Queen, Hammer To Fall- A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

[@adamfstewart81]

You need to reach out to Brian for a conversation. I bet he’d do it.

[@SpaceCattttt]

If she donates money to badger charities, certainly.

[@dianecourtney2724]

@@SpaceCattttt😂

[@mightyV444]

Yeah I agree, he most likely would! 😀 Even _without_ that donation! 😄 She should ask him just _why_ he loves badgers so much, though! 😁

[@misternoplease]

Rick Beato has a deep conversation with Brian May. Check it out. It's on KZbin.

[@toddmathers5075]

She has reached out to him - she mentioned this in a video a few months ago. At that time he/his people had not responded

[@vinniedixon1140]

This is THE song that got me started on my journey with Queen 40 years ago. I couldn't get enough of this song. My mother bought The Works album on vinyl in 1984 and I'd have her tell me that I'd end up wearing out the needle on the record player as I'd listen to it so much. The live version of this song from second night at Wembley 1986 is my all time favourite.

[@phillipevans9414]

Me too. I was a hard rock/metal guy whom was familiar with Queen only through their hits...I heard Hammer to Fall, and bought "The Works" album, and discovered so much more (The Works is still a personal fave). In the ensuing nearly 40 years I have become a Queen fan, and enjoy them for all their diversity, excellence and spirit (and of course Freddy's amazing vocals). Cheers!

[@ChrisFreund-rt8rf]

Queen is just simply one of the best rock bands ever.

[@ulyssesfilmchannel]

Love this song. I think your analysis is spot on. For me it’s about not living in fear - fear of the unknown, fear of what other people think of you, and ultimately fear of the inevitable. I read a Buddhist text that said most people are (understandably) afraid to die (and other negative things like pain or discomfort) but ironically they are then also afraid to live. Same message really. The musical power and positive energy of this song (and many other rock songs for that matter) gives me strength and confidence when I lack it. That’s the power of music for me.

[@lowkey1969]

Please, Please, PLEASE watch their performance at Live Aid. Not only for their technique (and please be aware that Freddie was ill and performed against the advice of his doctor) , but because of their effect on the audience. It's been said that when asked what instrument he played best, Freddie answer, "The audience, darling."

[@austingrisham7479]

If you haven't seen the live aid video of this song then you're missing out. Brilliant example of Queen live.

[@dianecourtney2724]

YES !!

[@themightybuzzard3088]

Understatement of the year, that.

[@Queenfbrj1]

hammer to fall is one of the greatests Queens rock songs

[@incamoran9532]

Second that!

[@BrendanAshton]

Thanks for that reaction, to me you totally get it, which is why this is one of my go to songs when my joy needs boosting. One of Brian’s finest!

[@babyfacemichael1]

For a women who used to think rock was just machine noise , that she loves this open, in your face rocker , is just great.

[@schmoosmith]

The way the guitar “screams” during the first guitar solo is mostly in the part due to the pickup settings. He uses the neck and middle pickup but they are out of phase which gives that high pitched type tone, it’s the same as on the Bohemian Rhapsody solo.

[@jj-xt1yz]

The vocal on the single version is astonishing while the guitars on the album version are absolutely brilliantly constructed

[@jj-xt1yz]

The high guitars also employ a technique called 'pinched harmonics'

[@peterhughes8699]

Classic Queen - May uses "Pinch Harmonics" in his solo. It's an advanced guitar picking technique

[@wassyaabu6989]

Спасибо! Приятно на вас смотреть. Сразу видно, что вы образованная женщина в классическом жанре. Но Фредди вызвал в вас восторг, а ваша реакция вызвала восторг в нас! Удачи вам в жизни!!!❤

[@davidamrama]

Can't wait until you get to Who Wants To Live Forever.

[@XFLexiconMatt]

A truly great heavy rock song, it balanced out the new direction the band had taken.

[@lynby6231]

The guitar solo is about the same pitch and sound as bohemian rhapsody and a few others too

[@mightyV444]

​@@lynby6231 - I think it's the more prominent than usual pinch harmonics that are new to her.

