first time hearing Queen - Death on Two Legs | Reaction!!

[@poloreacts27]

ATTENTION. I DO NOT have a telegram there are imposters in the comments, please don't fall for SPAM IN THE COMMENTS. Thanks for watching! Most of my requests come from here. Also new request PO Box in the description. To support the show www.patreon.com/poloreacts or show your love for the channel by buying me a coffee using this link www.buymeacoffee.com/poloreacts.

[@BlackGuardXIII]

Apparently the song was about their manager they fired. ❤️ 👍

[@LindaChambers-gy2zl]

Thank you for posting this. I received a message that you wanted to get to know me. It was supposed to be from you. (I didn't answer) Rock on with Queen!

[@LindaChambers-gy2zl]

About the song.....you don't wanna mess with Freddie and Queen!

[@27thangel23]

Greetings from Canada. Wasn't a woman, the problem... it was their manager. Had them on starvation wages while he ponced around in a Rolls Royce, and screwed Queen to an old contract. They finally blew him off, but he sued them over this song and won... but was awarded something like £1 by way of damages. Peace, love and bellbottoms.

[@anitapaulus937]

And, no one would have known who the song was about until he blew up and sued them.

[@josephinemonahan915]

The real story??.....the manager’s name was Norman Sheffield.....John Deacon asked him for the money to buy a house...Norman refused....John broke the contract......listen to the interview where Freddie says that John saved them....when Freddie turns his arse to the audience it’s a reminder for Norman of what he missed out on.......because later on Queen had enormous success...Freddie doesn’t name Norman in the song.....and Norman didn’t succeed in court......he knew that the song was about him but he wasn’t named in it...therefore it was a nebulous tenuous connection that failed in court🤩

[@leslielisty4457]

When I saw them, on the line "but now you can kiss...my ass goodbye," he bent down, ass to the audience, pointing to his ass. Performance made by Freddie!!

[@joesmith6357]

All women are problems 😂😂

[@Snakebite351]

Not about a woman, it’s about there producer at the time who was screwing them out of their song royalties. They dropped him right after the album released and never looked back. Best decision they ever made.

[@yogimarkmac]

The ultimate dis song. Brian May's heavy-metal-before-heavy-metal licks are FIRE.

[@BigTimeRushFan2112]

Black Sabbath was churning out heavy metal riffs years before Queen was bruh. Juss sayin...

[@vincegedeon6583]

🎸He is amazing💯

[@strydershadow391]

You got that right! I do like Queen, but Iommi is due respect as the heavy metal guy from a great band. @@BigTimeRushFan2112

[@celiamolina-rg7cr]

Freddie was the one who tells Brian May how to play the guitar in this song.

[@ChrisHyde537]

Written for the music industry execs who screwed the band out of big money earlier in their career.

[@gordonpromish9218]

good pick. A Night At The Opera has so much good stuff. Give '39 a spin, or maybe The Prophet's Song

[@OhioCruffler]

Both excellent songs. The whole album is great.

[@katehaynes5735]

Love " '39" ! Was lucky enough to have seen Brian May perform it live recently. That picture is not coming off my phone!

[@ellenw391]

​@@katehaynes5735 I saw them in October and thought it was one of the most magical moments of the night. But that top spot went to Bri and Adam singing "Is this the World We Created" (A song also well worth listening to, and quite timely today!). Between the performance and the combo of the video last tree on earth with the real leaves spiraling to the floor.....just breathtakingly stunning performance!!! I had run out of room to record on my phone by then, and was frantically deleting large programs like Zoom, etc for more space. Luckily many full Rhapsody Tour 2023 videos made it online, and many song videos from the concert I saw (but not full videos). It was hard juggling recording and watching. LOL I did get the G-d Save the Queen bows, and when it got to Roger and Brian I literally just threw my phone down....HAD to cheer IRL lolol

[@jeremykothe2847]

There's an old saying. "Never attack someone who buys ink by the barrel". Meaning, ofc, don't get into a fight with the press. This takes it to another level. Don't get into a fight with a musician. They'll roast you and it will last forever.

[@PaulThoresen]

This is a masterpiece. Short and super punchy

[@TheCornishCockney]

Four creative masters. As with The Beatles,the stars aligned and put these giant cornerstones together. God clearly loved the 70’s.

[@bjw0515]

I love the song, always have! Queen could do a diss song like no other. This was directed at former manager that was taking their money!

