The Uniqueness of Queen

All right. What makes Queen unique? What is it about them that makes you more a fan of Queen than anything else? What makes them stand out? What aspects, achievements, characteristics or whatever are unique to Queen in a positive light? Anything goes but try to add something that elevates them above others. Why is Queen THE band?

I'll start with:
- All 4 members were highly talented, smart and very creative.
- One of a kind front man
- One of a kind guitar player who made his own guitar from scratch including the sound of it
- Lots of different genres explored on their albums
- Incredibly powerful live
- Front man died in his prime which had an almost legendary effect on what came before that fact.

-Unique gay moustache.
-Unique Deacon's perm in Radio Ga Ga video.

@Stick - I agree with all you said and personally for me,

1. All 4 of them were musicians each bringing their own creativity into the songs and complemented each other very well.
2. The complexity of their compositions, melodies and their harmonies, how all their voices blend so beautifully together. (The backing vocals at the end of Millionaire
Waltz is so beautiful 'Bring out the love, there's spring in the air." I always play this part along with the guitar solo before that multiple times!)
3 The variety in their songs and they were not afraid to take risks (at least in the 70's).
4.They really did the hard yards and were not overnight success. They had to work hard to earn their success.
5. All of them took their music seriously and were real professionals and did not take success for granted.

and ofcourse,

1.Freddie's voice, his delivery of songs, both studio and live, his creativity (He could sing a song in so many different ways, each unique, some of the live versions of
the songs are stupendous than even the studio versions!) He really breathed music.
2. Brian's guitar tone. I can never get tired of hearing some of his solos. More than the hard stuff, I really like his solos in the power ballads. They
are so complex and melodic and makes me always wonder how did he come up with these stuff!

Not really unique. Zappa, tiny tim, Captain beefheart, Keith Moon.... I’d say these were examples of unique.

Queen were just better than their peers. They played better, composed and arranged better, Freddie mercuried better.

Queen, Aerosmith, Styx, U2, Zeppelin, Stones, Beatles etc they were all great bands. Anyone can come up with unique qualities for each. They were all rock bands that played rock music. I just think Queen did it better where it mattered - live shows were more important than singles were more important than lyrics were more important than album.

If there was one unique quality that gave Queen the edge, they were better than anyone at prioritizing. Live aid is actually a very good example. Set list, sabotage the soundboard, keep it short and sweet.

It’s funny how up until last year, since I was old enough to listen and understand music - u2 was the biggest band in the world. Now because of some movie, Queen is getting finally getting the recognition they deserved.

I agree with Jimmy Dean, except for one thing. The Beatles. I mean...The Beatles had better lyrics, were the pioneers to create an album as a concept, they never could play with the technology Queen had....But, Queen had the best frontman from a rock band.

One thing nobody said...Deacy Amp.

I agree with Jimmy Dean, except for one thing. The Beatles. I mean...The Beatles had better lyrics, were the pioneers to create an album as a concept, they never could play with the technology Queen had....But, Queen had the best frontman from a rock band.

One thing nobody said...Deacy Amp.

Sorry for repeat.

To each their own opinion of course but I didn't mean to say that Queen were the most unique band ever. Just what makes them unique in their own way, and unique in they eyes of their fans. Every band is unique in their own way and this thread is not meant as a contest between them. Just wanted to create a very positive thread where everyone can post what they find unique about Queen.

Since most was already said, I'll repeat - the harmonies. Wonderful.

"-Unique Deacon's perm in Radio Ga Ga video. "

+1

One side of Queen's uniqueness that is often forgotten: how many themes their songs represent. In many of these themes they remain the only alternative. What else than WATC could you play after winning a sports event, really?

Killer Queen, We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Bicycle Race, Don't Stop Me Now, Radio Ga Ga, I Want to Break Free, Friends Will Be Friends, I Want it All, The Show Must Go On...

I'm sure I missed many examples. Plenty of bands have a couple of songs that suit certain situations in life, but none have a whole list, like Queen does. I'm So Excited is a great alternative to Don't Stop Me Now when you are in a mood like that.

Under Pressure also. Impossible not to think of Queen (and Bowie) when someone uses that expression. Especially in non-English countries, where we don't say "under pressure" every single day.

We don't say 'Another One Bites the Dust' every day either. That is a very strange thing to say in this context IMHO

Who wants a banger in the mouth?

Haha!