| Sebastian 12.10.2009 20:24 |
'Twas about time to include a May tune here... We can be certain about the following statements: * Brian May wrote lyrics, melody, arrangements and the middle-eight but NOT the chord sequence. * Dr May played the synthesiser. * It's got both human bass and human drums (a rarity for the era). * Some bits only feature Dr Wig on vocals (e.g. 'turning turning...' and the outro). * The four Queen members and the producer contributed to the songwriting process. * Brian got the idea of keeping the sequence as canvas for most sections from Pachelbel The following could contain both truth and myth (or Chienese whispers, misrecollections, stretched details, etc): * David Richards had the idea of transposing the key for the second cycle. * Freddie considered it the best song Brian ever wrote. * Fred did the vocals on one take, after drinking some vodka. * Freddie inspired the lyrics and contributed with some of them. Things that we could analyse further: * John plays the bass-line, but who wrote it? I'm pretty sure it was Brian, but have no way to prove it. * Influence from other composers. * Where was it recorded? London or Montreux? * Is the synth a DX-7? TBH, the pad's so simple that virtually anything from OBX onwards could've worked. |
| masterstroke_84 13.10.2009 15:42 |
No-one mention that there is a HUGE similarity with the intro of "never tear us apart" from INXS.. |
| Major Tom 13.10.2009 17:48 |
From what I've heard, Freddie did the "My soul is painted..." segment in one take, but wouldn't it be fucking awesome if he nailed the whole song in one take, concidering his health. Yes, thats what I'll belive from now-on. |
| FriedChicken 13.10.2009 17:56 |
Oh no, Freddie definately didn't sing it in one take. I remember reading/hearing some interviews about Freddie having to come into the studio in his wheelchair during the vocal sessions of The Show Must Go On, and be able to sing just 2 lines or so, before getting to tired and having to stop and go to bed again. I believe it was Hannie, from the Dutch fanclub who said it... I need to verify this. |
| ParisNair 14.10.2009 15:38 |
masterstroke_84 wrote: No-one mention that there is a HUGE similarity with the intro of "never tear us apart" from INXS..I love both the songs, but I don't see the similarity. |
| maxpower 14.10.2009 20:10 |
With regards to the "wheelchair" reference how would anyone know this? Approx when was the vocal recorded I assume some point in 1990? |
| FriedChicken 15.10.2009 06:30 |
Hannie Roggeveen, from the Dutch Queen Fanclub apparantly was there, I have no reason not to believe her. |
| john bodega 15.10.2009 08:17 |
FriedChicken wrote: Hannie Roggeveen, from the Dutch Queen Fanclub apparantly was there, I have no reason not to believe her.What on earth would this person have been doing there? Who were they at the time, just a fan, or someone with a reason to be there? |
| rhyeking 15.10.2009 08:58 |
Off topic, but some might find the expression "Chinese Whispers" offensive. Personally, I'm not bothered by antiquated foreign stereotyping expressions (another would be "Indian Giver"), but some people may take issue. Just a 'head's up'. Maybe change it to "Broken Telephone," which in North America means the same thing. The only people who may get offended with that are telephone companies, but we pay them way too much as it is, so screw'em! |
| 4 x Vision 15.10.2009 09:20 |
rhyeking wrote: Off topic, but some might find the expression "Chinese Whispers" offensive. Why? The Chinese are infamous whisperers... and proud of it! |
| 4 x Vision 15.10.2009 09:34 |
I'd also love to believe that Freddie sang this in a one-r, but much doubt it. Even a healthy Freddie would struggle to sing this one once through in the studio and have it used imo. |
| joesilvey 15.10.2009 10:34 |
obviously we're all just speculating / repeating hearsay on this, but how would it be that Freddie had to be wheelchaired in to the studio to sing 2 lines at a time between naps during the recording of this track, and then months later film the EPK for Innuendo and look so spry and upbeat (though thin and frail for sure)... |
| rhyeking 15.10.2009 11:43 |
