitar riffs ever.

Fabulous freaky Freddie from the 70's!! Love it

The band has said that this was the hardest song ever to play, and I'm not sure they ever played it live. The vocals alone are unbelievable.

This song was historically important because it was what pushed the boundaries of multitrack technology. This song was recorded on a 16-track tape machine and they filled it up so much that they weared down the oxidation of the tape and it was literally transparent. This was what inspired them to upgrade to 24-track tape, which was barely used at the time, much less to the extent that Queen used it. Their next album featured the song Killer Queen which was the first song to completely maxout the 24-track tape format. Then their entire breakthrough fourth album was done all on 24-track tape and they exposed the world to 24-track recording.

Always been my fave Queen album. Need front to back listen on this one. Nevermore, Father to Son, etc. It's an underappreciated masterpiece. Freddy wrote Black Queen, Brian May White Queen... Freddy's lyrics are out there for sure. "Fairy Feller's Master Stroke" is actually about a painting he saw at a museum about a medieval beheading, but your imagination can take you anywhere with the lyrics.

Please, more Queen. The best band...and frontman Freddie Mercury, of all time!!!

this song is a masterpiece ...test the reaction of the song of "the prophet's song" of the Queen

According to Freddie in an interview with Melody Maker in 1974, he said that he began writing “The March Of The Black Queen” before Queen were even formed; “that song took me ages to complete. I wanted to give it everything, to be self-indulgent or whatever.”

Queen's most complicated song.

More Queen please, thanks

There’s never been a band like this. The instrumentals and vocals are all equally powerful and the story telling is there as well. They NEVER wrote a bad song. They definitely created a genre and OWNED IT.

Pick that one apart. Witty, whimsical, absurd and unintentionally profound. Really pushing the technological boundaries of the time. Still a great listen.

Proggy,for Queen that is,with all the different transitions,breaks and tempo changes. Repeated listens give great rewards.

The song does not actually stop on the album, instead it flows into the next song,' Funny How Love Is'. Freddie loved the fantasy genre and Queen experimenting musically all the time. There's a story I've read about Freddie and his sister inventing the fantasy land of Rye when they were younger and if you look at the album song list, the song after 'Funny How Love Is' is 'Seven Seas Of Rye' and, as some others have commented, Freddie liked to keep the meanings of songs to himself to allow people to make up their own minds.

The 1st time I heard this song I wasn’t sure I liked it. It’s complex. So I listened about 59 more times. Since people are mostly talkers and not listeners you really have to listen. The song grows on you and Freddie’s brilliance begins to sink deep into you. Now it’s my favorite song. Brian wrote White Queen about a girl he liked in school. Freddie wrote Black Queen from his imagination. Freddie wanted people to find their own meanings in his songs. Keep going down the Queen rabbit hole. There’s something for everyone. Black Queen was an early 1970’s song.

Wow! This is the first time I've seen anyone react to this song, and is the 1st or 2nd time only I've seen anyone do something from this great album. Very cool, thanks VinAndSori.

Dont try to figure out the lyrics...its just fun, fantasy driven lyrics...its simple yet such a complex song....IMO Queen's best song

More Queen please

Epic song!!

To see queen evolve over their albums is an amazing journey, always changing, always pushing, always elevating their art, true legends, in every sense of the word

I really enjoyed listening to the pair of you try to figure this one out. The best way to listen to Queen II is to listen to the entire album (especially side Black), not just pick out one song or another, as they mostly flow one into the next. Good luck with The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke!

