Classical Composer Reacts to The Prophet's Song (Queen) | The Daily Doug (Episode 166)

#Queen #QueenReaction #TheProphetsSong
In this episode of #TheDailyDoug, I'm reacting to The Prophet's Song by Queen. I was blown away by the use of canon in this work. Wonderful!
Reference Video: • Video

[@fantus01]

there is no ending, this song goes seamless to "love of my life"

[@SoloFalcon1138]

^this

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

... and while "Love of My Life" is a *completely* different song, the transition is just perfectly smooth.

[@scottbradbury3924]

Absolutely correct

[@AlfW]

The ending already sounds like Love of my Life. It's just perfect.

[@molokoko786]

Yes it’s transition into Love of My Life with the same key and instrument playing the first bar Or two. Masterfully done too.

[@autentyk5735]

Most overlooked song in history. Even those who consider themselves Queen fans often seem not to know it somehow. How? No idea... It is as big a masterpiece as Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@STV-H4H]

Better. Should’ve been a more recognized number. BR was a great thing, but tPS is the finest example of the kind of musical talent that is QUEEN. The hits serve their purpose in bringing to light the many far better songs they have made.

[@gregbates2844]

Bigger, imo. :)

[@daniellecharles5791]

Bigger! ❤

[@tbnobs]

A night at the opera is a masterpiece music this good never grows old

[@GodsUnrulyFriends]

One day my first wife and I listened to A Night at the Opera from beginning to end. We sat in silence when the album was finished, then she said "I wonder if they were aware they'd created such a masterpiece?"

[@fred_derf]

Get a good pair of headphones, put on the CD of _A Night at the Opera_ (not the record or you'll have to flip sides), lay down on your back so that you're not touching anything, close your eyes and enjoy. It's almost an out of body experience.

[@wintergirl8]

​@@fred_derf I was ten years old when I bought this album and did exactly that. My parents thought I was insane.

[@fred_derf]

@@wintergirl8, _"My parents thought I was insane."_ And let me guess, your parents wouldn't try it...

[@bluebell3720]

'Freddie is singing over his own tape delays, played back into his headphones so he can harmonise with himself right there in the studio.'

[@debramoore7513]

Hello Blue Bell 🙋‍♀️

[@ChickenatorJr]

Yes! Freddy sung the cannon part all in one complete take, hearing the delay and sing along with himself. Pretty incredible. Freddy was king.

[@joecristino161]

They created a loop machine ( with I think 2 to 3 tape machines and a length of tape. where the tape would record then play back and record while he sang a along …it’s unfreakin real they came up with that back then

[@mightyV444]

@@joecristino161 - YES! I just heard about that in this following clip! Not just a delay effect unit (There wouldn't have been any stereo ones yet at that time anyway) but three different tape machines! Mind-blowing! 🤯 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIC3l2t9l6lgpac

[@DavieJones_Lockr]

Ahhh.... the origin of the tape delay.

[@leelee4291]

Truth! Freddie Mercury is a man amongst gods. RIP

[@luciaortiz3933]

But I think that Roger sing in some fragments at the last part of that section too....cos you can clearly hear Rog's high falsetto at the fragments at the ending of that section....but yeah, clearly that section was like almost compleatly just Freddie singing...

[@scooter2473]

The Prophet’s Song - A Brian May MASTERPIECE!! Just as phenomenal as Bohemian Rhapsody!! ❤️

[@Xcorgi]

Every nuance of this song just pulls the listener in deeper and deeper. This was pure genius.

[@73challenger5031]

Now, imagine being a 13 year old burgeoning rock fan who thought he'd heard everything and then hearing THIS in his headphones! Better than Bohemian Rhapsody any day! Brian May is the Man!

[@wumbomandlx]

​@@edwardvincentlaybournwalle4991 Another one you might like is Innuendo

[@franciscoferreira4626]

Early queen albums are my favourite albums from all time. They are so different and have such an amazing innovative sound. I love it!

[@bman8366]

I couldn't agree more! :-)

[@jasonpearce6475]

Same as me I love them 💋

[@juttapopp1869]

Queen 2 is my personal favourite. They were always great, but never again quite as... until Innuendo, of course. And then there's "mother love".