The Wheelchaired Freddie story sounds more in keeping with what I've heard in interviews (Brian and David Richard mostly) about Freddie recording the bits and pieces of what became Made In Heaven, specifically "Mother Love." I wasn't there, though, so I have no idea. |
| john bodega 15.10.2009 16:06 |
joesilvey wrote: obviously we're all just speculating / repeating hearsay on this, but how would it be that Freddie had to be wheelchaired in to the studio to sing 2 lines at a time between naps during the recording of this track, and then months later film the EPK for Innuendo and look so spry and upbeat (though thin and frail for sure)...It's not a bad question but the answer is very simple : he wasn't bedridden all of the time. Even when they did the Breakthru video, Freddie was already very ill. Some people look at the videos done for the Miracle videos and insist that Freddie could have done limited live shows at that point, which is a total fallacy. If he had done it, I'm sure that Freddie mysteriously collapsing during a big '89 show would be an iconic part of rock history by now. Same deal with the Innuendo videos and EPK. Freddie was going through as close a thing to Hell as any of us can imagine (collapsing veins, dramatic weight loss, blood transfusions) yet on a 'good day' he was able to sit under lights and do the band thing. It's something that will never cease to amaze me. |
| john bodega 15.10.2009 16:12 |
Also, the superficially 'up and down' nature of his health does lead to some debate over the exact date that he did his last studio recordings. A lot of people argue that it's impossible for him to have been recording after, say May of 1991, but it's also been suggested that he finished some things off during a kind of 'Indian summer' that he had after going off his medication (which apparently relieved him of side effects for a short while before going into his final decline). It doesn't make finding the truth very easy when you consider that conflicting reports come from the very top level. I've read it on this forum that a sheet from some session shows that Freddie's last work was done in May of 1991, and yet it's been reliably established that he did some singing in October. His last work in Montreaux could well have been before then, but the recording of "Mother Love" and "A Winter's Tale" did overlap somewhat and it's entirely possible that he finished one of those tracks at Metropolis studios. One of these days, when I'm on a topic as convoluted as this one, I will keep links and screenshots of all the tasty quotes so that I can back it up. I have my own conclusions of course, but they're only as solid as anyone else's, providing they've done as much reading I guess! |
| i-Fred 15.10.2009 18:47 |
rhyeking wrote: Off topic, but some might find the expression "Chinese Whispers" offensive. Personally, I'm not bothered by antiquated foreign stereotyping expressions (another would be "Indian Giver"), but some people may take issue. Just a 'head's up'. Maybe change it to "Broken Telephone," which in North America means the same thing. The only people who may get offended with that are telephone companies, but we pay them way too much as it is, so screw'em!WTF ????"Chinese Whispers" has been called that for fucking years and no one gave a dame.. Any one who finds it offensive needs to get a life! not having a stab at you rhyeking, but for any one who does get offended over it.... god dam, what next.... In this day and age its to politically incorrect minded. Shame really... it effects everything... Would a song like "March of the black Queen" be released today?? Doubt it, unless it changed the word "Nigga" which the word is used in the in song.. We have nnoooooooooo more, no more no more no more no more no more no more Fun!! |
| rhyeking 15.10.2009 18:53 |
The above post reminds me of Randall's "Porch Monkey Forever" rant in Clerks II. |
| i-Fred 15.10.2009 19:03 |
rhyeking wrote: The above post reminds me of Randall's "Porch Monkey Forever" rant in Clerks II.explain |
| rhyeking 16.10.2009 11:45 |
