QUEEN 39 REACTION - First time hearing - I would never have guessed it was them.

[@sherryheim5504]

Brian wrote and sings this clever folk tune. I really love it and can imagine him playing it for his children when they were young. Thank you for your wonderful reaction, as always. There is a theory about a phenomenon that occurs when traveling so quickly through space that time of that traveling object stands still (the craft in this song) while time continues on in the rest of the universe. So these travelers went out in search of new lands and were gone for one year but returned to find that all on earth and everyone there had aged 100 years. Their loved ones had all passed but he found his daughter and could see her mother's eyes in her eyes. Those on earth had long forgotten the travelers as they lost radio contact (can you hear my calls though you are many [light] years away, and write your letters in the sand for the day I take your hand). Brian is and always has been fascinated by the universe and space, he has a PhD in Astrophysics and now also does some work with NASA. This is very much a Brian song though he like the rest of Queen is so very versatile in his writing and his playing. Roger Taylor (drummer) is the falsetto you are hearing in the background.

[@HarriBestReactions]

Wow! Thanx for this

[@JK_Clarke]

Your explanation is splendid, and answers many questions I had. Thanks!

[@Yldcatz]

I’m not a lyric person but that is fascinating. Thanks

[@sherryheim5504]

The child he returned to find was most likely a grandchild considering the time and he probably saw the eyes of his child in her/his eyes. I came to this not only by the time passed, but because the song says "in the land that our grandchildren knew" so I believe I misspoke above in stating that it was his daughter.

[@postjm9]

This one can make me cry so easily. "Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cry to me" - that can be evocative to almost anyone (or anyone older, like me), even without the sci-fi context.

[@imweakfordeaky]

That falsetto is drummer Roger Taylor. He did a lot of those “dog whistle notes” (as Freddie referred to Roger’s high-high notes) throughout their early catalogue, although he lost some of his highest notes sometime in his mid-30s - as so often happens as a man’s voice reaches full maturity.

[@susieq9801]

The volunteers sought a new planet because the earth was dying. When they returned, having travelled at the speed of light, they aged only a year but all of their loved ones were long dead so...."For my life still ahead, pity me". The joy of finding a new earth was at the cost of losing everyone they left behind. Try a few songs like "Seaside Rendezvous" or "Bring back Leroy Brown". Sounds like vaudeville. "Let me live" almost gospel. "My Melancholy Blues" or "Dreamer's Ball" for jazz/blues style.

[@davidshattock9522]

There is a live version with a violin and it's good too

[@timrussell9869]

Another fun astronomical fact. The Distance from Earth to Mercury is around .39 AU (astronomical units) Brian the astronomer is playing with us all...

[@criticalthinkersrule]

This album was my intro to Queen. Such an amazing mix of styles on the one record.

[@mod850]

Brian May being an astrophysicist, it was probably inevitable there would be a folk song about time dilation LOL

[@carinalundstrom7566]

The movie Interstellar is made from this song. The high pitched vocals is Roget Taylor, the drummer

[@markwebster4883]

such a deep but simple song

[@larsrossle8576]

This is one of my favorite Queen songs, and yes, Brians songs are often very different from the ones composed by Freddie. If you want to experience another shock, try "Sleeping on the Sidewalk". Also written by Brian.

[@jjflash1645]

I’ve been listening to Queen for a long time (I’m 77) and have never heard this song before. I like it. You’re never too old to experience something new.

[@postjm9]

I find a lot of people who don't know this, just because it was originally a hidden track, and never a single. I love it desperately.

[@dbriddie9525]

one of Queens most favourite fans live songs

[@MichaelWitkowski-dq1nr]

My all-time favorite Queen masterpiece.

[@jimilove7773]

Queen have so many sounds/styles!

[@deboraclark5791]

You should hear Melancholy Blues. Queen did all types of music, perfectly.

[@katehaynes5735]

Agreed, Queen are genreless! They did it all and fabulosly! I was lucky to hear this live a few months ago, Brian, an acoustic guitar and a stool to sit on, that's it. Beautiful!

