Queen, Now I’m Here - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

[@VirginRock]

Don’t forget to hit the SUBSCRIBE button! And if you have any questions, please write them here as a reply. BUT, please, questions ONLY! Thank you!

[@theghostofsw6276]

Were you aware that Brian May is also a legitimate astrophysicist?

[@victory5392]

I wonder what has happened to the 2nd episode of The Doors my virgin friend???❤

[@victory5392]

Woman💚 Life🤍 Freedom❤️

[@anthonypirera7598]

Is there any chance of going back to the second album and listen to White Queen and Black Queen and Father to Son same of Queen's greatest songs

[@MrGmonkeywillruleyou]

I feel like you need some more challenging material. Like Mr Bungles self titled album

[@mackimm11]

Someone, please draw Brian May's attention to this channel. Would love to get a video where Amy and Brian have a chat about Queen's music and music in general. Brian would surely love this.

[@WintersRose82]

I agree

[@jca111]

He might well be aware already. He did Rick Beato a while back . Brian keeps an eye on the socials.

[@WayneKitching]

​@@jca111Yes, and he was a guest on the 'What Makes This Song Great " episode featuring Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@fretlessfender]

I allready did... if he read my mail, he knows!

[@XFLexiconMatt]

Agreed!

[@Sassypaws4927]

"Now I'M Here" was written by Brian May while hospitalized with hepatitis following Queen's first tour to America. In 1974, Queen was asked to accompany the band, Mott, the Hoople on their American tour as the support band. Queen had toured with Hoople in the British Isles and they got along well. This was a big step for Queen who had not yet broken into the American music market. Sadly, just a month into the tour, Brian woke up one morning feeling really rough and he looked yellow. He was diagnosed with hepatitis. Queen pulled out of the rest of the tour and brought Brian back to England to recover. Roger (Queen's drummer) said that they were really nervous getting through immigration since Brian was so sick he couldn't walk. One of them would hold him up on each side and just sort of carry him upright through the terminal so it kind of looked like he was walking. While Brian was laid up in the hospital recovering, the rest of the band returned to the studio to work. He worried that the band was going to replace him even though they didn't need to. John Deacon, Queen's bass guitarist is also a talented lead guitarist (though not quite as exceptional as Brian). It was John who recorded both the bass and lead guitar on "Killer Queen" though the band did leave a gap so that when Brian did return, they could insert his guitar solo into the mix. John doubled as lead and bass guitarist on several tracks during this period. The band visited him constantly and would bring tapes for him to listen to the music they were working on. He was really concerned when he heard Killer Queen since it was so different from anything that they had done to that point. The band was progressing without him. He worried that he wasn't able to contribute to this album (FYI - in case you didn't catch it, Brian is a world-class worrier). The guitarist said he felt that he'd let the band down during their important win-over-America tour, and so he set to work writing from his hospital bed. The experience on tour inspired him to write "Now I'm Here". The line, "Now I'm here, now I'm there" was about how they felt on tour, one minute they were in Denver, and the next they were in New Orleans. The line, "America's new bride to be" reflected the hopeful feeling they got from this tour since the American audiences seemed to love them. Of course, the line, "Down in the dungeon just Peaches and me" was a reference to his then-girlfriend, Peaches partying at The Dungeon, the famous rock and roll bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The line "Down in the city just Hoople and me" is a reference to the band who hosted them on this tour, "Mott, the Hoople". Brian's rather poetic description of what it is like to perform on stage can be found in the verse: Yeah, a thin moon me in a smoke-screen sky Where the beams of your love-light chase Don't move, don't speak, don't feel no pain With the rain running down my face Your matches still light up the sky And many a tear lives on in my eye After spending six weeks recovering, Brian eagerly rejoined his bandmates in the studio, only to get sick again, this time with a stomach ulcer. By the time he got back to work, he felt disconnected - in a good way. "It was very weird, because I was able to see the group from the outside, and was pretty excited by what I saw." My favorite version of this song is from the Wembley Concert in 1986. - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5qmimCkpKyVl9U. I think Queen is always better live than in the studio.

[@chergui77]

Thank you for all that great info. The lyrics make perfect sense now. Of course, Amy, really makes the music compositions come alive and complement the lyrics.

[@annephillips8494]

I prefer the Studio version.The vocals for me is perfunctory and just noise.The Piano rocks.Sorry.

[@YourBeingParanoid]

Pity you don't have either White Queen or March of the Black Queen on your list - two classics of this early era

[@SCHHHa]

the march of the black queen is just like a mother of bohemian rhapsody in my point of wiew

[@marcblachman2322]

Could not agree more. I would argue that all of Queen II should be included over much of later Queen.