LOVE THIS SONG - Absolutely in my top 5 Queen songs. I work out to it everyday! Freddie wore Black nail polish on his left hand & Brian wore white nail polish on his right hand! Gotta check out WHITE QUEEN. They don’t have any connection to each other except being on the same album. Black Queen on the black label side and White Queen on the white label side. Clever boys!! 😁 The album cover is based on the famous Marlene Dietrich photo a fav of Freddie’s! LOVE BRIAN’S GUITAR in this song! 💗🎵💗🎵💗

Mercury never revealed the meaning of the song’s lyrics, nor have the band commented on the song much. This is what I found out about the song but really Queen wanted people listening to their music to come up with their own interpretation. but this is what i found so you feel less confused The main theme of the lyrics has to do with a Victorian-era baker, dubbed “the Black Queen”, whose influence and creations are praised and followed by many, hence “the march”. Like much of Queen II’s Side Black, this song is full of Victorian phrases, terms, and references such as “Water Babies” and “Fie-Fo”. …the Black Queen chants the funeral march…”, of which references Death in the context of the Vietnam War.

What the hell was that at the end???!?! I've NEVER heard that before. I LOVE IT! Damnit Queen, just when I thought I couldn't love you any more than I do, I hear this. Just notched this song up about a billion notches. (Not that I didn't love this song before.)

Another great example of Freddie's love of storytelling. This is such an early predecessor of Bohemian Rhapsody xx

How is it 'confusing'? If you've listened to a broad range of genres for years, this song isn't 'confusing', it's just more on the complex side.

Welcome to the glam rock

If you want a rocker with a bit of an unusual start. Have a listen to 'Ogre Battle'.

The songwriter for the White Queen(As It Began) was Queen Guitarist Brian May and he’s straight The songwriter for March Of The Black Queen was Freddie Mercury .

Queen ii is kind of concept album it's has two sides..white and black, they like mirrored. There's songs which actually doesn't end. Queen kind of melted songs on this album to itself. For example March of the Black Queen continue to Funny how Love Is in same vocal harmony, same notes. So whole album has about 3 "megasongs" melted together. They fit with classical music well too They started this technique in Queen II and it's lasted until Night at the Opera. Love of My life it's actually spinoff of the last chords from Prophet's Song

Both White Queen and March Of The Black Queen were written before Brian or Freddie were in Queen. Brian wrote White Queen about a girl he wanted to date when he was in college but was too shy to ask her out. Freddie wrote Black Queen and Freddie never said what any of his lyrics were about, he said just let the listener decide, there is no reference to drugs. My guess is that it has something to do with religion. Freddie was born into a very old and conservative religion from Persia and it seems that Freddie felt that he had fallen from his faith and that he would be judged and that he was judged by his family. Freddie was living with Mary at this time and was not using cocaine. Not sure of the meaning or Black Queen but one would assume that the "Black Queen" would be evil and negative. Freddie was a very complex guy, even his band members said they didn't know everything about him.

One of my favorite Queen songs, best panning ever! I hear this as the classic battle between good and evil. This was on their second album along with White Queen and so many other amazing songs, the songs are all connected. I think their best album.

You get it wrong Queen II has two sides, White side; Black side, insted of A side B side

When the album came out it was divided up into Side White and Side Black. Quoting Wikipedia: "The white side has songs with a more emotional theme and the black side is almost entirely about fantasy, often with quite dark themes." The white side's songs are somewhat mellower, at least in spots, and the black side is much, much heavier. One of my favorite albums of all time.

I was entertained by the looks of both of your faces ....during the different stages of song when the essence of the song changed....you heard greatness from Queen at the beginning of their career through their swan song with Freddie finally Submitted to his terrible death.....Ken

March of The Black Queen purposely has nonsensical lyrics-But it references a fantasy world Freddie was thinking about turning into a novel. Sort of a Lord of The Rings-esque world. He never wrote the novel but a lot of the lyrics reference it. Freddie wrote this song. White Queen was written by Brian May about a blind girl he was in love with but never had the courage to approach. It was called White Queen cuz the girl was pale

This album is the greatest album of all time. It is brilliant.

The best song ever from the best ever album

Excellent reaction and analogy guys! It’s not an easy song, but it continues to get better (if possible) over time. Thank you

Yyesyesyes!!!! A Queen reeaction, that has been a while. Pleasseeee more Queen. I suggest Innuendo, Freddie was already very sick, but his voice! Damn. And the lyrics are amazing. Much bless and love to you!

