Reaction to QUEEN - "A Night at the Opera" (Side 1)

[@bensteckler6698]

I bought this album when I was 12, after hearing Bohemian Rhapsody on the radio back in 1975. This opening track stole my musical innocence. It was the meanest nastiest thing I'd ever heard at such a young age. And I LOVED it!

[@EricSmaug]

IM THE SAME AGE I DID TOO LOL!!!

[@longfootbuddy]

i sure didnt pay much attention to lyrics when i was young, aside from singing along with them.. mostly just cared about how the lyrics sounded when sung, until more recently.. maybe even as recently as watching reaction vids

[@loadedorygun]

And did you really have any idea what half the insults meant? Me either but you could tell it was a SUPER beef song.

[@raymondbrush6442]

Glad to see you're still at it. Your knowledge sure has grown. Take care now. On seaside the sound you inquired about is a kazoo.

[@The_Dudester]

39 is such a beautiful song. It makes me believe in a far away, fantasy land where, as a child, with my childhood friends, having an adventure.

[@davidmacfarlane1763]

And its actually a Sci Fi song (and Physics lesson) ;) Brian is probably the best of them at writing s tory telling

[@loadedorygun]

@@davidmacfarlane1763Come ON! Can you not FEEL the love Roger has for his car? LOL

[@GinMae]

Thanks, so much Verdy - what a great band.. and really appreciate your reaction! (p.s. they were always making the point that they did NOT use "synthesizers"... what a talented group.. and so many interesting instrumentals.. especially Brian May... )... "Death on two Legs" was a great "diss" song.. lol.. it's very cool that each member made contributions.. Roger & Brian were the "rockers".. "In love with my Car".. and then, of course you have "you're my best friend" - written by John Deacon for his wife (John was the only one who did not take lead on singing_).. Brian's beautiful "folkie" song.. "39".. one of my favorites... .Brian sings lead, and most of the harmonies.. although you can hear Roger & Freddie.. another common theme is that there were no "breaks" between songs... one goes into the next.. love your reaction! (p.s. Seaside Rendezvous had "vocal orchestrations" by Freddie & Roger.. not actual instruments... lol)

[@bearndesertllc6561]

The “instrumental” break on Seaside Rendesvous isn’t actually instruments at all, but Roger and Freddie mimicking woodwind instruments with their mouths. It’s pretty cool, actually!

[@mr.knowitall6440]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but they are using Kazoos. 🤨

[@ellet6560]

@@mr.knowitall6440 No, they are using their voices.

[@bearndesertllc6561]

@@mr.knowitall6440 It sounds like kazoo, but trust me, it is not. There's an official "making of" video up on KZbin that explains the whole "instrumental" break.

[@bearndesertllc6561]

@@mr.knowitall6440 kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6OWaoGkrqh8aMU

[@johngraham5996]

there is most certainley NOT kazoos on seaside rendezvous, watch the making of the album and roger explains it was freddie and him making the noise with their mouths, also go onto youtube and look for dreamers ball in paris and you can see them actually doing it live, so sorry to burst YOUR bubble mr know it all 🤷‍♂️ 👑✊🏼🇬🇧

[@doggers1846]

Queen? Let's go!

[@jeffgreen8667]

So glad you like the song '39. It has always been one of my favorite Queen songs that never got played. You should read the lyrics. It's about Einstein's theory of relativity, as it relates to time. The "volunteers" leave to find a new world because man has made Earth basically impossible to survive on. They come back in a year (in their time in space), and find they were gone many years in Earth time. They don't say how many years, but the fantastic line "Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cry to me" makes me think maybe 50 years or so. And the line, "For my life still ahead, pity me" is just a great line for the story. Great music, great story, great lyrics.

[@ChristopherStendeck]

Yes, when you realise it's about 2039 or 2139, not 1939, it gives you goosebumps.

[@johnshannon9656]

My goodness. One of the greatest rock bands of all time. This album has no flaws.

[@l.ncunha7001]

Congratulations, Verdy. Now this album will be part of your life forever, like everyone who listens to it.

