Ok, ho deciso: metterò da parte per un po' le recensioni dei cosiddetti classiconi e mi darò ai dischi mai recensiti, sia di band emergenti che di mostri sacri della musica.
Devo dire che non sono mai stato d'accordo sulla pubblicazione di raccolte e roba varia, ogni album ha una sua storia e non si può danneggiarla estraendo pezzi di qua e di là per creare un unico grande minestrone. La mia opinione era questa fin quando non ho ascoltato il "Greatest Hits" dei Queen, targato 1981. Qui non si fa assolutamente scempio dei precedenti album di inediti, ma si uniscono omogeneamente tutti i grandi lavori della Regina che hanno caratterizzato gli anni 70' ed hanno consacrato il gruppo. Proprio per questo è divenuto uno degli album più venduti in Inghilterra, e probabilmente anche una delle prime raccolte della storia della musica. Un motivo in più per ascoltarla, no?
1. "Bohemian Rhapsody". L'album si apre ovviamente con il capolavoro per eccellenza della band londinese (e probabilmente la canzone più bella di sempre). Non voglio dilungarmi molto su questo brano, perché ogni commento mi sembra superfluo. Mi limito semplicemente a dire che è un classico che sconfigge le leggi del tempo, come diceva il vecchio Ozzy. Lascio a voi l'interpretazione, perché "niente realmente importa, comunque soffi il vento".
2. "Another One Bites The Dust". Uno dei brani più ballabili e divertenti della band, composto principalmente da un giro di basso dal ritmo coinvolgente. La mia preferita dei Queen anni 80'.
3. "Killer Queen". Una gemma dal sapore glam che ricorda i vecchi fasti del primi album. Magica, divertente, la massima espressione del rock barocco stile Queen.
4. "Fat Bottomed Girls". Estratta da Jazz, è un pezzo hard rock nato dalla penna di Brian May. Questa versione, però, è stata ridotta e non è uguale a quella presente nell'album del 1978 (per questo motivo le raccolte sono sempre un po' limitate).
5. "Bicycle Race". La leggenda narra che la canzone fu scritta da Freddie mentre guardava il Tour de France. Brano famoso anche per il video, che fu censurato perché consisteva in una gara di ciclismo tra 65 donne nude: ragazzi, questi erano i Queen!
6. "You're My Best Friend". La miglior composizione di John Deacon, tipico esempio di una canzone romantica molto intimista suonata al pianoforte. Secondo brano estratta da A night at the Opera (1975).
7. "Don't Stop Me Now". Chi non l'ha mai canticchiata per strada? Grandissima ballata voce e pianoforte, a cui si aggiungono in seguito la batteria, il basso e la chitarra. Marcia trionfale.
8. "Save Me". Sempre da The Game, abbiamo uno dei testi più belli della storia della musica. Ottima l'orchestrazione in sottofondo (per non parlare della grande performance vocale di Mercury). Il picco più alto dei primi anni 80'.
9. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love". I Queen tornano negli anni 50', ai tempi di Elvis. Durante i live, quando veniva eseguita, Freddie faceva anche uso di una chitarra acustica come accompagnamento.
10. "Somebody to Love". Canzone d'amore, primo singolo estratto da A day at the Races. Il brano è caratterizzato da grandiose parti vocali: i Queen sovrincisero le loro voci fino a creare l'impressione di un grandioso coro gospel, di notevole fattura e grande energia. Questo brano può rientrare sicuramente nella categoria rock sinfonico: opera d'arte.
11. "Now I'm Here". Classico pezzo rock composto da Brian May. Quando fu eseguita dal vivo la prima volta, un sosia di Freddie Mercury apparve durante la sequenza di apertura da un lato del palco, mentre il vero Freddie Mercury appariva dall'altro.
12. "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy". Superba ballata (nella canzone si può sentire l'apporto tecnico e stilistico di Deacon che crea il tipico sound che ha reso celebre la band con il suo stile glamour).
13. "Play The Game". Unico brano di questa raccolta che davvero non sopporto. Sarebbe stato un grandissimo pezzo senza quel grande uso di sintetizzatori all'inizio. Per questo la preferisco più live, soprattutto nella versione del Live at Bowl.
14. "Flash". Beh, non mi va di parlare di questa "canzone". Il brano più brutto dei Queen, estratto dal disco più brutto dei Queen (Flash Gordon, 1980).
