Innuendo

The range and power in 'The Show Must Go On' just knocks you sideways. Being Queen, there are silly songs, like 'Delilah' and 'Slightly Mad'. But there are also out and out rockers like 'Headlong' and 'The Hitman'. Then there are the ballads; the sublime 'Don't Try So Hard', the warm and sweet 'Bijou', and of course the hauntingly beautiful 'Days of our Lives'.

Despite it being Queen's 17th album, they still experiment with 'All Gods People' and 'Innuendo' The former being slightly reminiscent in style to 'Millionnaire Waltz' whereas the latter is another six and a half minute opus of a hodgepodge of styles. Performed by anyone else it would be ridiculous. But Queen, well, it's just 'magic' isn't it.

Eleven years on, and this is still the Queen album that gets loaded most often into my CD player. It's tragic, yet hugely uplifting & inspiring.

Even though all of this album is special, there is one particular vocal line in 'The Show Must Go On' which makes me well up with the sheer magnificence of it every time I hear it. You'll know it when you hear it.

On with the show...

"Innuendo" (the song) is my favorite Queen song, it is amazing. It opens with a drum roll which makes you jump upon first listen. Freddie Mercury sounds better than ever before. The highlight of the track is the "wandering minstrel" guitar interlude beginning at 3:16, it starts out in 5/4 time, then goes into 6/4 after a couple of choruses. Absolutely amazing. "I'm Going Slightly Mad" is a humorous track, which is somewhat Noel Coward-ish. "Headlong" is an excellent rocker, will please metalheads everywhere with its heavily distorted guitar riffs and excellent solos. "I Can't Live With You" is a fantastic song, with great lyrics and instrumentation. "Don't Try So Hard" features one of Freddie Mercury's ultimate vocal performances, absolutely beautiful, will bring tears to some eyes, no joke. Roger Taylor must have been the primary force behind "Ride The Wild Wind," as his drums really stand out on this fast, heart-pumping track. "All God's People" is classic Freddie Mercury, with its complex, multilayered vocals ala "Somebody To Love" or "Bohemian Rhapsody." Next is the haunting track "These Are The Days Of Our Lives," a song about looking back on childhood and enjoying life as an adult. This song was also the last music video filmed by Queen as a foursome with Freddie. "Delilah" is a cute, little ditty about Freddie's favorite cat of the same name. Then in charges "The Hitman," which rocks and reels us all like just like the album's earlier track "Headlong." Next is "Bijou," an instrumental with a brief lyric from Freddie. This track features incredible guitar work by virtuoso Brian May himself, beautiful.

Finally, the all-out finale "The Show Must Go On" closes the album. This song is most likely the track that defines the Innuendo album. As most of you know, this was the last album Queen released before Freddie Mercury died. He said to his bandmates that he wanted to keep on making records until he was no longer alive to record more music. This song speaks of his attitude toward his state. Freddie was extremely ill at the time of recording this album, and was determined to give it his all. "Inside my heart is breaking, my makeup may be flaking but my smile still stays on." This lyric speaks of his exact feeling,

Innuendo was released on February 5, 1991. On November 24th of that same year, Freddie Mercury was dead. He left this world after he and his bandmates released an album of the most incredible music they could ever do. They knew they were on borrowed time, so they pushed themselves to the limits, and by doing so, they did it better than they ever could have done, with one simple thought of determination, "the show must go on." They continued right up until Freddie was to ill to work. Now and forever, the show will go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on...........