11:06 "Funnyyyy, how looooove, is everywhere just look and seeeee!" ;)

One of the best album sides from Queen (Queen 2, “black side”, side 2. I’ve always said this makes Bohemian Rhapsody sound a bit like a cakewalk (don’t get mad, still love Boh-Rhap). Can you even believe how tight their harmonies are?!!!!!

White queen was about a girl in college that Brian May liked but she never knew and Freddie decided that there needed to be a corresponding song too it neither was a direct response to the other

Crazy great song

Kind of Game of Thrones and Lord of the rings rolled into one, goes along with Lilly of the valley and Ogre battle and all those mythical songs. White Queen live at the Odeon is a must. The land of Rhye prevails in the early songs.

10:00 "What is happening here?" - REAL music is happening, Sori. Queen II is the best Queen album.

poor Sori.......complex artists are too much . lol its cute yet disturbing at the same time lol

All the members write. Brian wrote White Queen.

The black queen was also the name of black beard's flag ship

Queen were always amused at how people were surprised at Bohemian Rhapsody, when all of those same ingredients were here in this song 2 albums before it.

Nice song, Nice reaction. Black queen serves us

Nice song and reaction.

That ending with just the vocal harmonies is sick! I've always liked how the last note of this song was the first note of "Funny How Love Is", but I hate that it always gets cut off from this song. This version gives the song the right closure. Very nice.

But, yeah, you should listen to White Queen, live version, 1974 or 1975

It takes sophistication and intelligence to realize what a masterpiece this song is.

Great reaction guys. To compliment Black Queen, check out "White Queen" - Live @ Hammersmith 1975................There's no connection between the Black Queen, White Queen or Killer Queen.

It doesn't matter whether the person was male or female, does it? People who take EVERYTHING so literally and have to measure all lyrics or parts people play, writing, etc. by the writer's gender or sexuality are just limiting their ability to appreciate more music/lit./movies, etc. Also, all 4 members of Queen wrote songs that Freddie sang the great majority of, so even if he was gay he could sing loves songs to or songs about women w/o it mattering whether he himself was being literal about the things being said in the song. People in songs are just characters.

