Making Of The Prophets Song

An insiders look into the making of "The Prophet Song" Brian may, Roger Taylor and long time friend Roy Thomas Baker takes us on the making to a classic album "A Night At The Opera"
The comments are disabled as i am recieveing loads of emails from youtube about the comments but thanxs to everyone commenting.

[@Gamarama8]

In an alternate timeline, this song would have easily been the lead single from A Night At The Opera and the whole world would be obsessed with it the way they are with Bohemian Rhapsody in this one. The most underrated Queen song and one of the most spectacularly genius guitar and vocal works in rock history.

[@saoirsesmith7583]

Absolutely agreed, & all these years later it's still a favorite for me. And it's still a big slice of heaven through a set of decent headphones..

[@Nojask]

One can only hope, I want to live in that world :'(

[@Iceman-xx1kh]

Well said Alex..genius indeed.

[@marcfaur]

Totally agreed. For me, this is by far the best track on the album.

[@raystlouis]

Yes, the best of the album indeed. The album Queen II is amazing in its entirety as well and is very similar in terms of a great story and brilliant music and vocals/lyrics.

[@SteveFletcherGuitar]

Brian: "Right guys I've got this monster of a song, it's incredible, it's in so many different parts, it takes you on such a journey. It really is amazing. It's so good that I really think it's going to end up being the signature song for the whole band! I can't wait for the public to hear it. I can't imagine that this band will ever write anything so epic! What you got Freddie?" Freddie: "Oh darling..."

[@duderyandude9515]

Both on A Night At The Opera too

[@jonchurch7773]

Brian May is at his core a scientist, I think. His approach to music is highly rational and practical.

[@wolfganghuss3352]

brian s wife is a sister from angela "hitler" angela is a daughter from "us" adolf freddy is not die lady di too they are all Q s thats enough its not a lie

[@jonchurch7773]

@@wolfganghuss3352 Wow you learn something new every day......

[@BendeGroot]

He is in fact an astrophysicist.

[@flora3177]

Brian doesn't do any scientific work at all. never did it! He has no scientific work and no results. Brian is like that in everything. His whole life is fake. not an honest man.Brian doesn't do any scientific work at all. never did it! He has no scientific work and no results. Brian is like that in everything. His whole life is fake. not an honest person.

[@oomphlagwumpla650]

@@BendeGroot explains why the song 39 is about space

[@lessalazar9068]

This is seriously Queens most underrated song. I mean, Queen has a LOT of underrated songs. But this is one of those ones that would have been HUGE if it had been a single. Like 39, March of the black queen, the millionaire waltz, death on two legs, white man, so on and so on. So many amazing songs that don't get enough appreciation.

[@Pradedushka]

White man! So true!

[@stumpusMaximus]

Having seen them 3 times - the last The Magic Tour 86- Queen are underrated. I’ve followed them for 48 years inc having the rare Japanese ’Smile’ album, the work of Brian is up there with Gene Roddenberry: a visionary that fortunately graced our timeline on earth. I have and will never get over Freddie’s death. They carried me through the loss of my parents to my 33 year marriage to my wife, who finds then extraordinary how they can write ‘39, then Teo Torriatte, Prophets Song, good old fashioned lover boy. Nothing exists musically out there and never will. Lap of the gods, indeed.

[@RhythmBulzara]

This is an extremely underrated song. And i know that a lot of people say that about a lot of non hit queen songs but this one is just pure genius. From the wind sound effect in the beginning, to the unique guitar riff, the apocalyptic and story telling lyrics, the acapella part that leads you to a more quiet place and builds up to the spine chilling guitar solo, and then goes back to the chorus. And then finally, Freddie's voice just screaming those high notes. And then it takes you back to that quiet place. This song is just so perfect.

[@Daniela_Germany]

I'm also very tired of all the "underrated" comments everywhere (as you are too, probably), because they sound like parrots, but I think this one really is. It's everything you say, yet seems to be practically non-existent out there. (Maybe "out of this world" is the right term for it, then? ;-)) You won't find it unless you become a serious Queen-fan. That's what happened to me about 1,5 years ago and I still can't wrap my head around how someone can come up with something like this!

[@RhythmBulzara]

@@Daniela_Germany especially the fact it was made around 1975. It is way above it's time.

[@LucyWest370]

It’s not underrated, use the word correctly. No one is saying this song isn’t getting the fame it deserves, it’s just not as popular and mainstream as other Queen songs, it just hasn’t been heard as much.

