In defence of 'Sweet Lady'

Just listening to Sweet Lady live at Hyde Park: this song rocks.
 
That is all.

Indeed.

I dont mind the song at all. Its not the best song by a long chalk, but its certainly not the worst. I think what puts some people off is its unusual time signature (at least for a rock song). If memory serves me correctly its in 6/8 time and not your standard 4/4. Its this that some people cant get to grips with.

The song is good. I stand in its defense fighting side by side with you. lol

6/8 isn't an unusual time signature (neither for rock nor for other genres). It's not 'the most usual' but it's not unusual at all. Is India an underpopulated country just because it's not the top one?

15/16 is an unusual time signature.
7/8, 7/4, 15/4... but not 6/8

Sweet lady! Great song to play. Roger's rolling across the toms are joyful.

I think what's a bit unusual is that it's a heavy riff based rock song in that time signature but it doesn't mean it's unique or special in any way. That doesn't save the song at all but IMO the worst thing about it are the lyrics.

"You call me sweet like I'm some kind of cheese waiting on the shelf" is on par with some of the worst lyrics in TCR. I cringe every time I hear it.

I kinda imagine Freddie waiting until the very last second before recording that vocal bit and asking Brian: "REALLY? Frickin' Cheese?". :D

the song is ok, but is my least favorite on a night at the opera.  The song has some weak lryics, but who gives a rats ass about that. Queen were never about writing the greatest lryics anyway.  I'm in love with my car anyone?....Also,  the chorus sounds a bit messy.  All in all, it's not a bad song.

It's really not that great a song.  Fantastic performance by the band, but Freddie's overdubs are pretty sloppy.  Naturally, they sound better in context as overdubs.

The song is pretty cool. Always makes me want to go to the kitchen and 'cut some cheese' LoL!!! HA HA HA HA!!!

But really, the song isn't my favorite, but there's a lot of other Queen song's I enjoy less. I personally have no problem with the song, except that the lyrics are not catchy, nor are they sophisticated, and that is a problem for a lot of people.

I'm not a huge fan of SL, but it does work very well live - much better than the studio version IMO.

Hmm - a song in 15/16 time - now that I'd like to hear.

Mr Mercury wrote:

I dont mind the song at all. Its not the best song by a long chalk, but its certainly not the worst. I think what puts some people off is its unusual time signature (at least for a rock song). If memory serves me correctly its in 6/8 time and not your standard 4/4. Its this that some people cant get to grips with.

I'm In Love With My Car is in 6/8 and it's a great rock song. WATC and  Winter's Tale are also in 6/8. Obviously time signature alone doesn't explain why this song is not appreciated.

August R. wrote:

 



Mr Mercury wrote:



I dont mind the song at all. Its not the best song by a long chalk, but its certainly not the worst. I think what puts some people off is its unusual time signature (at least for a rock song). If memory serves me correctly its in 6/8 time and not your standard 4/4. Its this that some people cant get to grips with.

I'm In Love With My Car is in 6/8 and it's a great rock song. WATC and  Winter's Tale are also in 6/8. Obviously time signature alone doesn't explain why this song is not appreciated.

Isnt WATC in 3/4?

Sebastian wrote:

6/8 isn't an unusual time signature (neither for rock nor for other genres). It's not 'the most usual' but it's not unusual at all. Is India an underpopulated country just because it's not the top one?

15/16 is an unusual time signature.
7/8, 7/4, 15/4... but not 6/8

6/8 is about the 3rd most common time signature (after 4/4 and 8/8) in popular music, and probably the 4th most common in folk and jazz (after 2/4, 4/4 and 8/8). In fact, it's used more often than the ironically better known 3/4 (waltz time).

Sweet Lady is in 3/4 (BM said so himself in the ANATO-making of).
Songs like We Are The Champions, I'm In Love With My Car and Somebody To Love (and others) are 6/8 timing.

I actually do like Sweet Lady, but the music more than the lyrics.