Reclaiming and Inhabiting Ourselves

In teasing style, we wrap Queen I with Freddie's magnificent tail out of a song. As brief as it is, every version (Queen, Queen I, Sessions) solidifies the band's 'but wait, there's more' energy. I also dig into my impressions of Queen I after diving through every track in detail — and why my opinion likely aligns with fans who've been following the band since day one. Hint: it has to do with frequency fog.

Freddie's contemplative account of the Prince of Peace may not be so surprising when you consider his early enthusiasm for fantasy, mythology, and the fight between good and evil. Though he'd later disown this, every version (Queen, Queen I, De Lane Lea, Sessions, Imperial College) carries its own intensity and color—and extended opportunities for Freddie to sing in gospel style, Rog to cymbal-shimmer, John to hold it down and Brian to showcase his lyrical solo playing.  

Brian's stomping exploration of human intention versus human capacity is one of Queen's best examples of dark and gritty, bluesy rock 'n' roll. It demands dirt and buzzing and harshness, and as we explore various versions of this song (Queen, Queen I, BBC, Sessions), we discover how sonic imperfections (and extended breakdowns) might be the ultimate amplifier for an ideal rock-out performance.

As I kick off my sixth season(!) of my podcast, I'm taking a break from Queen and music; and leaning into my life experience to offer you encouragement, ideas, and inspiration. It's been an interesting and bumpy journey. But I'm still here, so are you, and I can only hope the brightness persists as we do more than simply survive — we live.

Roger's first contribution to Queen blasts out of the gate and while it might be an intentional (or even subconscious) nod to another band, it stands on its own as a blazing statement of presence. Various versions (Queen, Queen I, Sessions Take, BBC Session 4) take us through the song's creation to an impressive performance that might take the cake as the ultimate best. This may be a lot of noise to some, but it feels deeper than that (to me).

One of my favorites on Queen's debut, "The Night Comes Down" is Brian's glittery and somber acoustic-driven ballad. It's a standout in their entire catalog; and not just because it's the only De Lane Lea demo to make it onto their debut (it's also the oldest Queen recording on any official release). Its notably subdued and softer sound provides the perfect moment to compare every version (Queen, Queen I, Sessions, De Lane Lea disc). It's a gem of a song that shines differently in each mix.

When it comes to capturing every facet of Queen on their '73 debut, there is no better example than "Liar". Its powerful tension and controlled chaos are expertly expressed through a dynamic lead vocal, intensely layered guitars, a colorful percussion performance and a commanding bass; not to mention impactful backing vocals. Breaking down every version (Queen, Queen I, De Lane Lea, Sessions, BBC), I was surprised to discover just how varied the character of each performance is; and which version I ended up preferring.

I'm kicking off my new micro-series by visiting Robyn's fantastic "Honey"; a song that deserved a special spot on my Chillout list and one I've listened to so much, it might as well be an anthem. It sounds like it feels, and feels like it breathes. It simultaneously takes you places and holds you tight. It's a magical track that only came to be after years of reworks and revisions. And it was totally worth it. Whether you dig the original album cut, the demo version, any of the remixes, or a live performance.. it's a gorgeous and incredibly, sensually human song.

When was the last time you allowed yourself to be yourself; and gave it away? I had a moment at my recent hair refresh appointment that both terrified and lifted me. And it gave me a new perspective on my previous podcast episode (which I'd contemplated deleting or editing).

In 2020, I embarked on a 30-day challenge to choose a favorite Queen song in various categories (favorite ballad, favorite album opener, etc.). I hadn't revisited that list in some time, and I thought it would be a blast to see if my selections still ring true. Bonus: I'd love to hear from you and find out some of your favorites! Drop me a line.