[@trudehunnicutt8214]

Broan wrote this song about time travel. The falsetto is Roger 😊the drummer.

[@stephenking149]

One of my favorite Queen songs. Takes me back to 1976 when I was young United States Marine and I lost a good buddy ran over by a drunk driver, RIP Otis.

[@susanneg2824]

Missed you, Harri! Love that you recognize the glorious creativity of Queen!!!!

[@richardscales9560]

Shocking? No, beautifully melancholic ,yes. I've loved this song from when I first heard it on A Night at the Opera after getting it for my 11 th Birthday (mind you theres not a duff track on that whole album).

[@Danielik25]

Queen has a lot of shocking songs in their catalouge …😀

[@yvrkid7070]

Great reaction! That was the drummer, Roger Taylor with the high falsetto. He is the same one who did the high notes in Bohemian Rhapsody and many other songs. Roger usually sang his own songs on Queen records and Brian sang some of his as well, until the 80s when Freddie sang all the songs. Brian wrote in different styles, like Good Company with a Dixieland Jazz band style and Sleeping on the Sidewalk about a trumpet players life in blues style. Dreamer's Ball has a New Orleans style and then there is Who Wants to Live Forever and Show Must Go On which could be called power ballads. Sir Dr Brian May - genius.

[@Cynthia...]

I also have to say I never would’ve guessed this was Queen. They have so many great songs.

[@cristiona22]

Yes the guy doing falsetto is Roger Taylor. His speciality back then. I was lucky to see them perform this live. Great song .

[@iqbalmuhammad2920]

What year was that?

[@groovy1552]

@@iqbalmuhammad2920 this song is from 1975

[@anthonyjd6097]

If you think that’s OK check out lazying on a Sunday afternoon, and seaside Rendezvousoff the. Same album

[@dougieyou]

Hey Harri,thanks for this...not often done by requestors..good on you..This is one of my fav. Queen tunes.

[@wmason1961]

I was severely bullied for about a year after me and a couple of my friends sang this in the high school cafeteria. It was 1978. It was anti gay bullying. And I am not gay. The world was not ready for Queen.

[@leeann3920]

'39' is my favorite Queen song. Just love this!

[@jameslapham4326]

That whole album (A Night at the Opera) is nothing but masterful songs, all different sounds and styles. One of the best rock albums ever, in my opinion. And I've listened to a LOT of albums.... The lyrics make your mind wander around different interpretations and realities.... This particular song's style reminds me of Moody Blues.

[@andrewflockhart7270]

Superb album, the prophet song is my favourite

[@scottclark7309]

Love your reactions. You are right its about traveling in space and coming back to earth a 100 years later and discover how things had changed

[@JohnnyMegabyteCanada]

talk about different ... every song on A Night At The Opera was different from each other. You should check out another Brian song from ANATO called The Prophet's Song. IMHO it is a more elaborate arrangement to Bohemian Rhapsody, and has an acapella harmonized vocal solo by Freddie. Truly amazing

[@buckwahn8241]

Yeah, The Prophet`s Song is a great prog rock song. Totaly underrated.

[@nancyblumberg4612]

@@buckwahn8241 I really don’t like prophet and I love love Queen, scream at me all you want, just not for me. Sorry guys

[@ViciousTuna69]

LOVE this song! Thank you!

[@carolejepsen]

Love this song.

[@xtiants]

One of the most amazing things about queen is the variety. Their album tracks are more surprising than the hits!

[@markbishopmusic]

My favorite Queen song. Excellent!

[@scottclark7309]

Queen really could do anything. Beautiful song R.I.P FREDDIE WE MISS YOU

[@brucedillinger9448]

I believe you are the first person I can think of to have reacted to one of my favorite Queen songs. Thanks! Peace ☮

[@MrCRayAnderson]

This is from A Night at the Opera, like Bohemian Rhapsody. There are many great songs on that album. Seaside Rendezvous, Death on Two Legs, The Prophet's Song, they are all great!

