I never really considered them an album band; the singles are really where they show their best work, and the best ones are jaw-dropping. They were remarkably creative when it came to their vocal arrangements in particular- "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Bicycle Race" could fit into any choir's repertoire easily.
Agreed. They are very much a singles band. They rarely feature in in greatest albums of all time articles I think because all of their albums contain some degree of filler, so don’t quite rate as consistent albums.
I was wondering when you were going to get around to Queen and here it is! A lot to read, however White Queen (As it Began) came through on my playlist the other day and I’m always struck by Eddie’s calm and soothing voice, almost sweet. He truly had the ability to lull.
Queen has never been on my list of 10 favorite bands but I sure loved Eddie’s voice and am always saddened by his early death. Too soon like so many of our favorite artists.
I knew you would do this justice and you did. And this is why the greatest hits album is my favorite 😂 They truly were all over the place. Maybe more than any other rock band.
I hear that, although I think there’s plenty of compelling material that the GH doesn’t get to. Depends on your threshold for Queen’s various indulgences, I suppose. Thanks for reading!
My old man was a union guy. Worked his whole life on his feet. Didn’t talk about music much. But I remember driving somewhere in 1977 — I was maybe twelve — and “We Are the Champions” came on the radio and he turned it up. Didn’t say a word. Just turned it up.
That’s what News of the World is. Working people music dressed in arena rock clothes. Matt Fish is right to put it first, even if “We Will Rock You” has been so over-played it’s basically wallpaper now. The album underneath those two songs is where the real argument lives.
The rest of this ranking I’d mostly let stand, except Innuendo at 3. That album was recorded by a man who knew he was dying and refused to make a sad record. That’s not a footnote. That’s the whole story. Bump it to 2. Move A Night at the Opera down one slot — it’s a masterpiece, but Freddie finishing “The Show Must Go On” in one take while his body was failing him is the most Queen thing that ever happened. You don’t rank that below a 1975 studio experiment, no matter how brilliant.
Good piece. More people should know Sheer Heart Attack is where they became themselves.
News of the World and A Night at the Opera are monumental. They are my favourites too. I love that you gave News the #1 spot. The entire album is phenomenal, but the closing track, My Melancholy Blues, always hits me hardest.
"A Night at the Opera" was the first album I bought. I was thrilled hearing "Killer Queen" on the radio and loved "Bohemian Rapsody." But I think ANATO defined my musical tastes much like MAD Magazine defined my world view. "'39" was for me a revelation. I was a high school science nerd and immediately loved its Science Fiction themes. But what really influenced me was the massive genre skipping. It wasn't a "rock" album for me so much as a musical tour de force. I've grown up seeking that weird music vibe ever since and even at 68 I try on styles and genres of music and lifestyles anywhere I cn.
The performance of staying power live from Queen on Fire is fantastic. It’s funny because I used to listen to the most popular albums, but now I enjoy listening to Hot Space and The Works understanding how Hot Space leaned too much into bites the dust and The Works was trying to swing the pendulum back.
Just spent last night watching freddie mercury night on sky arts. Forgot just how many great songs and albums they had. As for the performances……. Will have to re-listen to some of these to re-discover some forgotten album tracks. PS….. I loved Highander as a teenager and, therefore, A Kind of Magic!!
This is just brilliant. I, too, saw Flash Gordon when I was 11ish and recently bought it to watch with my son. It is such a crazy film that I must admit I love its pure bonkers-ness, and my son did too. The theme by Queen is just the best...Flash, Flash I love you, but we only have 14 hours to save the Earth. :)
Queen were my first music obsession. Night at the Opera my first album, bought at age 15 on the back of Bohemian Rhapsody’s run of umpteen hundred weeks at number one, and played over and over and over with headphones on as the rest of my family watched the tv. In my opinion headphones are an essential experience for the listener - the production was (and remains) stunning and the sounds coming at you from all angles was something I had never experienced before. So I can’t see past that as their best album.
I then quickly worked backwards, buying their first three albums, and would class Sheer Heart Attack as second best, Queen II a difficult but decent listen, and Queen as a raw exciting start full of the promise to come.
I did buy Day at the Races and News of the World and felt neither one outshone Opera, just cemented what a class act they were.
I didn’t buy another Queen album after that, so can’t rate the others, but still get a buzz from the band being my first love, and from the ear opening jolt to my musical journey that Night at the Opera gave me.
I never really considered them an album band; the singles are really where they show their best work, and the best ones are jaw-dropping. They were remarkably creative when it came to their vocal arrangements in particular- "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Bicycle Race" could fit into any choir's repertoire easily.
I wasn’t really sure what to expect going in either, but definitely an impressive body of work. Thanks!
Agreed. They are very much a singles band. They rarely feature in in greatest albums of all time articles I think because all of their albums contain some degree of filler, so don’t quite rate as consistent albums.
Great deep dive Matt! I'm with you on the song "Need Your Lovin' Tonight" from "The Game." It should have been a big hit!
Thanks Dan!