[@celt67]

I too love the 'armonies.😊

[@Ezekielepharcelis]

'appy 😉

[@danvarnes7127]

This album changed " rock" forever!!!

[@SDsailor7]

It surely influenced the Warning when they were kids and that's why they are so good and soon they will blow up, one of the best Rock power trios of this generation. If you haven check them out do so. They have a You Tube Channel and you can see for yourself. They just came from a tour in Europe that included two of the biggest festivals Wacken and Pol'and'Rock. Cheers👍

[@RoverWaters]

nope

[@marcbenjamin9436]

The album where Queen found its identity on their way to becoming legends.

[@Andres-mp7jn]

I am 100% sure that this album contains the most iconic Rock song ever created.

[@romeroflores7576]

She is Beautiful. 😇❤

[@chickmcgee1000]

I haven’t listened to this album in decades, I’d forgotten how much I like.

[@taylortyler1867]

John Deacon played a fretless bass on '39, which gave it that deep sound. Also, I couldn't agree with you more about Sweet Lady. It's always been one of my least liked songs by them. Usually, their switch-ups of tempo are seamless, but on that one, it just sounds clunky (for want of a better word). You are _VERY_ perceptive. I think you're going to _LOVE_ their "News of the World" album. It's my favorite. "It's Late" is my 2nd favorite by them (behind Bohemian Rhapsody, of course).

[@DanielFaith-g1d]

This is a great album your gonna love it girl ❤🎸🎹🎙🎶😂

[@patrickwest2288]

Brings out great memories. Thank you 🤘

[@TheMarlinspike]

death on two legs is amazing...

[@loadedorygun]

This is the album where Brian really gives David Gilmour a run for his money on soaring, epic, elegiac soloing. So beautiful, so sharp, so melodic, so choral, so elegant and dare I say royal.

[@muratomar6502]

My top three favourite albums of 70s 1. Physical Graffiti, LZ 2. Night At The Opera, Queen 3. Dark Side Of The Moon, Pink Floyd 😁✋

[@danmayberry1185]

Used to think 39, with references to letters in the sand and grandchildren, was about soldiers in 1939. Still a fantastic song.

[@Ezekielepharcelis]

The Prophets Song is on this Album. Forget BhoRap 😁

[@MUSiC-world-20986]

BohRap *

[@kentnottingham9635]

Prophet song, with headphones is still so baddass!

[@kalamahina7157]

@@MUSiC-world-20986Bo Rhap * 😂

[@AndresGrimace]

Yeah The Prophet's Song is in this album, but it's impossible to forget Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@Hayden1969-ws4vy]

It's one of their best songs ever! It's no.2 on my all-time fav queen songs! Conversely, 'Sweet Lady' is one of the worst songs Queen ever recorded. Abysmal, flat, out-of-tune sounding tosh with awful lyrics about cheese!?

[@vernhoke7730]

Death on Two Legs is the ultimate 🖕 you track. What a way to open up a record. They'd been doing really well as far as album and concert sales, but they were broke. They were getting screwed over by their manager at the time and took back control, and that song was a goodbye kiss. On this side, all 4 contributed songs. Brian with '39, Roger with I'm In Love With My Car and John with You're My Best Friend written for his wife.

[@gswithen]

This album is so underrated because all the attention goes towards Bohemian Rhapsody and a little towards You're My Best Friend. Such phenomenal diversity of instrumentation and vocalization. It's such a joy to listen to from beginning to end without interruption. The Beatles broke up then along came Queen.

[@kentnottingham9635]

First album I ever bought as a kid. I only bought it because of “Best Friend” and it changed my life!!!!

[@thanksmr.obvious6427]

Death On Two Legs probably the first diss song in the history of music?

[@dcanmore]

I'm going for You're So Vain by Carly Simon (1972), apparently about Warren Beatty.

[@rodneygriffin7666]

How do you sleep by John Lennon 1971.