It's a very funny scene where a Randall is surprised to discover that the affectionate term his Grandmother used for him when he was little ("Porch Monkey") is actually very racist, derogatory term for African-Americans (Randall is caucasian, so was his grandmother). What follows is a hilarious subplot where Randall decides to "take it back," liberating the term from its racist origins. What follows is comedy gold! Watch Clerks II and see. |
| kosimodo 16.10.2009 12:54 |
Rhyeking has a point.. Me, being dutch, feels always very offended by the english language!! Now back ontopic!! |
| Benn 16.10.2009 13:22 |
Rhyeking, Please, go and be politically correct elsewhere. There is NOTHING even remotely offensive in the phrase "Chinese Whispers" - it's a commonly used phrase in many countries that speak English around the world and has absolutely NO negative connotations whatsoever. Where on EARTH do you people come from? |
| Wiley 16.10.2009 17:04 |
Benn wrote: Rhyeking, Please, go and be politically correct elsewhere. There is NOTHING even remotely offensive in the phrase "Chinese Whispers" - it's a commonly used phrase in many countries that speak English around the world and has absolutely NO negative connotations whatsoever. Where on EARTH do you people come from? He has a point, though. Here in Mexico we have expressions which are racist taken out of context, such as someone saying that they "work like a black man" or making work that "not even a black man would do", or using the word "indian" (indio) in a derogatory way to refer to someone with native mexican roots, or even saying that "we were deceived or tricked like if we were vile chinese people". These are literal translations of very common expressions in the Spanish language here in Mexico. American Reverend Jessie Jackson made a big deal out of a postal stamp inspired by an old comic book character called "Memín Pingüín", who was a stereotypical black kid with brown skin and huge mouth. The character existed for about 40 years before that but some people tend to blow these things out of proportion. I don't have a problem with the expression "Chinese Whispers" at all and comparing it with the kind of expressions we have here, I don't see the problem. Still, I understand someone COULD POSSIBLY feel offended. |
| djcamper 16.10.2009 17:18 |
Sebastian wrote: * Fred did the vocals on one take, after drinking some vodka. That was about some part of song, "I'm never giving in..." or the final "Show" cry, don't remember. Not the whole song. |
| bucsateflon 13.01.2019 09:23 |
"Fred did the vocals on one take, after drinking some vodka." -FAKE facts spread by millennials on social media |
| mooghead 13.01.2019 09:37 |
WTF? |
| ploughman 13.01.2019 10:53 |
The demo we heard September 2017 at the Metropolis Studios "Innuendo - Back to Tapes" happening had Brian May playing the chord sequence with the guitar on top of the drum machine and singing the guide vocal. The drums were definitely recordid at Metropolis Studios Drum "room" which is tiled small room that has a height of 10 meters or something. |
| bucsateflon 14.01.2019 08:35 |
mooghead wrote: WTF?I know! I'm just as indignant as you are at snowflakes spreading false stories about Freddie recording vocals in one take... |
| JomaDuckSoup 14.01.2019 10:16 |
I believe the synthesizer was a KORG M1. |
| JomaDuckSoup 14.01.2019 10:17 |
JomaDuckSoup wrote: I believe the synthesizer was a KORG M1.link There you go! |
| thomasquinn 32989 14.01.2019 10:39 |
bucsateflon wrote:Meanwhile, the rest of us are laughing our asses off over the fact that you, the resident alt right retard, are repeating something that's already been stated *in this very topic*, TEN YEARS AGO, simply adding a few anachronisms that make it obvious that you are incapable of understanding a little thing called "the passage of time", yet you *still* think you said something meaningful and are under the impression that you are *not* a complete laughing stock.mooghead wrote: WTF?I know! I'm just as indignant as you are at snowflakes spreading false stories about Freddie recording vocals in one take... I'd feel sorry for you, but you are such a disgusting failure at being human that even when you make such an enormous fool of yourself I don't. |
| bucsateflon 14.01.2019 13:49 |