I think the first three tracks on Innuendo are as good a “3-opener” as there is!
Hard to beat for sure 🔥 thanks Jim!
I was wondering when you were going to get around to Queen and here it is! A lot to read, however White Queen (As it Began) came through on my playlist the other day and I’m always struck by Eddie’s calm and soothing voice, almost sweet. He truly had the ability to lull.
Queen has never been on my list of 10 favorite bands but I sure loved Eddie’s voice and am always saddened by his early death. Too soon like so many of our favorite artists.
Looking forward to your reaction to the entire piece Gina. Thanks for checking in!
I knew you would do this justice and you did. And this is why the greatest hits album is my favorite 😂 They truly were all over the place. Maybe more than any other rock band.
I hear that, although I think there’s plenty of compelling material that the GH doesn’t get to. Depends on your threshold for Queen’s various indulgences, I suppose. Thanks for reading!
My old man was a union guy. Worked his whole life on his feet. Didn’t talk about music much. But I remember driving somewhere in 1977 — I was maybe twelve — and “We Are the Champions” came on the radio and he turned it up. Didn’t say a word. Just turned it up.
That’s what News of the World is. Working people music dressed in arena rock clothes. Matt Fish is right to put it first, even if “We Will Rock You” has been so over-played it’s basically wallpaper now. The album underneath those two songs is where the real argument lives.
The rest of this ranking I’d mostly let stand, except Innuendo at 3. That album was recorded by a man who knew he was dying and refused to make a sad record. That’s not a footnote. That’s the whole story. Bump it to 2. Move A Night at the Opera down one slot — it’s a masterpiece, but Freddie finishing “The Show Must Go On” in one take while his body was failing him is the most Queen thing that ever happened. You don’t rank that below a 1975 studio experiment, no matter how brilliant.
Good piece. More people should know Sheer Heart Attack is where they became themselves.
Great comment, thanks for reading 😊
News of the World and A Night at the Opera are monumental. They are my favourites too. I love that you gave News the #1 spot. The entire album is phenomenal, but the closing track, My Melancholy Blues, always hits me hardest.
Thanks Andres! 🙏 News is so slept on, it’s crazy
"A Night at the Opera" was the first album I bought. I was thrilled hearing "Killer Queen" on the radio and loved "Bohemian Rapsody." But I think ANATO defined my musical tastes much like MAD Magazine defined my world view. "'39" was for me a revelation. I was a high school science nerd and immediately loved its Science Fiction themes. But what really influenced me was the massive genre skipping. It wasn't a "rock" album for me so much as a musical tour de force. I've grown up seeking that weird music vibe ever since and even at 68 I try on styles and genres of music and lifestyles anywhere I cn.
Thanks so much for the comment and read Jeff. 😊
Excellent article. I can't argue with your choices except one. Flash Gordon at 8? Ugh!
Haha thanks Bill. Where would you rank FG?
It is testament to the broad scope of a band’s output that two people can love the same band and rank so many albums so differently!
I understand your rationale for much of it, but I just see so much so differently.
What a band, eh?
The performance of staying power live from Queen on Fire is fantastic. It’s funny because I used to listen to the most popular albums, but now I enjoy listening to Hot Space and The Works understanding how Hot Space leaned too much into bites the dust and The Works was trying to swing the pendulum back.
Thank you. 50+ years after I became a fan, I still am. You had me nodding and smiling.
Just spent last night watching freddie mercury night on sky arts. Forgot just how many great songs and albums they had. As for the performances……. Will have to re-listen to some of these to re-discover some forgotten album tracks. PS….. I loved Highander as a teenager and, therefore, A Kind of Magic!!
Highlander is still a fun watch 👍
This is just brilliant. I, too, saw Flash Gordon when I was 11ish and recently bought it to watch with my son. It is such a crazy film that I must admit I love its pure bonkers-ness, and my son did too. The theme by Queen is just the best...Flash, Flash I love you, but we only have 14 hours to save the Earth. :)
Haha nice! It’s unhinged in the best way.
Queen were my first music obsession. Night at the Opera my first album, bought at age 15 on the back of Bohemian Rhapsody’s run of umpteen hundred weeks at number one, and played over and over and over with headphones on as the rest of my family watched the tv. In my opinion headphones are an essential experience for the listener - the production was (and remains) stunning and the sounds coming at you from all angles was something I had never experienced before. So I can’t see past that as their best album.
I then quickly worked backwards, buying their first three albums, and would class Sheer Heart Attack as second best, Queen II a difficult but decent listen, and Queen as a raw exciting start full of the promise to come.
I did buy Day at the Races and News of the World and felt neither one outshone Opera, just cemented what a class act they were.
I didn’t buy another Queen album after that, so can’t rate the others, but still get a buzz from the band being my first love, and from the ear opening jolt to my musical journey that Night at the Opera gave me.
“… and nobody played synthesizer”
Love comments like this one for the historical perspective of readers. Thanks David. 😊
Great piece - but Queen II will always be my #1.
Thanks Dan!