15. "Seven Seas Of Rhye". Da brividi l'intro di piano. Capolavoro, come tutto il disco da cui è stato estratto (Queen II, 1974).
16. "We will rock you". Inno da stadio, basato principalmente su un battito ritmico di piedi e di mani magico e carismatico.
17. "We Are The Champions". Una delle canzoni rock più celebri di tutti i tempi, e certamente una delle più rappresentative dei Queen, che la usarono come encore finale di moltissimi dei loro concerti.
Non c'è che dire, la loro miglior raccolta di canzoni (non stronzate postume come Queen Rocks e roba del genere). Una pecca di questo disco è che vi sono troppi brani estratti da The Game, avrei dato più spazio a brani come "White Queen", "Tie Your Mother Down", "Liar", "Keep Yourself Alive" e "39'". Per questo motivo probabilmente è considerata un'operazione commerciale, ma tutto sommato resta più che buona... Consigliata a tutti quelli che vogliono un primo approccio con la loro musica, no di certo a chi, come me, ama il periodo 73'-76'.
Elenco tracce e testi
01 We Will Rock You (02:02)
Aah
Buddy you're a boy make a big noise
Playin' in the street gonna be a big man some day
You got mud on yo' face
You big disgrace
Kickin' your can all over the place
Singin'
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
Buddy you're a young man hard man
Shouting in the street gonna take on the world some day
You got blood on yo' face
You big disgrace
Wavin' your banner all over the place
We will we will rock you
Sing it
We will we will rock you
Buddy you're an old man poor man
Pleadin' with your eyes gonna make
You some peace some day
You got mud on your face
Big disgrace
Somebody betta put you back into your place
We will we will rock you
Sing it
We will we will rock you
Everybody
We will we will rock you
We will we will rock you
Alright
02 We Are the Champions (03:01)
I've paid my dues
Time after time
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through
And we mean to go on and on and on
We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world
I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it
I thank you all
But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose
And I need to go on and on and on
We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world
We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions
03 Another One Bites the Dust (03:37)
Steve walks warily down the street
With his brim pulled way down low
Ain't no sound but the sound of his feet
Machine guns ready to go
Are you ready hey are you ready for this?
Are you hanging on the edge of your seat?
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
To the sound of the beat yeah
Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey I'm gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust
How do you think I'm going to get along
Without you when you're gone
You took me for everything that I had
And kicked me out on my own
Are you happy are you satisfied?
How long can you stand the heat
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
To the sound of the beat look out
Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone and another one gone
Another one bites the dust
Hey I'm gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust
Hey
Oh take it - Bite the dust bite the dust
Hey Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust ow
Another one bites the dust he he
Another one bites the dust haaaa
Ooh shoot out
There are plenty of ways that you can hurt a man
And bring him to the ground
You can beat him
You can cheat him
You can treat him bad and leave him
When he's down
But I'm ready yes I'm ready for you
I'm standing on my own two feet
Out of the doorway the bullets rip
Repeating to the sound of the beat
Another one bites the dust
Another one bites the dust
And another one gone and another one gone
Another one bites the dust yeah
Hey I'm gonna get you too
Another one bites the dust
Shoot out
04 Killer Queen (03:01)
So sad her eyes
Smiling dark eyes
So sad her eyes
As it began
On such a breathless night as this
Upon my brow the lightest kiss
I walked alone
And all around the air did say
My lady soon will stir this way
In sorrow known
The White Queen walks and the night grows pale
Stars of lovingness in her hair
Needing - unheard
Pleading - one word
So sad my eyes
She cannot see
How did thee fare, what have thee seen
The mother of the willow green
I call her name
And 'neath her window have I stayed
I loved the footsteps that she made
And when…
My Goddess, hear my darkest fear
I speak too late
It's for evermore that I wait
Dear friend goodbye
No tears in my eyes
So sad it ends
As it began
06 Fat Bottomed Girls (04:16)
Are you gonna take me home tonight
Ah down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rockin' world go round
Hey I was just a skinny lad
Never knew no good from bad
But I knew life before I left my nursery
Left alone with big fat Fanny
She was such a naughty nanny
Heap big woman you made a bad boy out of me
Hey hey!
I've been singing with my band
Across the wire across the land
I seen ev'ry blue eyed floozy on the way
But their beauty and their style
Went kind of smooth after a while
Take me to them dirty ladies every time
Oh won't you take me home tonight?
