Freddie Mercurys voice changes

[@TarsisBragaLeMr]

I would actually classify his vocal changes like this: 1973 - 1976/ 1977 - 1979/ 1980 - 1982/ 1984 - 1988/ 1989 - 1991. 1 - He can reach every key easly and it sounds very sweet, clean and light. (Examples: Going Back, Sweet Lady, Melancholy blues) 2 - He still can reach most of the high notes, but the vocal nodules now start to show up and you can hear it over the G4 key. From now on the live versions of the songs were modified so Freddie could skip some high notes that he wasn't able to sing every time. (Examples: We are the champions, Somebody to love) 3 - After years dealing with the nodules, Freddie now develops a new technique to go over G4 and start singing openly with chest voice, powerfull BUT stills sweet and cleant! (Example: Queen live Montreal 1981) 4 - The works was recorded and Freddie's voice was diferent. The cigarretes and the nodules made his voice sound very powerfull and husky, but it gets too hard to reach keys above G4, this would last untill the recordings of ''the miracle'' album. It's possible to hear how hard he is trying to perform the songs properly in ''The works tour'' .(Examples: Every song of the those albums) 5 - Finaly, Freddie stopped making live shows (despite his little tour with Monseratt Caballe) and also stoped smoking due to his disease, that gave him the oportunity to rest his vocal chords for a long time... so, the result is a very light and clean voice charged with ALL that power that he used to show in the middle 80's. (Examples: Don't try so hard, The show must go on, Innuendo) Note: It's funny to relate his vocal changes with his appearence changes! The mustache gave him the power! ~I hope you guys like it! Sorry for the grammar mistakes... (I'm Brazilian)~

[@CrystalNibarger]

Tarsis Braga Prado I completely agree with your comment 100%... by the way your grammar was quite wonderfully easy to read so don't worry.

[@ciputgal]

Tarsis Braga Prado enjoy this alot! Thank you👍🏼

[@queendebi1204]

Tarsis Braga Prado AL still can't hold a candle to Freddie!

[@eduardomatospereira6528]

Relaxa brother, deu pra entender... Aliás, minha análise é a mesma

[@justinnamuco9096]

I've always thought it was the mustache lol

[@EdoSynysterfan]

First voice was the best in my opinion, that was just perfect... hear don't stop me now intro... that voice was divine

[@jeanlucdecoster]

Pux Dickinson agreed. His whole career, his voice was incredible, there were different aspects to it. But in the beginning, it was just so... surreal. Almost magical.

[@mikikitv4066]

Hey bro i agree with you. I find his voice magical and so amazing in those songs, im not saying its better but I love it so much. Fuck. He is my favorite. My classmates used to ask me why did I have such playlist in my phone back in 2006,. I just ignored them.. now they recognize freddie after seeing the movie.

[@videodeposu8741]

i agree

[@aonkhan7313]

best vocalist of all time ...

[@bil2340]

@@tubber2947 *no*

[@greatdespondency]

@@tubber2947 nope

[@luiseliendo2007]

@@tubber2947 Hahahahaha are you kidding us

[@poushalic7935]

@@tubber2947 no

[@Minceontoast2]

@@tubber2947 who tf is that lmao

[@noir269]

I still prefer the growly screaming voice. It's practically his style.

[@Cowboydaddy23]

Freddie's voice, no matter what year or album, will be one of the best voices in the world. No matter what, you can always feel emotion and power in each and everyone of his/ Queen's songs!

[@elusivefancy2392]

He was blessed with an amazing voice that no other singer today or ever will measure up to.

[@bobsackjones6811]

Indeed

[@jakobwedel3168]

I dunno. Marc Martel is pretty close. I guess it does help that he sounds exactly like Freddie

[@georgia5341]

Jakob Wedel He sounds similar but not Freddie. No one had Freddie’s voice! You kidding me?

[@alexdavis6578]

Marc Martel is extremely close though lmao Freddie was extremely special no doubt but Marc does his voice double fold in each live performance that Freddie was never able to do.

[@jonatheil]

@@alexdavis6578 probably because Freddie had a more busy schedule

[@nourmichaelis7682]

Freddie's voice became lighter in Innuendo album ,because he was seriously ill ,of the disaster desease Aids, and even though, he's voice stayed unique and powerful, you can notice that ,in his last song " Mother love" and Freddie did not smoke very much , cigarettes was just a thing to handle it with his hands while he was nervous during interviews or photo shoots,

[@kccox8516]

Nour Michaelis Brian May finished up Mother Love. Freddy recorded most of it, but that was his last trip to the studio. He gave it all till he could no longer give. The song turned out so beautiful and so Freddy.