[@mark-be9mq]

Songs like this never get old.

[@janabraam7963]

I always loved this song. It is so different from their other stuff. Just LOVE it. Thanks for reacting to this one. Queen always amazed me. I read other comments & see you got the explanation of the song already. This came off my favorite album by them, A NIGHT AT THE OPERA. A purely genius of an album. Another song from that same album, written & sung by Brian May, is GOOD COMPANY. You should give that one a listen. It is another different sounding song. I always had a crush on him. Thank you for more Queen. ☮

[@scottclark7309]

Hey harry love your reactions. Keep queening it up!!!!! R.I.P FREDDIE WE MISS YOU

[@abmqa]

Harri please check out Cool Cat by Queen. I know that you love a great bassline, trust me you won't be disappointed! I think Cool Cat is also different from most Queen songs.

[@timg5011]

On the "Hot Space" album.

[@SailorBarsoom]

They sound almost like Peter Paul & Mary, or the Byrds. I've never heard this before and it is GOOD. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[@avlisk]

Same experience for me. I bought their first record back in the early '70's, know all their hits, and this was a surprise for sure. Sounds like it might be from Chris DeBurgh's album, The Getaway, too.

[@normanrose2711]

great choice... great reaction

[@kingstumble]

This reminds me of Lindisfarne--a folk rock band of the 60s and 70s.

[@DonnaleaSpencer]

This is a bit more rousing during Queen concerts! In those, it's Freddie who sings lead - so it sounds different. Roger is right upfront on stage, brings a drum (& his falsetto) with him while he smacks away at a tambourine. And it is a heck of a lot of fun to watch them. Yes, it's VERY folk-like in tone. That said, I love Brian's voice here as he performs his own composition.

[@j0hnf_uk]

You don't get many songs about the theory of time dilation, but when you do, trust Queen to make a great job of it! The idea is that, the faster you travel, i.e. in a space craft away from earth, the slower time becomes. To those travelling it seems as though time is going by at the normal rate, but to those on earth time rushes by. These astronauts travelled a year to and from the new planet they discovered, but on earth 100 years had past by. Which meant everyone they knew back on earth was, essentially, dead. Only their grandchildren would remain. The poignant lyrics of, 'your mothers tears from your eyes cry to me', pretty much sums up the feeling of sadness felt.

[@doesntgiveaflock2725]

I love this one and haven't heard it in forever! Thank you 😊

[@leodurkin8539]

I went to watch Queen last month and Brian performed this song with some good visuals on a huge massive screen & it is Brian May Singing it.

[@LeroyBrown84]

Great reaction 👑😃🥂

[@marciebulsaraorcutt]

HEY HARRI, (Long time-no see... as-far-as Queen/Freddie goes, I mean.) THANK YOU for doing another great Queen reaction! And YEAH... Queen & Freddie have LOTS of ALL DIFFERENT styles of songs that you've never heard of. (Do you know that Freddie recorded an album of OPERA? Titled Barcelona... it's FANTASTIC.) ...Most Queen fans will tell you that their BEST material are the "Deep Cuts", album songs that were never even released as singles; some of these a are a bit more known because - even tho they weren't released as singles - Queen always played them in their live shows, where they also became fan favorites.

[@philpartynski3125]

Fantastic! My favorite Queen song! Thank you!

[@dishields7808]

I know, right?

[@vkaPAUL]

LOL... @2:04.. " No way on Earth"!! it's about Time, Space and Reality when we venture the Stars only to come back and a 100 years have passed after a year!! Brian May is a AstroPhysicist!!

[@JK-ld8cd]

you gotta listen to the whole "Night at the opera Album" the whole thing is awesome, different and Mader me luv this band.

[@keymack2477]

Thank you for the excellent reaction Harri! For some more "different" Queen I would suggest "Tenement Funster", "In The Lap of the Gods", "Stormtroopers In Stilettos", "The Night Comes Down" and "The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke" among many more. And no, Harri, I don't remember any other Queen songs that sounded much like this beauty!

