As it began ' or any other books

Oh geez. You’ll never find it now, here’s the link:

http://www.queenzone.com/forums/1449503/complete-list-of-documentaries-1979-2019-updated.aspx?page=1

Anywhere else we can move this and get out of the line of fire?

JB, out of curiosity, I did look up CLT in my book and there was absolutely no mention of the hand clapping.

TUHI, I know you mentioned in on the other thread but, when I have a little more time, I will be interested to see what "your" blog mentions about the song meanings vs what's in Complete Works. I guess it's really all conjecture but it sure is interesting!

Amidds, while I do write a blog, it has zero to do with anything Queen related--couldn't be further from the subject! I have, on occasion, linked to music and just recently to 'It's a Kind of Magic', but mostly because I was using the phrase and adore the fan video with the graphic art.

As an aside, I can't think of anyone in the Queen cast of characters, except for Jim Hutton, who would be at all interested in what I write about. :)

The blog I've mentioned is 'Queen: An Exploded Diagram' and here's the link to her first post: http://explodedqueen.wordpress.com/?order=asc I think it would be interesting and super time-consuming to go through that fan-based blog of Queen's music to compare and contrast with something more official or academic--whether other blogs or something like Complete Works. But will I ever do that? Unlikely.

Funnily enough, I was just going to get back to 'Exploded Diagram' to finish up The Game, but just to give you an idea of the blogger's writing style (which I get a kick out of) here's a quote from her post about 'Sail Away Sweet Sister':

"It’s a shame that boy bands didn’t really take their cues from Queen more.

If every band had an incredible one, a quietly lovely one, a creepy but amazing at guitar one and a Roger Taylor one; the whole genre would’ve been improved immensely."

LOL

TUHI, now you have me curious! I get the impression you are a Hutton "fan"? I'm going to Ireland in a few months and have been awfully tempted to do a "drive by" his house. Then I remember I'm not quite that creepy, lol, and will be probably too busy!

I do love the quote re Sail Away! Sounds like she has captured their essence. Though, not sure I would call Brian creepy, his intelligence could probably be a little off-putting. Especially to the "regular" folk like me :)

I have mixed feelings about Brian. Brilliant musician, apparently can be quite a gentleman, then sometimes a jerk. Then again, so are we all (except for those of us not 'gentlemen', lol). I love his interest in native habitats and wildscapes (not much left of either), so good for him. But some of his older lyrics would definitely not be considered NOT pc now. But then, that's true of plenty of 60s, 70s, 80s music, so maybe it's an unfair criticism.

I mentioned that I'm finishing The Game as we write on QZ (all kinds of tabs open at the moment!). Here's another quote from 'Queen: Exploded':

"Anyway, the point is that it is easy to look back and find these patterns, tell these stories. Decide that Brian is creepy and Freddie’s insensitive. Again, the problem with making art is that it will always be interpreted, and if it’s successful, re-interpreted and re-interpreted, again and again.

It’s subjectivity. It’s story telling."

Yes, I think Freddie Mercury was damn lucky to have found Jim Hutton--glad he recognized a good one when he met him.

At least she's honest with what she's doing.

Blasted! That last sentence should have been after the 'Exploded' quote. Proofreading--it's a thing one should practice.

I’m curious Tuhi, which of Brian’s lyrics would not be pc now? I’m doing a song search in my head but not coming up with anything yet, lol! I know Freddie had some, but haven’t heard it on Brian so I’m just wondering. On Brian in general, I find him fascinating and would love a conversation with him. I don’t really think he is a jerk to people until they become either rude or insufferable, he seems like such a gentleman. But I feel like I am a lot like him so maybe that’s why I don’t like admitting he has some foibles...

I have spent a few weeks now going through the threads regarding Thor and Lee as you all suggested, what a tremendous amount of information! Very nice men and it’s lovely that they shared so much about Freddie. It’s a side we don’t get to see often, nice to know that he had such a supportive group around him!

MHZ, the one that comes to mind immediately is 'Tie Your Mother Down' (TYMD--for future reference :) ) I'll be the first to admit it's a great rocker, I bounce around to it when I listen--who could resist? But, check out the lyrics and imagine yourself the parents of a teen girl. Really, do you want that guy dating your daughter? What's the saying? With sons, you only have to worry about one prick; with daughters, you have to worry about many pricks. Hope that's not too graphic for QZ, though I've seen much worse.

That said, it's just a song and until very recently, society was kind of okay with a certain level of control over women. It was my then teenage son (he's 24 now) who pointed out how problematic the Beatles "Run for you Life' is; check out those lyrics. Honestly, I'd given it much thought--generational differences, and thank goodness for that.