[@clintlandrum9498]

I cant remember the story in all its details, but the song is raging at Queen's former manager who swindled them out of millions and millions, over so much they had worked for. And then put them thru hell in finally gaining a judgement over him. IIRC, the band were leery about writing a song about him. But freddie was the most hurt, passionate and principled about it and forced the song through.

[@reginafromtexas2314]

Death on Two Legs is followed by Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon on the album and it's a totally different vibe! 😂

[@BearClanMan1970]

Hearing one without the other seems so strange, right? Even when the video stopped for Polo, "Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon" began playing in my mind.

[@kentnottingham9635]

I can never play one song from most bands and Night At The Opera was one of the first. (Beatles first).

[@beverlybennett963]

Not only is Brian May a fantastic guitarist but also a well known astrophysicist.......

[@BearClanMan1970]

A GREAT Queen song from a phenomenal Queen album. I appreciate the insights within your reactions, Polo.

[@markferrett700]

When you consider how old this is,the quality of the recording of this and the whole "A night at the Opera" is amazing.....the tone on Brian May's guitar is unique......check out the Prophets Song next.....its a banger.

[@andreakormosnekacso4804]

According to Freddie: "I was changing lyrics every day, trying to get it as vicious as possible. I was a demon for a few days." I can imagine that! The band members had no money, but even worse they were in debts up to their necks. When John Reid and Jim Beach (the band's lawyer later their manager) made them off the Trident contract, they had to pay 100 000 pounds to the Trident who also got 1 pence after all sold records of the next 6 albums released.

[@chrisrains9350]

All the lyrics are directed at their record companies producer. It’s a big FU to their management company.

[@Serai3]

Producers are not the same as managers, dude. This was about their managers.

[@ellenw391]

@@Serai3 To be specific, the song was written primarily about Trident Studios manager Norman Sheffield, although his team certainly helped screw Queen financially. I think pretty much every band member has discussed this in some documentary or interviews over the years. And every time it comes up, be it back then or more recently, you can see the fury and hurt in their eyes.

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

an overlooked Gem!

[@vernhoke7730]

Probably the ultimate go f@!% yourself track and a great way to start an album. Saw them do this live back in the early eighties.

[@Kotic1959]

Saw them at a 3000 seat auditorium in Detroit @ ford Auditorium in Feb 75

[@katehaynes5735]

Luckies!

[@mymelancholyboots]

@@Kotic1959 Do you know there was an audience recording of it available?

[@Jude_196]

LOVE THIS SONG!!! This whole ALBUM is FIRE, in my opinion!! THANKS, POLO!

[@karenj3611]

Yeah, you don’t want to piss off Freddie Mercury 😂

[@NZLatic]

A Night at the Opera is one of my all time favourite albums from any genre, and this is the perfect opening! This is a diss track years before it became a thing. There are other phenomenal songs on this album such as The Prophet Song, Love of My Life and I’m in Love With My Car just to name a few. Really worth checking out.

[@Ferretbomber]

excellllllent track, musically and thematically. Thanks as always for the reaction.

[@adamucchi7777]

Loving your channel and the content. My 5 1/2 year old daughter and I dig it. So, this song was written as a F you to the record executives trying to control their music. Basically, they ended up taking over their own music and walked away from the execs. Hence, how vicious it is. Not about a girl fortunately. :)

[@keymack2477]

Great reaction again, POLO! I would recommend basically anything off the first four Queen albums (Queen I, Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack and Night At The Opera). If you want a live version of a song try "White Queen" at the Odeon Hammersmith. For a studio track I would suggest "She Makes Me (Stormtroopers in Stilettos)" as good places to start!!!

[@JMADNICK]

In 1978 at the age of 13, I declared Queen my favorite band. Bohemian Rhapsody was the the track. Bought every album. Then bought Fat Bottom Girls. The poster was not meant for a 13 year old. I liked later Queen less. That’s just me.

[@IsnBotterill]

Your are spot on regarding first 4 albums

[@emeff5584]

Listen to ‘39 on A Night At The Opera. Acoustic Brian May, beautiful.

[@richardscales9560]

One of my favourites since i first heard the album back in the 70s. That intro,...sharp and sour guitar work.

[@kylehopkins1180]

One of my favorite Queen songs. Perfect sing to quit a job ! It’s good to hear you listen to more than just their hits!

[@sarswim6]

You rock Polo. Keep’em coming. Love the content and appreciate the hard work.

