QueenZone discussion #473746
"Jesus" is actually pretty good
| Farlander 10.02.2005 11:15 |
Everytime the worst song in the Queen album is discussed, "Jesus" almost always seems to come out on top. At first, I thought this too. But after a dozen or so listens, began to think it may actually be the best track on the album. Or at least in the top three. It's a little rough, but no more so than the other tracks on the album. And it lacks some of the chaotic structure of some of the other songs on the album. And it does have a pretty catchy tune. "All goin' down to SEEEEEEEEEEEE the Lord Jesus..." For some reason, I just had to hear it a dozen times or so to really appreciate it. I'm not sure why. Anyway, is there anyone else who at least doesn't think this is the worst song in the Queen album? |
| Freddie-B 10.02.2005 11:26 |
I think it's poor because it is far too clunky and simple, and part of the appeal of Queen's first album is that the songs are so varied and interesting. I think that given how much technique and creativity there is in the other tunes, Jesus comes across as lazy. |
| mike hunt 10.02.2005 11:39 |
i agree and disagree with the last posting. 'jesus' is poor or lazy? no it's not, good song, good guitar work from brian, but it's on a great album and is possibly my least favorite on that album. in years past i would have said 'modern times' is my least favorite, but has now grown on me alot. all in all jesus is a solid song, but if your talking least favorite song on a great album one song has to take a hit. |
| Farlander 10.02.2005 11:53 |
Perhaps the difference is that I don't see Queen as a particularly good album as Queen albums go. I'd rank it in their bottom three, if not their worst ever. So perhaps I tend to see the song that sticks out stylistically as a good thing rather than a bad. |
| Serry... 11.02.2005 07:56 |
Freddie-B wrote: I think it's poor because it is far too clunky and simple, and part of the appeal of Queen's first album is that the songs are so varied and interesting. I think that given how much technique and creativity there is in the other tunes, Jesus comes across as lazy.I don't think that Seven Seas Of Rhye from this album was more 'much technique and creativity' than Jesus, IMO. |
| Daveboy35 11.02.2005 09:01 |
Jesus is a excellent song on a great album full of pomp and rock the middle part of the song features some great guitar work from brian and fully deserves any good word said about it. I hate the seven seas of rhye ending to the album sort of ends the album on a whimper rather than a bang, mad the swine would have made a better ending to thier debut. |
| brENsKi 11.02.2005 14:09 |
there's something almost military about the beat sounds like a march, maybe to give the picture of the crowds almost "walking in step" everywhere Christ went and the de lane lea version rocks |
| egret 11.02.2005 14:23 |
The vocal's a little bit gospelly. Wasn't Godspell a big hit around then? It reminds me of that, too, as does Mad the swine. --Egret |
| Jay Mantis 11.02.2005 14:27 |
I like Jesus a lot actually. It's not the best song on the album but it's definitely an interesting piece of music. I agree that you have to listen to it a few times before you actually hear how good it really is though. |
| RainMustFall2 11.02.2005 17:17 |
Yes, finally, someone agrees with me about Jesus! I find the "instrumental inferno" in the middle to be rather cool--very 'albumy' and 'prog', which is something I admire a lot. |
| dragonzflame 11.02.2005 18:52 |
It annoys the crap out of me. I'm not sure why - although just reading this thread has got it stuck in my head so that might have something to do with it. Somehow, I'm not too keen on any of their preachier songs. If I was, I'd be a Jars of Clay fan instead. |
| Gunpowder Gelatine 11.02.2005 19:04 |
I don't mind it, but it's not something I listen to that often. The only thing that bothers me is that it always gets stuck in my head if I listen to it! Same with Mad The Swine, actually. I listened to it this morning and it's still there eight hours later. |
| GonnaUseMyPrisoners 11.02.2005 19:07 |
I love it... and I especially love the wild Hendrix-y jam... what a throwback sound! It's Keep Yourself Alive I could do without. |
| 1quen_fan 11.02.2005 20:21 |
Who wrote that song? |
| Gunpowder Gelatine 11.02.2005 20:25 |
1quen_fan wrote: Who wrote that song?Freddie wrote Jesus. |
| Boriszuzu 11.02.2005 21:15 |
Rather than listen to it on CD, or as a standalone track. Listen to "Jesus" in the context of the original vinyl release. Yes the CD is both sides of the album stuck together, but there is that gap when you have to physically remove the album from the turnatble and place the stylus on the other side which does change the mood. Therfore look at how it fits in as the last full track on the side 2 of the album. Also, "Queen" and "Queen II" sound so much better on vinyl, and this is from someone who has embraced digital technology wholly. Jesus is more or less the last track, "Seven Seas of Rhye" is a taster to what as a band Queen can do and you'll see it on the next album, therefore it can be discounted. If the band had thought it could be honed better, or they could have done the song justice during these times then it would have been included. Don't forget that at this time, Queen were recording an album, during studio "downtime." "Jesus" as a song is a euphoric statement, it ends the album with a declaration of Christian Humanity, like an Aretha Franklin gospel song, Aretha being a great favourite of Freddies. But does it? Is it a euphoric christian statement? Is "Jesus" an antithesis, to "Great King Rat" or " My Fairy King?" Is it a penance to the unchristian sentiments in these other songs? In "Great King Rat" it is sung: "Put out the good and keep the bad Don't believe all you read in the Bible You sinners get in line Saints you leave far behind Very soon you're gonna be the (Survivors?)" In "My Fairy King" it is sung,: "My fairy king can do right and nothing wrong Then came man to savage in the