QueenZone discussion #503442
Roger's Insulting"Opinion" of Hot Space in Q/Mojo Queen Special Edition
| doremi 04.04.2005 20:28 |
I always knew that Roger hated Hot Space, but many times, in retrospect, with the passage of time, many artists gain a different new feeling/insight to their past work..and say "hey that actually wasn't so bad after all, it actually was good" in hindsight. Well...for your reading pleasure..Page 54 of the NEW Q/Mojo Queen Classic Edition here's Roger's opinion...still...23 years later of his not so finest hour (by the way this is Roger's viewpoint, not mine..I like Hot Space)...and Roger in classic form...had me laughing out loud. Also see what he says about Michael Jackson...I'm laughing as I'm typing this. He's such a trip! Question Mark Blake Quote: "Of course Bowie turned up much later in the Queen story for Under Pressure on the 1982's Hot Space album. Is there any truth to the story that you never liked Another One Bites The Dust and the funky musical direction on the Hot Space album?" Answer Roger Taylor Quote: " Well I actually helped John (Deacon) put Another One Bites The Dust together. But, no, that style of music wasn't my kind of thing. As I remember, it was Michael Jackson, in our dressing room, who first said we should release it as a single. I thought he was mad--turns out I was right--but I really couldn't see it as a single. But then the urban stations in the U.S. picked it up, and so it had to be a single--and it sold about four million copies in America. How delightfully wrong can you be? But it wasn't where I was at, no. I always thought Hot Space was the worst album we ever did. Freddie and I thought it was going to be great, and it was absolute shit." Love his comment on Michael Jackson though...I mean MJ is Bonkers now isn't he. And don't mince words Rog. about Hot Space...don't beat around the bush..."absolute shit"!....guess time didn't place this record in a better light for Roger. (chuckle) |
| Lester Burnham 04.04.2005 21:14 |
Hm, an artist not liking an album they once did. Who'd've thunk it? Of course, Roger is a grumpy old man, and while I don't think that album is absolute shit, if you replace the drum machines and synth basses with real instruments, you'd have a corker of an album. Oh yeah, and get rid of 'Staying Power' and 'Body Language' while you're at it. |
| The Fonz 04.04.2005 22:04 |
Lester Burnham wrote: Hm, an artist not liking an album they once did. Who'd've thunk it? Of course, Roger is a grumpy old man, and while I don't think that album is absolute shit, if you replace the drum machines and synth basses with real instruments, you'd have a corker of an album. Oh yeah, and get rid of 'Staying Power' and 'Body Language' while you're at it.It would have been a nice ep. Especially with the changes you suggested. |
| trustno1 05.04.2005 07:36 |
Roger does complain a lot, but usually he's right - and never more so than about Hot Space. Rock on, Rog! |
| Hank H. 05.04.2005 11:58 |
At least he's honest. Brian would never admit any of his music is "shit". Not even when talking about "funny old life ain't it". And still I'd love to hear them play several songs of Hot Space this year... I still can hardly believe how great Back Chat sounds in Milton Keynes. |
| doremi 05.04.2005 12:19 |
I LOVE Las Palabras De Amor, one of Brian's most beautiful and meaningful songs, also which he & Queen have used as their "song of peace", I love Under Pressure, Calling All Girls, I mean the album has some fine memorable Queen career highlights actually. Geez, any artist's album can have a few filler or clunker songs..so Staying Power, Back Chat, & Body Language didn't re-write the history of music...I still like Hot Space...While I would say it's my least favorite Queen album...in NO way do I think it is a bad album AT All or "Absolute Shit"...but I respect Roger for at least being truthful. At least he didn't put a spin on his creative opinion, which he is entitled to. But personally, I think he is WAY to hard on this album. If you throw out the filler songs...it's actually quite a decent record or as Lester and The Fonz said, it would have made a nice EP of less..but the better songs on Hot Space that showed real quality. |
| k-m 05.04.2005 12:46 |
At least Roger has some distance to his music and his job (which you can't say about Mr. May). However, I think "Hot Space" is not that bad. It's poor, but not bad. "A Kind Of Magic" is a lot worse IMO. I mean, at HS at least they tried to do something new. For the most of the album it didn't work, but some of the songs still sound good. "Staying Power" is good, and played live at MK it is damn good. "Put Out The Fire", "Las Palabras..." - also great songs. And "Under Pressure" is a classic. |
| Farlander 05.04.2005 12:53 |
I think all the Hot Space tracks are really quite good except for Body Language and Cool Cat, and neither one of those totally sucks. Maybe Roger's trying to avoid the blame, as it was he who really got Queen into using synths? |
| Mr.Jingles 05.04.2005 13:09 |
There was not one single Queen album that I could consider "bad" in all terms. I do agree that 'Hot Space' was their weakest one, but it also has great songs like 'Action This Day, 'Cool Cat', 'Las Palabras De Amor', 'Back Chat', and obviously 'Under Pressure' which is undoubtely a classic. So Roger saying that 'Hot Space' is absolute shit takes things a bit too far. |