[@YourBeingParanoid]

I'd say the first 5 albums need a lot more than just a track or two. Even then each album until Made in Heaven have special songs that deserve inspection too. @@marcblachman2322

[@SCHHHa]

@@marcblachman2322 absolutely agree... Now im here for me i a good Song, but nothing special. Just a normal Queen theme of the '80s. Normal rock. While songs like also ' the millionaire walz' are so researched, un-normal.. special songs

[@marcblachman2322]

@@SCHHHa Hate to say it, but I lost interest in Queen after Sheer Heart Attack. Those first 3 albums were fresh and still hold up well today. After SHA, not so much - "normal" is a good descriptor. I'm in the minority that never really took to Bohemian Rhapsody. And don't even mention We Will Rock You or We Are The Champions. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all...

[@dianecourtney2724]

Thank you Amy. I don’t know what is more fun hearing you dissect Queen songs or watching you listening with Virgin ears to songs that are almost the wallpaper of my musical existence. I hope you will take on March of the Black Queen very soon ( next ?) Freddie was a great story teller and composer. He wrote songs with hidden meanings that almost everyone has an opinion of the meaning. Brian May said March of the Black Queen was the precursor to Bohemian Rhapsody. No doubt it’s an underrated complex masterpiece ! 😂 I’ve heard this said about many of Freddie’s songs. Will be out here waiting 👑😊🌹

[@HedwigvanWuijkhuijse]

I so enjoy your observations; I've been listening to Queen's music for nigh on 50 years now and didn't think it held any more surprises, until I began following your channel. Thank you for making me sit down and listen to their songs again! Btw, Brian May has gone on record to say that Mahler is his favourite classical composer, not sure if any of that shines through in his compositions ;-)

[@LeeKennison]

The last two guitar solos have some Chuck Berry style guitar licks in them (not exact, just style), giving it a bit throw back to the late 50s style of Rock N' Roll. Once you hear a few Chuck Berry songs you will understand why he is one of the most influential guitar players ever, and will you hear other guitarist use his riffs from time to time in order to pay tribute to him. Although here Brian May is playing more in the style of Chuck Berry, rather than playing the exact licks. And to remove all doubt that they are paying tribute to Chuck Berry the final vocal line, "go go go little queenie" is a direct reference to a Chuck Berry lyric in his song "Little Queenie".

[@letsgomets002]

Exactly like Chuck Berry

[@ianbenson7804]

Yes and they probably got their inspiration for paying tribute to Chuck Berry from T.Rex "Get It on" with the "and meanwhile, I'm still thinking" at the end of that. They were all paying their dues in the 70's :-)

[@richardbradbury9105]

As a lifelong fan in a wholesome way it’s been really interesting to hear your extraction of material and descriptive way in which you can help explain the Music, I hundred percent agree with everything you said, I’m sure Freddie would’ve treasured your musical skills! Roger Taylor said it annoyed him that mostly the publics opinion of Freddie’s career is what a great showman/performer he was on stage and overlook what a truly great Musician he was 😊

[@andreakormosnekacso4804]

Brian wrote some beauftiful and emotional ballads, too and I hope, that Vlad also have put the great compositions of John and Roger to the playlist, too. Thank you Amy for the entertaining education of today.

[@buca505]

Just one thing, Brian May is very unique guitarist. He treats his solo parts as they are vocal parts and almost every his solo you can sing or whistle ( if you are good whistler ) and I heard a lot of rock guitarist been confused on the way how he constructed or composed his solos, until they did not realize that you can sing them, they are not just some technical show ups put in song so that guitarist can show up his technique and skills. Also Brian will become very good in composing music and songs for films during late years in Queen career and after Freddie passed away. Because Freddie was such a great frontman and performer, people forget that Queen was a great band and rest of guys were excellent too. Keep on good work Amy, and love for everyone in house of Virgin Rock ✌️

[@chergui77]

I think Brian's guitar skills and techniques stem (no pun intended) from his dual love of music and science. It is a well known fact that musicians make great scientists and mathematicians, and vice versa. Brian has certainly proven that with his expertise as a guitarist and his genius as a PhD astrophysicist, who has even collaborated with NASA's asteroid mission OSIRIS-REx, helping scientists find a suitable landing spot on the space rock that turned out to be completely different from what they had expected and designed their mission for. Sir Brian is just a flourishing genius in many respects.

[@buca505]

@@chergui77 Oh yes, I forgot to mention that he has phd in astrophysics and that he is great mathematician too. I also forgot to mention that he constructed his own electric guitar as teenager and build together with his father, using some ideas from Vox guitars that was produced at the end of 60’s but making exclusively at his own style and preference. Brian is an extraordinary man.