[@jodyheigaard9949]

You really need to watch a live performance of this. Hyde Park '75 is pretty good. Brian sings lead on the album but Freddie sings lead in concert. The only instrumentation is Brian - acoustic guitar, Roger - bass drum & tambourine and John - electric bass.

[@IllumeEltanin]

You're very close to the song's meaning, Harri. Keep in mind that Brian May is an astrophysicist. He hadn't earned his doctorate yet at the time A Night At The Opera came out, but he was a student of astrophysics. There is a theory called Time Displacement, which posits that the closer one approaches the speed of light, the slower they age. The plot of the song is volunteers went out on a 100 year journey to find a new planet for humans to colonize, as the Earth is dying. They depart in '39 and return 100 years later in '39. The protagonist of the song is singing to both his now deceased wife and his child at different points in the song. The final lines relate his dismay that he is still so young with much of his life ahead of him to be lived without the love of his life, his now deceased wife. At least, this has always been my interpretation of the story.

[@susieq9801]

A very sad theme.

[@imweakfordeaky]

That’s exactly what the song is about, although I think the space-time travel problem is called Time Dilation.

[@IllumeEltanin]

@@imweakfordeaky Ah, thank you. I'm positive you're correct on the proper term.

[@HarriBestReactions]

Only a clever book head could have written a song like this 😀😀

[@Ozefan2580]

I love watching you react to a song I've never heard before, either. I really enjoyed this tune and agree that it does not sound like a typical Queen song.

[@John_Chu]

Brian May has said, among early childhood memories, he was influenced by Lonnie Donegan and skittle bands. This particular song reminds me of The Strawbs, a folk-inflected band also popular in the early to mid '70s.

[@drxfairless7440]

I think you mean skiffle bands, These were 'street corner' bands who had maybe one guitar and a miscellany of household objects to make music with, For instance a washboard for percussion and a tea chest with a broom handle to make a double base. I remember learning the words to Rock Island Line so I could join in with my local group!!

[@stevenlowe3026]

This is a fairly popular theme in science fiction, with many many variations on the theme, but the first song I've ever heard dealing with it. Such a sad, beautiful song.

[@clarkcraig6959]

Harri may I suggest you react to the Queen song, NO ONE BUT YOU ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG. It was a tribute song that the three members got together and recorded it was also John Deacon the Bass players last time he was with Queen before he retired.

[@clarkcraig6959]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pX2uqpSFgcdlfNU

[@brianorzel1873]

In a way, this song makes me think of "Too Much Love Will Kill You". I actually like Brian May's solo version better than when Queen did it.

[@26shedan]

me too!

[@stanley2681]

i feel like this song lyrics in a nutshell is a summary of the movie interstellar.

[@janetschulman7649]

It’s fun to watch it live. They all come up to the front of the stage and Freddie sings the lead. In this one Brian takes the lead. He’s good and Roger does the high notes.

[@jeffreyewig6121]

Hey Mr. Harry try listening to "it's late " . Just an awesome rocker and a true deep album cut from the lp "News of the World" -another banger of an album. Such a great song. Love me some Queen!!!!!!!!!!!

[@etc7070]

This is my favorite Brian May led Queen track. It's like someone said write a John Denver-esque song, but make it Queen and sci-fi.

[@johnfloyd4166]

Cool track.😊 ynwa 💥

[@lindsaycrellin4588]

You should have a listen to Stone Cold Crazy for something different too loved your reaction ❤️

[@Boatzilla2]

Jesus, Harri. What a great reaction. I haven't heard this in so long I forgot about it and I have "A Night At The Opera" on vinyl. Thank you for sharing and bringing back so great memories.

[@debbiechang5781]

I completely agree with you Harri. I would never have landed on Queen even if I had been given 100 chances to guess who this was. Very surprising but nice 🌺✌️

[@scottclark7309]

By the way i love this song. It just shows how queen can do anything

[@casjean8904]

my favorite song off my favorite album. play it so much I'm on my third album and second CD. I first learned this song in high school. we had just learned about einstein's theory of relativity and bam I got it. all because of this song. thanks to Dr may!

