Where's the Love for 'SCANDAL'??

OK, I'm starting to feel like I'm in the minority here, but SCANDAL is one of my favorite Queen songs, and definitely one of my favorite tracks from The Miracle (maybe THE favorite).  Yet it seems to have received little love from the band itself, and that surprises me, and has for quite some time now.

When Greatest Hits II was released, I was shocked to see all the singles from The Miracle were included EXCEPT Scandal.  This, of course, meant fans of the song were also left without an official video release as well, as the song was missing from Greatest Flix II.

I realize the song only peaked at #25 on the U.K. chart, but The Miracle (single) only peaked at #21, I'm Going Slightly Mad only made it to #22, and yet THEY were both included on Hits II and Flix II.  In fact, I had to wait until the Greatest Video Hits II DVD release to FINALLY get a decent looking (and sounding) copy of the video... for one of my favorite songs!

So why the lack of love?  Is it simply because Brian and Roger don't care much for the song (or the video, based on their commentary on the Video Hits II DVD)??  I don't have any idea if Freddie had any say in what was included on the Hits II release (as it came out late 1991 when he was quite ill, etc.), but I've always wondered about this.

Anyway, I've always thought the song deserved better - I friggin' love the track!

I got the impression Brian wrote it. It seems very much from the heart (whoever wrote it) and maybe it's a little painful.

Martin

And I forgot to say I love the song - and consider it one of the best off The Miracle.

Martin

Great track. I was surprised they disliked it. I'll have to watch the video ago, but I remember thinking it cool.

Always loved that song. Apart from the overexposed four singles that were on GH2 this track has a special place in my heart.

But do listen to the extended mix. And play it loud.

V.

The extended mix of Scandal??  I couldn't agree more.  That's my favorite 12" mix from Queen.  Incredible job done there.

I also love the video for Scandal.  The set is incredible and, to me, it's really the last time you get to see Freddie completely 'do his thing' out there and the last time I thought he still looked pretty damn good - compared to a bit sick in The Miracle (plus the band is hardly in that video), incredibly thin in I'm Going Slightly Mad and, as we all know, barely there at all in These Are The Days Of Our Lives.  I'm still amazed he even showed up for the last 2 video shoots, but that was Freddie...

dysan wrote: Great track. I was surprised they disliked it. I'll have to watch the video ago, but I remember thinking it cool.
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I assumed it was the video they didn't care for, as opposed to the song, at least based on the GVH2 commentary - especially the bit where Roger says something to the effect of there being nothing scanalous about a video for a song called "Scandal" (which, I suppose, is fair criticism).

But, yeah, great song.

I've heard it quite a few times on the radio here in the 90's and they still sometimes play it. I do like it but it's not the best thing they did.

Scandal: Preachy and screechy.  Not my favourite.

GratefulFan wrote: Scandal: Preachy and screechy.  Not my favourite. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nifty guitar solo though :)

The main thing that always stood out to me about "Scandal" was that Freddie's voice was approaching his '70's voice.  The backing track was very "'80's" but his voice sounded kinda like it did on "News Of The World".

I love Scandal!  The guitar work is very strong on it, it's quite a heavy piece and yes, with Freddie's voice in 70s shape, is very typical Queen.  But it's not the best song on The Miracle - that would be Breakthru, IMHO.

One of my favourite Queen songs too!  Gotta love the extended version - do you think that Brian had any say with regard to his blistering run up the guitar neck (at end of his solo) being cut from the single version?  He must have been slightly gutted - it's an awesome run - and I'm sure in terms of track length there's still room for it in single release, I think it's just been dropped out the mix?

Thistleboy...I tend to agree with your assessment that "Breakthru" is the best song on "The Miracle".  There are a lot of good songs on it, though.  Kashoggi's Sip, The Miracle, I Want It All, Rain Must Fall and Was It All Worth It are also really good.

I like it, better than the likes of My Baby Does Me, Rain Must Fall and Invisibel Man which were just too poppy for me. Love the Solo and the 12" mix.