[@chergui77]

@@buca505I just love the story of Brian and his Dad making his guitar, Red Special, out of a fireplace mantel. Such a special memory for Brian to have carried with him all these years. Do you know if any of his children play guitar? Such a legacy to leave them. ❤

[@sloganreadersloganreader6736]

God, I hope Millionaire Waltz is on your list, Amy! It really takes a lot of inspiration from the Viennese waltzes of the 19th century, especially with its distinctive “violin run” guitar solo and 3/4 meter.

[@kendallneason3645]

I’d love to hear her check out Melancholy Blues and Millionaire’s Waltz!

[@andyplowright9985]

One of the greatest bass lines of all time too. Seriously great work from Deacy.

[@IwasInThe60s]

Brian May is one of the kindest and gentle persons I have ever met. Today, he looks exactly the same as 40 years ago, except that the long locks are now totally gray. His compositions were generally more intellectual (especially the lyrics), while Roger added the acid rock (e.g. "I'm in love with my car") and John's music was, in my opinion, the most melodic of them all. But obviously, Freddie was the showman who took the band to superstardom with his popular songs, which were so good that I can only describe them as Beatles-like.

[@MightyFerg1]

Guitarists who have tried to learn this song by ear will be aware that it features Queen's favourite trick of "The same bit again, but not *quite* the same" in at least three places. Subtle but pleasingly clever.

[@rozhunter7645]

This was the song that made me a fan in 1974, I heard it while helping my aunt and uncle at a charity disco and loved it though didn’t know who sang it at that time. I found out all about it from the DJ and bought the single the next day and my parents bought the album for my birthday and that’s how I became a massive Queen fan

[@karentargaryen7959]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this song. Even when Queen goes more hard rock, they still have this something else added in, be it vocal harmonies or interesting instrumental variations, to make it so much more. You noted that this song was played at every one of their shows. If you do get the chance, watch the 1974 Rainbow (it is the opening song)-one of their early concerts, and then the 1986 Wembley-one of their last concerts. It would be a real treat to see how the song and performance has changed and stayed the same.

[@Suzismymom]

I hope, for your own pleasure, you watch some of the live videos of the songs you listen to by Queen. As others have mentioned, during this particular song the lights would go off and on as Freddie ran around the dark stage, "now I'm here" only to reappear elsewhere on the stage with a light shining on him "now I'm there". Also hope you watch Live Aid, when Queen stole the show ❤

[@clintonsmith5163]

Yes, I'm very much looking forward to Amy experiencing the force of nature that is Queen onstage.

[@seamus2112ophelan]

Speaking of the topic of name insertion....you absolutely MUST hear' The March Of The Black Queen', another epic Freddie composition from the album prior, also 1974. (Queen 2) Vlad, are you listening?!!?

[@alexp.4270]

March of the Black Queen is ABSOLTELY a must.

[@aerynoftalyn1307]

Hear hear!

[@juliafox7904]

Yes!

[@splitimage137.]

"Look Around... 'round 'round 'round 'round 'round 'round Look Around Around... 'round 'round 'round 'round 'round Look Aaaarrrrrooouuunnnndddd....." - Dear Prudence by The Beatles P.S. Little Queenie is a reference to a Chuck Berry Song - the godfather of rock and roll.

[@Boyblunder2k9]

I think it’s time for you to listen to the millionaire waltz. By Queen, obviously

[@davidcardoso3525]

Love the series. I hope "Stone Cold Crazy" is included.

[@jeffin8127]

After In the Lap of the Gods would be great, as Roger's vocal alone makes it worthy of examination.

[@jmichaelbell5434]

Amy, know you are loved!

[@davedem4107]

I don't throw around the title of genius very often but, Brian May is a freaking astrophysicist!!

[@mmanes100]

So great, you catch ever little details, I love the Queen Sessions, learning a lot. Tks. 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷.

[@mikes9305]

Just as symphonies have contrasting movements, a good rock album should include variety in tempo, dynamics, and style! 👍😁

[@kendallneason3645]

I love listening to your observations of Queen. Fascinating and you help me hear the music in a deeper way. Thanks. As a person who likes all types of music your comments help me understand why I’ve always adored Queen with Freddie Mercury singing. You know Sting the singer listens to Bach before writing his songs. He talks about it on Rick Beato’s channel.

[@mickfoster7140]

I would love to see Brian May react to your reaction. Even more fascinating you and Brian having a chat, and not even Brian, how about a chat with Sir Paul McCartney. Now that would be something.

[@bigdave1302]

I hope you do Lap of the Gods, the next track on the album.

[@Caesarianus9]

Your face expression is priceless, it says all!

