Queen, Bicycle Race - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

[@marningritaguy]

John Deacon as a bass player turns his instrument into a lead backing vocal instead of just a bass line. Amazing bass player.

[@alexmctear5420]

One of the things that I like about Queen is they are not afraid to challenge the "rules" of rock but moved comfortably into various classifications of music, not to be taken too seriously didn't seem a problem.

[@Bunnahabhain1982]

If you are good enough, boundaries don't matter.

[@tuxedotservo]

This song takes me back to being 10-12 years old. I didn't care about politics, world events, whatever - I just wanted to ride my bike with my friends. Every once in a while, we'd race. Hurry through chores so you could get back out there. Obnoxiously ring the bell if any pedestrians came within 50 feet. I miss those days.

[@kentnottingham9635]

If Roger can be in love with his car then Freddy can most certainly want to ride a bike! He rode a bike in “Lazing on a Sunday afternoon” (Bicycling on every Wednesday evening “CHING CHING” of bells), I always felt “bicycling” was a running theme after this one. Fun song!

[@stuartneil8682]

I think this is an ode to personal freedom, not strictly confined to cycling. It’s a fun song contrasting with the overly serious social conscious folk song movement, that became popular in the ‘60’s when the members of Queen were growing up.

[@nvskibum]

Queen were never “political” for this reason. Queen were about observing various aspects of life and having fun while doing it!

[@kentnottingham9635]

As Queen’s popularity grew, the also grew away from there deeper/darker/complex, work. I always preferred the older version of Queen but sill had a torch lit for them at any level. I even love HOT SPACE album in which they were ridiculed by press and fans. Queen could change genres as fast as they could change wardrobes. BTW, QUEEN 2 turned 50 yesterday. You touched on it but missed the best parts of it all. I understand your “50 series” and what a great ride!!! Thanks Amy!

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

Hot Space should never have been made. And I say that purely on musical merrits, not based on any preconceived notion what Queen should be like. The Album is just bad.

[@everlastingarms3065]

Queen 2 is still in my all time top 10.

[@jab4298]

Agreed! Queen II should be listened to from start to finish.

[@kilgore1863]

Even then, Bicycle Race is still really complex musically (lyrically is a different story but yea)

[@sionhewitt375]

I do hope number 25 is Dont Stop Me Now. Fitting song for half way.

[@dianecourtney2724]

Yes! With the video 🙏🏼

[@chelz1972]

This song was popular when I was young... It might be cheesy to some but there's something about this song 😅. Now as a 51yr old, I still sing this evertime I ride my bike.

[@margaretposner1401]

Im the same age as you and do the same! It brings the joy of bicycle riding to have this song in my head.

[@ianhamilton2035]

I knew uou wouldn't be able to do the video, but think you would enjoy the reckless abandon and risque theme. Surprisingly over 200 women showed up for the filming!! Check it out sometime! Thank you for another great reaction!!! 😃

[@AlbertoJorgeSoares]

Jealousy; Leaving Home Ain't Easy; and In Only Seven Days, are 3 great songs from this album.

[@willpeony5534]

More of that jazz.

[@andreakormosnekacso4804]

I remember to your reaction to Roger's "car song", when you mentioned, that you could smell the gasoline, the grease and imgaine an old car service. This song gives very similar experiences, you can see and smell 😅the sweat, the rise and slope on the road, and the sportsmen's determination. I can imagine all these aboves, it might be my mom's impact, because she was a great fan of several bicycle races watching on television.

[@sambirch6784]

This song led to bicycle shops selling out of bells whenever Queen toured in their area. Fans would purchase bicycle bells to ring when they performed this song and it frequently led to shops selling out.

[@RivalHades-mk1xl]

that is such a fun fact!

[@chattikathy4391]

I remember the Jazz concert! We all brought bicycle bells....what fun we had 😊

[@charlieismydarlin7199]

Such a cheeky song!

[@wolke9270]

With a cheeky video.