[@lohnjennon4886]

Yup, his voice was still beautiful but you can definitely hear in Innuendo and Made in Heaven especially that his voice was getting a lot thinner. It's missing that "fuller" sound that he had in the early-mid 80's and even in The Miracle.

[@jem5665]

Nour Michaelis His voice was getting lighter because he stopped smoking due to his illness.

[@sincerelymike]

Nour Michaelis Freddie smoked a lot. You can see it when they were recording in the studio through the early to mid 80s. That really gave him that raspy and husky sound on The Works, A Kind of Magic, and even The Miracle album.

[@MilesAway]

Amazing. Every word of what you just said was wrong.

[@kccox8516]

Freddy's voice was getting thinner toward the end, compared to the thick rich sound he had before his deterioration. Yet, his voice remained beautiful, and he still hit those high notes. He gave it all till he couldn't sing at all. Singing, writing songs, and performing was his reason purpose in life, his reason to get up every morning. To have all his recordings are a true treasure. There will never be another Freddy Mercury.

[@youtubespace2753]

This is a beautiful comment. Thank you.

[@Scalloped76]

It seems to me that his voice in the last albums improved because he did not perform live shows anymore and had the opportunity to rest. The thinner voice was intended and not because of being sick, because his performance on "Tho Show Must go on" is very powerful and not thin at all. Most of his live voice problems were due to heavy touring without adequate resting his voice. And also, he probably lived an very unhealthy life during the late 70s/early 80s. But even during his worst performance, he was the greatest singer of all time in my opinion!

[@MR-so1pf]

Exactly.

[@mik5578]

Pheobe, one of his PA had said that freddie voice changed like he did as a performer over the years as well as his looks. If you really pay attention one of his greatest changes happened at the ´80s, when he grew the moustache, and his voice changed a lot too. He´s soprano- Pheobe said- And created his tenor voice for singing as he liked to sound and perfected over the years. He never took formal singing lessons. But yeah, I think that you are spot on on several points.

[@conortaylor2551]

Yeah exactly Freddie is always fantastic. One thing I notice recently is that a lot of people say Freddie's voice felt strained in the late Jazz shows (Kobe,Tokyo in particular) but after taking time off to record The Game his voice got a hell of a lot stronger. Crazy Tour shows were some great concerts with Hammersmith 79 being his all time best. I mean look at now I'm here for example.

[@evandebrouwer6427]

the reason that his voice sounded lighter in Innuendo is because he was dying of aids... not because he started taking singing lessons

[@Celon.]

He voice actually "came back" because he wasn't touring so he had a lot time to recover.

[@ANDONIXmusic]

Sure. It is well known to everybody that AIDS makes your voice higher-pitched. Sure...

[@ziggy512]

He was not touring or smoking so his voice came back.

[@justinnamuco9096]

Evan Debrouwer nobody said he started taking singing lessons

[@juamart448]

This guy is an imbecile,what stupidity

[@KaixooAeri]

Going Slightly Mad has his voice gone deeper

[@thenerdrace7325]

Why isn't that ridiculously high set of notes in 'Under Pressure' in this?

[@fastica]

That was falsetto. His falsetto didn't change that much.

[@Elnont]

Probs because it was his falsetto.

[@kostadinfrengov6994]

Star Dust and?! U stupid idiot

[@rohanr.9714]

@@kostadinfrengov6994 his flasetto never really changed.

[@jacobshipman9197]

Freddie had almost double the vibrato rate of other singers, meaning he could sound however he wanted, depending on how hard he pushed the notes, I'm a bass singer and can touch on tenor 1 but I can make it sound smooth by not pushing, or I can get lots and have that husky line tone, and, Freddie was a baritone, not a tenor

[@jacobshipman9197]

TSQUARE7 just wider range, it isn't easy, but it's more or less the only option if we want to sing with today's songs

[@jacobshipman9197]

TSQUARE7 that just depends on the person, mine started out with chest voice E2 to E4 after I could start singing, now, all together, my range is E1 to G5, and I haven't been training long, I never account falsetto before training though

[@xthatghomiex2939]

jacob shipman Lucky, I'm a baritone and the highest tenor-esq not I can hit in chest voice is an F4.