[@i8granola]

Don't forget to do The March of the Black Queen! It's Bohemian Rhapsody big sister.

[@patriciolegett1757]

"Go go go little queenie" is actually a reference to an old Chuck Berry number, and which ties in with the "we can still rock" comment made by the band.

[@LMTino]

Good catch!

[@darcyperkins7041]

i came here to make the same comment.

[@barrymitchell6444]

The backing also contains jangly piano at that point, similar to that on Chuck Berry's song.

[@unshaken95]

I was already missing Queen so much! Thank you for uploading!

[@n.johanness7451]

Brian May is indeed the most obvious rock musician in Queen but he also played around with various styles of music and wrote several beautiful ballads, maybe the best known of those ballads is Who Wants to Live Forever. And Freddie certainly could write heavy rock songs as well, such as Princes of the Universe. (Who Wants to Live Forever and Princes of the Universe are both on the A Kind of Magic album from 1986, both songs also featured in the cult movie Highlander).

[@patriciakent6728]

From my perspective, Freddie just got here and looks around. Love is what bring Freddie here, Freddie forever AND ever...❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Sneak65]

As a Queen fan it is within my official duties to request songs such as March of the Black Queen or White Queen or .... Wait! Lets not complicate this. I believe you have likely recorded a ton of Queen material already that is being trickled out. So it is not so easy to just fulfill a song request. But there is a reason the Queen fans in particular love your channel. Because we know the depth and detail Queen as a band put into their music. Often creating things that some of us cannot define. We just know it sounds good. So when someone like you comes along we all get to discover pieces and details about songs we have loved for near 50 years. A fresh virgin ear one might say. So you will hear repeated requests about certain songs because we are craving someone to break them down for us. Some may even begin to express frustration. Forgive them for we can sometimes become overzealous with our passion. Just know there are certain songs that are held above the rest for a reason. All Queen songs are amazing and need to be heard. But they have several absolute masterpieces that need to be heard to fully understand the band. The type of songs that feed to your strengths and passion for music. The type of songs that will truly move you. Imagine someone knowing which box is the box with the prize in it. And they are trying to point it out to you. But you are distracted with all the shiny bows on the other boxes. We all agree they are pretty boxes. But the best box is hiding over here on the side. We are flapping our arms trying to get your attention. Open this box. Now I'm Here is a great song and all but it is... dare I say... pedestrian? as opposed to anything unique or creative. This box over here? It will change the way you hear Queen music. It might even challenge you on some of your own musical expectations. Due to your knowledge of music and our knowledge of Queen we are simply dying to hear very specific songs. Songs that no one ever reacts to. You are our Holy Grail. The detailed ear that doesn't already know the music. So what can be done of this! Oh no! First off and most important. We appreciate that you have jumped into the Queen rabbit hole. It will be rewarding for all of us. Whatever your choices I will be here watching your Queen breakdowns. But if opportunity arises......

[@bassvibasics479]

This is why Sheer Heart Attack is my favourite Queen album- the sheer breadth of stylistic variety is breathtaking.

[@alansmith1989]

The Line "Down in the City, Just Hoople N` Me" is clue to the songs meaning. In early 1974, Queen were support to `Mott the Hoople` on a U.S tour- Queens first to the States.

[@lapsustemporal]

I was going to refer to that if no one mentioned it, because it's a good piece of information that suggests that at least Brian was no longer very happy with continuing to open for Mott The Hoople (... Don't I love him so...). Later, the roles were reversed, but I don't remember the exact year.

[@barrymitchell6444]

Queen also supported Mott The Hoople on their UK tour in late 1973.

[@splitimage137.]

"Don't want to be alive... when he's 25... And my buddies back at home with their Beatles and their Stones..." - All The Young Dudes (Sung by Mott written by Bowie).

[@zappa1952]

I love how you play it all the way through, then go back and analyze. I wish more reactors with your background would do that. It's wonderful to have someone with your musical knowledge give their take on music that I grew up listening to. Thank you. 😃

[@grahamokeefe9406]

There are some things that rock musicians do just because they're fun and they feel good. That kind of "power riffing" you're talking about is one of those things. You'll hear it in a lot of other bands too. Doing that on stage with a big amp behind you is just plain fun.

[@stevehooley1951]

Really enjoyed you're review of this song Amy. It's great to see you enjoying the music of Queen. Brings back happy memories of seeing them in the early days when this was the opening song , and buying the sheer heart attack album and realising this is something special. Love you're analysis of the song and the classical connections . Looking forward to the next one! Thank you 😊

[@J0hnC0ltrane]

Never heard this song, at first I thought of the Who but it's from Arnold Lane by the Floyd (the cross dresser). A shape-shifter Now I'm here. Now I'm there. Go go go little Queenie. Stones/Chuck Berry. Lots of energy.