Shut your pie hole you dumb twat, you're babbling like a headless chicken on matters you don' know of. I am bringing a ten year old topic of correct facts and statements about Queen because it is needed, the sheer number of fake facts and lies about Queen and Freddie on social media is rising, especially with the release of the movie. These fake facts are thrown around not only by stupid people who don't inform themselves but also by individuals who are seeking attention, likes and subscribers on social platforms by spreading untrue pathetic sentimental tale tales that have no truth, no logic or sense. These individuals are mostly snowflakes millennial squeakers and twats like you. |
| Papa Emeritus IV 15.01.2019 20:10 |
“WE LOVE IT WHEN THE DUMBEST PEOPLE OF THE EARTH -YOU- ARE FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER. YOU CAN NOW PRACTICE ON THIS FORUM BEFORE YOU WILL BE TAKEN TO OUR BURNING HELL....WHERE YOU BOTH WILL BE FUCKED IN THE BUTT ETERNALLY BY THE UNHOLY FATHER PAPA EMERITUS IV, WHO’S KNOWN FOR HIS 22 HARD INCHES.” The Clergy has spoken! “ALL HAIL TO PAPA EMERITUS IV !!! ... THOU SHALL ALL OBEY HIM!” |
| *goodco* 16.01.2019 14:39 |
Best offer I've had all day...... |
| Ale Solan 17.01.2019 03:48 |
*goodco* wrote: Best offer I've had all day......Ooh, kinky (?) |
| bucsateflon 17.01.2019 08:41 |
Queen - The Show Must Go On (Official Video) 86,770,412 views on youtube false facts spread all over the comment page: "So, Freddie had Aids, he could barely stand and he was slowly dying. And, apparently he downed a bottle of something, I dunno what. Oh, and he recorded the entire song in one take... Even at the brink of death he still managed to be a legend!!" - this pathetic untrue comment has 8.5 thousand likes "Fun fact: Freddie Mercury recorded the vocals all in one take.?" 3.1 thousand likes "Freddie was really really ill from AIDS when they were going to record this, he took a shot of vodka, banged the bottle down and said to Brian May "I'll fucking do it darling!" And he knocked out the whole song in one take." 1.1 thousand likes "Brian May told Freddie he didn’t think he could sing this song because he was so sick by this point and could barely stand so Freddie did the most Freddie thing possible and downed a couple vodkas and said”I’ll fucking sing the song” and then went in and nailed it in one take" 1.8 thousand likes "Freddie did this in one take. One. One of the most difficult Queen songs to sing and he did it when he was nearly dead and in one take. No singer before nor since could ever pull off such a feat.?" 849 likes put 2 month ago |
| rockchic65 17.01.2019 13:15 |
djcamper wrote:Yep it's the "on with the show" part, Brian says that in this vid - linkSebastian wrote: * Fred did the vocals on one take, after drinking some vodka.That was about some part of song, "I'm never giving in..." or the final "Show" cry, don't remember. Not the whole song. |
| bucsateflon 27.06.2019 11:04 |
I see a progress was done by me and very few others in stopping stupid millennials spread the imbecilic and unrealistic rumor on youtube, that Freddie recorded this song in one take... like that would be a good thing lol. |
| mariah carey 27.06.2019 14:22 |
bucsateflon wrote: I see a progress was done by me and very few others in stopping stupid millennials spread the imbecilic and unrealistic rumor on youtube, that Freddie recorded this song in one take... like that would be a good thing lol.Youtube comments are cancer. Have you seen some on their Live Aid performance? "Freddy was already dying of AIDS and still this was the best performance!1!!" |
| MisterCosmicc 27.06.2019 18:59 |
Bucsateflon, you sound like a Trump worshipper |
| Stelios 29.06.2019 16:30 |
About the "one take" part. On 2:00 i seem to notice an editing on "round the corner" - "now" part. Does anyone else get that impression ? |
| Biggus Dickus 29.06.2019 18:27 |
Well I'm sure the whole thing is patched up from several takes and there's nothing wrong with that. I doubt Freddie ever did many vocal performances as one take, if any. |
| Chris Birdsong 05.10.2020 08:16 |
Fred did NOT do the vocals in one take |
| Chris Birdsong 05.10.2020 08:16 |
Fred did NOT do the vocals in one take |
| BalanceBlind 05.10.2020 10:35 |
The show must go on! |