[@Zholobov1]

Sexy Sadie by The Beatles

[@johngraham5996]

flick of the wrist the year before on s heer heart attack was Queens first diss song

[@geraldherrmann787]

Also: HAVE A CIGAR (Pink Floyd).

[@gazvader]

love how you say armonies

[@geraldherrmann787]

After this album, also listen to the complete A DAY AT THE RACES ... those two albums are like twins, belonging together, in a way.

[@andreshernandez1180]

This is an AMAZING album 👍🏼 *Death On Two Legs* is dedicated to their old manager. Too bad they sugarcoated it, I wish they’d told us how they really felt about him 😂 Btw I agree with you on *Sweet Lady* 👍🏼

[@obiwanbenobi4943]

It is what I consider the weakest song on the album, but I don't skip it.

[@andreshernandez1180]

@@obiwanbenobi4943 I do, I find no pleasure in listening to it.

[@davogladwin]

I prophesize a great side 2 coming up!

[@TheBoondoggler]

You have very good taste, I enjoy your channel

[@EchoesDaBear]

Great reaction!! You're My Best Friend was the other hit besides Bohemian - it's played pretty frequently on radio. Such an amazing album - so many musical styles, and Queen excels at ALL of them!! Death On Two Legs had to be one of the most vitriolic, biting songs I had ever heard (and before knowing who it was written to/about, I thought - what the heck did this person do to receive such ire from Freddie?!) '39 has to be one of my top Brian May sung songs (and one of my all-time favourite Queen songs) - it has such an easy flow to it. Roger's voice is the anti-Freddie, plus he's got one of THE best falsettos in rock!! Can't wait for Side 2! Cheers.

[@johngraham5996]

i loved rogers reaction to john in the studio when they were working on 'best friend', he was referring to the line i'm happy at home, and said "you can't sing that, its f*cking rock 'n roll, whats this the womens institute" 😂😂 but our beloved deacs was right 👌🏼 👑✊🏼🇬🇧

[@christopherbova8109]

Love your reaction ❤

[@tanterliser]

It has just been announced that the first Queen album has been reissued and called Queen 1 features new song never heard before available as a box set or single LP. .Remastered to a high standard.

[@treetopjones737]

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon- Freddie said about it "I love doing the vaudeville side of things." Seaside Rendezvous is also very vaudeville style. In Love with my Car - Roger wrote it. My Best Friend - John Deacon wrote it.

[@TheMarlinspike]

Seaside Rendezvous woodwind is Freddie's voice and brass is Roger's voice :)

[@mr.knowitall6440]

While fact-checking myself, I ran across an article where the writer says "arguably, Queen never made a great album, just some great hit singles". They must never have listened to this album, or simply don't know what they're talking about... 🤨

[@wmason1961]

"Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cry to me" always gets to me.

[@jasonspaulding3949]

Considered by many to be their best album I love every song

[@baumi-metal9123]

The black and the white albums from Queen are just...a Kind of Magic. Greets from Germany, enjoy!

[@davidpeters44]

1975 was a great year for music. You're My Best Friend was written by John Deacon in tribute to his wife.

[@ramstrong1961]

The album "A Kind of Magic" (1986) by Queen was the soundtrack of the movie "Highlander" starring Christopher Lambert & Sean Connery.

[@treetopjones737]

There was some legal issue about making a soundtrack album of the film, so "A Kind of Magic" album was Queen's work-around.

[@the_Futurist]

'39 is SUCH an underrated song. I always loved it - and how about Brian on vocals! 😮

[@G-MAN1958]

Great album and reaction! I believe those "strange sounds" you heard in "Seaside Rendezvous" were done with only vocals by all 4 members of QUEEN. Amazing!🏆

[@davidmacfarlane1763]

Yep they were a vocal wood wind quartet.

[@mr.knowitall6440]

Kazoos! 🤨 It's an instrument... technically.

[@mr.knowitall6440]

This album really shows how well they all sing. Roger Taylor does lead vocals on "I'm in Love With My Car" (one of my favorites), and Brian May sings lead on "'39".

[@johnshannon9656]

"You're My Best Friend" is the best song on the album.