[@tatianaroveda]

Reading an older, more positive interview with Freddie- He mentions the Phrophet's Song and how he liked it. "Brian, of course did alot of writing back then and Phrophet's Song , is one of our BEST numbers.(FM)- I have to agree Freddie..Brian May- has written some of the best songs, and as Freddie also said- "What Brian can do with his guitar, the sounds, the excellence with which he plays, he can make that guitar talk" ( just don't tell him I said that.~FM~ "Opera was a great album." Just my 2--

[@bluebonnetbunny4813]

tatiana roveda thank you for the quote. Would you know which one of Freddie’s interviews this is from? I’d love to listen to the whole interview.

[@cockroach7038]

My mom listened to Queen, A Night at the Opera all the time in 1979. I was ten, and I was actually frightened a bit by the prophet song, but I loved it! My mom knew this and went ahead and bought a copy of it, along with a copy of Introducing The Beatles. Those two albums (little did I know then) spiritually moved me and turned out to be the foundation for my love of music, realizing my gift of voice and absolute love of vinyl records which led too my love of super deluxe vintage audio systems and my search for the best sound! So when I listen to a night at the opera on my mono block Sansui quadraphonic spaceship of a system now, as a wiser, reflecting man of 50, full circle I go. I had no idea how influential it would be on the pathways I've chosen. The album gives a message throughout which eludes to our common emotions and leaves us with the urge to explore further with fervor!

[@seanmack7441]

And this is why the Hyde Park free concert should be released on dvd/blu ray, it was a phenomenal concert and showcased the Prophet Song perfectly live

[@BigSky1]

I was there and remember it well.

[@Daniela_Germany]

2:49 I really adore their ambition to never repeat themselves and it really turned out brilliantly, as their songs never get boring at any point and keep surprising you. I really experience them as the "journey" he's talking about. Still, I can't get over the fact that he wrote one of the most beautiful choruses ever for Brighton Rock ("Oh, Rock of Ages...") and it's in there only bloody ONCE. That one really could have done with more repeating/variation. :-) Then again, it problably shows the brilliance of the boys that they could afford to use such a thing only once in a song because they were able to come up with something similarly epic anytime. :-)

[@carlosacta8726]

Brian May is a musical magician! Freddie Mercury a herald of the cosmos! Queen is undefinable!

[@jonmcdaniel8492]

Roger Taylor is the muscular heartbeat! And John Deacon is the bassist! Just kidding Deac was always the solid foundation.

[@carlosacta8726]

@@jonmcdaniel8492 What happened to him??

[@jonmcdaniel8492]

@@carlosacta8726 He pretty much decided he wasn't going to perform anymore after Mercury died. Doesn't even interact with May and Taylor except on business issues.

[@carlosacta8726]

@@jonmcdaniel8492 Yes. The Universe conspired to create Freddie Mercury for a brief stellar glint. He is irreplaceable and never to be equaled!

[@johnwhite3015]

vocal harmonies on this song are absolutely spectacular

[@jennyblackmon9654]

I don’t know what he’s talking about, but damn, I love to hear him talk.

[@BigBass-xf5yi]

One of the best, most uniquely complete rock songs ever written. Certainly my favorite Queen song. In its day, this song should have been as big as bohemian rhapsody. This song is an epic and journey of sonic bliss.

[@cathyrusso9742]

One of my favorite Queen songs of all time. Genius!

[@lucanudo505]

This song is a mix of "White Queen," "The March of the Black Queen", "Death on Two Legs", "Now I'm Here" and "Bohemian Rhapsody ".

[@stephenamos5473]

The song is mind blowing, no-one has ever done anything like this

[@janettmusic]

Brian would have been a good teacher

[@kelliwhittaker7502]

Brian May taught math at Brixton's Stockwell Manor School before Queen was established.

[@janettmusic]

@@kelliwhittaker7502 cool to hear!

[@tonystark1180]

There's a little nod to that in "Son and Daughter", written by Brian, on the first album. With the line "tried to be a teacher..."

[@tplattn74]

brian may is first and foremost a scientist which in turn made him the most brilliant musician ive ever come across and quickly learned to love. ❤️

[@tatianaroveda]

Thank you Roy Thomas Baker for posting this- There are probably millions of books about Freddie Mercury, but reading his thoughts and how you all worked in the studio, brought me here. He mentions you , sir on the board, and of course, All that Brian is saying. To me, as a musician, I am really interested in the amazing way Queen wrote, recorded and literally made these masterpieces.

[@tatianaroveda]

Brian May is absolutely amazing on guitar, and should be, ranked in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the top 10 guitarists in the world. Creatively, he is almost a genius as far as writing and producing- Yes, Bri- this is my true opinion- and you are one of Rock's most amazing writers.