Oh down beside your red firelight
Oh and you give it all you got
Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round
Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round
Hey listen here
Now your mortgages and homes
I got stiffness in the bones
Ain't no beauty queens in this locality (I tell you)
Oh but I still get my pleasure
Still got my greatest treasure
Heap big woman you gonna make a big man out of me
Now get this
Oh you gonna take me home tonight (please)
Oh down beside your red firelight
Oh you gonna let it all hang out
Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round
Fat bottomed girls you make the rockin' world go round
Get on your bikes and ride
Oooh yeah them fat bottomed girls
Fat bottomed girls
Yeah yeah yeah
Fat bottomed girls
Yes yes
07 Bicycle Race (03:02)
Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like
You say black I say white
You say bark I say bite
You say shark I say hey man
Jaws was never my scene
And I don't like Star Wars
You say Rolls I say Royce
You say God give me a choice
You say Lord I say Christ
I don't believe in Peter Pan
Frankenstein or Superman
All I wanna do is
Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my
Bicycle races are coming your way
So forget all your duties oh yeah!
Fat bottomed girls
They'll be riding today
So look out for those beauties oh yeah
On your marks get set go
Bicycle race bicycle race bicycle race
Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
Bicycle bicycle bicycle bicycle
Bicycle race
You say coke I say caine
You say John I say Wayne
Hot dog I say cool it man
I don't wanna be the President of America
You say smile I say cheese
Cartier I say please
Income tax I say Jesus
I don't wanna be a candidate for
Vietnam or Watergate
Cos all I wanna do is
Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like
08 You're My Best Friend (02:51)
Ooo, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you, you're all I see
Ooo, you make me live now honey
Ooo, you make me live
You're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine
And I want you to know that my feelings are true
I really love you
You're my best friend
Ooo, you make me live
I've been wandering 'round
But I still came back to you
In rain or shine you've stood by me girl
I'm happy, happy at home
You're my best friend
Ooo, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooo, you make me live now honey
Ooo, you make me live
You're the first one when things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
You're my best friend
Ooo, you make me live
I'm happy, happy at home
You're my best friend
You're my best friend
Ooo, you make me live
You, you're my best friend
09 Crazy Little Thing Called Love (02:43)
This thing called love, I just can't handle it
This thing called love, I must get 'round to it
I ain't ready
Crazy little thing called love
This thing (this thing) called love (called love)
It cries (like a baby) in a cradle all night
It swings (woo-ooo), it jives (woo-woo)
It shakes all over like a jelly fish
I kinda like it
Crazy little thing called love
There goes my baby
She knows how to rock and roll
She drives me crazy
She gives me hot and cold fever
Then she leaves me in a cool, cool sweat
I gotta be cool, relax
Get hip, get on my tracks
Take a back seat, hitch-hike
And take a long ride on my motor bike
Until I'm ready
Crazy little thing called love
I gotta be cool relax
Get hip and get on my tracks
Take a back seat, hitchhike
And take a long ride on my motor bike
Until I'm ready (ready Freddie)
Crazy little thing called love
This thing called love, I just can't handle it
this thing called love, I must get round to it
I ain't ready
Crazy little thing called love
Crazy little thing called love (Yeah, yeah)
Crazy little thing called love (Yeah, yeah)
Crazy little thing called love (Yeah, yeah)
Crazy little thing called love (Yeah, yeah)
Crazy little thing called love (Yeah, yeah)
Crazy little thing called love (Yeah, yeah)
Crazy little thing called love (Yeah, yeah)
Crazy little thing called love (Yeah, yeah)
Crazy little thing called love (Yeah, yeah)
11 Play the Game (03:31)
Open up your mind and let me step inside
Rest your weary head and let your heart decide
It's so easy when you know the rules
It's so easy all you have to do
Is fall in love
Play the game
Ev'rybody play the game of love
When you're feelin' down and your resistance is low
Light another cigarette and let yourself go
This is your life
Don't play hard to get
It's a free world
All you have to do is fall in love
Play the game ev'ryone play the game of love
My game of love has just begun
Love runs from my head down to my toes
My love is pumping through my veins (play the game)
Driving me insane
Come come come come play the game play the game play the game play the game
Play the game everybody play the game of love
This is your life - don't play hard to get
It's a free free world all you have to do is fall in love
Play the game yeah play the game of love
Your life - don't play hard to get
It's a free free world all you have to do is fall in love
Play the game - ev'rybody play the game...