[@jeremykothe2847]

On the original release it was "dedicated to XXX/YYY" they had to remove that. This was an absolutely personal attack.

[@klwit307]

So much going on here. Brian May got to do some really cool stuff and vocally, wow! Somebody really done Freddie very wrong. ❤

[@mikenastasi8927]

1 of my favorite songs from Queen

[@HellenKillerProject]

A Queen song "39" is one of my favorite songs ever. Brian May wrote it and it tears me up. Check it out .. Please ..

[@BrianPeloso-ln4ry]

Coolest guitar sound...I used to listen to this a lot when I was a teenager...thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@vivianramsay2527]

They were so great ! Even their FU to the management was classic Queen !!😂😂😂

[@xGUILTx]

Steel heart , I'll never let you go ... I'm telling you polo you will be blown away .

[@ldavis8145]

My favorite --- ..."You're a sewer rat decaying in a cesspool of pride...". More Queen to check out: Spread Your Wings (Live version is best), Who Wants To Live Forever, Princes of the Universe and Killer Queen.

[@katehaynes5735]

Much agreed re: sewer rat!

[@sherryzmezzo]

I cannot believe that you haven't listened to Bohemian Rhapsody. It's unquestionably their most iconic song. It might also be their best. I don't think I've ever heard anything else like it from any band.

[@hommeldavid]

You need to do a review on “The End” by The Doors. I still get chills every time I hear it. It really takes you on a journey.

[@smd2169]

Now, to get the full feeling of what Queen could do; check out “Dragon Attack”. It’s a full-on assault and the bass line is pummeling. Fantastic track!

[@barbarjinx3802]

MARCH OF THE BLACK QUEEN supporters!

[@Markhypnosis1]

Fantastic track. I've always loved Queen, but I'd never really listened to their album tracks like this one until a few years ago. You must react to Stone Cold Crazy. You won't believe it's Queen, only Freddys voice will give it away. It's very fast and heavy.

[@db90990]

Queen: SHEER HEART ATTACK, KEEP YOURSELF ALIVE, SPREAD YOUR WINGS

[@bridgittetirman2645]

Probably my favorite Queen song.

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Just found this one cannot wait to listen crazy crazy love love you

[@sheilapurcell515]

You should see what they were like after maybe 3 years in the business. Liar at the Rainbow 1974, written by Freddie a while before Queen was formed. It will show the talent even in their 20s. Each member has a bit in the spotlight. I've been a big fan since they formed 1970. Blessings from England xx

[@Ncxgroup]

You need to listen to the Prophet's Song. Same Album. Incredible.

[@jonathanlocke6404]

This was a very cathartic song to listen to when you were pissed off at a teacher, a coach, or a boss...Wicked guitar...

[@maryjennings228]

Hi, one of your subs. 64, love Queen. Never heard that song. I am floored by the lyrics ❤, this is classic Queen! Peace🌎💕

[@debramoore7513]

Best song intro EVER! Freddie lulls us into a comfortable but not quite relaxed state of mind with his beautiful piano intro! Then in crawls the beast, the out-of-tune groaning of Brian’s guitar tones! Something’s lurking, something’s slithering like a 🐍 “sss”. Yikes, it’s Freddie’s diss song towards former manager Norm Sheffield. Before Sheffield’s death, he wrote a book called Life On Two Legs. 📚

[@deborahscofield6738]

Very underated song! Freddie said the lawsuit he had to pay was the best money spent.

[@rogerosterberger4627]

I saw them in San Diego for the News of the World tour. One of the best concerts I have ever seen, I have been to about 200 concerts in my life, starting with Herb Alpert and the Tiajuana Brass.

[@leefreed2060]

My favorite queen song ever

[@db90990]

Queen: NOW IM HERE, STONE COLD CRAZY, IT'S LATE

[@courtneywallace871]

Such a great song! Thanks for reacting.

[@joycepalm9190]

This dis on their management shows you where Freddie's famous "butt salute" came from!

[@kentnottingham9635]

Even when this first came out, it reminded me of “the Grinch” song! Lol. I was only like 11 or 12 in 75 so… lol EVERY NOTE of this album is FIRE!!!!

[@RickeyWilkersonVoices]

I actually was fortunate enough to see this legendary band three times 1976,1977 and 1980! With such a great catalog it's hard to pick just a few but here are three you should try "Stone Cold Crazy" "Let Me Entertain You" and "Tie Your Mother Down" !!!