[@Azabaxe80]

My two favorite Queen albums are Queen II and News of the World. I like them because they are polar opposites and display pretty well the versatility of this band.

[@t.mccullough2573]

Same Early QUEEN is where all the surreal mental vacations are.. So ethereal... Takes you away to a different time.. and place! A sort of Renaissance Faire! Only you don't have to leave home!

[@johnplaster4536]

The Millionaire Waltz is just as good as this and around the same era in Queen's epic operatic prog masterpiece of a journey. Please give it a listen!

[@markalexander7397]

The bassline in Millionaire Waltz...unreal!

[@Essin62]

I seconds this. And yeah, the tasty bassline...

[@ninagray4441]

It's my favourite Queen song.

[@AlonsoTherion]

YEAAAAHH!

[@estebanmartinez1723]

Oh my god yes

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

Brian May uses that delay live to create layered guitars. Freddie performed that "round" live in the studio listening to the delay - no auto-tune back then - amazing pitch control!

[@OldMusicOnVinyl1]

Now that you mention it-is the vocal section a 'sequel' to the guitar solo in "Brighton Rock" ?

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

@@OldMusicOnVinyl1 Using the same method anyhow. Brian also would use the delay live to make layers on songs like "Keep Yourself Alive, White Man, Millionaire's Waltz, and Sheer Heat Attack. (that I know of)

[@talastra]

@@OldMusicOnVinyl1 Especially the live version, yes :)

[@buckmurdock2025]

What's even more amazing is that at some points you would say Freddy was slightly out of tune, yet the delays melt together seamlessly.

[@BifMcAwesome]

@@buckmurdock2025 Being slightly out of tune gives music humanity. To autotune Freddy Mercury would make him a robot. If anybody would be considered the definition of the opposite of a robot it would Freddy Mercury

[@jilldiable8119]

Queen are truly masters of harmonies. All their voices are exquisite.

[@AbimaelRuizBetancourt]

To understand the ending you need to listen to the next song of the album: Love of my Life.

[@frankroos1167]

Or rather, you would have to listen to these songs back to back. The guitar bit actually extends into the start Love of my Life.

[@sordel5866]

Almost the entire album is "played attacca" (well, it would have to be if it were performed live). It always hurts when you see this sort of studio brilliance broken in YT reaction videos, but it's just nice to see someone tackle "The Prophet's Song".

[@Marctull66]

I think Doug needs to BUY and to listen to *the whole album*, anyway !! That one and A Day At the Races too. and I hope he did so with "Queen II", as he reviewed March of The Black Queen.

[@hellymusic]

Everytime i listen to this song i get the chills, its so good

[@donnadidomenico4492]

easily the best song ever you dont need to have good taste or listening a lot of music

[@thomasmalatesta7331]

I saw Queen perform this song ( Prophets Song ) live way back in the mid 70's. It was amazing !

[@kathyscoppettuolo7168]

Same here. You are so right!

[@burpie3258]

Lucky!!

[@donnadidomenico4492]

im jealous of you

[@centaurus5676]

I love how everyone who hears a Queen song for the first time, assumes they think where the chords are going and then...Oh! didn't expect that! True master song writers that cannot be replicated in this day and age.

[@phil12323]

The were true master songwriters...but those harmonic techniques are used a lot by other composers.

[@debramoore7513]

Brilliant composers!

[@aussiebloke609]

Sting has said he strives for the same effect - whenever he has a theme that repeats itself, he consciously tries to end it on a different chord each time. To him, anything predictable would also be bland - and I agree. And Queen were the early masters of this.

[@knyazigorthe8617]

👍

[@TheBlackQueen]

You are correct that is a delay...except they didn't have delays that could repeat at 100% feadback twice and switching between left, right, and center channels in 1975. What they did was they took three tape machines, and fed one reel of tape through all three of them and split the signal through a Mult, sending it to one channel on each tape machine and panning one left, one right, and one center.

