I don't know, maybe all of this. I didn't think about it. If I like some song, I don't care was it single, big hit, b-side, was it in top 20... I simply like it.
For me it’s a song that someone who isn’t a “Queen fan” but likes Queen would most likely not know. So I voted not on a Greatest Hits, but I mean any Greatest Hits not just recent. Basically, an album track. I don’t think how much it was or wasn’t played live has any relevance as most folk at Queen concerts I’d guess are Queen fans.
A deep Cut: A song that wasn't released a single, and that is rarely played on the radio or that is rarely mentioned by the band (or others) in interviewers and that has never performed live or not for a number of years.
it's also relative to whether it is to a general listener or someone that follows that particular band.
March of the Black Queen vs. Funny How Love Is
The former is a much celebrated classic to a Queen fan, but nothing more than a "deep track" to someone who only is familiar with a handful of tracks of GH. The latter could probably be classified as a deep track to the average Queen fan while still a deep track to the outsider.
Skyline Pigeon, Grey Seal or Salvation vs. anything off Leather Jackets
Living Loving Maid, The Lemon Song or In My Time Of Dying vs. Royal Orleans
Yes It Is, And Your Bird Can Sing or Hey Bulldog vs. Flying
I think Deep Cut is a general term for a track regardless of how well you know the band. I'm not so sure it is relative - it's just about usage. For example, as a fan who has heard it all you would be referring to MOTBQ as a Deep Cut to someone who is not a fan. Deep Cut is a term that someone who knows about the band would use. Like an advert for a track. I couldn't select, say, a Genesis Deep Cut because I know nothing about their albums. As fans talking to other fans, we don't use the term Deep Cut to each other so much. Perhaps like someone new to the area requiring directions to an address - we know the area so don't need to say it's on Deep Cut Road.
Jimmy Dean wrote:
Skyline Pigeon, Grey Seal or Salvation vs. anything off Leather Jackets
Ey I prefer Hoop Of Fire instead Grey Seal (The original 1970 version) :P
It's not his best (LOL) but Hoop Of Fire, Slow Rivers or Paris are decent enough.