[@johnshannon9656]

On every Queen album, Brian, Freddie, and Roger sing.

[@vovindequasahi]

Oh yeah baby! This is a great album! Seaside Rendevous is one of the most hilarious, adorable songs EVER! I wonder how many times they had to cut due to laughing when they made that song!!!

[@paulbewlay4527]

So happy to see you doing this one! Night At The Opera is the one Queen album I can always listen to end-to-end; every song is great (tho I do agree that Sweet Lady has a timing thing that bugs me). And the range of the material, on this side AND side 2 show off the talents of this group. I'll be watching for the next one! (have you done any early Bowie albums yet?)

[@seanmcmichael2551]

One of the first slbums I ground repeatedly, when aged 15. And a faithful companion throughout college. Delighted to share the (re)experience with you all.

[@kentnottingham9635]

If you want more Bohemian Rhapsody, check out side 2 of Queen 2. It’s the heaviest and so much deeper than Bohemian Rhapsody and the whole second side flows together

[@longfootbuddy]

i think shes done the albums before this already

[@PolferiferusII]

Hi Verdy! Next time you hear *'39* you can pick out what isn't obvious on a first listen, that it's about time travel (well, sort of). (borrowed from wikipedia): " *'39* was Brian May's attempt to do a 'lover's pirate shanty.' It relates the tale of a group of pirate explorers who embark on what is, from their perspective, a year-long voyage. Upon their return, however, they realise that a hundred years have passed, because of the time dilation effect in Einstein's theory of relativity, and the loved ones they left behind are now all dead or aged. May sings lead, with backing vocals by Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor. "

[@marcburger8458]

😢😢😢Thank you❤

[@grabtharshammer]

Thanks, I had forgotten just how good this Album is

[@TimStCroix]

'You're My Best Friend' played over the final scene of 'Shaun of the Dead'' with Shaun playing a video game with zombie Ed in the shed.

[@SuomiFinland78]

A fantastic album by the best band ever, for me of course :)

[@loadedorygun]

“Do you feel like suicide-I think you should!” Try putting those lyrics into a major label album song today! :)

[@johnshelton2414]

AMZING ALBUM 🔥

[@yellowbeardjamesgibson9297]

Hello From the Sunshine 🔆 state of Florida 🇺🇲🌅🏝️☀️😎 A Night At the Opera with Queen Is Legendary However the ( Goddess of Song ) Mrs Patricia Janecokva singing Actual Opera Is Way More Rewarding Her Pitch Perfect Tones & Note Seperation let alone percision are Mezmorizing 1) Rusalka - Song to the Moon 2) Puccini OMio Babbino Caro 3) C' Era Una Voltail West These Should Get you Started Yet you can discover Way More on her You Tube Channel 😊👍💯🎶🎵🎹🎙️

[@obiwanbenobi4943]

This and Day at the Races are some great variety of songs. I felt that later on they lost this type of creativity and went more mainstream and didn't take as many chances. Still good... Queen was my first rock concert, Day at the Races tour, 9th row center. Hope I never forget that - it was quite a wild concert and they were all on along with Thin Lizzy. If I have to pick a favorite off this side it would be '39. Science geeky, space travel, exploration, but along with the music it just all worked so well for me. Still does all these years later.

[@timothylyons7704]

I agree. I saw them during Queen Live Killers tour in 78 at Boston Garden! A phenomenal show but, for me, the Jazz album let me down. “Bicycle Race” should never had been their opening release on radio! Don’t Stop Me Now” should would be my Cho!

[@deanroddey2881]

A classic album. You should do News of the World, which is one that doesn't get as much attention, but it's equally as diverse as this one, and they were even further along in terms of using the studio as an instrument. I figured you'd be doing some on the Olympic soccer matches as well.

[@tonybaker55]

The whole album just shows off the capability of these guys. Still part of my collection. It was like a demo album to show off their skills, but turned out to be a big hit for them. If you have not seen it yet, the movie about their story is worth a watch. Brian May often appears on TV about his support for saving badgers. He is a great guy. Not only that but is also a qualified astrophysicist.