[@richardsanders3567]

Yeah I knew that 😆

[@StockportJambo]

My headcanon says that this is basically Brian May's guitar rig (used on Brighton Rock, amongst others) and Freddie one day said "Hey - what would happen if I *sang* into that thing?". And that's how that middle segment happened. Probably completely wrong - but I don't want to Google it to be told it is. I'm happy with my headcanon. ;)

[@TheBlackQueen]

@@StockportJambo Yeah, it wasn't as simple as that but you do you!

[@sootikins]

"A small koto". Yep, in the liner notes Brian May is credited as playing the "Toy Koto". Also, this song to this day gives me chills when played loudly enough. And I still vividly remember listening to this with headphones in '76, stoned out of my gourd tripping on the "canon" part. Good times!

[@karolyn8644]

I remember seeing Brian in an interview where he talks about receiving the toy koto as a gift and teaching himself to play it.

[@JosephHuntelvisnspiders]

Yup! me too!

[@garanceadrosehn9691]

This is an amazing song to listen to on headphones.

[@MattKrogmeier]

I think you’d really get a kick out of “Seaside Rendezvous” - hear an entire brass band, created on multi-track by Brian May and his guitar. It’s a fun, short song on “A Night At The Opera.” “‘39” is another gem. That whole album is so much more than “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

[@iancunningham5576]

Lazing on a Sunday afternoon.

[@chrisross1703]

'Brass band' :)

[@MattKrogmeier]

@@chrisross1703 whoops….can’t believe I did that! Thanks!

[@ninagray4441]

On Good Company, Brian makes every sound on his guitar, trying to make it sound like many differing instruments. Mostly sucseeding.

[@franki68]

Didn’t they do the ‘brass’ by blowing into paper cones ?

[@cavatti15]

My personal fav from A Night at the Opera, along with Death on Two Legs. Total masterpiece! Nice pick Doug! Cheers!

[@SoloFalcon1138]

That is a beast of a song!

[@rubentullenaar2934]

@@SoloFalcon1138 yes it is🤘🏻

[@bobchurunkle9921]

Again how they merge songs was great,, death on two legs into lazing on a Sunday afternoon into I'm in love with my car what a way to open an album,,, genius

[@cavatti15]

@@bobchurunkle9921 Doug got the message from the ending of this one as well, merging into Love Of My Life....i was actually expecting it coming at the end ;D

[@jus10kase]

Heading into a Foo Fighters concert the preshow music played Death on Two Legs ! I knew then that would be a good show. Saw Queen on the Jazz tour and opened with Death on Two Legs, the whole Spectrum just vibrated.

[@chadbennett7873]

Everybody has their favorite Queen song, a most fall into the big hits, but this is not only my personal favorite, but also one I consider one of the greatest compositions of all time. It gets buried because it's on one of the greatest albums of all time, loaded with popular hits ... especially the monster classic of Freddie's. This, to me, is Brian's magnum opus and, in my mind, outshines BoRhap. We so frequently fail to hear the prophet's voice in our own time, and most certainly fail to heed the warning. Most of it is due to our ignoring Copernicus and believing we are the center of the universe. Brian at his brilliant best. Shouldn't surprise us ... an anagram of his name is Brain. I was fortunate to live in his time.

[@michaelhilborn4204]

Brian May is also an astrophysicist.

[@PurpleColonel]

Their guitarist, Brian May used the same 2-delay harmonizing for 10+ minute solos in the middle of their shows, it's some amazing stuff

[@chrissmith7669]

His demonstration of the delay on KZbin makes him worthy of “guitar god” designation. What was I a one beat dealt and a beat and a half delay?

[@loicdearaujo8557]

70s Queen epics worth a listen - My fairy king (from their first album - by the way, The ShowMust Go On somehow mirrors the former by referring to its lyrics) - Great King Rat - Procession / Father to Son / White Queen (their first albums include a lot of segues fragmented to different "tracks") - Ogre battle - The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke / Nevermore / The March of the Black Queen / Funny how love is - Tenemunt Funster / Flick of the Wrist / Lily of the Valley - Bring Back That Leroy Brown (an addictive ragtime song) - The Prophet's Song / Love of my Life so many pthers indeed

[@galaxy5539]

And the bucle of the A Day at the Races album: End of Teo Torriate / Tie Your Mother Down

[@sVieira151]

Ooh. there aren't enough reactions to this song. An absolutely underrated song by Queen that more people should know! Thanks for the reaction, Doug. Millionaire Waltz is also a phenomenal track!

