Tater Thoughts

Atmospheric piano surrounds Freddie's sadness on this surprisingly poignant and moving number. Even in its brevity, "Nevermore" stuns and overwhelms. The honest and embellished BBC '74 performance was a gem I wasn't expecting to find.

Freddie at his fantastical finest, "The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke" takes everything Queen is possible of doing and crams it into two and a half minutes of sparkling mythological brilliance. A crowning achievement of stereo sounds, it includes instruments not often heard from Queen (including harpsichord). Find out more about the inspiration behind this song, Roger's thoughts about Freddie's detailed lyrical storytelling, and why I wish they'd performed it live more.

Almost two months ago, I had to take a break from running after I tweaked my back. As I've started to get my running game back, I suddenly realized something I was subconsciously doing during my runs that was really, really bad. In a strange way, I'm thankful I've had to take a break from running, so I could have this opportunity to retrain and relearn techniques and form. When was the last time you thought about how you're working out?

We kick off side two/the second side/the other side/the Black side of Queen II with Freddie's first composition on the album, "Ogre Battle". All fantastical, all mythology, a lot of storytelling and lots of key changes, this is Freddie fabulousness. A heavy theme of unified bass, guitar and drums take us into the thrashing fray. And it always went over really well live.

What reads as a harsh song title turns out to be a tender ode to moms everywhere. Roger Taylor's sole contribution to Queen II, "The Loser in the End", is a solid heavy glam rock number with fun licks and riffs from Brian and John, and some nicely layered and dynamic vocals from Roger. Not to mention Roger's rhythm and drumming here, which is very impressive. Find out what makes this song so unique in the entire history of Queen's written archives.

I'm fascinated with the human body, its complexity, its miraculous processes, and how despite those consistencies from person to person, we're all so very different. And how things in life affect us differently, like smell. Smell plays a very important role in our lives; more than you might realize... If you're a science or biology geek like me, dive in.

A little (lotta) love for this beautiful number, which features Brian May on lead vocals for the first time. "Some Day One Day" is a lush, gorgeous trip into folk rock that's much more restrained than most Queen tracks before it. It's one of those seldom talked about songs that doesn't get a lot of attention. But I love it just as much. There's something magical about it...

Sad, pleading, wanting and longing. "White Queen (As It Began)" is one of Queen's best ballads, and one of my favorite Brian May compositions. We're still in Moody May territory as we go through the White Side of Queen II. This is gorgeous and elaborate, with medieval tones, string-like guitars, and haunting backing vocals surrounding Freddie's tender performance. Find out why Brian's acoustic guitar solo has such a distinctive sound, and what made the live performances so special during the instrumental solos.

This song is very, very special to me. Naturally, I'm going to elaborate way too much. But it's compulsory. "Father to Son" is the first time we get to hear Queen at full studio capacity. They finally had the time to record the most over-the-top and bombastic creations. Like kids in a candy store, they're living it up here; unbridled, (mostly) untamed, and appropriately dramatic, even live. The harmonies, the guitar solo(s), the extreme dynamics...this is an immaculate number. 

When you're faced with drama, stress, a crisis or unexpected obstacle, the weight of everything can fall on your shoulders. How do you stay calm and cool and focused? Here are some tips and tricks I try to focus on...since I'm such a drama queen when chaos strikes.