[@jacobshipman9197]

xthatGhomiex you can expand I had to work for the ability to even sing, and at first I couldn't even hit C4, besides, the lower register, the wider the range, some how

[@xthatghomiex2939]

jacob shipman I've played around quite alot with falsetto and a falsetto/headvoice mix (makes a very Roger Taylor sound) and I can easily cover an F4 to an E5 in falsetto| and in falsetto/headvoice mix an Eb5 to a C6, without strain, sometimes a Db6. I found a way to make my chest voice go up to A4 and B4 ranges but it's very weak and sqwaky, unlike my falsetto which is unstrained and quite controllable with vibrato.

[@daveannan2577]

Freddie changed his vocals to coinside with his ever changing image. In the 70s he was very femine. In the 80s he was more macho. Everything Freddie did was a constant rebrand. It was the 80s in which he became the true stage presence that became his trademark look. Songs like Radio Ga G and Magic wouldnt have worked if he hadn't changed his voice.

[@justinnamuco9096]

Dave Annan but there were more earlier hits

[@fastica]

When he became "macho" he started smoking. It's not coincidente that his voice started changing.

[@untipo.]

He always smoked, the repentine change of voice is for the abuse of cocaine and alcohol (combined with the cigarettes) he made around 77 to 87

[@xd-qg5dz]

@@untipo. No it was definitely cigarettes. Freddie said himself that he started smoking to give himself a more husky voice

[@untipo.]

@@xd-qg5dz yes but he always smoked, the real change is for cocaine. In 89'-90' still smoked and his voice was lighter anyway (he stopped doing hard drugs after the aids diagnosis)

[@shaunamerbouhi8053]

The best voice of all times no matter the range...no one compares

[@smashball3343]

yeah i agree, but Dimash is a very good vocalist.

[@vsmarciano]

Freddie in 1987 stopped smoking because he was dying of AIDS.

[@MarcellDAvis1103]

Middle Right

[@nofi4]

+Marcell D'Avis ein 1und1 Kollege xD. Naja die 80er-Stimme war die Beste! :)

[@AndrewEwing1995]

He didn't quit smoking until around 1989. For the same reasons of course

[@nicksgamesandmusicreview9629]

JL TITO not entirely true in the behind the scenes for breakthru in the miracle album behind the scenes he smokes and that’s in 1989

[@rohanr.9714]

he acutally didn't stop till 1989

[@seif7428]

Freddie Mercury doesn’t need singing lessons. Singing lessons need Freddie Mercury.

[@PFG666]

His best live voice is by far during late 79-82. It's the culmination of both technique and form. Later on, smoking started to have an effect on his voice. That said, I think his voice in the 80s was perfectly suited for the work Queen produced, which was heavier. In Innuendo, perhaps, due to severe weakness, he could no longer push his chest as much, so he resorted to a more headier tone.

[@conortaylor2551]

For me his best live voice is around 1977. News Of The World is a fantastic album and Houston 77 is a good concert.

[@conortaylor2551]

Also check out Hammersmith 79 Now I'm Here

[@willstooksbury1477]

I think his voice was the best in the mid 70s like at the rainbow, hammersmith, or Hyde park

[@teresadutson3121]

Freddie was a natural baritone he sang in Tenor because he thought it was more pleasing to the ear. He had a four octave range with a falsetto that was to die for. He could hit a high f effortlessly. He didn't just use his vocal flaps when he sang he also used what they call throat singing or throat humming something only ancient monks and far-off nowhere land of China and Japan used he knew how to use his voice and make it sound different for whatever kind of genre or song he was trying to create.

[@davebain7858]

Tenor not Tanner

[@teresadutson3121]

Ya I should always check seems lime auto-correct gets me everytime all better thx

[@shawndamccormick278]

I really liked your upload. Thank you, thank you very "mutch!" 😉

[@zeinm.7391]

The real Question is : who are you to judge Freddie's voice? God!!

[@SafiRo00]

He is not judging, he is probably a big enough fan of him to be able to provide his opinion on the way his voice changed throughout the years after listening to his vocals a lot. If you just open your mind a little bit you will see it.

[@jezus1129]

Zein Ma bruh

[@deklangrant588]

Can you shut the fuck up? Somebody took the time and effort to make this great video and then you try and shit on it with nonsense? It’s clearly not judgment, it’s comparing how his voice sounded through different periods of his career.

[@MushroomVortex]

Everyone loves a clean and easy sounding tone in general, but I love the mustache years ultra-powerful grit. When he would do a higher belt during some lines of the Wembley live show like Lap of the Gods' "so funny" or Bo Rhaps' "but now I've gone and thrown it all away" or most of the I Want To Break Free live versions. There's a bit of distortion in it, to some it sounds "screamy" but for me, it just sounds so passionate.