[@jeanninedoyle9523]

Fairy Feller Master Stroke is another classic to avoid Queen fans

[@clarewebber288]

Do you mean "avid"?? Anyway, it's my favourite, and needs to be heard! It's on Queen II,.

[@Someonelser1]

YES, and it transitions into 'Nevermore,' quirky into sublime!

[@jeanninedoyle9523]

@@clarewebber288 yes, I’m old, my eyes aren’t what they used to be LOL

[@daisho13]

@@jeanninedoyle9523 lol, happens to all of us.

[@kirvergalarragacastro1448]

John Deacon is SO underrated.

[@mayamaia3130]

This was a JOY to watch! And you clicked into their use of the echoplex! I’m a physics tutor, and I actually use this song to teach students too! I have a frequency analysis of the canon section that I use to show them the physics of harmony and how the overtones line up.

[@randyhammill9021]

Brian May made extensive use of the two delays for his live guitar solos like the middle of A Prophet’s Song. While still a Canon, he tended to really focus on the harmonic structures. From Highlander, I think Who Wants to Live Forever is one of Brian’s best songs. In general, the songs he wrote are all pretty epic.

[@danielmoonen1891]

I agree. "Who Wants To Live Forever" is such a moving piece of music. When it comes to emotional quality that song is BIG. ❤️

[@MrDocninja]

Such an underrated iconic song, I love 70’s Queen songs much more than the “older Queen”

[@paulsimmons5726]

8:50 "This is so cool..." Yeah, that's my highschool band mates and I all thought in '75, LOL! Opera and Races, the Marx Brothers albums, were the complete highlights of the over-the-top Queen arrangements! If you've never listened to A Night At The Opera and A Day At The Races in their entireties, get those two CD's and put on your headphones ready! Stellar performances from every member on their best writing and arranging! Get them and be amazed!

[@gregcraddock1765]

Finally!! I've requested this song with every reactor after they've done Queen. You are the first I've seen do it. Excellent job!!

[@ruisilvafaria]

I agree with you 👍👍 Doug now you must react to "The Millionaire Waltz" Thanks for bringing more Queen

[@ellesee7079]

@Greg Craddock Check out JGK Productions. He let's it run right through Love of my Life too!

[@burpie3258]

aladdin sane pfp 🌝

[@StockportJambo]

It ends on the V chord because it goes straight into "Love of my Life" on the album. The songs are seamless.

[@garethjmsaunders]

Someone may already have said this but it was a common Queen practice to not repeat themselves. Doug points out that they ended the main theme on a different chord each time through. They did this a lot, or used different lyrics on each pass. This depth of variety and the layers that they created is one of the reason that I love Queen so much.

[@elifaudio1472]

That last guitar sequence was what Brian is using for Love of My Life in live versions.

[@ElIn1064]

This song ends weird because the last chords you hear belong to "Love of my Life", which is the song it fades into. It's such an interesting piece and it's overlooked because there's Bohemian Rhapsody in the same album 🤣 It's amazing, unique and so particular, especially because of that canon part. BTW, yes, you're right they did use a Koto, only it was a toy Koto. That's why it sounds "small" ✌🏻

[@benbermusics]

The ending is the bridge to Love of my Life! You should hear that smooth transition to that beautiful balad.

[@lacapsuladeltiempo9040]

Great song. Now you must react to "Brighton Rock" or "The Millionaire Waltz".

[@shawnstuff]

Definitely, The Millionaire Waltz... and maybe the live version of Love of My Life.

[@bman8366]

Hell yeah! I love both of these ones!!!

[@yinoveryang4246]

Brighton Rock is guitar cannon.

[@debramoore7513]

Brighton Rock in my top three Queen songs.

[@barrycharlton6228]

Yes, definitely Brighton Rock next.

[@eyeonit469]

In one documentary, Roy Thomas Baker explains how Brian put this together. Considering the technology of the time, they wonder how they did some of what they did. Roy said this was his favourite song over everything. Brian was always fascinated with canon and made delay boxes they used when playing live.