| XcessQueen 05.04.2005 14:36 |
arlene wrote: I always thought Hot Space was the worst album we ever did. Freddie and I thought it was going to be great, and it was absolute shit.Roger is a jerk. "Hot space" is great. |
| jcrawford79 05.04.2005 19:29 |
Funny he would dislike Hot Space (which is a very good album), but have no problems with The Miracle, an album which is, in my mind, mostly garbage. |
| doremi 05.04.2005 19:55 |
Apparently, Brian and Freddie weren't thrilled with Hot Space either and avoided discussing it like the plague. In the same Q/Mojo, Page 135, review of Queen On Fire Live At The Bowl, the DVD, the review discusses how there is the interview footage of Freddie, Brian & Roger done by an Austrian reporter and... Quote: "Filmed for Austrian TV at a time when it would be fascinating to grill Mercury's change of (musical) direction or his new image, instead he's (Freddie) asked about the lighting for the new show. May and Taylor appear, and-blow me down-we're off on the lights again." I never thought about this until Mojo's reviewer brought this up. I know that Queen and other artists often screen journalist's interview questions ahead of time or instruct what questions not to ask and whats "Off limits", so this makes sense. On the DVD, I always enjoyed everyone discussing the lights and Freddie discussing the introduction of their 1st live keyboard player...but it never ocurred to me until now...good point Mojo...No..Queen did NOT discuss Hot Space even though the album was their NEW record at that time and Milton Keynes was part of the Hot Space promotional tour. |
| doremi 05.04.2005 20:17 |
jcrawford79 wrote: Funny he would dislike Hot Space (which is a very good album), but have no problems with The Miracle, an album which is, in my mind, mostly garbage.Q/Mojo more read the entire article pages 38-43 entitled "Under Pressure", you will see that even though alot of us queenzoners like Hot Space, I think that Roger...and the band, it's not so much that Hot Space is..or is not their worst album, it's that Hot Space dramatically DAMAGED Queen's career and that has made them bitter towards it. The Miracle in my opinion is their worst record, trite, weak, treackly, but it sold well and fans across Europe had a very positive reaction to both it..and to Queen. But Hot Space caused International ill will towards Queen and so NOW I understand Roger's view in terms more of anger and hurt. |
| trustno1 06.04.2005 07:53 |
While I think Hot Space is utter garbage, there's no doubting that AKOM too is awful, probably even more so than The Miracle. Hot Space still takes the biscuit, though. |
| mike hunt 06.04.2005 09:07 |
get real people, it's funny that roger says HS wasn't his thing, but it was his idea to go in that direction. it was roger who wrote songs like 'radio ga ga' and 'magic' both are the same type of thing than on hot space. |
| trustno1 06.04.2005 09:29 |
mike hunt wrote: get real people, it's funny that roger says HS wasn't his thing, but it was his idea to go in that direction. it was roger who wrote songs like 'radio ga ga' and 'magic' both are the same type of thing than on hot space.Roger is certainly credited with introducing synths into the Queen mix, but I bet he wish he hadn't when programmed drum machines started taking his place on Hot Space. Roger's original Magic was more in the 80s rock style that he 'excels' in (see The Cross's 'Shove It'.) Freddie took it in a more pop direction. Never heard the original Ga Ga, tho... |
| XcessQueen 06.04.2005 10:05 |
arlene wrote: On the DVD, I always enjoyed everyone discussing the lightsI love that talk about lightning! It's very interesting to me... more than it would be their talking about "Hot space" album. And what about that moment when Brian said: "Disgusting!"? :))) |
| zaiga 06.04.2005 11:22 |
What I find interesting is that, on the "Live at the Bowl" album, before playing "Staying Power" Freddie almost seems to apologize for the fact that they are going to "try a few new sounds in the funk/black category, whatever you want to call it". Like he is saying, "you know, we got a new album out, so we feel we must play a few songs from it, even though we know you don't like it that much". Personally, I don't think that Hot Space is that bad an album. It's certainly not Queen's best, but there are a few songs on it that I like to hear every now and then. And on "Live at the Bowl" Staying Power and Backchat are great! |
| akindofmagic 06.04.2005 11:24 |
trustno1 wrote: While I think Hot Space is utter garbage, there's no doubting that AKOM too is awful, probably even more so than The Miracle. Hot Space still takes the biscuit, though.A Kind Of Magic is just the best Pop/Rock Album of the 80's!!(5 great singles and very good fillers)... |
| deleted user 06.04.2005 12:23 |
arlene wrote: I always thought Hot Space was the worst album we ever did. Freddie and I thought it was going to be great, and it was absolute shit."Actually, it appears Roger wasn't talking about the album: (word for word) "I always thought Hot Space was the worst album cover we ever did. Freddie and I thought it was going to be great, and it was absolute shit." Note he says album COVER. So he isn't talking about the album Hot Space after all. What a misunderstanding!! Atleast I agree with him that the Hot Space cover is a bit unimaginative, but I wouldn't say it was "absolute shit"... |