Freddie wrote this song and just like, "Bohemian Rhapsody", it is full of metaphors. Freddie never explained what he was thinking or the meaning of the lyrics. A friend of mine believes the meaning of "The March of the Black Queen" was influenced by Freddie's early childhood in Zanzibar and the stories of the slave ships he heard while playing on the wharves. Here is his interpretation: This song is about a young man on a slave-trading ship. The Black Queen is the British Empire and the "black" slave trade. This young man is torn about his loyalty to the crown (as he's been raised) and what he is experiencing on the ship: Do you mean it Do you mean it Do you mean it Why don't you mean it Why do I follow you And where do you go The young man is seeing exotic lands and he finds them heavenly but he's struggling with the reality of what he sees and his loyalty to the crown. You've never seen nothing like it No never in your life Like going up to heaven And then coming back alive Let me tell you all about it (And the world will so allow it) Oooh give me a little time to choose The next verse is a reference to a British children's book that was extremely racist. FYI- Blue Powder Monkeys are the young boys on naval ships who brought up gunpowder to the cannons: Water babies singing In a lily-pool delight Blue powder monkeys Praying in the dead of night The verse below is about where the powder monkeys go if they don't follow orders. "Sugar Ni**ers" was a term used for slaves who were shipped to the Caribbean to work the sugar plantations, some who were groomed to be in charge of crew's needs (baby oil reference). The boy realizes his food and shelter are provided by the Crown, the slaves are traded to provide luxury for the elite, "all that noise" refers to making trouble or keeping quiet and having a full belly. Put them in the cellar with the naughty boys Little ni**er sugar then a rub-a-dub-a-baby oil Black on black on every fingernail and toe We've only begun - begun Make this make that keep making all that noise Ooh march to the Black Queen Now I've got a belly full... This next verse is about the young man remembering what he was taught by his parents/religion, good thoughts, good works, and good deeds. Being a good person without expecting a reward. Notice he says "In each and every soul lies a man", meaning we are born good and equal and only allow ourselves to be corrupted by our quest for material things but he'll convince himself that he's still good. A voice from behind me reminds me Spread out your wings, you are an angel Remember to deliver with the speed of light (A little bit of love and joy) Everything you do bears a will And a why and a wherefore (A little bit of love and joy) In each and every soul Lies a man and very soon He'll deceive and discover But even till the end of his life He'll bring a little love The next verse is about the Empire (Queen). The crown at home is holy, good, and great (reign with my left hand) while it conquers and pillages the Indies (rule with my right). The young man realizes the power and that he'll never win, so he gives up, accepts that the Crown will rule, and decides he'll take the good and ignore the bad. I reign with my left hand I rule with my right I'm lord of all darkness I'm Queen of the night I've got the power Now do the march of the black Queen My life is in your hands, I'll fo and I'll fie I'll be what you make me I'll do what you like I'll be a bad boy, I'll be your bad boy I'll do the march of the Black Queen Ah, ah, ah, ah The verse below is about the marking of the territory, declaring it part of the British Empire (tattoos all her pies). There is a childhood nursery rhyme about baking pies for the King that was beautiful on the outside but full of blackbirds on the inside, a "dainty dish to serve the King". "Never dots her "I's" refers to ignoring the details of what is happening to the people of the conquered empire: Walking true to style She's vulgar, 'buse, and vile Fie-fo the Black Queen tattoos all her pies She boils and she bakes And she never dots her i's (She's our leader) This last verse is telling you to forget the tales you've been told about how wonderful it was. The Black Queen rules over the blacks and uses them to bring you wealth and luxury. Forget your sing-a-longs and your lullabies Surrender to the city of the fireflies Dance to the devil in beat with the band To hell with all of you hand in hand But now it's time to be gone Anyway, this is one interpretation...

We used ride our bikes to the record shop in 1974 Our recommender guy said "Hey you got to get this" Cool Got to see them live back in the 70's Most excellent show Really looking forward to your comments Will give this the attention it deserves later Need to duck out, but always down for some great 70s rock

It might help to research Queen and their songs and listen to them in order before reviewing them youngsters! These guys were professional musicians and all 4 highly educated and genius musicians.

Yay .. The greatest album ever from the greatest band ever .. simples 👌 Can't wait to see you react to live at the Rainbow version of Stone Cold Crazy , generally regarded as the birth song of speed/thrash metal ..

the white queen was written by Brian May...and un-requited love. Freddie wrote the March of the black queen,.. which he discribes her power and actions. 2 different writers, and 2 different Queens to tell a story about.

The song it's about a deal with the devil, in the middle an angel talk to him

I am convinced that this song was a proto-Bohemian Rhapsody.

My favorite all time song and album of all time. The album was a loose concept album with one side white and one side black. The white side was Brian Mays songs and the “White Queen” was about a girl that Brian May had a crush on in high school. “Black Queen” written by Freddie as was all the songs on the black side. No relation to the two songs. BUT you can interpret the lyrics as a “coming out” song. FM went to boarding school where he may have become one of the “naughty boys”. MofBQ was the mother to BoRap; so all the lyrics may not come together for one meaning….? Also he did wear black nail polish at the time. He was living with Mary Austin at the time and wasn’t reportedly into cocaine at that time. In many of his songs you can see some element of struggling with sexuality as in Bo Rap as well. He never would say what his songs meant - but he would say if you see it it’s there - he wanted you to make it your own with your interpretation. I love seeing people react to this song. Thanks! ❤❤❤

back when Queen was straight up Hippie rock!

White Queen was actually written about guitarist, Brian May.

The original line sung, and the one featured on the record is ‘A Little Niggah Sugar then a rub-a-dub-a-baby oil’.