[@QuiveringNow]

Deep track reaction on this one. Impressive. The vocal breakdown section is amazing.

[@Russelisgod90]

More interesting and majestic than the always immense Bohemian Rhapsody. Next, try listening to Innuendo by the Queen.

[@kippsguitar6539]

Inuendo, love it, Very Spanish and dripping in minor 6 chords

[@leemays1323]

Check out Black Sabbath’s “progressive” album Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, particularly the song “Spiral Architect.” The album features Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman.

[@loicdearaujo8557]

great suggestion

[@Sam_Utah]

It seems strange that Sabbath and Yes were such friends given their different directions. But I saw them together in 1974 in Berkeley and later found out they were good friends as well. Might explain Rick Wakeman sitting in with them. Not sure.

[@stringemup5941]

I’ve always felt “Sabotage” was a tad more progressive. BUT, I’ve always viewed those two albums as a set, so it’s six of one/half a dozen of the other…. But yeah, “Spiral Architect”!! First heard it when I was 15. Actually HEARD it when I was about 26, 27. I wept. Was at slow point and it was such a profound and, dare I say, joyous experience to hear: “Of all the things I value most of all I look upon my Earth And feel the warmth And know that it is good” Was not prepared to truly hear that. Broke me down. Hard. What an amazing song!! Sabbath is the best! (Followed closely by Maiden)!

[@buddygripple7512]

Rick's only playing piano on "Sabbra Cadabra", and even then he's only in the jam section. The rest of the time it's Tony playing synths, piano, and mellotron, with Ozzy playing the synths on Who Are You.

[@zdenkonouzovsky6947]

Megalomania would be great to react to

[@michaelcostner3623]

Better than Bohemian Rhapsody. Amazing piece of music. No other band could've come up with this song, like so many early Queen songs.

[@jimilove7773]

Not better than bo rap epic no doubt.

[@dianethompson6816]

I agree. I always preferred this song over Bohemian Rhapsody , it's such an epic song . I was mesmerised from the very first time I heard it when I bought Night at the Opera in the 70s .

[@Silber7]

That harmony via delay is a staple of Brian May's guitar improvisation, he uses three amplifiers each with a different timed delay. Cool they had vocal sections with that too

[@Essin62]

Brighton Rock is the perfect example of this

[@brianorzel1873]

It flows into the next song "Love Of My Life". There was no good place to stop.

[@10CentHead]

Thanks for this one Doug - The entire album is chock full of interesting composition. No song is like the next one, but it's all still got the QUEEN stamp. Do yourself a favor sometime, and just put this album on in a darkened room with headphones (a must), and lay back. Nobody - and I mean NOBODY - makes anything this diverse anymore.

[@maryellenazack4466]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@t.mccullough2573]

Sadly, you are right.

[@GinMae]

Oh, yeah - headphones! when I bought this album as a teenager, and played it on my very cheap, scratchy turntable, it was AMAZING.. but I was so focused on every note, I think I got a lot out of it... years later, listening with headphones, I found it quite... relaxing(?) - Queen's music is so much more full and gorgeous that way.. and I really appreciate it.. but a part of me is, like: I think I heard that even without the "tech" -- well, I was kinda obsessed ... lol

[@johnfloyd4166]

Oh man I moved to scarborough 3 years ago. I feel lot better than in hull..35 years. .fuck sake xx

[@davecole2561]

The daring and invention on their first 6 albums was, is and will always be breathtaking. Those boys could produce anything from their fecund imaginations.

[@Sparrowman-jv3nk]

Some of the later Queen songs to perhaps consider, 'Innuendo' and 'The Show Must Go On'?

[@davidstorm4015]

Listen to 'Love of My Life', the transition from the 'Prophets Song'. A classic ballad, one of Queen's finest works

[@neilslater1182]

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you doing a Queen song today of all days. 5 years ago my dad died on Father's day, so it's always a bittersweet time of year for me. But one thing I always find myself doing is listening to his favourite music around fathers day. I would go as far as to say Queen were his favourite band, and this year more then ever I've delved more and more into their work. So thank you for this video. I know it's just coincidence, but means a lot. I've actually found myself listening to the Innuendo album more than any other lately, and I think if you were considering more queen, that the title track is definitely worth your time.