[@johnandrews3151]

Queen/The Prophet's Song. From the same album as Death On Two Legs, which is called A Night At The Opera and named after one of the Marx Brothers comedy movies. 😮😊

[@janebartholomew-w6q]

Loved this great reaction Polo, more Queen is needed here

[@linda092-loves-dogs]

Queen...somebody to love is stellar

[@susanfabian1521]

Wow! l"m still able to sing along with that song 😮

[@browntabproductions]

This is one of those Queen songs where people familiar with their catalogue would ask, which version? 😆 Either way, it’s a Great Rockin’ tune. You’re so right too, it is complicated. Fun watching your Reaction. Thanks. Good stuff. ✌️ It is the perfect, non-female related, F You Song.

[@loadedorygun]

What a damn roast lol. NEVER let you get away with telling them they should unalive. But 70s!

[@MrBedZeppelin]

Yeah I can think of ONE man, today that Freddy is writing about, in this song. One of the best pure rock songs Queen does! Thanks Polo!

[@Ninang363]

This song was written about their manager who was riding in a Bentley and wearing new clothes while they were still living in a one room apartment and couldn't afford to eat

[@nrsvlda70]

There is a fair amount of video with Brian and Roger talking about how this song came to be.. really all about Freddie being p*ssed at their management team who were stealing from them (very early on) while the the 4 of them were barely surviving! Thanks for a great reaction… you can’t go wrong with Queen - early or later - it’s all great, and all different!!

[@LillyRose924]

Thank you for this reaction. Sir Bri going insane on the guitar. QUEEN #1

[@vickiconley3638]

G.O.A.T.

[@ew4932]

This is the biggest diss and FU ever! And I love it! 😁

[@janish4027]

This is still one of my favorite albums of all time #NightAtTheOpera

[@TammyDenney]

When Freddie wrote this song he was fuming . Roger was told not to break any drum sticks , because they couldn’t afford it , while ( the Sheffield brothers )were both driving around in new Rolls Royces. While Freddie was recording this ,blood was running out of both of his ears. That’s how angry he was.

[@xGUILTx]

Slaughter , Fly To The Angels ... You won't be disappointed .

[@Jksv.3]

You should do The March of The Black Queen/Funny how love is from Queen next. You won't regret it!

[@rodneymacomber6337]

I’ve got to figure out how to do the buy a coffee for Paulo to react to something different that he hasn’t tried 60s and 70s surf music The Ventures , Billy strange, Dick Dale, etc.

[@TheCornishCockney]

Behave.

[@danieltarbox174]

Great reaction to a unique song!

[@Sassypaws4927]

“Death on Two Legs” is the song that’s considered to be Freddie’s “hate letter” towards the band’s former manager, Norman Sheffield. As Queen's former manager and a co-owner of Trident Studios. Queen felt that Norman had not provided them with the support they needed, and so Mr. Sheffield and the band parted company before the recording of A Night At The Opera. Queen signed with Norman Sheffield when they first were starting out and were young and naive about the music business. It incorporated a vast range of vicious lyrics, and was described by Freddie as being, “so vindictive that Brian felt bad singing it.” The band felt hard done by Sheffield when they were producing hit singles without seeing any of the money - and with incidents such as Roger Taylor being told he couldn't hit the drums too hard as they supposedly "couldn't afford" new drumsticks. But as Roger noted, "you see them (the management) running around in stretch limos and think 'hang on there's something not right here!'" Freddie made the following statement about "Death On Two Legs": "I don’t like to explain what I was thinking when I wrote a song. I think that’s awful, just awful. When I’m dead, I want to be remembered as a musician of some worth and substance." Queen's next manager, John Reid, spent a lot of his initial time working with the band clearing up their finances and resolving the bad deals they had gotten into. As Brian admitted in the Days of our Lives documentary, the band had actually signed a publishing agreement with Trident Studios, who then sold their records to a record company. "In hindsight, it was the worst decision we ever made" he noted. The moral of the song is don't piss off Freddie.

[@rexhoss]

On the album, the songs leads directly into the next song which is light lively and a complete sonic change that complete alters your feeling. Sadly, when listening on the internet, you don't get that amazing transition. But this song is still fire and so sonically rich.

[@liamcage7208]

If I may suggest by Queen; Stone Cold Crazy for a hard rock sound and the often over looked Misfire for an up beat melodic and complex shorter song.