[@bryanwhitaker1429]

While discussing A Night At The Opera, my dad told me that while Bohemian Rhapsody is certainly a masterpiece, he actually liked Prophet's Song and how it leads into Love Of My Life. I had a hard time seeing his point at first, but now it just seems so obvious.

[@wilrennehan3205]

Deep down in that humble mans giant brain , he knows how brilliant his guitar playing and arranging is .. probably the most down to earth legend ever .. love the man !!!

[@cursecat111]

This song was ahead of its time!!

[@lloydrobson]

This is without doubt one of the best Queen tracks ever, yet I’m still waiting for “ Love of my Life” at the end

[@ErikKnear]

I love how the vocal delay uses the homophone of "here" and "hear". Freddie sings "Come here. I (hear) you". The same word changes its own meaning when it repeats. Genius

[@flora3177]

Freddie Mercury is brilliant; He starts singing in the middle, then the first delay goes left and then the second delay goes right, then he can only sing in harmony with him and create harmony with 3 tones. himself as he hides back in his headphones.

[@zigmonger6646]

You're obviously in the very very minority for your one little groveling comment there are thousands in praise of Brian so go ahead and sod off now

[@lorrainecimino8508]

And Brian May is the master through this entire song.

[@mz6504]

The entire album is amazing back to back……I love night at the opera of course…..but day at the races and news of the world will always be my fav………

[@Insekkton]

Queen should NEVER have left Mr. Roy Thomas Baker, what a team they were !

[@Davidwv97]

Imagine being the person who gifted Brian the toy koto, knowing that it was used on one of Queen's greatest songs

[@a.an.6689]

Have you seen the Q&A recorded during this summer's tour? One of the questions came from the lady who gifted Brian the toy Koto long ago! ❤️

[@Davidwv97]

@@a.an.6689 I didn't! Can it be seen somewhere?

[@a.an.6689]

@@Davidwv97, yes. Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5vKaKeZpLuojpY Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWbWfp6sZ6ySq68 Part 3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpSrp5Wrh9-CfLM The question from the lady who gave Brian the koto is in the 2nd part at about 7:40 minutes.

[@cindyvazquez7500]

Freddie Mercury was exotic and beautiful back in the 70's with his longish hair. He had this sweet shy demor that was so endearing. I saw all their early concerts and I was completely captivated by Freddie I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. Freddie had this aura about him that was amazing his performances were legendary All four of them were fantastic I wish I could have been there to see them live back then.

[@WASPS1867]

Brian..simply the greatest

[@robertomartini7651]

Brian May and the Queen all...how many chills...amazing and terrific sound/ music. Forever in my life

[@elenamcevoy915]

An awesome song. One of my favourites and always was. Brian was given a message in that dream and we are living those days now.

[@indygamer2448]

OMG Freddie did the solo vocals LIVE on the album!!!

[@bluebell3720]

harmonies live normally they recorded one take then double tracked to create the harmonies they would be seperate recordings here he is harmonising whith what he hears thats what they mean

[@mike196212]

The first version I had of this lp was on 8 track and this song was faded out from one program. The part where the drums and the guitar crash back in blew me away. I was 13 and thought that was super cool. When I got the lp on vinyl I didn't,naturally,have to wait on that delay(8-tracks were crummy). This song,DEATH ON TWO LEGS and I'M IN LOVE WITH MY CAR became my favorites on the album. At 60 I still think these are the best tracks on it.

[@wilrennehan3205]

Forgot to add .. No other guitarist has the arrangement skills of Mister May .. he's an orchestra all by himself

[@ericcrews5466]

Love of My Life live was performed very differently live vs on the album. I love that the solo in the live version of Love of My Life has echos of Prophet Song in it. Considering that they were blended together on the album. Amazing little touch they did there..

[@bluebell3720]

I haven't listened to the album so I may have misunderstood you But brian was very late fininishing prophet love of my life was diminished Freddie composed his song on piano and guitar but brian had to adjust it to fit with his 12 string guitar

[@cindyvazquez7500]

Queen are brilliant musicians Very smart guys The boys were so different and original with their music They are truly a unique band Since I have been home due to this Coronavirus lockdowns, I did a serious crash course They're music and I was completely blown away. The boys are very creative with the lyrics and the musical melodies are pure genius I was totally facinated on how they arranged their more complicated songs, like The Prophets song, March of the Black Queen

[@indygamer2448]

Queen and The Cars are the music you can listen to it 1000 times and still hear something new

[@zigmonger6646]

Ha the cars in the same sentence has Queen give me a break the car is come on they can't even begin to compare to the musicianship of Queen the cars ha how laughable

[@Owlstretchingtime78]

​@zigmonger6646 Agreed. A very strange comparison!