[@StockportJambo]

Definitely +1 for Innuendo. Sorry to hear about your Dad.

[@golddalekwho5944]

♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@mnnnw]

Wow I'm in the same boat. My dad didn't listen to Queen but he was born in '39 which is yet another great track on this album. My dad liked skiffle music which was popular in the UK during the 40s. Its what the Beatles listened to growing up as well. Doug you NEED to hear the whole album.

[@johnmiller0000]

I love your excitement at Freddy's harmonies flying across your head.

[@AlfW]

Wow, this song came earlier than expected. Love it so much! For a totally different Queen, you should now try something from News of the World. Maybe "All Dead, All Dead" or "Spread your wings".

[@venndiagram5981]

Thank you for covering this one. I bought “A Night at The Opera” when I first heard “Bohemian Rhapsody”, in 1975. I thought the opening track “Death on Two Legs” was better thank “Bohemian Rhapsody”, but immediately thought that “The Prophet’s Song” was a hundred times better than that. In over 47 years, my opinion hasn’t changed.

[@cody95]

Brian May's use of delay in Freddie's vocal solo in the middle of the song to create a three part harmony is nothing short of brilliant. One of the most overlooked and underrated songs in Queen's entire catalogue

[@TheAnalyst79]

The Highlander soundtrack is basically the "A kind of magic" album. I would recommend "Princes of the universe" where they reach back into their 70s roots a bit. Personally, I like their early stuff better. If you want to keep including Queen I would also recommend the "Tenement Funster/Flick of the Wrist/Lily of the Valley" trio from the "Sheer Heart Attack" album

[@danielmoonen1891]

Great recommendations. I would add Innuendo to that. 🙂

[@MetalDragon42]

SHA is probably my fave album next to Queen II, would so recommend those 3 tracks.

[@EnricoCicilloni]

This song is simply a masterpiece! So underrated

[@OldMusicOnVinyl1]

The entire 'canon' with Freddie Mercury self-harmonizing over his own tape delay...it has left me utterly spellbound every time. Going back years. To think that's one vocal track-and then when he MULTITRACKS!

[@crescentfreshbret]

The instrument Brian was playing at the beginning is a toy koto that he bought during Queen’s first tour of Japan.

[@Dogbarkssome]

Would recommend going straight on to 'Love of My Life' - it's such a great seamless transition from this song. Almost everyone on KZbin reacts to the live version, which is frustrating - the studio version is amazing.

[@sethkaicer319]

I was jamming out on my guitar on a Sunday afternoon. And then Doug came with this awesome Queen track at me. Needless to say time stands still right now.

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

No, Time Stand Still is by Rush. :)

[@phred23]

@@TorIverWilhelmsen Unless it stands still [at the Iron Hill], and then it's Blind Guardian.

[@kathyscoppettuolo7168]

You weren't lazing? 😉

[@tbnobs]

When I bought the 8 track tape in my teens this was one of my favorite songs on this masterpiece creation of enduring songs

[@ARrocks12]

There are so many interesting things: Brian tuned his acoustic guitar in Drop D in order to play the 'high d minor' with 'low D' from the open E-String (tuned down to D) . This was many years before the Metal guys tuned theit guitars in Drop D. Then the canon thing that Freddie did was the on the same echo tape machine Brian uses on the Brighton Rock guitar solo (studio version one delay/live version 2 delays - e.g. on the Live Killers album). Brian created the harmonic thing with the delay one year before The Prophet Song (A night at the opera/1975) song on Brighton Rock (Sheer heart attack / 1974).

[@bettybutterbean5759]

Hurrah! Somebody who knows about music talking about music. This entire album is worth going into in minute detail and I'm here for that. Thanks for this...and for not blabbing tripe all over it. 💚

[@namethestars]

So glad you covered this song, not just one of my favourite Queen songs but my absolute #1. Lyrically beautiful and just grabs you by the heart ❤

[@tbnobs]

These guys were true musical genius

[@susaneuliano7692]

It shows how deeply they were so poetic and way before their time. Genius!.