[@stonermeister]

Amy, did you ever imagine yourself saying, "...digging into a riff?" I grew up listening to 60s, 70s and 80s music (4 older sibs, each with unique taste), so it's really a joy to accompany you on this journey. I am an almost 60 alternative, prog rocker at heart. 😊

[@davidsweet9163]

The parallel 5th's are a standard Guitar thing called a 'Powrr Chord ''

[@lindieb5278]

Great reactions as usual. Freddie liked to keep his songs a little open so we could make our own minds about it. Please please if you haven't yet done so, listen to another song, a masterpiece by Brian called 'White Queen'. It's varied, lyrical and complex. You would love it!

[@lindieb5278]

Hi Amy Freddie was often asked about what his lyrics meant, especially for Bohemian Rhapsody. Freddie said of “Bohemian Rhapsody”: “It’s one of those songs which has such a fantasy feel about it. I think people should just listen to it, think about it, and then make up their own minds as to what it says to them.” Brian was quoted as saying, 'When we brought a song in we didn’t say, ‘Oh, I’ve written this song about so and so’ …It was always like, ‘Here's the song, here are the words, the tune; listen and let’s try to do this.’ … We never sat down and said, ‘What's this about? What are we trying to say here?’ It was like the art was separate and it didn’t want to be talked about - it just wanted to be done. We had brushes in our hands, we were putting paint on the canvas, but we weren’t saying, ‘Hey, you do this here and we do this there.’ It was kind of an instinctive interaction.” It was similar with the videos they created to go with their studio songs. Queen liked to create an image but leave it to the viewer as to what they thought was going on, for most, if not all of their songs. Freddie being 'the creative one' was the one with the most ideas for video's and he had a rich imagination and a great sense of humour, so some of them were quite fantastical! Keep up the great work Amy. I love your interpretations and increasing understanding of rock, especially the Queen ones!@Tele.gram_me-VIRGINROCK

[@carolyndanielson9584]

I believe it would be best for Amy to be sure and do White Queen live at Hammersmith or Live at the Rainbow '74. I love them both for different reasons. I have never been enamored of the Studio Version. Amy, I am loving your Queen reactions. Thank you so much. ♥

[@IronHead42]

If you haven't already, I strongly recommend watching some of Queens performance footage, especially the Live Aid concert.

[@jodyheigaard9949]

It's fun listening to your perspective on these songs. While I'm a musician & tend to dissect songs more than most people, I've never gone this deep into Queen. There are a couple of things I've noticed about Queen that most don't pay attention to. Brian's guitar solos are written to "sing", not necessarily to impress. He's often said he wants his guitar to be another "voice" & the solo to be another verse. John Deacon's bass playing is so very underrated. He often has completely different melodies that compliment the main melody running "under" the song. This is especially noticeable in concert videos because they are just working with the 3 or 4 instruments on stage without all the additional overdubbing that goes onto a studio album. He's also able to fill the hole that gets left in a live concert when the guitarist plays the solo & there isn't a rhythm guitarist. The best example is Liar from the Rainbow '74 concert. Roger Taylor's drumming is unbelievably consistent while adding really innovative fills with percussion instruments beyond his drum kit, such as gongs, timpanis, cow bells, chimes, tambourine & more. He has an incredible range & the majority of high notes are his. Freddie called it his "dog whistle". Since Queen is known for their live performances, a fun add on to these videos might be to play a live performance at the end. Not all the songs will have live performances, but a lot will. Queen has a lot of deep cuts that are so different from almost any other rock band that they are definitely worth a listen. March of the Black Queen - written by Freddie & was Bo Rhap before there was a Bo Rhap White Queen - written by Brian & the lyrics have always made me think of Shakespeare or Charles Dickens (that old English style). While I love the studio version, the live version from the Hammersmith Odeon '75 concert is amazing. The piano/guitar duet in the middle gives you chills. Prophet's Song - written by Brian is a song he wrote after a dream about the big flood. Brian has a video about the recording of the song and all the creative things they had to do to get the sounds they were looking for with mid 70's technologies. White Man - written by Brian about the wars between the colonists & Native Americans. The lyrics are ver haunting. Ogre Battle - written by Freddie. He has quite a few songs on the 1st three albums set in a fantasy world called Rhye. This is one of those songs (as is Black Queen, Seven Seas of Rhye, Lilly of The Valley & a few more). It's a hard rocking Freddie song. Freddie had a lot of hard rocking songs including Stone Cold Crazy, which is thrash metal before there was thrash metal.