12 Seven Seas of Rhye (02:48)
Fear me, you lords and lady preachers
I descend upon your earth from the skies
I command your very souls, you unbelievers
Bring before me what is mine
The seven seas of Rhye
Can you hear me, you peers and privy councilors
I stand before you naked to the eyes
I will destroy any man who dares abuse my trust
I swear that you'll be mine
The seven seas of Rhye
(Sister) I live and lie for you
(Mister) do and I'll die
You are mine, I possess you
Belong to you forever (Ever, ever, ahh)
Storm the master marathon I'll fly through
By flash and thunder fire I'll survive
(I'll survive, I'll survive) Then I'll defy the laws of nature
And come out alive
(Then I'll get you)
Begone with you you shod and shady senators
Give out the good, leave out the bad evil cries
I challenge the mighty Titan and his troubadours
And with a smile
I'll take you to the seven seas of Rhye
I'd like to be beside the seaside
I'd like to be beside the sea
Where the brass drums play
I'd like to be beside the seaside
I'd like to be beside the sea
13 Body Language (04:33)
Words and music by Freddie Mercury
Give me your body
Give me your body body
Give me your body
Don't talk don't talk don't talk don't talk
Baby don't talk
Body language
Body language
Body language
Give me your body
Just give me, yeah, your body
Give me, yeah, your body
Don't talk
Body language huh huh
Body language
Body language
You got red lips snakes in your eyes
Long legs great thighs
You got the cutest ass I've ever seen
Knock me down for a six any time
Look at me I gotta case of body language
Look at me I gotta case of body language
Look at me I gotta case of body language
Look at me I gotta case of body language
Of body language
Of body language
Yeah sexy body sexy sexy body
I want your body
Baby you're hot
Body language
Body language
Body language
Body language
Body language
Body language
Body language
Body language
Body language
15 Don't Stop Me Now (03:30)
Tonight I'm gonna have myself a real good time
I feel alive
And the world turning inside out, yeah
And floating around in ecstasy, so
Don't stop me now
Don't stop me
'Cuz I'm having a good time, having a good time
I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky
Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity
I'm a racing car passing by like Lady Godiva
I'm gonna go, go, go
There's no stopping me
I'm burning through the sky, yeah
Two hundred degrees
That's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit
I'm a traveling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic man out of you
(Don't stop me now) I'm having such a good time, I'm having a ball
(Don't stop me now) if you wanna have a good time just give me a call
(Don't stop me now) 'Cuz I'm havin' a good time
(Don't stop me now) Yes, I'm havin' a good time
I don't want to stop at all
I'm a rocket ship on my way to Mars
On a collision course
I am a satellite, I'm out of control
I am a sex machine ready to reload
Like an atom bomb about to
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, explode
I'm burning through the sky, yeah
Two hundred degrees
That's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit
I'm traveling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic woman of you
Don't stop me, don't stop me
Don't stop me, hey hey hey!
Don't stop me, don't stop me
Oh, ooh, ooh, (I like it)
Don't stop me, don't stop me
Have a good time, good time
Don't stop me, don't stop me
I'm burning through the sky, yeah
Two hundred degrees
That's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit
I'm traveling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic man out of you
(Don't stop me now) I'm having such a good time, I'm having a ball
(Don't stop me now) if you wanna have a good time just give me a call
(Don't stop me now) 'Cuz I'm havin' a good time
(Don't stop me now) Yes, I'm havin' a good time
I don't want to stop at all
17 I Want to Break Free (04:22)
I want to break free
I want to break free,
I want to break free from your lies,
you're so self satisfied, I don't need you
I've got to break free
God knows, god knows I want to break free
I've fallen in love
I've fallen in love for the first time,
and this time I know it's for real
I've fallen in love
God knows, god knows I've fallen in love
It's strange but it's true,
Yeah!
I can't get over the way you love me like you do
But I have to be sure, when I walk out that door
Oh, how I want to be free, baby
Oh, how I want to be free
Oh, how I want to break free
But life still goes on
I can't get used to living without,
living without, living without you, by my side
I don't want to live alone, hey
God knows, got to make it on my own
So baby can't you see?
I've got to break free
I've got to break free
I want to break free
I want, I want, I want, I want to break free
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