[@dac2007]

This song is absolutely incredible! I wonder how they even played it live (if they did) Also the end of this song links directly with Love of my Life, which is the next song in the album

[@mihohobaba]

Oh yeah, they absolutely did play it live! And made a damn fine job of it too!

[@ThibautKurt23]

They did you can find it on KZbin. Freddie did the part with al the voices with a recording /delay system he used live . Great performer!

[@manuelbarros4898]

8:08 Brian May did the same thing on some live Queen tracks. Brighton Rock in particular.

[@CesarJuarezVargas]

Surprised of having had discovered it? Try having listened to it when you were 11 years old… one of my best childhood memories.

[@jasminegj]

i’m pretty sure when queen went to japan brian learnt how to play a toy koto and then played it for this song

[@caramanico1]

Doug - as impressed as you were, imagine being a 15 year old (with very little musical knowledge/experience) transitioning from The Partridge Family to this (and throw in Zeppelin, Yes, ELP and others of the day)! They also get my vote (easily) as best live band ever, and I've seen almost everybody.

[@tmauro386]

Love these lesser known Queen tunes Great pick!

[@johnmcgahern3946]

Listen to one of Brian Mays live guitar solos. He uses two delays thus creating a three part harmony. He'd been doing that since their early shows. Freddie seemed to go nuts with in that middle section.

[@cjf5747]

Look into May's use of the echoplex for the middle dream section. He's astounding.

[@andrewouellette4998]

You had mentioned the "Highlander" sound track, which is basically the Queen album "It's a kind of Magic". Some of the tracks would be "Who wants to live forever" and "Princes of the Universe"

[@Dug6666666]

Pretty sure the song follow straight into "Love of my life" A song with some lovely harmonies.

[@timothymallon]

You were correct about it being a koto. According to Brian, it was a toy koto that he received when Queen visited Japan a year or two earlier. Also, like you noticed with The March Of The Black Queen, this song flows right into Love Of My Life, which is why it ends weird. Brian mentions in an interview, I believe it was the Making Of Night At The Opera documentary, that Queen always chose not to do verse chorus verse chorus like everyone else, because they always felt like the story they were telling deserved better and if they kept repeating it over and over again, it wasn't a very good story to tell. Im paraphrasing, but thats the point.

[@andrewjaman4697]

If memory serves, May is credited on the song for playing a "toy koto".

[@Laurasiana]

Takes me back to when I was 10, sharing a room with my older brother. He played the hell out of those Queen albums. Of course they were new back then. 😉 Since you enjoy musical challenges, and idiosyncratic writing, let me recommend Gentle Giant to you. “Proclamation” or “Knots” or “Raconteur Troubadour” (for starters!) come to mind as songs you’d likely enjoy analyzing.

[@Dimentius1]

Brian uses delay (canon delay) till now, so Freddie used a delay machine that brian used at that time! And please Sir react to Queen - The Fairy Fellers Master-Stroke

[@MRJoos66]

The canon part in this song is based on Brian May's guitar solo, which he inserted into various songs during live performances in the early years. On the live LP 'Live Killers,' for example, you can hear this solo in the song 'Brighton Rock.' In other early live performances, this guitar solo was included in different songs and constantly varied. Although the aforementioned live LP was released a few years after 'The Prophet's Song,' this guitar solo existed much earlier. The end of the song is therefore a bit unusual as it serves as a bridge to 'Love of My Life,' into which it seamlessly transitions.

[@TheRagzzz]

Doug, loved watching your reaction to this. I was given this on my 15th birthday, December 1975 and probably had listened to The Prophet's Song about 500 times the first week i had it...i was blown away by the intricacies just as you were. Keep up the great work on the channel.

[@riversplit8206]

The instrument played in the beginning and at the end is a toy koto Brian got when Queen visited Japan and Freddie did indeed record the middle vocal part live with the delays. Because the analog tape delay machines used in the early 70s didn't have a long enough delay time for this song they had to take parts of the tape out of the machine and make it go around chairs and other stuff they had in the studio to make the delay time long enough. There's a 10 minute "making of" video of this song on KZbin, I recommend watching it as it is quite interesting.