[@mr.knowitall6440]

It wasn't like a "demo album", it was a "last chance" album They were flat broke and desperate after being ripped off by the subject of "Death on Two Legs". If this hadn't been great, their career would likely have been over.

[@mr.knowitall6440]

I had always thought that "'39" was about world explorers a few hundred years ago, as the lyrics fit well with that concept. However, Brian says that it's about space travelers in the future, who return to Earth many years later, to find that much more time has passed on Earth than for the travelers (time dilation). Brian has a PhD in astrophysics... 🤙😎

[@fotografo4295]

Regarded by Queen as their ‘Sargent Pepper’

[@baronofgreymatter14]

Hey Verdy AWESOME

[@AndresGrimace]

First album i bought after listening GH 1 and 2. Then you hear for the first time Death On Two Legs 🤯 (1995)

[@simonheathcote4173]

Lovely to watch such a pure soul enjoying the soundtrack of my youth.

[@TheMarlinspike]

Brian sang on Some Day One Day (Queen II) and She Makes Me (Sheer Heart Attack) too

[@fatcole1152]

'39 is a great song to listen to after watching Christopher Nolan's movie "Interstellar" there is a great edit on KZbin somewhere that cut the film into a music video set to '39. It may even be worth its own reaction video. Make sure to see Interstellar before the music video of it!

[@paulmaude2650]

This first song was Freddy getting back at the management they had at the time taking all their money

[@ramstrong1961]

Freddy Mercury ft Montserrat Caballe - Live in Olimpiada Cultural 1992 (Freddy chante l'Opera)

[@peterobrien8399]

Fun fact John Deacon learned to play a double bass for 39

[@RedVynil]

I think the word you're looking for is "dynamic" or "dramatic", not so much "theatrical. The end of, "`39" sounds a LOT like the intro to, "I've Just Seen A Face" by The Beatles. "You're My Best Friend" was the follow-up single and was also used in a series of commercials but, I forget who the commercial were for. Coke? "Those sounds" were some of the guys pretending to be trumpets by making that sound with their voice, usually with their hands cupped over their mouths (try it sometime) or even just using kazoos.

[@darkforestcinema]

My favourite Album, though, favourite song is Radio Ga Ga from The Works 1984. This is a great album, so fun to listen to. -Sage

[@markwebster4883]

for me this is the best album queen did

[@AndresGrimace]

Queen II is IMHO their best album.

[@markwebster4883]

@@AndresGrimace each to there own mate

[@AndresGrimace]

@@markwebster4883 of course

[@patriciakent6728]

❤❤❤❤❤Beautiful, such a nice reaction, please react to White Queen if you haven't yet:) another wonderful Freddie❤❤❤❤❤ Freddie Forever❤❤😊

[@_Tim115]

It's checkout Roger's solo stuff, he's done some rather good bits on his own.

[@RoverWaters]

no synth sounds were used in the making of this album

[@CCCowboy]

❤

[@rhudoc3745]

"Death on Two Legs" I believe is about the record company or Manager that took all their money. Someone correct if need be. Thx All

[@deanml83]

You're just too damned cute sometimes, you know that! Love to see you enjoying yourself!

[@TheNeonRabbit]

In any other group Roger Taylor would have been the lead singer

[@loadedorygun]

When I moved from the west coast to the east coast at age 8, I ended up across the street from a family with 2 brothers both a couple years older than me. The oldest had gotten this album (it was maybe 1 year old at the time) and I was fascinated. This was not pop music! Still perhaps their best.

[@jotajota7347]

The best album FOR ME was Queen 2.

[@Quiteclueless]

Really like your reaction style. it’s kind of amazing and a bit unfair to other bands maybe? that Queen legitimately had 3 lead singers! now of course Freddy was the front man, but Brian and Roger could have been the lead singers of other bands I feel. 😮 keep the reactions coming Verdy!