[@tomdriver8012]

The change in Freddie's voice on Innuendo could be down to him having to give up smoking and drink. In 1989 his doctors warned him he could be dead by the end of the year, but if he gave up smoking and hard booze he might have a few more years. David Bowie found that he recovered lost notes at the top of his range after giving up cigarettes in his 50's.

[@LolLol-xl1vt]

I literally left my KZbin with auto reproduction, and slept(I was teally tired) and I literally woke up to this PERFECT PD:The "rrow" in the "If im not back again this time tomorrow" is more perfect than God

[@hankjohnson8219]

I personally think Freddie's best voice was from 1979-1982, at least when speaking about live performances. His voice was a lot more versatile during this era. He had the tenderness and range of his 70's voice and the power of his 80's voice. He seemed to really "go for it" during this era.

[@clarenceeugene9692]

Agreed. My favorite live performances come from this time period. He sounded amazing.

[@jrrusty16]

Crazy tour

[@conortaylor2551]

@@jrrusty16 Crazy Tour in particular, Hammersmith 79. Just look up Now I'm here and you'll see Freddie's at his best.

[@jrrusty16]

@@conortaylor2551 yes, i saw it.. unbelievable voice

[@hansi6119]

I hate to burst your bubble but those aren't voice changes. They are differences in technique. The "husky" sound comes from something called vocal distortion which can be used whenever and however the singer wants. The alterations in timbre come from the force/air used and the range sung in, not to mention the registers, which overlap. The varying degrees of proper vocalization come from the intended mood of the song being performed. These differences are due to the song he was singing and how he wanted it to sound. I'm a singer, I know what I am talking about. I can perform a Vaughan Williams piece and have a smooth, dark tone. I can perform a song from Rent and have a rough, bright tone. The changes are just artistic choices based on what you're singing.

[@joee2226]

as a singer, I approve this message

[@mariodelgado8922]

+whocaress no yes he sang opera with monserrat cabaye they recorded a cd

[@joee2226]

Mario Delgado and it was awesome

[@hansi6119]

+Mario Delgado That wasn't opera, though. He sang in a somewhat operatic style, but Freddie Mercury never sang bel canto. My guess is that he probably couldn't. It would be too far of a stretch from rock music.

[@joee2226]

It wasn't bel-canto but it worked pretty well, I think.I think he could do bel-canto but he wasn't comfortable doing it. There is film of him playing around in that style, but I don't think he ever took it seriously as a style that he wanted to perform.

[@dadadruma]

His voice certainly sounded way thin on Innuendo and especially Mother Love on Made In Heaven, but STILL he hit those notes effortlessly RIP Fred

[@42ndblaze43]

I like the huskier voice on him. It’s much more raw and savage than having that “technique” and “easier” voice you keep mentioning that he lost

[@wickedmcjagger7911]

Thats because he is looking forward to the rock songs

[@marceloabelenda]

Are you still here? Almost 2023.

[@abdevillers603]

Freddie your all types of voice always brings happiness in our life....among them my best was falsetto

[@AndrewEwing1995]

Here's my opinion about all of this. 1. Freddie in the 70's era of queen had a raw, light energy in his voice due to the fact he wasn't smoking yet and not going harsh on his voice. (I don't know when he did start smoking) 2. In the early to mid 80's Freddie starting to smoke more heavily which started to affect his voice and how he sung. He sounded more aggressive, husky kind of sound but still sounded pretty awesome. 3. Freddie during his Barcelona days had to change up his ways of singing due to the fact that he was singing for and with montserrat caballé. Not much change he had to make but he had to train his voice to go higher pitches. 4. During the miracle up to innuendo, Freddie's health starting to decline which was meant he had to quit smoking and since he wasn't touring anymore, he had more time for his voice to rest enough which brought back that lightness in Freddie's singing like we hear during the 70s except he got older and since Freddie's health was declining, puts lot more pressure on his ability to sing. Doesn't matter what, Freddie's singing throughout the years is still very unique voice and i guess it's just natural talent.

[@jillerkore]

Why would a literal legend need singing lessons? Instead, HE could've gave people singing lessons

[@ezzlee680]

He didn't take any singing lessons.