[@tonytjandra4798]

Queen Involvement 'Highlander' was Queen's second major film soundtrack, after 'Flash Gordon' in 1980. Queen wrote, recorded and produced seven new tracks for the film. Six of these tracks would later be remixed or re-recorded for the 'A Kind Of Magic' album, and in some cases the film versions are significantly different. The film also uses a short excerpt of 'Hammer To Fall', although this is no different to the album version. 謝謝你。

[@fretlessfender]

Amy, I don't know how you do it, but keep teaching us!

[@tonytjandra4798]

As you read this, imagine yourself become more calm, relax and focus : " I really thought I was pretty good before I saw Hendrix, and then I thought: Yeah, not so good " - Brian May -

[@purplebeard1526]

One of my favorite Queen jams when I first heard it on a hits double cd I got of theirs.

[@Leo93087]

This is the absolutely perfect song, with an ideal arrangement, excellent guitar solos, well-arranged choruses, and of course, Freddies perfect vocal

[@j0hnf_uk]

You could argue that this was Queen's argument against the idea that their songs, (or, at least, their singles), had gone all, 'synthesizer-mad.' By showing that they could still produce something more akin to their 70's roots, as and when they felt the need to do so. As mentioned, this is a very powerful song with an equally powerful message. I love the end part where the riffs merge, but then at the very last part we get them separating much like how they were as the song started, but with more determination. The message of the song is simple enough. The hammer is inevitably going to fall, so in the meantime, it's better to not concentrate on the idea of it happening and enjoy and achieve what you can in the interim. There's a similar message in, 'Keep Passing The Open Windows.'

[@chelz1972]

I am looking forward to the next album 'A kind of magic' 😄

[@davidmacfarlane1763]

I am curious to whats going to be sampled. I'd hope Prices of the Universe and Who wants to live forever in the very least.

[@mightyV444]

​@@davidmacfarlane1763 - And also 'Fried Chicken', a.k.a. 'One Vision'! 😀👍

[@chelz1972]

I love John Deacon's ''One year of love' and it was released as a single back in the day, a favorite of mine since it's release. I hope Vlad will recommend it to her. 🤞

[@kendallneason3645]

A real rock n roller song. While I prefer Freddie and John’s songs I like this one and many of each member’s songs. They were all so talented that we were really blessed they found one another and formed one of the great rock bands of the times. I love Queen albums because you never know what they will include and each song is crafted with such care and talent from every member. It’s hard to find rock music that conveys such intellect and variety nowadays. I’m so glad I was able to see them live. Freddie would pull energy from above and push it out through that gorgeous voice of his. ❤

[@rt1610]

The duo of Radio Gaga immediately in to Hammer to Fall at Live Aid is just astounding. Given the comments on these two songs’ reactions I know you’ll take the 36 minutes to watch & listen to that Live Aid performance. In fact, I believe I’ll head there from here 😊

[@kimd.9070]

We are getting near the end of this series. I hope for a finale you watch Queen @ Live Aid.

[@upness]

I'd moved on to some extent from Queen around this time, and hadn't heard this particular song before, but it is a really great heavy metal song. Love it.

[@maico4903]

Exactly 3 months before Live Aid, Queen performed Hammer To Fall at their Auckland, New Zealand concert. I can still remember it & what a stand out rocker it was.

[@lisar6510]

❤ I just love what you said at the end of your reaction Amy!

[@Zadster]

When this originally came out, we were all very much living in the shadow of the mushroom cloud, the cold war was still very cold, and the fall of the Berlin wall was a long, long way off. But the music was INCREDIBLE! What a great time to be growing up.

[@n.brucenelson5920]

I happened to be in Germany the day the Wall fell. My life has had a soundtrack.

[@XFLexiconMatt]

I really wish you'd react to the acoustic album closer "Is This The World We Created...?" Maybe?

[@TheAnalyst79]

She would love that one. I don't think it will happen, though. She seems to specifically do the songs on Greatest Hits II

[@mightyV444]

​@@TheAnalyst79 - Yes, I think it may be more likely that she checks out the Live Aid version, once she gets around to watching Queen's performance there.

