What was Freddie's greatest vocal effort ?

In my opinion Freddie's greatest vocal effort was on "Somebody To Love" He nailed that track and it was his greatest ever moment on any Queen album in my opinion, you can also tell easily if was Freddie singing so recognisable and distinctive.
Probably after that i would say "Stone Cold Crazy" then "Sheer Heart Attack" because those songs were difficult to sing .

if every track were done in ONE TAKE, I'd agree with you. But as we don't know how many "goes" he had at each song / how many "bits of tape" were pieced together, we'll never be able to judge for sure.

however, if you word your question differently: "what was Freddie's greatest vocal recording?"
Nevermore
Somebody To Love
Barcelona
Breakthru
You take My Breath Away
Millionaire Waltz
Liar

Not many Queen tracks were recorded in one take but its the final cut that is most important and Freddie nailed "Somebody To Love" the emotion and style in his voice is breathtaking.

100% wrote:Not many Queen tracks were recorded in one take but its the final cut that is most important and Freddie nailed "Somebody To Love" the emotion and style in his voice is breathtaking.

but "vocal effort" wouldn't be a series of takes spliced together. a final cut isn't usually a single "vocal effort" - which is why I made the distinction: "what was Freddie's greatest vocal recording?"

best vocal effort can only really apply to a specific "take" of a song, or single live performance. (Effort: a vigorous or determined attempt.)
- which is why I listed those above. all great examples of what a singer can do - with the luxury of time and tape.

TSMGO has to be a candidate surely?

Yeah "The Show Must Go On" must surely be equal to "Innuendo" in terms of effort as the vocals are quite high pitched but for me "Somebody To Love" was more classy and stylish.

Wasn't it TSMGO where regarding laying down the vocal Freddie said to Brian something like "What are you trying to do, kill me?" I cant remember the exact quote. But then he took a shot of vodka and just nailed it?
Within that context, TSMGO wins.

I'd like to hear Sebástiaño's take on this!

As for greatest final vocal on a recording it's probably WWTLF or TSMGO...or STL which is more nuanced.

But I'm a huge fan of BARCELONA (the album) so a favorite would be "GUIDE ME HOME/HOW CAN I GO ON" (which i tend to see as one track. ....i know it's not)


I'll still never understand how some hear WWTLF as a "boring" song. It's got so much light and heavy, such great impassioned contrasts ....and Michael Kamen's score puts it into "Should've won a Fucking Academy Award" territory.

Yes. .. from HIGHLANDER. ..an academy award ..OSCAR

Surely it was better than that KARATE KID song, that AMERICAN TAIL song, and THAT'S LIFE. ...that Giorgio Moroder song is stiff competition though. Love that BERLIN tune....sorry but I do, It's great, THERE i farking said it!

matt z wrote:

I'd like to hear Sebástiaño's take on this!

As for greatest final vocal on a recording it's probably WWTLF or TSMGO...or STL which is more nuanced.

But I'm a huge fan of BARCELONA (the album) so a favorite would be "GUIDE ME HOME/HOW CAN I GO ON" (which i tend to see as one track. ....i know it's not)


I'll still never understand how some hear WWTLF as a "boring" song. It's got so much light and heavy, such great impassioned contrasts ....and Michael Kamen's score puts it into "Should've won a Fucking Academy Award" territory.

Yes. .. from HIGHLANDER. ..an academy award ..OSCAR

Surely it was better than that KARATE KID song, that AMERICAN TAIL song, and THAT'S LIFE. ...that Giorgio Moroder song is stiff competition though. Love that BERLIN tune....sorry but I do, It's great, THERE i farking said it!

WWTLF is a great song!

Sebástiañoerick

Sebastian is a repository of RAM information. DDR4 at least.

I tread the waters lightly

It’s a Hard Life feels like his greatest vocal. Not my favorite song by a long shot... but when I listen to it, feels kind of like Freddie’s just showing off. Ha! Look what I can do. Then he’d go on to fuck it up when singing it live. I think multiple boots from the 84-85 shows support that. It’s been a while since I’ve last heard them but at least one show comes to mind.

Maybe someone else can fill in re: technique and range, timbre, etc but to my ears, that was the one.

Simple.Curtains shut,lights out and put Who Wants To Live Forever highlander Freddie version on full blast.Fantastic piece of singing that to me has no equal anywhere.

That one part in Mother Love. Considering the circumstances.

And thats the whole deal isn't it. Effort depends on circumstances, context. What could he do at the time and how did he surpass it.
God is heavy wins because of how bad of a cold he had at the time.