[@hippydippy]

You really need to watch a live video of this song. When Freddie sings "Now I'm Here" he's on one side of the stage in a spot light, then it goes off & it comes back on when he sings "Now I'm There" & he appears on the opposite side of the stage. It's very cool.

[@timnotbrianmay]

I don't think it was that Brian was so enamored by his own song, BUT... The fans REALLY LOVE IT, & WANT TO HEAR IT!!!!!!!!!! And, you should have heard/seen them do it live, with Brian playing the solos with his stereo echo, with all three parts happening at once! STELLAR! 😸😺😸 And, "Go, go, go, little Queenie! " Was a Chuck Berry reference! And, also, live... The now I'm here, now I'm there parts at the beginning, Freddie would appear at one side of the stage that was mostly completely dark except for a spotlight on him, and then he'd be on the other side of the stage for the next part, suddenly! And his arpeggio was done with an echo, so it produced Harmonies with himself! To really fry your brain, you should listen to the prophet's song! And, peaches was a real person in New Orleans at a club called The dungeon! Did you perhaps also notice the different two chords that happen at the end of each first before the chorus begins?... Each time... And hoople and me is a reference to the time they were touring and opening up for Mott the hoople! And the squealing guitar I have replicated by using the edge of the sixpence against the high strings up nearest to the top of the fingerboard going up near the pickups!.. very much like a slide, but much more convenient! But, Brian didn't do that live! But, metal on metal will make that sound! And the extra two chords in the chorus when it's ascending, and with a riff at the end with the extra cords, A and e, before it jumps into b for the ending! NUANCES! At the end of the guitar solo... And the key change for the chorus at the end, also!... I may be slightly inaccurate about that, because I haven't played it in quite a while; they just might have started the last chorus a step higher, but there are two extra chords at the end of that last one!

[@michavandam]

Why didn't Vlad or Karl let Amy hear Chuck Berry's "Little Queenie" before this? I believe she never heard any song by him at all! That's a big omission. Chuck Berry is an essential link in the development from Blues to Rhythm & Blues to Rock & Roll.

[@leftyodaniels2645]

Love your takes on this song. I didn.t see anyone mention some of those high notes were not guitar but the high vocal screams of drummer Roger Taylor.

[@petertreid]

I guess that sometimes it's hard to 'tie your mother down' . . . Sometimes she's here . . . [BTW: the 'Little Queenie' reference was a nod to Chuck Berry who invented and is synonymous with the guitar riff being emulated by Brian].

[@davidsweet9163]

As someone just pointed out I I know Brian May would talk to you he is a very gracious person.

[@jozsefnemedi8472]

Yes, yes, yes!

[@alansmith1989]

As TheWalrus999 correctly stated "Little Queenie" is a Chuck Berry Song.

[@stewartstafford]

When Now I'm Here was performed live in the early days, Freddie would sing the line "Now I'm Here", step off stage, and a double dressed like Freddie would step onstage from the other side. Freddie would then sing "Now I'm there" from the wings as the double mouthed the words and stepped offstage again. Freddie would return to the stage after this clever little visual trick.

[@ednicholson7839]

The best versions of this song are the live versions. The one on Live Killers is maybe the most famous. But others, like the one on the Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack, and the one from the Rock for the People of Kampuchea concert being the one I grew up with, are also up there.

[@orcaflotta7867]

Not a fan of Queen's music but this one was cleverly borrowed from the Who and even from Sweet. Maybe I heard a tiny Zep influence?

[@timnotbrianmay]

Little Queenie is a Chuck Berry song! The vocal thing was done with a very long delay echo, playing with the time and pitches! It was done live brilliantly! It was something that Brian started with his guitar solos! And live, the now I'm here / now I'm there thing, Freddie used to play with visually by being on one side of the stage with a flash of light, and reappearing on the other side with a flash of light; absolutely brilliant and unexpected the first time you see it! Speaking of that, I REALLY DO LOVE WATCHING YOU " GET IT "! 😸😺 As for the squealing guitar, I have replicated it using the edge of a sixpence on the strings, similar to a slide, but easier 😸, going from the neck joint up towards the bridge... Just some info! And, as I know you know, attention to detail is the difference between average and spectacular / amazing/superb... You get the idea! And you might not realize that the guitar solos are very Chuck Berry -esque! Also related to the little Queenie thing! And that descending part at the end, on the video at like 37 minutes, has one more additional pair of chords... Unlike the previous ones, it also goes a little longer! Queen's members ALWAYS DID WHAT WAS BEST FOR THE SONG, NOT FOR THEIR EGOS! VIRTUALLY EVERY TIME!