[@michelletammydenney1417]

Kenny was always stealing tapes and playing them. Loved that man♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@siminaleich1492]

The Prophet song is the bohemian rapshody of Brian May!

[@Olly__Zines-By-Blade]

That's so fucking cool... the amount of admiration i have for their experimentalism is astronomical

[@sowiloi]

That man‘s a true axe innovator (think series wiring or that awesome trem!), killer songwriter, guitarist with such a unique phrasing and damn awesome melodic lines, and a successful scientist on top. So multi tasking does exist.

[@davidripley2916]

AND NOW I KNOW NOW I KNOW 🎶👑💎

[@StephanDallaPria]

So what I am hearing is that Brian May fell in love in Japan.

[@nancyblumberg4612]

Genius ...... pure Genius

[@Fireball_]

I think I remember when I was around 10 me and my dad were driving home and this was on the radio I thought it was a bad song and I didn't like the people who made it little did I know queen will be my favorite band and this would be one of my favorites

[@nathanduke5323]

I'd be curious to hear the unfinished version they were talking about.

[@chost-059]

Queen extraveganza performed it live really well

[@simonpalling3215]

Amongst my very favourite 2 Queen tracks...

[@om0206]

What's the other one?

[@simonpalling3215]

@@om0206 Fairy fellers master stroke...on Queen2.

[@om0206]

@@simonpalling3215 Mine's The march of the black queen

[@judylefavour9873]

I love this Special.

[@dupont135]

The Master Song! That's all I need to say.

[@briansherling5515]

Arguments continue on the question of who the best rock guitar player is or was….nobody stands out like Brian May. His signature was so obvious. From his choice of guitar pick to his sheer breadth of styles, he was a singular genius. Queen was as original as it gets and the most inimitable sound rock music has ever produced. Nobody sounded like Brian and Freddie. Not before. Not during, and not since. There have been many Beatles and Van Halen’s and led zeps. But only one queen.

[@shepchester3567]

I second all of that. And add, that a persons choice best rock guitarist is of course subjective, but one criticism of Brian Ive never understood, is that he wasn't "Technically" a good player? I'm not a musician, so couldn't say if that has merit or not, but when you produce the sounds and melodies that Brian dose, Surely Technique is irrelevant?

[@slinkie59]

@@shepchester3567 that is pretty much said most of the great rock guitar players, it has been said about Frank Zappa and the man could write sheet music, hell the man gave The Alice Cooper Band a contract because he watched them clear a venue in LA with just their music, he didn't care about the technicality of music at all.

[@TheSWolfe]

Been in love with Queen, and "The Prophet's Song," since the 7th grade. Saw them play live and met them once (all but Roger; he was at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena conducting his sound-check when I ran into the rest of the band) when I was in high school, and my son and I saw them with Adam Lambert earlier this month in San Francisco.

[@albertocoria6097]

El genio de Roy Thomas Baker!!!

[@astraltraveller892]

2:49 Queen is prog

[@MarcoWriedt]

Yes! Queen always had Prog influences on the early albums... later on Innuendo as well of course... on Hot Space...not so many :)

[@zezezosezadafrak8210]

KZbin THE GREATEST WEBSITE ON EARTH??? YES.

[@juliafox7904]

Love this one ..

[@tbnobs]

A night at the opera was a masterpiece few bands ever had this sound. But the consistent work on developing this album highlighted there genius

[@makigero27]

this song is the most wonderful that i heard... from the beginning at the end...

[@TOTV13]

I was massive Queen fan at the time and absorbed everything, listening to it now it feels like it was from Queen II, I would have lost money if asked to bet on it, with all that symbolism that was present on the second album Gods and fairies yet this is from the album, it would seem to fit far better with Ogre Battle, Fair Feller and Nevermore than anything from ANATO

[@theskicker8856]

This is my second my song, not just from Queen, which it is, but in general. Also, what was with Kenny Everett taking Queen tracks and playing them on the radio without anyone noticing lol.

[@narjitmankoo8478]

Song surpasses the explanation

[@timpenfield5]

That was awesome, subbed

[@thomasanderson2757]

This is my favourite Queen song but I don't know why I don't get this song and I don't think I ever will but I'm fine with that.

[@DanielGarcia-sh8gk]

This is the greatest song from "A Night At The Opera" album not "Bohemian Rhapsody" 🍻

[@CM9_Exorcist]

4:47 i dont know what is wrong but he is getting visions

[@janetwayne2892]

This is an amazing song. The Prophet and the words are almost words in the Bible what is going on right now. The deam was in the 70s we are now at the END Of TIMES.