[@jillerkore]

@@ezzlee680 No he didn't take any singing lessons, he hadn't toured for years so his voice had recovered a lot too

[@ezzlee680]

@@jillerkore Oh my bad, I meant to put didn't in between take and singing, now it just looks like I have horrible English 😂

[@teolliscaletta851]

killerjore 324 no he couldn’t have gave people voice lessons if you know anything about freddie than you know he didn’t take care of his voice which led him to develop vocal Damage/ nodules so no freddie wouldn’t be a good vocal coach

[@jerylefuentes8162]

Freddie mercury has best vocals.

[@Jokerr-uq8pp]

1986 is the best on his voice!

[@kobd4]

personally i like his voice during the 80's and early 90's better than the 70's because of more depth

[@tiagoguimaraes1213]

I prefer the more recent Mercury's voice, more rock n roll, more raspy, more powerfull (Wembley concert)

[@noir269]

Recent? What.

[@rohanr.9714]

He means the mid eighties (from about 1982-88)

[@mrmaestro04]

A college professor of mine once said that musicians never stop studying. He didn't just mean in classes with books, but in real life circumstances. Even Neil Peart takes occasional drum lessons. Not because he can't play (excuse me while I laugh at the very thought...), but he was looking for a different approach. Whether Freddie studied voice formally at any time, I don't know, but I'll bet he observed other singers and changed his approach - possibly with each album.

[@hankjohnson8219]

It's pretty apparent that his time recording with Montserrat Caballe had an effect on his singing technique. He didn't have formal lessons, but I'm sure she gave him some pointers.

[@westiesarebesties7890]

You can't judge one persons voice throughout the years without using the same or similar songs. There's different technique, best, tone, etc. In every song. You can't compare a song like "Love of my Life" to "Flick of the Wrist". One is low, loud, and aggressive, and the other is soft and quite, and high. It has nothing to do with his voice, but rather the song. And if you are going to show the changes in a Queen member's voice, pick Roger's. His voice used to go into a high falsetto, then it got really raspy. It's a much bigger change.

[@PaapiPasito]

"That's what happen when you smoke too much and not work on technique " hahahaha . I'll start doing it in that case. XD. That is some awesome crunchy aggressive vocals that added flavor and a breath of fresh air to their music. Or it would have become boring I guess

[@Cowboydaddy23]

I thought that too, I guess I better start smoking and not work on my technique if I want to be as good as Freddie fucking Mercury, his voice and vocal range are the best thing I've ever heard in my life sooooo...

[@vegeta1885]

@@Cowboydaddy23 All you have to do to improve in singing is to have an ear for and keep practising, not everybody needs a teacher. Of course it's always good to have feedback, but nowadays you can easily record at home and if you know what you are looking for you will achieve. The problemic part for most people is they don't know what singing sounds like(other than hitting the right notes)

[@Frank-mh5hb]

It's called different techniques man, as well as getting older and eventually getting sick but yeah, he's using different techniques, as a singer you are constantly changing your voice, building on it, trying different things.

[@MR-so1pf]

Thank you

[@barbarakhan7233]

I don't care what year it was, his voice was beautiful and in the later years, I'm sure the years of smoking, constant tours, illness and recording, had some effect on his voice... personally, his voice in Days of Our Lives was softer, but his determination to work as much as he could did take it's toll...

[@CrystalNibarger]

the reason that sounds like he had "singing lessons" was because he was dying... to me it sounds like he's still trying to push out every ounce of his energy into a song and getting exhausted at the same time but still wanting to keep pushing on. I highly doubt he had lessons, he was at the end of his life so why would he take lessons now?

[@joribremer5260]

He also smoked less in 89 and stopped in 1990 i guess due to his condition,

[@jacobreynolds3917]

“News Of The World Freddie”is the best version of Freddie IMO

[@mimimimio1496]

73-79 (Queen I - Jazz) was the best in general

[@rohanr.9714]

my favorite is hot space freddie (not for the songs, but for the voice)

[@conortaylor2551]

For me his best live voice was Crazy and Game tours

[@conortaylor2551]

@@rohanr.9714 News Of The World is his studio prime. The Game was his live prime

[@spider-man120]

His 1979 voice live is definitely his peak vocally

[@mrlemonade281]

I think Freddie got that 80s voice because between 1978 and 1979 he did a lot of gigs still having a very worn voice, and by hurting himself so much, his throat got thicker

[@juliannetomlinson]

I like his voice full stop. HE was not a heavy smoker you should watch his interviews more closely Love you Freddie💙💙💙

[@TheSonic1685]

If you watch his interviews you'd see him light up a cigarette every few minutes probably not a good example...