| deleted user 06.04.2005 12:46 |
No you're right, it's not that bad. I think I just got put off after thinking that the faces on the LATB disc 2 were the shapes of countries! |
| XcessQueen 06.04.2005 13:25 |
Dust Biter wrote:Ha! And WHAT NOW, Arlene? You've misguided and deceived me. And I called Roger "a jerk" because of you.arlene wrote: I always thought Hot Space was the worst album we ever did. Freddie and I thought it was going to be great, and it was absolute shit."Actually, it appears Roger wasn't talking about the album: (word for word) "I always thought Hot Space was the worst album cover we ever did. Freddie and I thought it was going to be great, and it was absolute shit." Anyway, I think that "Hot space" cover has original and intereseting design. It's not amongst my favourite covers, but I like it. |
| doremi 06.04.2005 13:26 |
<B><font color=salmon>Dust Biter</B> wrote:Woops I did NOT catch that word..."COVER" but on page 60 Roger does say...arlene wrote: I always thought Hot Space was the worst album we ever did. Freddie and I thought it was going to be great, and it was absolute shit."Actually, it appears Roger wasn't talking about the album: (word for word) "I always thought Hot Space was the worst album cover we ever did. Freddie and I thought it was going to be great, and it was absolute shit." Note he says album COVER. So he isn't talking about the album Hot Space after all. What a misunderstanding!! Atleast I agree with him that the Hot Space cover is a bit unimaginative, to say the least... quote Roger: "We realized that Hot Space hadn't been what a lot of fans wanted." |
| doremi 06.04.2005 13:31 |
XcessQueen wrote:No you called Roger a jerk, because you were being mean. I never said he was not entitled to his opinion...and if you read the other posts on this topic and the REST of what he says on my original 1st post as well, he does not like Hot Space.Dust Biter wrote:Ha! And WHAT NOW, Arlene? You've misguided and deceived me. And I called Roger "a jerk" because of you. Anyway, I think that "Hot space" cover has original and intereseting design. It's not amongst my favourite covers, but I like it.arlene wrote: I always thought Hot Space was the worst album we ever did. Freddie and I thought it was going to be great, and it was absolute shit."Actually, it appears Roger wasn't talking about the album: (word for word) "I always thought Hot Space was the worst album cover we ever did. Freddie and I thought it was going to be great, and it was absolute shit." Roger Quote: "But, no, that style of music wasn't my kind of thing. But it wasn't where I was at, no." Roger giving his opinion on the merits of a Queen album does not make him a jerk... that is just you lowering yourself by your own name calling which you lowered yourself to and has nothing to do with Roger's opinion, whatever it is, and whether you agree with it or not. |
| XcessQueen 06.04.2005 13:50 |
zaiga wrote: on the "Live at the Bowl" album, before playing "Staying Power" Freddie almost seems to apologize for the fact that they are going to "try a few new sounds in the funk/black category, whatever you want to call it". Like he is saying, "you know, we got a new album out, so we feel we must play a few songs from it, even though we know you don't like it that much".NO! Quite the opposite! He said that - because there was so many narrow-minded people out there (and it seems we have "that kind" even today even here on this site). Queen never apologized for what they did and felt, and it would be miserably if they did appologize. I'm sure that Freddie was thinking/feeling exactly the way he said: IT'S ONLY A BLOODY RECORD, PEOPLE GET SO EXCITED ABOUT THESE THINGS. I understood it in this way: "We have just created something new, it's different than what we did before, we hope you're gonna like it, but if you don't - don't expect us to appologize for our work. We won't go back and create "the good ol'" sound which we alreday did, just because some of you are not ready for something new. This is the beginning of a new decade, new sounds are coming, it's boring to be straight rock n roll all the time, and after all - IT'S ONLY A BLOODY RECORD." Maybe you'll laugh at me, but that's the way I understood Freddie's message. |
| XcessQueen 06.04.2005 14:04 |
arlene wrote: No you called Roger a jerk, because you were being mean. Roger Quote: "But, no, that style of music wasn't my kind of thing. But it wasn't where I was at, no."No, YOU are the one who's being mean. Because you know damn well (if you have brains) that it is a huge difference between: "Hot space wasn't my kind of thing" and "Hot space was absolute shit". You made me think that Roger said this second remark, and IF that would be the truth - he would really be a jerk - to say something like that about a good album in which he also participated! Luckily, I've learned that he did NOT say that, and that you are NOT the best choice for one to discuss Queen. |