[@valogden]

Brian said this was written about the future. Brian May performs this at their concerts before he does Love of My Life which always brings me to tears when Freddie comes on the screen to sing the last verse with audience. Queen didn't have a specific sound. They sang all varieties. This makes sense when you consider you have 4 very talented songwriters writing their songs and many times fighting for their song to be on the new album. Freddie was known as the peacemaker and Brian and Roger don't agree on anything.

[@debramoore7513]

The song is about a group of space explorers who embark on what is, from their perspective, a year-long voyage. Upon their return, they realize that a hundred years have passed, because of time dilation. The loved ones they left behind are now all dead or aged. “Your mother’s eyes, from your eyes, cry to me … “ 🚀💥🌙🌟⭐️ “For my life .. Still ahead .. Pity me”

[@GinMae]

DEBBIE!! hello, my love!

[@GinMae]

@@debramoore7513 Ha - no beach kid here.. lol... just stayin' in AC and out of the sun... lol

[@debramoore7513]

@@GinMae Don’t blame ya 👒🩴🩴🧊

[@greghansell5115]

On top of the layered harmonies, I think Brian's electric guitar tone/style is another giveaway that this is a Queen song. Very subtle in this song, but nonetheless definitely there. Roger Meddows Taylor provides the falsetto. He's also written and taken the lead vocals on many of their songs. Like this song, if you listened to 'Drowse', you probably would never have guessed that that was a Queen song.

[@dishields7808]

I always thought it was about exploration from 400 yrs ago and the discovery of the America's. When they returned successfully, the man's wife had died. I am drawn to haunting music. I found it back when queen came out, so I can't really say if it sounds like queen or not

[@roadk88]

A lot of people do not realize that other members of Queen, Roger Taylor and Brian May, did sing a lot of songs. Listen to Good Company Brian sings that one also and Tenement Funster sung by Roger Taylor.

[@markvicferrer]

Time dilation in sci-fi can be heartbreaking & of course it's Queen's resident Rocket Scientist who writes a song about it. 😢

[@Sassypaws4927]

This is a folk song written by Brian May, who is in real life, Dr. Brian May, Ph.D. (in Astrophysics). The high falsetto voice is Roger Taylor (Queen Drummer). This song is a science fiction tale that brilliantly employs a part of Einstein's theory of Relativity, time dilation. Meaning as speed increases time expands; a week becomes a month, a month becomes a year, etc. It tells a story of a group of space voyagers (the volunteers), who in the year '39 (could be 2239, 2339, who knows) depart a dying Earth in a spaceship to explore a distant world for habitability. Presumably a government project, essentially scouting the planet for colonization. If they were to travel at speeds approaching the speed of light then the effects of time dilation would dramatically reduce the rate at which they age. A year back on Earth could mean only a day to them physiologically. If you follow the words you can piece together it took the volunteers 100 years to complete the mission, returning to Earth exactly one century later (in the year of 39 came a ship in from the blue). It's the year '39.... in the next century. Upon their return they discover the world they left no longer exists. They have been gone a century yet the effects of time dilation have aged them only a year. Their families are long dead, and the Earth has deteriorated to a gray planet. They came back to report the world they explored is vibrant and perfect for humanity. But their good news is quickly squashed by the realization that they are now refugees in time.

[@Yldcatz]

I’m fascinated with astrophysics but not smart enough to understand it.

[@janetschulman7649]

Roger has a fantastic falsetto.

[@henriquearroxelas1510]

To me, it's the most beautiful Queen song, though not their best (Bohemian Rhapsody). "Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cries to me". Always get goosebumps when Brian May sings this part. Beautiful lyrics.

[@IllumeEltanin]

Oh, yes. I know Bohemian Rhapsody is the main one from A Night At The Opera, but this is my favorite.