[@therealdudeski]

I think it's a combination of changing tastes in music and style, vocal quality affected from lymph nodes and with his final two albums a need to give his best performances knowing he's near the end of his life.

[@Mofo7250]

I mean aging from his 20s-30s his voice naturally lowered. Once his disease started to take a toll on him his voice became lighter as he deteriorated. Still amazingly impressive he was able to hit any notes with the condition he was in

[@CookieFXTM12]

in fact, his most worn voice in this period, as he had problems with pharyngitis, lumps in his throat due to 13 years of touring with exhausting vocals, combined with the excess of drugs and cigarettes helped in this process, when he stopped with the live performances , stopped smoking and probably abused other drugs, with more vocal training and doing a more "serious" job he managed to change his voice very well, even dying of AIDS, that was incredible and I respect a lot

[@zeynepdemirel1264]

„Still fine“ ?!!!? sounds legendary!

[@annnelson2044]

Things I've read or heard the band or his PA say - Freddie was not as strong a singer in the beginning but he quickly developed. He started smoking to do something with his hands in interviews but discovered he liked the more manly,huskier sound that smoking produced. The band at first were concerned. He pretty much stopped smoking and drank less after his diagnosis to provide added strength for his fight against AIDS. They said this was the main reason for a return to that clear, softer voice even though he could still manipulate it to do what he wanted it to do. But I'd agree that not having to tour must have made a difference, too. It seemed to those around him that cabelle must have taught him some voice techniques. They were curious what he could have done vocally in the future with this new knowledge and think it helped him be able to perform at a high vocal level even as his health failed. Personally, I think his state of mind also changed and that is reflected in how he chose to express himself.

[@clarenceeugene9692]

I generally prefer his 70's voice over his 80's voice. He seemed to really push it in the eighties just to demonstrate that he could hit incredibly high notes. He tended to go high and dramatic in places where the song didn't call for it. In the 70's, everything seemed to be better placed. The right expressions and tone were chosen for each word.

[@Vel_0000]

"It's almost like he had started singing lessons. Weird thing..." That killed me😂😂😂

[@kylan_11]

Well, of course, not only smoking, but also touring, vocal nodules and a bit of age.

[@ella.music__]

When he was dying (around Innuendo era) his voice did get a lot lighter.

[@RockU2Death5150]

How many times do I need to reinforce the FACT that Freddie did not smoke very much? He was looking for something to do with his hands because he was jittery, especially during interviews. Yes, he also wanted to make his voice huskier. However, he barely inhales. Cigarettes sit in the ashtray and disappear. Watch any interview to see how he "smokes". Read any documentation from those who knew him. At a certain point (before 'the Miracle' album? need clarification), he did completely stop using cigarettes. This video uses specific recorded instances to emphasize the preferred points on Freddie's vocal abilities throughout his career, while completely neglecting any live material. And shitty English with poor punctuation. A chop job, man. Sad.

[@abelcsabaika]

+Janson Michael Steffan I am actually the creator of this video (I have quite a few youtube channels). Ok, the cigarette thing was mainly speculation...I mean, regardless of the 'technique' his sound is significantly mellower and deeper during the 'Kind of magic' years. Live performances are pretty much an entirely different animal. Freddy was known to hit insane heights and notes in his studio recordings, and to push and force a lot during live performances. His vocal 'warm ups' when he made the audience repeat his scales are a good example of this...he was going as high as he could just through essentially forcing notes and pushing, which barely enabled him to go past A4. In fact even during his younger years, he rarely went over A4-Bb4, because he just wasnt as effortless during his live performances. I guess it mainly had to do with being aroused/hyped up during live performances.

[@mistiwaters5528]

I agree 100%, if you watch Freddie, he almost never blows smoke out, meaning that he didn't really smoke, but that he used it more as a prop. I'll defend Freddie forever because I hate when others use him to promote their own agenda, peace and love to all Freddie Mercury fans.

[@mistiwaters5528]

+Misti Waters I want to add that he only smoked from approximately age 30ish to 40ish, and that amount of time WILL not have any effect on a persons voice.

[@celosemnexo]

And you sure are a very arrogant and rude man. It's unecessary to point out those things and criticize the guy that way.

[@MR-so1pf]

Exactly...

[@EJROBO123]

The reason for his voice getting more gravely by the middle 80s is because of the tour schedule that queen had.