Bohemiian rap followed this, their follow up to bohemian rap was the Prophets Song which the only song freddy was afraid to perform live owing to the vocal and instrumental Canon which required singing along with his own delayed voice. Brian wrote this one in part while recording queen 2.

The March of the Black Queen, It is about the seduction of the Soul towards acts of evil, the 'sweetness' and rewards of evil, and how you get your jollies - and what the downside will be.

White Queen was written by Brian May before band Queen, so this songs are connected only with one word Queen)))

Sori is on the right track when she guesses it's about Freddie's sexuality. Yeah, i know he never said it was, but you have to read between the lines.

Queen II is fantasy rock at its best.

The embryo of Bohemian Rhapsody

Capolavoro ♥️

Black queen and white queen are references to chess

There's nothing about drugs in this song. Freddie spent years creating it.

Freddie don't talk about his sexuality in almost any song. There's some discussion about a song of his, called Lily Of The Valley, that might have some discussion on his sexuality.

The noise in this lyrics is nothing about their songs. Their songs are great and most agreed at that point.

White Queen was written by Brian. Unfortunately all who do know Queen too well tend to presume Freddie wrote all the songs. Queen were very experimental in their music. They took it to extremes. March of the Black Queen was written by Freddie as he got the idea from Brian's White Queen. Queen used lots of Fairy tale mantra etc in the early days... Freddie always said the song was for the listener, to however they wanted to interprate them. I don't think there was any meaning. If you like Metallica you should listen to Queens Stone cold crazy, as it was considered the first thrash metal of it's kind..and Metallica also covered this song...

Nice reaction. The song is about a battle at sea, Freddie Mercury wrote a few songs that forms a fantasy story. It begins with the protagonist on the sea, he is attacked by the Pirate Queen. Blue powder monkeys, was a name for the people who shot the cannons on ships. They are captured and tortured, that is why they are in a cellar, their nails are pulled out. The Queen seduces the protagonist to her side. He admires her power, he forever leaves his life behind.

Said character, on top of being “vulgar” and “vile”, is depicted as someone who is manipulative and indeed has loyal followers, i.e. those who “march” to her beat. And the final verse concludes with the proclaiming “she’s our leader”. So with that forthright statement in mind and taking the above into consideration, common sense would dictate that she’s some kind of powerful politician passing on the crown to someone who's manipulative and indeed has loyal followers and ready for the responsibility for being a evil monarch and ruler. like Freddie Mercury as the successor of the original black queen and heir to the throne in order to become the next black queen as the lyrics stated: I reign with my left hand, I rule with my right I'm lord of all darkness, I'm queen of the night I've got the power Now do the march of the black queen At the coronation for the next black queen, the original black queen passed on the crown to Freddie Mercury, and so as the original black queen's spirit ready for her departure in heaven, Freddie Mercury became the new Black Queen of Black Night Castle.

Vin March of the black queen was mercurys need to be one of a kind... Its like following a dominant

White Queen was written by Brian

I feel the need to go to White Castle about 3:00 a.m. why is that?

Queens second album was their best…Queen couldn’t match this masterpiece of an album….the whole album is great…

Just watched your first video with the Five Finger Video, awesome reaction. Thank you. Some of the 22 I was very close to. Keep being patriotic! I love you guys, I’m sure you will stay on the right path!!

Please react to Queen Ogre Battle / The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke / Nevermore It's the start of 'Side Black' of Queen II

I was listening to this song at 6:00am I was bum fuck tired worst decision of my life

Please do Exodus-the ballad of Leonard and Charles

so this song have a meaning? isn't it just Bohemian Rhapsody no meaning at all. just like a poem with multiple understanding..

Do some more Scar Symmetry reborn with lyrics Christian is one of my favorite singer’s of all time and TOOL is my favorite band love your Reactions to them go see them live you will be left speechless.

Try “The Prophet’s Song “ very involved harmonies that are easier to follow. My favorite from A Night at the Opera, including Bohemian Rhapsody.