[@nvskibum]

Yes, this is about Queen’s first tour of the U.S. that visited many different cities as the “support act” to the headliner group “Mott the Hoople”. The song talks about connecting as a new and relatively little known band (in the U.S.) to their new American fans, and becoming known by name in the U.S. “Peaches” allegedly was a groupie who developed a relationship with Brian on their first US tour.

[@SirWussiePants]

When I saw them live Freddy would be on a platform on the left side of the stage (from my point of view) during the "now I'm here" then the stage went dark and Freddy appeared on the opposite platform on the right for "Now I'm there" echoing the panning on the record.

[@barrymitchell6444]

Pete Brown, the band's personal day to day manager at the time, played the other Freddie onstage. He's the one knocking over an ice sculpture in the USA 1977 documentaries.

[@SirWussiePants]

@@barrymitchell6444 wow! Had no idea!

[@barrymitchell6444]

@@SirWussiePants Not many Queen fans know that. I'm one of the earliest ones. It explains how Freddie got to the other side of the stage so quickly in the dark anyway!!!

[@jerryhelm7848]

It's interesting the call and response hard panned coral parts giving the space doesn't work at all in mono.

[@timmiller661]

As it fades out he sings "go, go, go, Little Queenie." It's a reference to a Chuck Berry song called Little Queenie and an acknowledgment that May was playing in Berry's signature style.

[@deboraclark5791]

I just love your analysis, the song to me is about the bands rise to fame. They got to open for Mott the hoople band and traveled to America and that's when Americans were introduced to Queen. Great reaction.

[@Scoobydcs]

1 of my favourite queen songs. Great band!!

[@ThePropriate]

I love your stuff. Please take a harder look at Queen II. March of the Black Queen, among others, makes it the best Queen album to my ears. It's not as clean as some of their other music, but it is spectacular.

[@LaserRockShow]

again and as always such a good reaction. i like your description and interpretation of the songs which i heard countless times which gives me a new view on the songs. and there is no right or wrong. in know youre only do 50 queen songs (please do all ;)) but i hope you listen to all the other ones yourself because you will love all of them and it would be a shame to miss them.

[@Nogill0]

I think that go, go, little Queenie was also a reference to Chuck Berry, an homage, if you will. Plenty of Chuck Berry inspired licks in this one.

[@aimusic1982]

It’s interesting how you get so involved with the music on just one listen… And you’re so correct too! When you talk about the beginning of the song 13:02 (like a game of hide and seek)… Well, this is what queen used to do in their early shows. If they had an evening concert, they utilised their stage lighting to the max. When Freddie sang “Now I’m Here”, the stage lights would focus on him for a brief second, and then go back into darkness. Then Freddie would sing “Now I’m There”, and he would miraculously reappear at the other side of the stage, again for a brief second. How did he achieve this in such a small space of time, I hear you ask? Well, he had a roadie dress up in exactly the same outfit that he would be wearing to give the illusion that he “jumped” from one end of the state to the other 😁

[@seamus2112ophelan]

hahaha...I was totally baffled by this scene when I saw them in 1978. I was convinced that Freddie had run across the stage at near light speed!!

[@josephdefilippis07]

‘39 is a nice Brian May written and sung folk rock song that Queen fans adore

[@MrJvne]

May used the same ostinatos intro on "Flash" six years later (played by the drums this time). I' didn't pay attention on this before, thank you Amy. We learn everyday :). "just Hoople and me" is a reference to their first american gigs where they supported the band Mott The Hoople. I see this is already mentioned in the nice comments, my bad.

[@billsager5634]

The line "Down in the city just Hoople and me" is a reference to Mott The Hoople, Ian Hunter's band before his solo career. Mott the Hoople's most famous song might be "All the Young Dudes". That another thing with Queen's lyrics. Lots of references to pop culture, world events, science, etc...

[@DalesKTA]

Always amazing analysis! Thank you!

[@donaldb1]

Every Good Boy Deserves Fun. I just suddenly remembered that from school.

[@41Forethought]

I learned it as "Every Good Boy Does Fine"...😊

[@MichelleSanGiorgio]

I hope you are doing well 😊. Thank you so very much for listening to our suggestions. Enjoy!

[@barrymitchell6444]

My favourite Queen song from my favourite Queen album, which sends me back to the time. "Go go go little Queenie" is a reference to a Chuck Berry song. Mott The Hoople are also referred to, who they had supported live.

[@stenekedahl4446]

Yes, I also immediately thought of Chuck Berry's Johnny B Good when I heard that phrase.

[@barrymitchell6444]

@@stenekedahl4446 Check out his song Little Queenie. I loved Johnny B. Goode. Especially Hendrix's version.

[@shacharh5470]

I'm excited to see your reaction to the next Queen song (I think I know what it's going to be..)