[@kenholst3541]

A similar type song also sung by Brian is called Good Company

[@DannyD714]

the whole "a night at the opera" album contains many styles of music. it's a great one to react to beginning to end.

[@timothywarner9139]

It's about space travel and also time travel

[@criticalthinkersrule]

Fitting song for Brian May to write as he studied physics and astronomy at university, and in recent years went back to finish his PhD.

[@Canucklehead557]

If you listen to the Live Killers version of '39, Freddie sings lead vocals.

[@lisaargyrou1488]

Wow 🥰 loved your reaction liked already subscribed 😁 more queen reactions please 🥺❤️ Freddie Mercury ❤️

[@richgoebel6650]

With a handful of exceptions, when Brian writes, Brian sings. Two notable exceptions are from Queen 2 Side White Father to Son and White Queen (as it began), from Jazz Dreamers Ball and from The Game, Save Me are all sung by Freddie. Same goes for Roger and his most unique voice and singing style. The notable exception for his writing is the much better known Radio Gaga. Almost every album has at least one song written and sung by both Brian and Roger. Other great songs by Brian: From Queen 2 - Someday One Day, From Sheer Heart Attack - She Makes me (Stormtrooper in Stilettoes) From News of the World - All Dead, All Dead, Sleeping on a Sidewalk and It's Late. From The Game - Sail Away Sweet Sister and there are others. Then, there is the whole Roger Taylor rabbit hole.

[@vernhoke7730]

Actually Brian, Freddie, Roger and John wrote. In fact they've each had at least one #1 hit. Freddie is the the primary lead vocalist, there are the occasional songs where either Brian or Roger sings lead and all 4 lend their voices to the harmonies.

[@richgoebel6650]

@@vernhoke7730 I knew someone would point that out, but i was focusing on singing the songs they write.

[@lltbg]

Greatest Queen song

[@mikecaetano]

Remember the scene in the Blues Brothers movie where they played "Rawhide" over and over while the good old boys threw beer bottles at the chicken wire screen protecting them? Well, this song seems like a song Queen kept in their back pocket just in case a show in Appalachia ever went sideways...

[@klaytaylor7011]

Now that you've heard Brian sing lead, you MUST must try a song where Roger sings lead! -"Modern Times Rock & Roll", "I'm In Love With My Car", "Tenement Funster" or 'Fight From The Inside" -Your jaw will drop when you hear him sing. Who will back me up? : )

[@ednoponen2943]

This is Queen's most atypical song of all. And I love it! Harri, you need to check out some of Brian Mays' solo stuff. Especially his recent album release. Brian stands in Freddie's giant shadow, and therefore is way too overlooked, both as a musician and a human being. Great person! Excellent reaction, Harri.

[@scottclark7309]

React to queen soul brother. Freddie wrote this song for Brian may R.I.P FREDDIE WE MISS YOU

[@suemorgan1363]

Queen's comfort zone is so big that it would be practically impossible to step outside it. They never belonged to one genre.......indeed their genre was Queen

[@IrishKack]

Sounds like an old Irish Folk song. Clever boy, that Brian May.

[@michaelgallego3555]

I was most shocked by their song, "White Man."

[@jenniferdonohue-cunningham5367]

listen to Sail Away Sweet Sister from The Game album. another great Brian song

[@ralfkramden9291]

I believe that Brian May wrote this song based on a book by Robert Heinlein, Time for the Stars, which deals with traveling around the speed of light, searching for new planets

[@jondaly597]

You were close the song is about time dilation, the traveller left earth travelled close to the speed of light, they aged hardly at all while the earth kept on going. I didn't pick it up, saw an interview where Brian May stated that.

[@barbarjinx3802]

Only song I know of that deals with the effects of speed of light travel and time dilation. A classic. These dudes are all smarter than the average person.

[@richardsinger01]

Ha ha, yes but that’s a low bar. 50% of the population are smarter than the average person.

[@barbarjinx3802]

@@richardsinger01 wrong. You can’t have 50% smarter than the average and 50% dumber than average. That would mean 0% of people are of average intelligence.