What is the best live version of Another One Bites The Dust (Debate Topic)

Gregsynth wrote:

Here's Montreal's version:

I'm listening to the parts you mentioned. I only hear Freddie and Roger sing that part, but what's interesting is that, he's doing the line with that same "aggressive" tone that he did on Bohemian Rhapsody (which turned out to be overdubbed vocals--as pointed out by Bad Seed, and the Audience Recording/We Will Rock You release).

I guess it could go either way!
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I don't think that one you hear is roger, at least i don't hear roger, it sounds like freddie himself, as you said singing it with more aggressiveness.

I guess it's possible that Freddie overdubbed it (on top of his original vocal). Maybe Bad Seed can help us!

That song is not overdubbed. Listen to the audience recording from the other night, he sings it just as well. And I never said best performances of songs are not about just what Freddie hits. The reason why I think Montreal has the best version is because the whole song itself sounds great and it is one of the only versions I've heard where Freddie hits all the B4's perfectly with such precision. Sure the magic tour versions are classic but this version I have to say has the best vocal performance. 

And no I don't judge based solely off of what Freddie hits. If I went off that note, I'd love the game tour over the Opera tour! (which i obviously don't).

I thought you loved those obnoxious versions of songs on The Game Tour? :D

Nope. :D

Yeah, like fucking Killer Queen with G4 and A4s in the verses! haha

It's not the killer queens that bother me. I think they are good. It's the borhaps.

Like singing the whole lines on Bb4 (in one breath)! haha

Would have to say Knebworth. Thought this song really peaked on the Magic tour.

As for Montreal, I really don't know? Would love to think Freddie was thinking no more gig's for 5 months, I'm gonna go for it!  However I think a hell of a lot of AOBTD is dubbed. It sound's strange from the very first line to me, it sounds like he's singing in a controlled environment. If I listen without watching, I picture him singing in a studio rather than in front of 18000, if anyone understands what I mean? It also has that 'aggresive' style he used on the songs we are pretty sure he overdubbed.

It is very agressive, then again Freddie sang it in a very similar way in Vienna 82 as well...so who knows!

As for my fav, man thats a tough call, numerous 86 versions could win it, I love the first Vienna show.

However I'd give it to Mannheim, simply because its in stunning quality, and it was the first time that improv section was done and you could just see it developing right before your eyes, its one of those very rare times with queen where something totally unrehersed bloomed on the stage.

Knebworth is really neat as well, video really shows the amazing energy Freddie had in that performance, its grand!

I'm pretty sure another one bites the dust from montreal isn't dubbed. Just because he sings it in an aggressive, clean way doesn't mean it's dubbed. He sings it in a similar fashion the night before and at Vienna the following year.

I really like first Vienna, so I'd probably choose that, but to be honest most of the magic tour versions are brilliant, the song just came alive.

Was there something about Freddie's magic tour voice that suited that song, because he seems to cope with it surpisingly well vocally considering his often less than perfect voice on the Magic Tour (B4's on gigs where he sounds like he would be incapable of hitting them)?

Thrill Yeti wrote: I really like first Vienna, so I'd probably choose that, but to be honest most of the magic tour versions are brilliant, the song just came alive.

Was there something about Freddie's magic tour voice that suited that song, because he seems to cope with it surpisingly well vocally considering his often less than perfect voice on the Magic Tour (B4's on gigs where he sounds like he would be incapable of hitting them)?
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Because Freddie became a much better singer as he got older. I know there's people that disagree on Freddie's tone (70s voice was better, etc), but on a pure singing/technical level, his voice kept getting better and better. Songs like Another One Bites The Dust just show you how his voice just improved over the years. On every Magic Tour version, Freddie always nails B4s during the song (even on Zurich, Wembley, Marbella, etc), while on previous tours, he'd either miss them, or sing a lower note (with the exception of a handful of versions).

This can also be applied to Tear It Up: Almost every Works Tour version has him missing notes, modulating down, cracking, squealing, etc. While on the Magic Tour, about 90% of the versions kick ass (he actually hits the freaking notes)!

On a related note, In The Lap Of The Gods...Revisited was vocally superior on the Magic Tour than any version from 1975-1977. The reason behind that is because Freddie always hit the falsetto parts during the 1986 tour--rather than singing an octave down. Best version on the tour is Brussels 1986: He doesn't yelp or shout the lines "so funny" and "my money." In addition, he sings closed vowels during that song--which is rare for him--and very difficult to do.

The consensus that I've been seeing, is that Magic Tour versions are often considered to be the best versions (and I agree)!

I'm still trying to find the best version on the Magic Tour. I've seen Mannheim, Cologne, Vienna, Frejus, and Knebworth get thrown around!

Bad Seed wrote: Would have to say Knebworth. Thought this song really peaked on the Magic tour.

As for Montreal, I really don't know? Would love to think Freddie was thinking no more gig's for 5 months, I'm gonna go for it!  However I think a hell of a lot of AOBTD is dubbed. It sound's strange from the very first line to me, it sounds like he's singing in a controlled environment. If I listen without watching, I picture him singing in a studio rather than in front of 18000, if anyone understands what I mean? It also has that 'aggresive' style he used on the songs we are pretty sure he overdubbed.
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Hmmm, I'm listening to the song--and you're right, his tone matches the "dubbed vocal" tone.