[@davidalexander-watts6630]

I think this is one of Queen's most operatic songs. It's more like 20th century opera, the way it zooms around, changes tempo and suddenly shifts. I think it's an under-rated modernist piece hiding in plain sight. Remember, Freddie had many layers and he knew his music. The joke's on us if we take it too literally or get distracted by gimmicks (ooh, look naked women on bikes!)

[@yinoveryang4246]

The song "Bicycle Race" It's far from a typical rock song, with lots of different ideas bundled together very cleverly. I always thought it is musical complexity versus simplicity, some kind of display. In terms of key changes, harmonics, because Freddie is clearly messing around here with all this, at the same time he cleverly weaves in these beautiful and simple "hooks" that contribute to the song's widespread appeal. I think it was a number 11 hit in the UK. The backstory involves Brian and Freddie watching the Tour de France together in one of their flats or houses, each inspired to write different songs afterward. While the song may seem to revolve around a race, like you I also wondered whether it’s really about musical obsession, and possibly reflects aspects of their personal and professional relationship also. Who knows.

[@jeffreyes6236]

I love your comment about the line "I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike" sounding like a pedal turning. It really does!

[@PaddyDixieTheMinerva82]

I think this song is just about freedom and getting away from the clutches of the rat race. So substitute the humdrum banal cut throat rat race for the carefree, who cares who wins bicycle race. Which, if you consider the lyrics and phrasing, is more of a sedate appreciative adventure of nature on a bike than a race

[@davidmaholchic6146]

So so looking forward to this one love you

[@vruz]

Now you only have to review Pink Floyd's "Bike" from Syd Barret's era. I find it hard to believe that Freddie et al never heard it before writing this.

[@evv1978]

Or Nazareth’s My White Bicycle

[@pottypilot]

you need to listen to March of the Black Queen!!! it's from their second album!

[@nickjoy8868]

Never a truer word spoken. I just have everything crossed that Vlad will eventually pass Queen II onto Amy to appreciate; I'm not hopeful!

[@charliea697]

And how could she miss out the prophets song. Two absolute masterpieces.

[@celt67]

Actually Vlad did her dirty by largely glossing over the first two albums. I'd far rather hear her run through songs like White Queen, The Fairy Fellers Master Stroke, My Fairy King and March of the Black Queen than this throw-away nonsense.

[@79BlackRose]

@@celt67 Yeah, Vlad doesn't even like Teo Torriatte. 😮

[@sloganreadet1151]

@@celt67Don’t do Bicycle Race like that. It’s one of the most unconventional Queen hits through their entire career! Bicycle Race has drastic tempo changes, 4/4 to 3/4 meter change, a bicycle bell section, weird chord progressions and several key changes. It’s honestly surprising Amy didn’t touch on the complexity of the piece as much.

[@CLechleitner42]

The Mountain Studios were in the Casino building in Montreux, Switzerland, not Montreal, Canada ;-) Theses days it's actually a Queen-centric museum about itself called "The Studio Experience", run AFAIK by Freddie's long-time PA Peter Freestone. Each year around Freddie's birthday (September 4) an open-to-everyone (but ticketed) party takes place in the Casino's ball room one floor above. That building, the Casion of Montreux, also has a firm place in music history in it's own right. "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple is all about the former casino building burning down during a concert by Frank Zappa.

[@jmichaelbell5434]

It was a cold, November night in 1978 when Queen was touring in support for JAZZ and I was right up front of the stage with a bicycle bell. Freddie noticed and wanted to look it over and, of course I obliged. He rang it a couple of times before tossing it back to me. Only after bouncing off my (now bloody) lip then, into my hands only for someone take it from me! Well, something snapped in me and I took my elbow and slammed it into his belly and took it back. I didn’t get stabbed or beaten. I got my bell back. Sadly, when I moved out of my parents home the following year my mother threw it out 😖

[@ono1dij]

As always, amazin how you really FEEL music, and you can express in the moment what you feel about each detail, going from the smallest detail to the totality... A huge pleasure to watch your videos... Greetings from Argentina!!!

[@philtang1942]

Queen seemed to have a thing for various modes of transport.. From cars, bicycles, a train in (Breakthru) and they’re sitting in a flying craft in Radio Ga Ga.. 🥳😜👑

[@ManChan-w5p]

Spread your Wings and fly away.