[@cainealexander-mccord2805]

they're a rock band that comes with a lot of attachments.

[@GingerMeyer-f9u]

One of my favorites, it's a great dig at there producer. The album it's on is one of there best. Night at the opera opened a lot of eyes and helped change people's minds about the possible mix of opera, classical and rock.

[@thanksmr.obvious6427]

probably the first diss of all time? lol

[@gregwillert-po6nq]

Incredible tune! That guitar riff is as big an fu that has ever been played!!!

[@gardnerdan17]

This is one of my favorite songs by them. If you like this you should check out "Dead On Time".

[@strydershadow391]

Even though this song wasn't about a woman it certainly described the girl I was dating at the time. Thanks for the wakeup call, Freddie. Rip.

[@Jahbs]

This song is why shows his ass at every concert! It’s to their old manager who ripped them off ☮️ ❤️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@beaumvb]

You should listen to the last song Freddie ever recorded: The Show Must Go On. He was too ill to record new footage for a video, so it's a compilation of bits of videos they had previously made. He could barely stand by the time they recorded TSMGO, but he managed to do the song in only 3 or 4 takes, and absolutely nails the vocals. It's gut wrenching. For a completely different vibe, check out Bijou, Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together), and Good Old Fashioned Loverboy. You should listen to the studio recordings, not live versions, on all the Queen songs before you watch live performances.

[@dougjohnson3987]

Check out the trio of tracks from their album Sheer Heart Attack, "Tenement Funster/Flick of the Wrist/Lily of the Valley" (they all run together). The middle track, Flick of the Wrist is another of their digs at the con men that they had to deal with, tho Freddie swore it wasn't about their manager (LOL). That whole album rocked from start to finish with the standard 70s style of switching up tempos and tones. I think it was an arguably better, or at least equal to the album Night At The Opera, with Bohemian Rhapsody, The Prophet's Song, '39, and of course this track.

[@RoverWaters]

no synth or other digital sounds were used in the making of this song

[@agstires]

Hello ... Two videos/songs to check out ... k d lang with Tony Bennet singing 'Blue Velvet'. There's a series of duets with Bennet a she is in several btw. All excellent. Also Freddy Mercury of Queen and Monserrat Cabale, classically trained soprano from Spain, singing 'Barcelona' which Freddy wrote for their project together. (He heard her sing when she was on tour and thought she had the most beautiful voice ever. My opinion, she pretty much does). A party for the senses. I enjoy your reactions very much. Can't find the coffee-money can...sorry. Be well... :-).

[@SPlester]

The manager Norman Sheffield wrote his memoirs and called it Life on two Legs hence the title of the song Death on two legs

[@Gillie51-bl8su]

This is a diss song directed at their first manager who took advantage of their inexperience and locked them into a contract that left them on a low weekly wage, even after they'd had successful albums and hit singles. They paid him off to get out of the contract, but he still sued them - therefore admitting that the song was directed at him - even though he was never named in the song. I can't remember the sum of damages he was awarded, but it was laughably low... In every concert from then on, when Freddie turned his back to the audience and stuck out his bum (As he did during Live Aid), it was a 'salute' to that manager... as in "Kiss my arse"...

[@mariaeisenhardt2296]

I’ve been to hundreds of concerts in my lifetime and this is one of the few I have vivid memory of Freddy in black and white striped pants bending down and pointing at his ass. It gives me the giggles every time I hear this song.

[@StuartistStudio1964]

Check out The Prophet's Song. IMHO, this is Queen's best.

[@crystal6708]

❤ this fkin song.

[@ronstegall2312]

It's not about a woman!!! About there manager!! Lol

[@theofficialzombiewhisperer2]

Queen was the Best ever

[@txhesser]

The track that started it all for me, please react to "Killer Queen".

[@bartholomewswarmkrunsh3859]

Bohemian Rhapsody is of course a masterpiece, but, for me, to Somebody To Love or their earlier song The March Of The Black Queen is better. I believe the first side of their debut album has some of their finest work, in particular Doing All Right, Great King Rat and My Fairy King. Also well worth checking out is Soul Brother, but for me, Queen’s best song was White Man.

[@EmreCanKorkmaz]

It is unbeliavable how there are still people that claim Queen didn't 'rock'. 😅

[@leemcclements8889]

It's about the management that screwed them over in the 70's.