night To run like thieves and to kill like knives To take away the power from the magic hand To bring about the ruin to the promised land" Therfore you have 2 songs which indivdually deal with fantasy "gods," lyrical heresy, and are not songs or lyrical statements that fall in the belief of the Holy Triumvirite that "Jesus" does. You all may think to yourself "Hey Big Man!! Your Talking Shite". However this conotational rationale as described above was the total belief of a priest at St Mary's in the Gorbals in Glasgow, who declared that Queen were heretics and unchristian. While this is not a common tale, it was told to me by 2 brothers whom I became friendly with in the early to mid 80's due our mutual support of Celtic FC. These brothers were at the time due to family problems, in the care of the priest of the parish at that time. I only put the discussions up for debate, it is up to the others to take this further. My own opinion was that the fantasy and heresy were expediant lyrics, as a lot of bands were doing the same sort of stuff, musicaly fantastic, but lyrically wanting and meaningless, like much of Queens output. "Jesus" in my opinon was more close to the bands actual beliefs. My point of Queens relevance in music I have addressed in another topic in this forum. However, "Jesus" is a fantastic track, I love, it is a soul track, it doesn't have prepostotrous guitar solo in the middle to break it up. As a track I'll give it 7. |
| The Fairy King 11.02.2005 21:16 |
I love it! since i first heard it. Freddie's voice suits it really good and Brian's guitarsolo is excellent. I immediately drew the line with Brian's Jesus-look pic in the booklet. Dunno where Freddie got the idea of doing a song about Jesus(together with Mad The Swine)though, maybe he saw the Jesus Christ Superstar rockopera... But just send this song to someone who's only familiar with the radio-friendly Queen, believe me the reaction is priceless. xD |
| Farlander 11.02.2005 22:34 |
Boriszuzu wrote: You all may think to yourself "Hey Big Man!! Your Talking Shite". However this conotational rationale as described above was the total belief of a priest at St Mary's in the Gorbals in Glasgow, who declared that Queen were heretics and unchristian. While this is not a common tale, it was told to me by 2 brothers whom I became friendly with in the early to mid 80's due our mutual support of Celtic FC. These brothers were at the time due to family problems, in the care of the priest of the parish at that time. I only put the discussions up for debate, it is up to the others to take this further.I have a hard time believing a priest, who is supposed to know all about this kind of thing, could be foolish enough to believe the lyrics to a couple silly songs could be enough to declare anyone a heretic, which is a very serious charge. My own opinion was that the fantasy and heresy were expediant lyrics, as a lot of bands were doing the same sort of stuff, musicaly fantastic, but lyrically wanting and meaningless, like much of Queens output. "Jesus" in my opinon was more close to the bands actual beliefs.Maybe, though none of them ever seemed to be serious or devout Christians. Plus, this song more or less just relates what is in the historical record about Jesus, making no particular judgements about it. I think it was just something to write about. |
| Awesome-O _4000 11.02.2005 23:29 |
dragonzflame wrote: It annoys the crap out of me. I'm not sure why - although just reading this thread has got it stuck in my head so that might have something to do with it. Somehow, I'm not too keen on any of their preachier songs. If I was, I'd be a Jars of Clay fan instead.Hey now... out of all that Christian rock shit out there, I'd say Jars of Clay are excellent. They have a calm and peace about them, AND their songs are thoughtful, not just the "oh God you are so awesome" blind sheep stuff. Sorry! Bit off track there. As for Jesus, I'd say it's pretty good, though I doubt the sincerity of the song. Just seems Freddie knows something we don't when I listen to it. I have misgivings about it's alleged signifigance. |
| My Melancholy Blues 12.02.2005 00:27 |
I love it. Though it's kind of bizarre, it makes me discover something whenever I listen to it even now. The way he sang suits its lyrics. Brian's guitar playing is impressive and gives it a bit of rock taste, and if it was not included, this number would be kind of flat. It was pretty good that such a bizarre but impressive number was surfaced in the first album. |
| April Lady 12.02.2005 03:03 |
Galilei, figuro magnifico. |
| nasty_queenie 12.02.2005 03:05 |
I reckon it's a great song and Freddie's voice is one of the best things about it. |
| jasen101 12.02.2005 03:30 |
I wonder why he wrote a song about Jesus? Very nice song...i personally love it...so leftfield! Fabulous! |
| Freddie-B 12.02.2005 06:46 |
Fair call about Seven Seas of Rhye, it is a bit crap on Queen. Mad The Swine would def have been a better ending. I don't think that lets Jesus off being a bit dull and miles less interesting in every aspect than the other songs on the album. I just think it's a really weak one, and the rest of them show such imagination-but fair point about SSOR, I wasn't really counting that one, I'd forgotten about it! |
| Lady Cool Cat 12.02.2005 11:57 |
mmmm.... i´ve never heard of that song..... |
| AlexRocks 12.02.2005 15:08 |
I always thought that the song "Jesus" was about oral sex. Um...the "All going down. All going down." part over and over. Am I wrong here? |
| 7Innuendo7 12.02.2005 16:03 |
i don't care what they may say i don't care what they may do jesus is just all right, aw yeah |
| teddybear 12.02.2005 16:17 |
I like it too, I think it builds up great, the "all going down to seeeeee the Lord Jesus" - I liked it from the moment I first heard it. It is unexpected and Freddie does a great job of it as always. I sure love his vocals in those early days, they were good and powerful in the later years, but those early days, his voice just dripped with sensuousness - (yum). |