[@crimson777king]

Similar to 10cc I'm not in love

[@sethkaicer319]

Queen is like you Doug they are musical geniuses.

[@trevorlant5738]

If you haven't heard it already, listen to Ashes are Burning by Renaissance. Try the live version from their Carnegie Hall live album. It's a perfect rendition of the original album track.

[@mprofo.indogwetrust]

or anything by Renaissance. B^)

[@joecristino161]

This is one of queen’s all time greatest tunes… the way they created the loop is pure genius … first time I heard it …blew my mind

[@richardbeaune9158]

As a ritual, this is always the first song that I play when I set up my turntable in a new location. So much fun.

[@kasztaniarz]

This one goes into Love of my life. The outro of this song is basically an intro to it.

[@nemoanonymous6595]

The delay/canon section closely resembles the way Brian does his guitar soloes, layering motives using delay. Would be interesting for you to review one of them.

[@maryellenazack4466]

❤❤❤ Been requesting this brilliant masterpiece 👌

[@danielmoonen1891]

"The Millionaire Waltz" deserves a reaction.

[@michajuszkiewicz8520]

Hi Doug, love your channel! By way of suggestion, how about even deeper Queen cut: Was It All Worth It from the Miracle? It's not only one of the best Queen riffs, guitar-wise, but a suggestive, thoughtful lyrics and some really inventive arrangements and editing.

[@queenmiriam3058]

Yessss, amazing!!!! Hope to see some more Queen stuff. Much bless ♥️♥️

[@chrisbr1969]

It’s incredible to know that’s all Freddie on vocals. Amazing!

[@oscarfernald9402]

It’s also incorrect: Brian and Roger are clearly doing some of the background vocals… not to take away from Freddie’s achievement, he obviously did the bulk of the vocals, it’s just not ‘all’ Freddie :)

[@davechapman5815]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6KqeGOZgrKce68

[@pedrorocha9722]

I always found this one way cooler than Bohemian, two songs away. Never really noticed the« different chord«, so thanks! This whole album is exquisite, as the one before.

[@Nekativo]

It does end on another piece, the famous "Love of my life". Good one!!!

[@BostonBobby1961]

Remember no digital delay in 1975. According to producer Roy Thomas Baker. They used multiple reel to reel studio tape machines with the tape being from machine to machine while being supported by large fans.

[@davidburn4601]

You absolutely hit it ... "They don't just take the easy road ... they're not that kind of rock band. Every one of their songs feel like they have something to say, and as you are going along it's a journey". Wow. Profound insight into their psyche, and applicable to pretty much every track in every album they produced. How fortunate are we to have lived in their time 😃😃

[@DennisTrovato]

Yes, he's indeed "canonizing" with himself on a tape delay. Ain't that fun? And that Koto is actually a toy, that's why it looks so small.

[@cholomite]

He does it again on Now I'm Here from the Sheer Heart Attack LP. Also the opening track on that album, Brian May does it for his entire guitar solo. The good old Maestro Echoplex EP3 tape delay.

[@frankroos1167]

And that it's 3 voices is convenient too. Live they could do it with Brian and Roger doing the "echoes". Although I have no idea if they actually ever did it like that.

[@frossbog]

As long as it can be tuned and intonnated, anything can be an instrument.

[@Al59redux]

It would be lovely if you reacted to Gentle Giant's On Reflection

[@mekkoband3488]

Yes, that would be awesome!!

[@olabergvall3154]

Thanks Doug, so cool to hear you do this, this is one of my favourite songs, not just by Queen but by anybody. It's such a rocker, one forgets over the years all the intricacies of the song. Great reaction and analysis ❤

[@EamonnMcGonigle]

I'm so delighted to find this. I just discovered your channel this morning, listening to the Pink Floyd songs (I think Shine On You Crazy Diamond is one of the greatest songs of all time and that people will still be listening to it 100 years from now). As I was listening, I was thinking that I would love to hear your reactions to The Prophet's Song...and here I find that you have already done it. Imagine how challenging it must have been to do that canon thing with 1975 technology...it is creative and technical masterpiece. If you are looking to do another Queen song, I see others here have proposed the Millionaire Waltz and I would like to add another vote for that.