[@JanS1]

With respect, I wouldn't say that is a great Queen song. It was only part of Live Aid because it resonated with the cause of the event. If only 50 songs are to be reacted to, it shouldn't make the cut in my opinion. I get that our opinions differ on this, but we are all still Queen fans.

[@Lendium1337]

Queen is my favourite band. I can listen to their songs over and over again and it never gets boring. Here are a few more songs from Queen that you should definitely listen to: • Innuendo (very complex song, the flamenco was played by Steve Howe) • Cool Cat (John Deacon basically played all instruments in this one) • Brighton Rock (you will like this one a lot) • Who wants to live forever (Brians vocals are like heaven) • Calling all Girls • It’s a beautiful Day (both versions are pretty nice) I also wouldn’t use their music videos as a sound source because the resolution is usually too low. Have a nice day everyone!

[@coreywilliams923]

I have a different interpretation of the lyric : "just surrender and it won't hurt at all," I don't think he's saying give up on life, but give up fighting, and it won't hurt at all.

[@josefschiltz2192]

Snap! First time I heard Brian's solo, in this, I thought Paganini! Every time I see Brian's solo I think that Brian is doing his Paganini bit!! 👍👍👍👍!

[@incamoran9532]

That high, squeaky pitch you speak of in the solo is not on the original album or video versions. The Live Aid version of Hammer to Fail is amazing. It's a slightly faster tempo and Brian May is almost saying "Hi, I'm Brian May and this is a master class in guitar - try to keep up". His hands are like fluid over the fretboard.

[@Ziko1962]

I'm not so much into 80s Queen but this ia a supergood...vocal and guitars is just the awesome Queen sound..

[@retrogroovecraft]

One of my favorite guitar sounds, and riffs of all time. I made a point of covering it on my channel.

[@kentl7228]

The Queen harder songs still have quite major key sounds to them. They use the major third while other bands in the Metallica style, almost have them banned. That is part of why the Queen songs are more accessible. Like ACDC using mixolydian.

[@mightyV444]

Yes, and it also would've been quite a different song had they chosen to play it in A-minor, instead of A-major! Which would've taken away from the positivity and the optimism I'm getting from it, so I'm glad this didn't happen 😊

[@chrismillington2729]

Thx Amy, born in the early 60's, LOVE Queen 'til the day i die, stay well and safe, Kind regards Chris (SE UK)

[@GinMae]

Thanks, VR... the live version at LiveAid is classic - I hope one day I get to see you react to some of their videos! Appreciate your reaction, as always.. (IMHO "just surrender and it won't hurt it all" seems to me to be what everyone is "told".. and we're supposed to fight against that ...)

[@alexgarciacarrasco5907]

Until their last studio record (Innuendo), Queen demonstrated that hard rock had no secrets for them. Maytbe they didn't many more hard songs in their lasts records because it was not a challenge for them. But in spite of this, masterpieces were still to come: One vision, Princes of the universe, Gimme the Prize, The Hitman...

[@peaceofiona9198]

You forgot about Was It All Worth It

[@alexgarciacarrasco5907]

@@peaceofiona9198 yes, but I don't consider it only "hard rock" . It has hard rock moments inside, but has much more things. For me is more in the line of "Innuendo" or "Bohemian Rhapsody" than in the league of "Hammer to fall".

[@mikal]

My favorite Queen song of all time.

[@mightyV444]

Those piccolo-like sounds are so-called 'pinch harmonics', achieved by striking the string in particular spots with the pick held at a certain angle (which in Brian's case is a coin) while also slightly brushing against it with the thumb. And it blows my mind every time I hear his excellent sound, knowing he was playing his home-made 'Red Special' guitar! 🤯 He and his Dad had gotten it right, when building it 😊 By the way, I understand "What the hell (are) we fighting for?" more as sarcasm, rather than defeatism. Or cynism maybe 🙂

[@tdratt]

I enjoyed that, as usual.

[@dandydeadpool]

My absolute favourite Queen song!

