The Show Must Go On!!!

This happens to be my very favourite song from their truly exceptional catalogue of amazing songs. I was just very interested to see what all you guys and gals thought of this little number.

I can remember when I first heard the song. It was in the beginning of October, 1991 and I was in the kitchen playing with my wrestling figures (ah, so cute!). I was 11 years old and the radio was on. This song came on and grabbed my attention immediately. I could instantly tell it was Queen, even at such a young age, even though I had never heard the song before. The song of course turned out to be 'The Show Must Go On'. I cannot remember what came out first, whether it was the album, 'Innuendo', or the single 'The Show Must Go On' but I was only 11 and did not have enough pocket money for the album at the time (but did get it off Santa that Christmas luckily). I did however go out and buy 'The Show Must Go On'.

I sat in my bedroom and blasted it from the speakers. Even to this day, the song still sends a shiver up my spine.

I know Brian May wrote it but it is as if he got inside Freddie Mercury's head and wrote what Freddie was trying to say. The way Freddie tackles and makes that song his own is incredible! From start to finish the song is a masterpiece!

The lyrics are so fitting and emotional. The music is so haunting and powerful. As for Freddie's voice/vocals, well, I am hard pushed to see if there are any other Queen songs that have harder notes to hit, especially the way Freddie was at the time with his health. Especially when he sings, 'I can fly my friend' and 'I'll face it with a grin, I'm never giving in, on with the show'.

My mind always runs away when I listen to the song and imagine what Freddie would have been like visually singing this song. I kind of imagine certain things, like Freddie falling to his knees when singing, 'I'll face it with a grin, I'm never giving in, on with the show'. And then hoisting himself up with his mike stand, with all the power and mite he had left, singing, 'I've topped the bill, I'll overkill, I have to find the will to carry on...'.

This is one song I never tire of listening to. The lyrics, the music, the vocals and what it means to me, just makes it in my opinion the best song of all time. Whenever I am down, or need that extra push, I listen to 'The Show Must Go On' For example, I was listening to Queen on my mp3 player in the gym yesterday, on the random setting. I was struggling with the weight I was trying to lift and 'The Show Must Go On' came on and I managed to have that little extra in me to lift the weight. I find the song so inspiring.

Without trying to end on a solemn note, I want this song played at my funeral. The following link is a great write up of the song. I especially like what is said about the end part of the song, the repetition of 'Go on...'. By interpreting it in a way that Freddie wanted the band to go and on. So have that all you people who disagree with tour!!!

Here is the link :-

http://www.zyra.org.uk/queen2a.htm

So please, tell me what your opinions are of this little gem of a tune! Have a good one, people!!! :-)

TSMGO was named as The Song Of Millenium in Russia.

It's definitely MY favorite Queen song..:-)

WOW!!! I never knew that! Not a bad choice at all. Thanks for that, mate. So would you agree?

I agree, its one of thier best songs ever. I dont like Elton John's version of it though.

I'm surprised it never reached the top ten in the UK, because i know lots of people who recognise that as a classic song.

It reached #2 in the US of A, am i correct?
If it did then i'm very glad to see the song be so popular in a very difficult territory.

<font color=black>andylamb_38 wrote:

It reached #2 in the US of A, am i correct?
If it did then i'm very glad to see the song be so popular in a very difficult territory.

It was released as a double-A sided single with "Bohemian Rhapsody" in USA after Wayne's World premiere...

that brought tears to my eyes, both your post and the interpretation...TSMGO is a dazzling song that captured my heart as soon as i bought the Innuendo album *listens*

Elton John's versions of Elton John songs are rubbish too - save for Tiny Dancer....

Elton John should've been shot for his *effort*.

It's interesting, I think the line "I'll face it with a grin, I'm never giving in..." is actually Freddie's input. I recall Brian saying that they already had lines written for that part, but that Freddie put it in himself. Interesting how they never really talked about his illness (in public or private) but that things like that would creep into the music.

An excellent song, and a joy to play on guitar.

Elton's TSMGO was great I thought. Elton should sing rock. Real rock. I think he has a really good voice nowadays.

TSMGO is second only to Bohemian Rhapsody IMO.

WOW That was outstanding and mindblowing..
I love TSMGO its such a provocatively powerful song and at there best..I am gald to see this theard here.

Its my favourite song too. I agree with everything you are saying. Its one of those songs I can listen to anytime and I never get tired of it. Its absolutely brilliant!

One of the best, all my fav Queen songs tend to be opera/prog rock like Bo Rhap, White and Black Queen, but TSMGO is just so emotionally powerful and well written.

And I doubt Brian wrote it without at least some input from Freddie. The song sounds like exactly what he was thinking. I think they gave the whole group credit for the Innuendo songs for a reason.

It is great to see so many people replying to this with such admiration for a true work of art (the song, not my thread! Lol!)

When I am sad, I play it and think of Freddie taking no shit and singing his heart out giving it is all.

When I am happy, I play it as it just sums up a mood of complete rejoicing.

When I am angry, I play it to bring all tension out.

When I am down, I play it to lift my spirits.

When I need a pick-me-up, I listen to this psyche me up!

THE SHOW MUST GO ON... WHAT FREDDIE AND QUEEN WERE ALL ABOUT!!!