| doremi 06.04.2005 14:09 |
XcessQueen wrote:While I am NOT responsible for you (or for that matter anyone) calling Roger a jerk...so I won't apologize for that...you can think for yourself and use what words you choose of your own free mind and will,arlene wrote: No you called Roger a jerk, because you were being mean. Roger Quote: "But, no, that style of music wasn't my kind of thing. But it wasn't where I was at, no."No, YOU are the one who's being mean. Because you know damn well (if you have brains) that it is a huge difference between: "Hot space wasn't my kind of thing" and "Hot space was absolute shit". You made me think that Roger said this second remark, and IF that would be the truth - he would really be a jerk - to say something like that about a good album in which he also participated! Luckily, he did NOT say that, and I've learn in these few days that you're not the best choice for one to discuss Queen. I DO apologize for missing the word "COVER" that Roger used in his quote and that that is what he was directly referring to. |
| mike hunt 06.04.2005 14:13 |
yea, narrow minded, that's what most of you fans are, i knew roger wouldn't say the album was shit. another made up story from a queenzone moron. hot space is actually pretty good. |
| deleted user 06.04.2005 14:18 |
Well! I'm glad that's all sorted out... ...I think I will go and listen to Hot Space now, to remind myself how unlike "absolute shit" it is! |
| Vad 06.04.2005 16:09 |
Another misquote by Arlene... how many do we have already? |
| lady_stratocaster 06.04.2005 16:31 |
Isn't this answer a bit... strong? I don't know, I just can't believe he thinks something like that. However, we already know Roger haha, he always does that, doesn't he? Am I wrong or he had some argument with Brian because he said the musical was a mistake? |
| zaiga 07.04.2005 04:03 |
XcessQueen wrote: I understood it in this way: "We have just created something new, it's different than what we did before, we hope you're gonna like it, but if you don't - don't expect us to appologize for our work. We won't go back and create "the good ol'" sound which we alreday did, just because some of you are not ready for something new. This is the beginning of a new decade, new sounds are coming, it's boring to be straight rock n roll all the time, and after all - IT'S ONLY A BLOODY RECORD." Maybe you'll laugh at me, but that's the way I understood Freddie's message.That's a great way of putting it XcessQueen! And about the Hot Space cover: I actually like it a lot. I like the primary colors. Very colorful and recognisable. |
| GreatKingSam 07.04.2005 06:53 |
why would Roger not be allowed to say he though it was shite either, correct quote or wrong quote. at the time it might have seemed a good idea, but then it didnt go as they thought and they ended up finishing the album just to do so. but, at the end of the day, he can sya what he wants to be honest. i like Roger's honesty. and no offence to Brian, but i much prefer Roger being honest about things he doesn't like rather than brown-nosing the things he loves (but then again, Brian's opinions are just as valid). back to Hot Space... if this had been a straight bass, guitar, drums, vocals, piano, 'decent' synth album more in the vain of "The Game", i have no doubt that "Hot Space" would have been a far greater album. possibly more towards what they may have originally attended, and a lot closer to the live visions they had of the songs. which, in my opinion, get some of the best live reworkings in their whole catalogue. |
| lyricalassasin77 07.04.2005 11:29 |
It seems as though some of you just can't wait to pounce on somebody when they say something the least bit wrong or get a word or 2 wrong. I've heard the word "JERK" alot in this post but it seems to me that Arlene tried to come up with a very worthy post and good discussion on this and some of you all instead of just correcting her and moving on feel the need to throw slights and insults her way. So seems to me that you are the real JERKS on this matter and subject. Don't you have anything better to do then look for openings to attack people. At some point in time everybody on this damn thing has gotten a word wrong or maybe misquoted a source and that's no reason to attack anybody. Just bring it to the person's attention that they were wrong and move on with the damn thing.........Peace |
| deleted user 07.04.2005 17:10 |
All I was pointing out was there had been a mistake. I wasn't critising Arlene in any way, because the first time I read the magazine I thought that Roger was talking about the actual album too! |
| mrjordy 07.04.2005 20:32 |
Roger is as entitled to his opinion of Hot Space as any of us. To argue or comment in regards to him having disliked Hot Space is pointless. I happen to like Hot Space, but this doesn't take away from the fact that he doesn't. Opinions are like assholes - everyone's got one. Roger is not a "grumpy old man" just because he doesn't care for glam rock synthesized disco. |
| mike hunt 08.04.2005 08:34 |
if roger doesn't like synths why was it his idea to add them to queens music? and why did he write radio ga ga? obviously the whole idea of synths grew on him, by the way 'don't lose your head' could have been on hot space. |