[@staticrodent]

Hi! I just found your channel this week when KZbin recommended your One Winged Angel reaction, and I've been watching lots of your videos. I was sad to see you don't have any reactions to my favorite classic rock band Styx! They have such an amazing range with all their songs! If one didn't know any better, they might not even realize that Come Sail Away, Mr. Roboto, Renegade, Grand Illusion, and Too Much Time on My Hands were all the same band! Come Sail Away is my favorite and has a lot of interesting stuff to listen to, but Mr. Roboto might be their most famous and have the most interesting things to hear. I hope you can give them a listen sometime!

[@mooghead]

The live version of this song at Wembley 86 is the single best performance by the band of any of their songs and I include Live Aid.

[@Nogill0]

One of my grade school pals had a sticker on his bedroom mirror that read: "I fell under the spell of the fallout at ENIWETOK!" I'm very nostalgic about my childhood, living in the shadow of mushroom clouds, so to speak.

[@sergeinester6261]

My favourite

[@Inverse_to_Chaos]

I never knew the extended guitar solo was on the recording; I’ve heard only the single version (GHII) and live performances until now.

[@Payne2view]

That was certainly the longer 'Album version' as I am unfamiliar with about 2/3 the extended guitar solo.

[@mightyV444]

That explains it! And thank you for the info! 😀👍 I was feeling slightly confused during that solo section, and I'd also remembered the ending differently 🙂 Seeing that she's listening her way through Queen's albums, it does make sense that these are the albums' versions, though 🙂

[@JanS1]

Yes and, sorry Bri, I prefer the shorter solo version heard at Live Aid etc.

[@adams7405]

I remember hearing 100 greatest guitar riffs by some 'expert" about 20 years ago...no Queen I think smoke on the water was number one.Now in a latest poll Queen had several including this and Tie Your Mother Down.

[@jonathanlanning832]

You HAVE to watch and react to the full Queen live Aid 1985 concet once you've reached the end of the Queem 50 series

[@tazzyzig8162]

masterclass in rock performance without equal that show!

[@mightyV444]

I concur! 😀👍

[@Geerladenlad]

I always think of the Kurgan driving around listening to Queen.😊

[@AlbertoJorgeSoares]

Brian's personality is kind of a thinker, I guess.

[@harleystafford2424]

much love :D can't wait for you to hear phophet song

[@johnkarls2132]

My bad typo. Maybe I should use voice recognition lol. The word should be "Takes" not rakes.

[@retrogroovecraft]

If you listen very carefully, many of the snare hits have an accompanying gunshot sample.

[@mightyV444]

Yes, I noticed that, too! 😀 And I had never before! It's quite amazing really what little details one can still pick up on in older recordings when listening to them with some good headphones for the first time! 😀👍

[@zippybanana2691]

Would listen to Brighton Rock Now I'm here The Black Queen Ogre Battle Father to Son

[@egads69]

She did do an analysis on "Now I'm Here" but not the others. She's already well past the first 3 albums, as she's doing the Queen 50 series in chronological order.

[@zippybanana2691]

@@egads69 been a while since I watched

[@ffrealgg9371]

i wil use this music while i cook, to see what comes out of me. I'm a chef, let's bring out my art with Freddy xd

[@stumpyjoe6385]

Brenda say ""AAAAAHHHH!!! Seriously, you should review "Who Wants to Live Forever".

[@johnwallen438]

I feel Amy gets worried when emotion threatens to take over.

[@misternoplease]

Not that the studio version isn't good, but this is one song that sounds WAY better live.

[@letsgomets002]

BILLY JOEL ,BILLY JOEL BILLY JOEL, BILLY JOEL... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR !!!!!!!!!THE BEST SONGWRITER EVER...

[@GangueSkateboardGSB]

Live AID Full Concert please!!!!

[@LukelearMissile]

The 12" version of this is even more epic

[@SpaceCattttt]

This is one of Freddie's strongest vocal performances, but you really should hear the single version. It's infinitely superior.

[@rocon86]

You're listening to the greatest band of all time. Nobody comes close or ever will.

[@Geerladenlad]

Talking about the drums you should react to Queen - Dragon Attack!❤

[@keithlego8057]

I'd love to see you're reaction and hear you're opinion on Queen's song "Stone Cold Crazy".

[@sloganreadet1151]

Amy is doing it chronologically right now which means she’s skipped over a lot of songs. She has said she’s definitely going to do more Queen after the series is finished though!