[@massimogerla7575]

Brian May Genius From The Future Brian May Is Leonardo da Vinci With The Guitar

[@minniesotelo4137]

Roger taylor ,best drumer of queen band .jhon deacon .for bass brian for lid.,the late great performer freddie mercury ..perfect all sounds.......

[@lilianvaneck4565]

Wow

[@090nj2]

❤️❤️

[@bobyk87]

"Because it is a floating tremolo" this is how I supposed it to be, but some still think his guitar works like a blocked trem. No, here is the answer.

[@monicaa.6641]

SOME TIIME A GENIOS BORN, THAT'S HIM FREDDY !! THIS SONG IS AMAZING !!!

[@JonBecker81]

How many other rock musicians talk about canon and counterpoint? I think Brian could teach a music theory class.

[@bozenareginazamora1553]

😍😍😍

[@gregbates2844]

I want to be Brian May in my next life.

[@davep8221]

There's another version of this where Brian says that Freddy was so good (shocker, I know!), that you can hear his voice phasing on the harmonies. Ah, the 70s. Yes, Queen, Rush, Mike Oldfield, ... and a few others ;-)

[@paulitos2]

This is the best song of Queen. If you think different, sorry, you are worng.

[@xrysanikolaou435]

ever

[@oomphlagwumpla650]

The wind noise was an air conditioner...

[@patrickthometz6365]

Brian May is God!

[@BarbieChaite]

6:25

[@michelebriere9569]

That first riff reminds me of Enter Sandman.

[@lessalazar9068]

When Brian plays the riff.. 🥴

[@poppinmycollar423]

Freddy musta had huge balls to get on stage in that outfit 😁

[@bettercallsus6387]

Which documentary is this?

[@gregoryliu793]

Who are the 70 mopes who gave this a thumbs-down?

[@andreysimeonov8356]

The entire Side 2 of A Night at the Opera resembles a 4-movement Classical symphony with a special separate coda (God Save the Queen).

[@eashwarbk1467]

Is that Roy T Baker?

[@eashwarbk1467]

Yes

[@AngelicusImmortus]

It is the earliest Drop D (DADGBE) in rock/metal. Sabbath didn’t do it for years. Neither did any other band. In fact it only went to being a “big thing” in the ‘90s

[@PeterNiallLancaster]

The Beatles used drop D tuning on I Want You (She’s So Heavy) and Led Zeppelin used it on Moby Dick. Both songs were released in 1969.

[@gdawgs101]

Anybody know the name of the full-length documentary this was clipped from?

[@st-entertainment]

Classic albums a night at the opera extras

[@luxmealuxable]

Does anybody know whether the making of this happened before or after the making of Bohemian Rhapsody? I wanna know who challenged whom first x

[@bluebell3720]

Lux I think they're implying here that Brian got it finished very last minute so bo rap was complete first In another interview Brian said he was working on this when he noticed Freddie working on bo rap I dont think Brian had presented it to the band I think he was still working on it Bo rap took about 3 weeks I think and they all felt that was the one to concentrate on despite the work they needed to do I dont think Brian song was solid enough It sounds like he kept changing it to the very last

[@luxmealuxable]

@@bluebell3720 Thank you very much. I know the hardship of having to go back and forth to make a baby song sound like what may sound good at some moment in time. Then it hits you that you need to go back and redo it because perfectionism is always an issue. I have redone and redone the same songs over and over again: it takes many weeks to finalise something as big as this one. It really doesn't matter who did what first. Now I know this much to be true. It's the masterpiece of the album, this holds true.

[@bluebell3720]

@@luxmealuxable I'm so glad you took my comment the way you did I just re read it You're right it ended up good and a favourite with fans I think? But it sounds like he was struggling to get it to or know what he wanted? They weren't ignoring his song or not helping I get the impression he prefers to do it by himself

[@angelperez5949]

no wonder the album was very expensive at that time because of its complexity

[@Fuzcapp]

Is Brian wearing a Reg Mombassa shirt?

[@TisTheDamnStickSeason]

Hot take: I prefer Prophet's Song over Bohemian Rhapsody

[@dekoekenbakker9057]

67 persons needed to be tested on corona

[@soul4sale1946]

4:25 millions of needles in my body :)

[@mandybrooks5789]

Music is prophecy biblical pages if you listen.

[@chateaupig826]

Why just guys ? Girls love prophets and prophecies 👍

[@MercuryMythbusting]

I will never understand why they thought this song was any good, or at least single material. There’s no way this would’ve had the success BoRhap did. It was a lot of bombastry with little substance.