[@IronHead42]

Instant like. Awesome song. 😁

[@juansezuaf]

Hey there!!! I enjoy your reactions very much. Thanks for taking the time to explain in such detail your impressions of all of these songs. Have you consider listening to Latino music? There is this very interesting salsa song called "sonido bestial" in which the pianist plays Chopin and Rachmaninov in his solo. I would love to listen to your opinion on this particular song Greetings from Colombia

[@XFLexiconMatt]

And there's Brian's Chuck Berry double stops, the quote at the end was a nod to Chuck Berry's "Little Quennie" from the late 50s. Fun song!

[@FrankJmClarke]

There is a lot of Chuck Berry in the guitar playing for this song. "Little Queenie" is a Chuck Berry song. And oh, I think the squealing is the pitch bend on a Hammond organ.

[@davidsweet9163]

Go go little Queenie is a reference to Chuck Berry's song Little Queenie

[@shhhhhh62]

Some Queen tracks are not conducive to driving within the speed limit, this is one of those songs, another is Breakthru. Use these tracks with caution.

[@daveapple205]

I do not recommend driving while listening to "Sheer Heart Attack" either.

[@jmurray2018]

Just an observation but you got that kinda princess Leah look about you from that Star Wars movie. I’ve not seen it but I’ve seen pics of the lady actor. def have that Star Wars vibe think it came out nearly 30 yrs before I was bor. it’s seems do be a popular movie, one day I’ll watch it.

[@edwardvanhazendonk]

@VirginRock, thanks for sharing. Please be aware if you would like to see the Pink Floydd Wall, there is a really good band which almost copies this performance, called Britt Floydd which is now touring the states.

[@alansmith1989]

The staccato style guitar opening to the song, is similar to the opening of the 1970 Fleetwood Mac song "The Green Manalishi" Check it out!

[@TheWalrus999]

Go, Go, Go Little Queenie.........A Chuck Berry reference.

[@alansmith1989]

Indeed!!

[@davidsweet9163]

All the things you have listened to and found to be engaging come from the early 70's. Pink Floyd, Zappa, Yes,Queen,ect.

[@vespoint]

I’ve read that “…down in the Dungeon…” is about The Dungeon in New Orleans, where you go downstairs, and where they went after their show. I go there every time I’m in NOLA just in case that story is true.

[@alanskidadomdom3748]

The opening rift of this is reminiscent of The Hollies 'I Can't Let Go'

[@John-vw3lr]

I was lucky enough to see this track being performed live 4 times between 1975-1977 visually and musically stunning. For me the band weren’t the same into the 80s

[@Canucklehead557]

Heavy rock was the flavour of the day back then. Hendrix, The Doors, Steppenwolf. Even ZZ Top were on tour in 1974. Queen didn't just show up because someone made a biopic.

[@ThinklikeTesla]

When you were talking about classical music similar to the opening riff, I thought you were going to mention the introduction of Chariots of Fire.

[@dianecourtney2724]

So Chuck Berry-esque … Queen knew great rock n roll when they heard it 😂✌🏼

[@Canucklehead557]

I really enjoy your passion when you explain music math. It's kind of like calculus, but you really need to like it to get it.

[@klemenzupanec7429]

I like your interpretation.

[@Io-Io-Io]

Such a great song

[@babyfacemichael1]

They really got into the groove on this song live, as is wonderfully demonstrated here . This shows just how tight they were and how much graft Roger had to put in. Here, you also see freddies nifty footwork - cooking with gas kzbin.info/www/bejne/jn6xf39_qcqXj5I

[@davidsweet9163]

Brian is s talking about traveling the world. Hoople and me is talking about Ian Hunter from Mott The Hoople band on their (Queens 1st tour of America)

[@mikes9305]

Re: 7:46 With the band Yes, I noticed "Yes" appearing in the vocal harmonies of their early 1972 song, "We Have Heaven," but not appearing again until 1980 when the band's new album had a different singer. In that context, it sort of felt like a hidden argument that "Yes, we are Yes" despite the first ever use of a different singer. 😏 The album "Drama," was indeed pretty well-regarded... The power of suggestion? 😉😄

[@SamLovesMovies25]

Yeah Brian and Freddie both loved that delay effect haha

[@juliafox7904]

There are so many great tracks on Killer Queen- Stone Cold Crazy and Brighton Rock to name two.

[@allisonal]

This doesn’t have much to do with the song at hand, but I just got to thinking… I suppose listening to music in solitude is kind of a ~20th century aberration. Before that, listening to live musicians would have been more of a public activity, and in this century, reactors are taking off. It’s nice to hear someone else’s thoughts alongside my own. So thanks for the consistency and openness!