[@ManChan-w5p]

I'm A rocket ship on my way to Mars.

[@everlastingarms3065]

"There's this line that suits his voice incredibly well." Part of me thinks any musical line ever written would suit Freddie's voice incredibly well. What couldn't he sing? You should cover Freddie's Opera lp, "Barcelona". I think you'll be blown away.

[@wmason1961]

I'm pretty sure that she started her Queen journey with that.

[@frankylaseure2641]

Another call for the song "Travel" by The Gathering, the TG25 live version. "I wish you knew your music was to stay forever".

[@keithlego8057]

They went back to back on the LP.

[@WiserInTime]

I love this channel.

[@j0hnf_uk]

There's a real sense of freedom with this song. The wanting to ride a bicycle, 'where I like', without any of the cares of the world, present day, (for the time), fads and fashions, politics and conflicts going on in the world. The simple act of going for a leisurely ride away from it all. The, 'race', part being the desire to be on your marks, get set and go. The only true ulterior motive to go riding the bike being those fat bottomed girls who'll be riding today! 😁 A very simplistic song, but one that is indelibly links to the time period of the late 70's, due to the various references within. Jaws had come out approximately 3 years earlier and Star Wars was very recent, having been released, (in Europe), earlier the same year. The inclusion of bicycle bells in the middle section worked really well, and always reminds me, a little, of the beginning part of, 'time', by Pink Floyd, when all the clocks chime together. Only Queen could pull off a song about riding a bicycle, I feel.

[@ManChan-w5p]

Interesting with Don't Stop me Now is let me live my hedonistic lifestyle. John, Brian and Roger warned him about a candle burning twice as bright.

[@j0hnf_uk]

@@ManChan-w5p Indeed. With freedom comes responsibility. Something Freddie chose not to adhere to quite as much as he could have done.

[@michavandam]

9:04 "I'm just in love with riding my bicycle." And Roger Taylor is in love with his car.

[@aarond23]

This song is very underrated...it barely gets played anymore, but is really joyful

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Here we go love you love you

[@WindmillChef]

I didn't think this song was that great the first time I listened to it, I thought it was a bit too corny but it grew on me as I listened to it more. I now find it to be clever, creative and most importantly musical and enjoyable to listen to. I also experience it as doing the title of the album justice with all of its flat notes and half notes, the song seems to be written using jazz music components. It was produced during Queen's height of growth towards becoming or being a super group.

[@ManChan-w5p]

Yes corny because of the references it's sounds dated. Now there would be President Drumpf mentioned.

[@hippydippy]

Great take on a quirky song. Jazz was the last recording I ever bought by the band. After that, they had changed so much their music was almost unrecognizable to me.

[@LeeKennison]

Another fun Queen song this weekend. A good summation by you: "I don't care about anything else, I just want to ride my bicycle". Although Freddie was still able to spare a thought for the fat bottomed girls (beauties). I have this funny image in my head of Freddie riding an old fashion bike while trying to keep up with his pro bicycle racing competitors. Good observations on their playing. Nice to see all the band members were credited with the bicycle bells. It is a rare skill.

[@mr.knowitall6440]

The original vinyl albums included a poster of a bunch of nude women in a "bicycle race"...! 😳🤪😎 There's also a music video that includes "behind the scenes" (no pun intended) of that photoshoot. 🤙😎

[@jazziered142]

I love to ride my bike, I love to ride my bike to this song.

[@ianmote20]

They did something similar with the songs "Party" and "Khashoggi's ship".....The second song is part of the first song so would have to listen to them together as it tells what happens during and after a party, it has always been one of my favourites of queen as well as "Rain must fall".

[@gregaybar8547]

Spot on!

[@deboraclark5791]

Great reaction

[@Nogill0]

I noted a couple of musical quotes of Beatles songs, one from Sgt. Pepper's-- and if we wanted to get analytical, think of Cartesian dualism, likened by some to a view of "man" as an angel riding a bicycle. We LIKE to ride our bicycles...