[@dondebomm6329]

Turned to the rock side you have.😊

[@juanjoseescanellas3798]

Very well done and interesting analysis: from the excellent starting point script of Vlad to the fundamented explanations and opinions of Amy. Maybe I'm wrong, I'm ignorant and I don't think what one plus one is, because it's zero too.

[@grahamjones3259]

You should really cover Queen’s performance at Live Aid, as that would give you the truth about what they were about. They are also at least as good live as ina studio, and probably better.

[@SCHHHa]

Don't skip 'keep passing the open windows'.. The rock way in Queen story has been obviously always. From the biginning till their last album. I think you based yourself on their most 'artistic' expression but if you're courious about, you can find songs like 'Hammer to fall' in all their albums.. Anyway.. don't skip 'keep passing the open windows' ;)

[@michaellieb5922]

You should react to the live aid performance

[@mooghead]

Brilliant.. the album version, like I Want to Break Free the album version of Hammer to Fall is so superior than the single.

[@dant14678]

If you want to hear a harder queen song try' gimme the prize' or ' the hitman '

[@Higeton88]

You need to listen to Innuendo and The show must go on (queen)

[@basstian]

She's going in chronological order. There's still some stuff from two albums to cover before getting to 'Innuendo'.

[@Higeton88]

@@basstian oh that's even better :) more queen thanks

[@martinmarenov7460]

What's that version? I'm hearing it for the first time.

[@mortimore4030]

It’s the album version on The Works.

[@martinmarenov7460]

@@mortimore4030 that means, I've listened to the single version all my life

[@fryke]

I wish they had gone for a different mix/sound. To me, it's too close to "Tear it up" from the previous album (which you haven't listened to, obviously, and Hammer to fall is the better song of the two). It's a great song, and I love the live performances of it (where the clinically dry tone isn't there), but I tend to skip it in the studio version.

[@mortimore4030]

Tear it up and Hammer to fall are both on the same album; The Works.

[@fryke]

@@mortimore4030 Right, my bad. Somehow I mixed it up in my head with "Put out the fire".

[@YourBeingParanoid]

As a gay man - this song is probably the reason I'm a proletariat

[@robertpetre9378]

Definitely a tribute to Elvis and early 1950s rock ‘n’ roll

[@thehollyrocker69]

From Bohemian rhapsody to Black Chat😂

[@mortimore4030]

… to Innuendo! (Which is one of Queens best tracks). Probably the most diverse rock group of all.

[@grahamokeefe9406]

Like the song. Love the guitar riff. HATE the drum sound.

[@dugl]

what you hate about it?

[@grahamokeefe9406]

@@dugl Several things. 1: It's a very cliche, dated sound. 2: It's basically just a blast of white noise. 3: It sucks up a disproportionate amount of the mid/high spectrum. 4: It doesn't really suit the sound of the rest of the song. 5: It's mixed way too loud. It works better in "I want to break free" but only because that song is just a pastiche of early 80s sounds.

[@mortimore4030]

@@duglYeah, it’s a great drum sound. Perfect for this track.

[@bludrugo29]

Indeed, I think Taylor was the least attentive in the band when it came to sound production.

[@thomassharmer7127]

Eletric guitar playing often reaches up to higher pitches and scales than on acoustic or classical guitars. This is because the solid construction allows cutaway body designs that give easy access to higher frets and play in a very high octave at the top of the instrument's range.

[@Canucklehead557]

The song speaks to to the irony of society wanting to survive while expecting our leaders to lord over us with their threats of global catastrophe. The citizenry is not in power, the military industrial complex is. They will smite you if you don't follow the program. You can make a mark, or sit by and let the PTBs roll over you.

[@letsgomets002]

Not my favorite song

[@burtazorin1358]

Too much Queen a bit Floyd

[@johnkarls2132]

You've got great talent yourself as a harp player and probably other instruments. You've got musical virtuoso talent that can't be taught even if one follows/reads sheet music and rakes instrumental lessons. Practice makes perfect but Michael Jordan had more basketball innate talent than me any day and I can say the same about you with your natural musical talent.