[@flea1972]

👍✌️🤟🤘

[@thomaseland3136]

Compared to two years ago when you played supertramp you look as if you are ill 😢. I hope it's nothing bad and you're not playing with any drugs. Take care girl ❤

[@dsanford12]

Now you're talking kiddo , This is one of the best albums ever made since time began , After this you must do the same thing with " A day at the races " Also by queen , These two are like socks You can't do one Without the other , Thank you

[@Querientje]

Most queen fans i know consider sheerheart attack as the best album

[@MrAngelDevilSoul]

I'm so happy you liked this first side of A Night At The Opera Vardy. I believe you'll love the second side too. Just one thing, there's no keyboard or synthesiser on this album and on all the albums of the band until The Game in 1980 (first album where they use it). And it was even written on the albums like a pride.

[@treetopjones737]

Pianos are keyboards.

[@Ezekielepharcelis]

@@treetopjones737 No. Not true. Even E-Pianos are not Keyboards. Keyboards for example got electric modulator, Rythm and percussion aso.

[@mr.knowitall6440]

​​​@@EzekielepharcelisYou're making a pointless semantic argument, according to your personal perception. Anything with a piano-like keyboard falls under the term "keyboards". "He plays keyboards" can refer to some or all of the above. 🤨

[@Ezekielepharcelis]

@@mr.knowitall6440 A 'piano' is an acoustic instrument with weighted keys whereas a 'keyboard' is an electric instrument (requiring a power source) with unweighted (lighter) keys than a piano. Each instrument has its own unique benefits and features.

[@treetopjones737]

I'm a keyboardist and you're wrong. Many synths and electric keyboards do NOT have percussion. And right from the start of your assumption, an electric piano is played for "You're My Best Friend"

[@gaffo7836]

"best friend" was a huge hit in the day, up there with Bohemony Rapsody. the latter was their best song IMO - but the earlier "the prophet"??? (not sure if that was the name of the song) - but love it, and esp. the idea to "listen to the wise man, but fear the mad man" aspect. Queen was one of my favorites, but not top top - those were America, Supertramp, Genesis, and of course The Beatles. one thing about Queen was their bravery, they like the Beatles had songs with the 1930'40's sound - I like 40's music i.e. Andrew Sisters - so have a few trumpets, clearonets, and that "sound" too few rock bands were willing to give that sound on their songs - AFIAK only Queen and The Beatles ever did. Ademdum: the other two top "rock" bands I've loved for decades are: CSNY (Crosby Stills Nash and Young), and Simon and Garfunkil(sp). ------------------and of course Sandy Denny, who i never know about until 20 yrs ago - in The Strabs, Fairport Convention, Fatheringay..................the best vocalist and song writer off all time i never knew about until 25 yrs after her death ;-/..................and still sadly under known to all today. ;-/.

[@TheMarlinspike]

You're My Best Friend => Shaun of the Dead

[@SCHHHa]

i prefer the others afther.. greeting ftom italy

[@gaffo7836]

I think we all should listen to the Wise Man and the Good Man, and ignore the Mad Man. ;-).

[@mmanes100]

If you listen all Queen albuns. I swear by god. I ll listen with you. 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@biglove1941]

I bought this in 78 expecting more of "Sheer Heart Attack" which is more rock leaning

[@SDsailor7]

If you like rock I will recommend to you the Warning a rock power trio made up sisters. I will recommend the teatro Metropolitan CDMX live concert 2022 that you can find on their KZbin channel. Also check out their performance at the 2023 MTV VMA were they blew the roof of that place, the Warning is the real deal 💯🔥🔥🔥&⚡⚡⚡ You won't be disappointed. You have been warned😊👍

[@longfootbuddy]

joke was on you aye

[@richardharris630]

Just a suggestion Aerosmith~ Nobody's Fault

[@hans-josef-c9w]

one mistake queen doesn t play keyboaeds . first album with keyboard was the game 1980.

[@alistairkelton645]

You try reacting to SLADE.

[@mr.knowitall6440]

This is arguably one of the best albums ever produced. A couple of songs only really work in the context of the album, but as a whole it's a masterpiece. 🤙😎