Tater Thoughts

Arguably one of Queen's best album (and concert) openers, "One Vision" kicks off album twelve with heavy rock and brighter pop elements. It's credited to the entire band and perfectly blends Roger's (original) lyrics, Freddie's powerful playfulness, Brian's rock hooks and John's bopping bass. There's even a documentary of their energetic collaboration. This song began as a combined demo with another great Queen number, and does in fact close with a request for food. Live, it was a powerhouse performance, and one of Queen's finest.

After Queen's The Works in 1984, the band wanted a break. But the success of Live Aid led to fresh developments, and an opportunity to contribute songs for the film Highlander. Those invigorating and energized songs shaped the boys' 12th album, the pop rock celebration A Kind of Magic. The first digitally produced Queen album, its plethora of synthesizers didn't impress some critics. But fans' affection reigns supreme, and it resulted in Queen's final (and in some ways, most memorable) tour with Freddie.

Voted the greatest live performance in the history of rock. The Note Heard Round the World. Queen at Live Aid was an incredible moment that unified and encouraged and roused us. To this day, it's heralded as one of the best, if not the absolute best, rock moments ever. And we have four fabulously talented men to thank.

Whether or not we realize, we are resilient beings. Our spirits retain a resilience even our miraculous bodies cannot touch. Despite the fear and doubt we sometimes feel, we have the ability to rise. It's almost supernatural, and otherworldly. But when we're challenged and we're facing the toughest struggles, something compels and encourages us to hope harder, and rise above it.

When it came time to name the man who stole my ears the most on this dynamic and accessible album, I hesitated. I couldn't decide. And then a recent interview drove me to reassess and revisit the songs. The expression. The emotion. Throughout every genre tackled in these compositions, one thing suddenly pulled it all together more than anything else. And there was only one man who could take the crown.

Pensive isn't often a word used to describe Queen's music. But Brian and Freddie's co-written "Is This the World We Created...?" is a perfect example of urgent restraint and seriousness, created with a sparse arrangement of 12-string guitar and tugging vocals. Moved by visions of disturbing living conditions in Africa, our co-writers took a unique approach to write this song, resulting in one of the band's most moving and beautiful compositions; notably performed at Live Aid, but perhaps even more stunning at Wembley.

A sturdy rock number from Brian, "Hammer to Fall" is about death; which seems to be one of Brian's favorite subjects. Nevertheless, the energy of this song is rousing, impressive and electric, an almost empowering take. Freddie is in fine vocal form, busting out some impressive high notes. And Roger's bombastic drums are back (as are his aggressive harmonies). No shortage of Brian's riveting guitars and rounded backing vocals. And John particularly impresses with interesting basslines. This was a live favorite for good reason, and Brian gave it his own soft twist in '98.

Have you always detested current artists and musical trends? Hey, I see you. I was, and to an extent, still am that person. For various reasons, I wouldn't listen to music everyone else loved; partially because I thought it to be boring and surface and lifeless. What I failed to notice at the time was just how genius many of those songs were, and the talent and intentions of the artists who made them. They did and continue to do things I never could as a singer. So I'm diving in and I encourage you to explore the world of music you once hated.

Freddie's brilliantly stirring "Keep Passing the Open Windows" is a remnant of a film production project. His piano is melodic and sustained, sweeping and epic; along with his lead vocal performance. Roger, Brian and John provide impressive instrumental performances full of bombastic enthusiasm, ostinato, grit and soaring melodies. There's even a moment of throwback Queen choral vocals! It was never played live but two demos were preserved. A rare and unique treat, this song means an awful lot to me for one important reason.

A beloved declaration, John's sole contribution to The Works "I Want to Break Free" is breezy pop rock at its best. Freddie's expressive vocal (and video) performance often lead listeners to assume this is his number, but John's work on acoustic guitar and synthesizer (as well as bass) in the sparse arrangement leave no doubt. Brian and Roger appear briefly to round out this addicting radio-ready confection that rocks harder and louder on stage. It's become an anthem and continues to win more fans, but upon its initial release as a single, it didn't fair well everywhere...