[@GinMae]

Ha, VR.. you MUST see the video at some point.. there was a poster enclosed in the Jazz album.. and to promote it, Queen sponsored a nude female bicycle race... lol.. so funny.. and so "shocking" in the U.S.... love your reaction...

[@robertoeduardoguerreromora9765]

there was a poster in the original album... 100 woman naked about to start the race... Freddy was surprised about how the city was paralised by the Tour of France the mayor bicle event in the world... in that same hotel he wrote Little Crazy Thing Called Love, in the bathtube...waiting for Flash Gordon and Football Fight. Saludos

[@timdulle5189]

one look at the original poster from album says it all

[@charleshartz4814]

Original release had a poster of naked women riding bikes

[@MrTonyradford]

She got it.

[@antidote7]

Is anyone seeing what the symbolism of this song might be?

[@labajadaman]

To celebrate fat bottom girls on bicycles a poster was included with the Jazz album of the starting gate of a nude women’s bicycle race. The seventies were a special time!

[@mr.knowitall6440]

I don't recall any fat bottoms on that poster. My dad actually cut and folded those posters at his bindery. So he brought a couple home for me and my brother, before we even knew the album would be coming out. 😳🤪😎

[@labajadaman]

@@mr.knowitall6440 I don’t recall any skinny bottoms on that poster either! 🚴‍♀️🚴🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️🚴🚴‍♂️

[@runningsuperska]

Such a fun song.

[@robk236]

Amy, Ian Hamilton wrote about (but wasn't very specific about) an event that over 200 women showed up for. The event was a nude bicycle race. All females. A poster from the event was included with the purchase of the LP (Jazz) when it was first released. I don't know if the event inspired the song, or if the event was conjured to promote the song. I'm pretty certain I read, tho, that it was Queen who put the event together.

[@sophiebernard1983]

When Freddie saw the Tour de France, I'm sure he especially liked seeing men riding bikes... more than the idea of ​​riding a bike himself 😉

[@rossanderson5447]

Ok, going to come out and say it's not my fav Queen song, but it is amusing. However, when this came out I was a teenager and the album came with a great , albeit controversial poster. A rather large print of a bunch semi-naked woman in various poses on bikes which I enjoyed on my bedroom wall for a year or so :). I doubt that this sort of thing would ever be allowed again in this PC world we live in now. Pity, it was comedic, in the spirit of the "fat bottomed girls" correlated here. For me the best songs on this particular album were "Dreamers Ball" , "Dont stop me now", and "Dead on Time". The latter exhibits some rather nice (and rather rapid) guitar riffs. That all said, I remain so impressed that throughout all the reviews I have seen on virgin rock, Amy always seems to have something positive to say. So thanks for the review !

[@BostonBobby1961]

The original album had a poster of women riding bikes in their birthday suits. According to producer Roy Thomas Baker the bicycle shop that lent the bikes out complained after because they had to change all the seats.

[@nicholashylton6857]

He should have thought long term and sold them after Freddie had passed!

[@ManChan-w5p]

​@@nicholashylton6857You're right. Rock memorabilia. With DNA.

[@aut0maniak]

We want Virgin rock on a bicycle 😂😂

[@ClubOohLaLa-fq3sb]

The melody and as he sings, "I want to ride my bicycle," sound like a child, like a child's nursery rhyme.

[@mlambrechts1]

I don't know if Freddie was really singing about his bicycle...

[@ulrikealtmann4655]

This song for sure is not about Freddie's bicycle or Freddie bicycling.......😅 I don't know if he even owns one. I think it's a metaphor for living your life. "Ride" your life as you please, not being constantly confronted with problems or what other people expect from you. I want to live my life the way I like.........

[@clintatk]

Wonderful dismantling. About tempo variation, when a rock band uses a tempo variation they are always opened up to criticism that they are playing jazz. And yes, Queen could care less. Bicycle Race is closer to opera as is Queen in general.

[@utilityaccount1954]

If you can find it (from 1978?) the video is of many topless and some naked women cycling at Wimbleton!

[@YourBeingParanoid]

As a gay man, I'm sure this song is the reason I bought a bicycle

[@Quotenwagnerianer]

Now which did come first? You becoming a father or buying a bicycle?