[@ames92]

I think the thinning of his voice had very little, if anything, to do with his AIDS and more of just a natural part of aging. He spoke about the changes in his voice in an interview “I’m losing the range, believe it or not. I’ve lost the power I began with. But I’ve become a stronger singer so maybe my framework is diminishing but within that I can sing better than ever. My voice can do amazing things now.” I’m pretty sure it’s been mentioned he learnt a bit about voice control from working with Montserrat as well.

[@abdevillers603]

Nice video👍👍👍👍👍

[@sebacastillos]

I the last part I think his voice changed because he stoped smoking, and his voice was like the 70´s

[@Cammyboy0434]

U forgot to mention that in mother love he sounds like he’s dying and is giving all he has

[@Jokerr-uq8pp]

The voice of Freddie evolve!

[@SrgRespawn]

I don't believe that smoking was causing him to push his vocals harder. It's an artistic choice. He wanted that rasp in his voice because it's actually sounds really good and works with many songs. Listen to Elvis singing 'If I Can Dream''. On the high notes, he pushes his vocals hard. He could hit those notes softly and gently if he wanted but he didn't want that. He wanted raw power and it works extremely well. I sing too and I can go between both gentle and full raw power while hitting the same note.

[@cox4818]

No matter Freddie how to sung, Only matter people like or not.. Everyone like Freddie Recording or live.. Thats enough..

[@moises1514]

How did it seem like he took singing lessons 😐

[@Somefrickface]

Moy the Boy Because he wasn’t pushing as hard. In reality his voice recovered from not touring anymore.

[@janeh832]

Beginning, Freddie had just started out still. Perfecting, magic album kept falling ill in the 80s he sang at live aid with a throat infection, innuendo last album published Freddie living, so now you know why his voice changed so much 😉 as the rest is known why,,,, use ya noggin jesus!

[@picothehuskymalamutepc9222]

He died very soon unfortunately, then ha was at height of voice maturity

[@karenwright4587]

One of the best singers period 👌 💯

[@StaR26]

He is baritone

[@QueenAndElton]

Freddie learned technique around the Crazy Tour.

[@conortaylor2551]

Hammersmith 79 is the best concert I have ever seen from the 70's. Best version of Now I'm Here

[@ЛюдмилаКалюжная-й8в]

КОРОЛЬ👑👑👑🎸🎹🎤🎼🎶🎵👏❤🌹🌹🌹🌹😭😭😭😭😭😔😔😔😔ТАЛАНТ ..ЛЕГЕНДА!!

[@gerardasahan6491]

what about his voice in we will rock you

[@MrFusion]

Maybe he learned a thing or two from Montserrat while recording Barcelona, and that's why he sounds very strong on The Miracle and Innuendo? I don't know if there's any truth behind that, I'm just making an educated guess.

[@CookieFXTM12]

probably, but the style that Montserrat sings is called Lyrical Soprano, something that is sung in falsetto, (you can see Freddie singing in that style, it is something magical, beautiful and scary, in Exercises in Free Love, 1987, and in some excerpts of the demo versions of his songs from the Barcelona album), but it's something that has nothing to do with the strong records of full / mixed voice on these albums

[@kylan_11]

I almost agree with everything you said. But to say that smoking had no effect is a bit too much. It's well-known that smoking harms the voice and Freddie is not an exception. It sounds clear when you compare some 1979 (Live Killers-Crazy Tour) recordings to 1980-1981 ones (The Game - Hot space tour). Pretty different, uh? Coincidentally, Freddie started smoking in 1980. Even in the awesome Magic Tour 1986, he sounds very dry and husky in the high notes.

[@leonheart41]

yeah! i have to agree with you with this one, LOML at Wembley 1986 almost identical to the live killer version! except for some cracks and a more mature voice!

[@MargotRecabarren]

.... almost like he had started taking singing lessons..??? What that’s supposed to mean??? Freddie’s voice change along the years.., evolve... and what?? All the musics fan love the way he sing Queen’s songs... or the solo albums .... because it’s just Freddie!! Freddie, you’re a LEGEND !!! 💔💔💔💔

[@jaymason3339]

Freddie Would Sounded even more amazing if he didn't smoke.

[@kkhamzeh6150]

Maybe u need to check ur history..just an FYI for u..check the songs Somebody to Love, We will rock you, We are the champions, Fat bottomed girls, Don't stop me now, Bohemian Rhapsody..etc.. which were all released in 1976-1978..i guess thats an enough comment for a guy that doesn't know what he is talking about..maybe you were smoking something when you did this video..

