Sebastian wrote:
Well, it's the 21st of May, which honours both the birth and the passing of 'Great King Rat.' What a great song that is! Very underrated.
Birth and passing? Last played on May 21st 1985? How do you know the song was written or recorded on this date? And what year?
He was a son of a whore, who swears with every second word
A dirty old man was he, who we'd like to see....
okay, enough of that limerick. Happy Birthday and RIP, Great King Rat. You dirty old man and frigging awesome song, and probably the heaviest song i've heard from Queen
Fab song. I'm particularly fond of the 1971 Demo version, which has a more raw and natural sound overall. Another great bit in that version is after the last "I've told you once before", about 4:10 into the song. Unlike on the album and BBC versions, the guitars play an ascending natural minor scale, while the bass still plays the descending blues scale like on the album. Also Roger goes nuts on the drums at the end of it.
Just noticed 'Hot Space' was released on a GKR anniversary. Perhaps it was jinxed :p
Also, Einstein was born on (American) Pi Day! [British Pi Day does not exist]
This along with Son & Daughter remind more than any of the first time I listened to Queen I as a little boy in the mid 80s. I think I spoke about that recently on here.
Perhaps because I skipped them over the last 35 years, but now that has preserved a beautiful little time capsule for me when I listen now.