[@YourBeingParanoid]

Let's just say that I rode a bike, then I became a father @@Quotenwagnerianer

[@ManChan-w5p]

Happy?

[@YourBeingParanoid]

The bike isn't gay no@WonderMonkey-xp3xk

[@YourBeingParanoid]

I didn't say anything hostile (lighten up man) - was just pointing out that she wasn't gay@WonderMonkey-xp3xk

[@chatterboxjan8]

I meant to say overthinking

[@vruz]

The term is "self-centered". Freddie is mocking people who only care for one particular activity at the expense of everything else, leading to the experience of not very well-rounded human beings, despite their many specialist's achievements.

[@marblackCanada]

Jazz is the place they stop being a great rock band and become a great Pop band.

[@redtygon76]

If they like having water they wont.

[@shumstra]

Mr. Mercury being bisexual and not living at a time nor place where he could be free to express and live that openly might also inform a reading of this fantastic song. 😊 The sound of the word "bicycle" isn't even that far from "bisexual". (Not to take away from any other reading! - I'm told there are no wrong ways to interpret art 😃)

[@MOLLOYALLOY]

This may well be my favourite Queen song: a perfect 3 minute pop song where every second is essential: a perfect marriage of form and execution. It can be seen as silly and IT IS fun but it has levels: for example, it could be seen as a perfect expression of Dionysus versus Apollo. In traditional songs the horse represented freedom and unadulterated id- this song replaces the horse with the bicycle, the modern equivalent. I think Jazz rivals Queen II for being Freddie’s peak: this song, Don’t Stop Me Know and Mustapha have an unparalleled exuberance. Unfortunately Freddie lost his creative mojo after this LP which is a big part of why 80s Queen is a steep decline after 70s Queen.

[@ArachneKiwi]

Innuendo was pretty spectacular.

[@rayheadrick7518]

Watch the video

[@josefschiltz2192]

Could never keep my balance on a damn bicycle!

[@pierre-de-standing]

I don't find this a coherent piece, but I do see elements that have a commonality with Bohemian Rhapsody which is a brilliant composition.

[@MrJasonjozzy1]

They are them and You are Who...

[@chrisraw5367]

like ya

[@mishuga]

Looks like you haven’t yet done two fantastic Brian May songs, namely It’s Late and The Prophet’s Song. Both highly recommended.

[@ManChan-w5p]

Like Don't Stop Me Now, hedonistic lifestyle must be pursued with warnings from the rest of the bandmates.

[@chrisbanks6659]

Back in the saddle again..................🤓

[@MrJasonjozzy1]

J Vine Nonce LOL

[@Sabine-t2i]

It reminds me of nursery rhymes

[@ManChan-w5p]

Good observation. He wrote a lot like Good Old Fashion Loverboy has that lullaby sound. Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon. Seaside Rendezvous.

[@ThatandCo]

I double dog dare the non virgins to watch the official video of this song ... BTW they had to pay a lot to the rental company after the found out how the bikes were used .

[@jasonsmall5602]

I don't think it's about bicycles.

[@chatterboxjan8]

Overthrowing the whole song.......its a bit of tongue in cheek fun..........

[@MrJasonjozzy1]

You Are???

[@marblackCanada]

That's why you should never see the stupid video.

[@dianecourtney2724]

It’s forgettable… except for the video 😂🤣

[@steveymoon]

I am very interested in your analysis, but I'm fairly sure this song is a euphemism for being a gay man in the 70s and 80s and wishing for sexual freedom.

[@busheepoo]

She talks too much. Where’s the video?

[@mhelouTube]

Sophisticated fun. Typical Queen. Not too serious but always top notch musically

[@pjeastwood9241]

I don't see it as a person who was passionate about bicycling as much as person who just wants to be left alone. He doesn't want to get caught up in anything, he doesn't want to get involved, he just wants to do something simple and fun.

[@grahamokeefe9406]

This is another song that isn't meant to be taken too seriously. It's just dumb fun. I think Freddie saw the guys in their spandex outfits and thought he would look good out there with them. I do love the bass line on the chorus.