[@dylanrinker6831]

"sInGiNg LeSsOnS??" No

[@RubyTwilite]

I thought the changes in his voice came from changes in his weight. I noticed he was a bit heavier, more solid looking during the Its a Kind of Magic/Barcelona time period, then I noticed his tone grew higher pitched during Innuendo when he was really ill and had lost a lot of weight. But I'm not a professional, just a big fan. So tragic, such a genius. His music is timeless.

[@truthwillprevail.7213]

Ruby Twilite he was always thin as a stick. As you would know he was dying of aids and becoming very thin. As you expect his voice become thinner due to his strength slowly depleting. Innuendos vocals are second to none though. Brilliant.

[@littletimmy5654]

He’s voice didn’t really change it was still the same really.

[@mateutry]

Yeah, maybe smoke and age affected to his voice, but I don't understand your subtitles. Freddie could sing a song very well in his entire life what you'll never be able to do...

[@sebacastillos]

His best voice was in the 70´s

[@conortaylor2551]

I think News Of The World in particular has some of his best vocals. We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions, Spread Your Wings, It's Late.

[@TheClumsyChicken]

His voice didn’t get worse… he sang with more power and with more control. Also… “That’s what happens if you smoke to mutch I guess and sing to mutch without working on techniqual stuff I guess” are you 5? 😂

[@janeh832]

The huskyness was natural he was a chain smoker couldn't be helped

[@widzewlordi]

First "good singing" album is Sheer Heart Attack, Flick Of The Wrist is awesome...

[@theredpen3190]

Seriously? It's MUCH not MUTCH. Not a difficult word to spell.

[@Aj.oh7]

I have Freddies exact vocal range

[@CookieFXTM12]

cool, but is not too hard

[@kylebronco2196]

I never noticed the voice changes.

[@thandepapa2003]

That's right

[@kristakontio316]

Why did this video made me a little mad...? Like just a bit MAD

[@zeinm.7391]

It made me Just very slightly mad

[@janhunt585]

I disagree on Freddie pushing to hit notes. He sang without effort, even at the end. To me, Roger and Brian, esp Roger seemed to have to push to hit strong notes. Freddie was a natural, his voice such a part of him, that he didn't have to force his voice. His voice was husker in mid 80's and then you heard his voice becoming weaker towards the end, due to his struggle with AIDS and the toll it took on his whole body, including his voice. But his voice was still magnificent up to the end.

[@truthwillprevail.7213]

Jan Hunt Mercury definitely had to push harder than Brian and roger, which is what gives his his signature distortion and power. He had a huge voice, and in a live setting, had to push even harder to get his voice to cut through the mix. When you are belting every single concert in a heavy chest voice, your range will temporarily suffer, which is why he often opted for conservative phrasing in many songs.

[@davebain7858]

You have to remember though, Brian and Roger are not lead singers, they are backing singers, who sang the occasional song in lead

[@Ycanable]

Exactly !

[@muhammadyusuffaizal1096]

0.30 what the tittle of the song?

[@CookieFXTM12]

You And I

[@Jdud.]

Best voice is in The miracle and Innuendo

[@gosia6036]

5:55 what song name?

[@Maria-cl6mn]

Its "Don't try so hard" :)

[@VovaHook]

Best live performance - Montreal 81, worst recorded vocals - Mr.Bad Guy. I wanted so strong to find a live performance where Freddie would hit those notes like in studio records, but alas... Even in 1974 he didn't. So I like albums more then live.

[@abelcsabaika]

nice to see that this video had sparked some interesting discussion. The first part of the video displays the sound that seems to be most people's favourite, and for good reason...so light, effortless...any vocal coach would point at that as a prime example of perfectly effortless singing. As far as live performances go, his vocals during those were always quite forced and pushed, pretty much regardless of his 'periods' displayed in the video. I guess thats the reason why he rarely went over the A4-Bb4 mark during live performances. 'But he hit a C5 in ___performance!' I said RARELY, not NEVER, dear trolls, so please don't correct me for shit:)

[@clarenceeugene9692]

His best live era was probably between 79 and 82. This seemed to be the era, at least live speaking, where his vocals sounded effortless and he was consistently hitting high notes.

[@yep3489]

You are clueless. On Innuendo Freddie was dying and his voice was thinner and weaker as he had one year left to live in his brutal fight against the Aids virus. Btw, Much is not spelled mutch

[@namiqqafarov1397]

he's always sining head vocie