I don't think we have to cringe or clutch pearls when something offends or is off-color, but being aware of the implications that words and lyrics have isn't a bad thing. The blog I've referred to points out other places where the writer gets the creeps with Brian's songs. I don't agree with all of her assessments, but I see her point.

I've mostly been impressed when I've seen Brian interviewed, though I haven't seen too many recent ones. Certainly, in the early years after Freddie died and John retired, and Queen morphed to something different which none of them wanted, planned for, or expected, he and Roger were gracious with Freddie's memory and legacy.


I laughed when you said "...a few weeks..."--yes, it takes that long.

I have to admit I don’t know nearly as much about Brian as I do Freddie other than he is an amazing guitarist and always seems so well spoken and loveable when I see him in interviews. I especially love a recent one I saw where he was discussing how BoRhap was made. You could see his love of music and Freddie!

Re: interpreting lyrics, I love Freddie’s quote “if you see it then it is there!” When asked about the meaning of his songs. So true! Every person will interpret something different and if they can relate to it in their own way, then the music has done its job! I’m re-reading David Minns book and he, like many others, says that Freddie did write his music based on personal experiences and relationships. How could he not? I do chuckle though when people spin their theories on who is behind some of his songs and then it turns out it was written by another member of Queen!

TUHI, I can’t agree more that it’s nice to see such positive relationships surrounding FM especially when he seems to have had an equal number of negative ones! I guess we all do but, with his fame, it must have been so much harder to trust! can’t wait for their book!

Amidds, I think it was MHZ who commented on the positive relationships FM had with the ny daughters. But, I also agree with that! It must have been nice for him to *just be* who he was, no judgement, no pretense. He couldn't do that everywhere.

Funny story: when I was first reading about Freddie, I came across a reference to the New York Daughters (can't remember what I was reading) and I thought to myself: "Hmm, I don't know that band." Haha--I'm so lame! :)

I often think of that quote of Freddie's when I'm listening to a song and it's a good reminder that folks who write poetry/lyrics aren't all that different from the rest of us--they feel pain, joy, disappointment, and all the rest of it. They just write pretty. :)

I don't believe for a minute that any poet or lyricist just writes words--there's always meaning, and as you say, it must be a reflection of experience or belief.

Oops, sorry I mixed you two up! It seems as if every time I start typing, someone needs something NOW and then I have to rush through my thoughts lol!

You know, Lee is supposed to be quite the singer, maybe they can get a group called NY Daughters going!!! I laughed at that, sorry. In your defense, how were you to know?????

I do see what you’re saying about Brian’s lyrics but I never really thought that much about it. I can see how’s it’s a little risqué but, considering his age at the time and the era, probably pretty tame!! I have read that writing lyrics can be most challenging (I could never do it!) so I try not to read much into them.

I have never heard that saying about sons and daughters...loved it and will use it....being a parent of both, it is soooo true lol!

I went back to read Tie Your Mother Down and I see what you mean now. I haven’t read the actually lyrics in years, and the words go so fast when I listen I think I’ve kind of bypassed the meaning. And, oddly enough, I heard an interview with Brian where someone asked what tying your mother down meant, and he downplayed it as just kids wanting their parents out of the way so they could party and have fun. No mention of the physical relationship implied in the actual lyrics so I think I just kind of applied what he said to the song.

Which is interesting in another way, a person can morph their interpretation of something based on remarks from someone that make it more palatable to them....kind of scary but also explains why people think the way they do sometimes. When the written meaning can be so clear to others.

It was such a different atmosphere back in the 70s and 80s, pc stuff really hadn’t happened and rockers seemed to take pride in writing songs about their conquests. Although if you look at some of the rap stuff nowadays their content is way worse, in my opinion.

Out of curiosity, I did look this up in Complete Works. I'm not saying this book is the bible on Queen songs but the description goes in line with thoughts here: "Misinterpreted as a song about unseemly parental bedroom activities, the song is really about teenage lust and throwing caution to the wind, even if it means going against your parents' wishes." He goes on to explain that when he came up with the riff, he would sing the words Tie Your Mother Down as a joke and never expected to use the title as he thought it was crap but "Freddie said it meant something to him so he knows the answer, who am I to argue?".

Of course, if this is true, now I want to know why that would mean something to Freddie lol?????

MHZ, I agree that times and sensibilities were different and I don't get too fussed about the questionable lyrics. Thanks for checking them out though, it's nice to have civilized discussions about these things.