[@sootikins]

Yep, intrigued by their (ahem) gay attire.

[@alfonsoedgardo5407]

I think this song is really a metaphor for generally 'disregarding what others think and doing what you like when you want' , as indeed Freddie Mercury did.

[@XFLexiconMatt]

One of the things i love about Queen was the cheeky aspect, the tounge in cheek that is there in certain songs many other rock acts were far too serious in the 70s, so the balance was refreshing. Fun song, on the vinyl of the Jazz album, there was an insert of naked ladies on bikes, quite fun!

[@jeffin8127]

Don't forget that the video accompanying this song was of the same nude bicycle 'race'.

[@chattikathy4391]

I still have my poster, in pristine condition as I was into dudes, not chicks 😊

[@yvrkid7070]

I gave my poster to my brother to take to university with him. I believe it was quite popular!😜

[@0okamino]

Oh yes, quite ample in their cheekiness. 😉

[@robertcostagliola3741]

Who could make a hit song about bicycles? Freddie Mercury!!! Harmonies are incredible!!! That's a beautiful harp behind you!!!

[@isabelledrevet5913]

I love that song... Funny and in the same time really well played and produced... Love the harmonies too 😉

[@parmattsson7784]

It would have been nice to include a live reaction to the VIDEO too ... :-) it is "special".

[@DrogoBaggins987]

That video is half the song.

[@basstian]

There's a reason why he was the quintessential lover of life, singer of songs.

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

I remember reading that Queen put out ads in local newspapers back then inviting ladies to be in the video if they were ok with being nude in it. Obviously many ladies answered as there are many in the video. What really made me laugh was the company that rented Queen the bicycles insisted they pay to have all the bike seats replaced with new seats!

[@tconnolly9820]

I'm sure they made more money selling on those bare'ly used bicycle seats than for all of the bikes! 😂😮🍑

[@lcbcreative]

While this may not be my favorite song, it has great memories attached to it. Ever since the release of Queen's Greatest hits there has been a copy in one format or another of it in my car. When my kids were small, it was the one album we could all agree to listen to on road trips. They sang along with every song (we all did) and Bicycle Race was was one of their favorites. It was always sung at the top of their lungs! Fat Bottom Girls was pretty hilarious too. They didn't look for meaing in the lyrics, the songs were just irresistable.

[@YourBeingParanoid]

Amy - I'd love to know if you (or either of you) have heard Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds? Prog rock classic and excellent colab between the world of rock music, classical music and science fiction.

[@paulonius42]

I know you were asking her, not me, but that sounds really interesting! Thanks for the tip!

[@YourBeingParanoid]

It's one of my favourite albums of all time. There's a live version on KZbin too. But make sure you watch/listen the original one with the Richard Burton narrative. The artwork alone is enough to earn accolades, outstanding social commentary and the guest list one the album is an achievement in itself.@@paulonius42

[@ianhamilton2035]

It's fantastic!! Used to listen to it all the time in college!! 😃

[@juttapopp1869]

I Still have the vynil I bought in ca. 1979, lol. Still listen to it, top! Richard Burton reading excerpts from the novel in between Songs is wonderful.

[@YourBeingParanoid]

I have a few original copies, including the Forever Autumn single. But to top it off, my youngest daughter is named after one of the characters in the musical version. I'm a bit of a megafan lol @@juttapopp1869

[@qwerty567]

i belive , it s about innocence of riding a bicycle , against de war , the political issues or anything alse wrong.

[@stevehooley1951]

Great review amy. Please do 'Jealousy ' _. a lovely Freddie song.

[@ManChan-w5p]

Yes underrated and overlooked as a little gem of a ballad. Piano and vocals.

[@suucat]

Im going to be listening to Queen till the end of my days... thank you Freddy for the music, gone too soon...

[@ellenlewis9860]

Me too. 69 yo!

[@ZENOBlAmusic]

I think this song is a metaphor for being yourself. It is basically just saying that just should be who you want to be and that you should not be worried about what is popular or the popular topic of the day. You should just be authentic to yourself.

[@tropicaire]

I enjoy your videos. You have a beautiful mind.