I just wanted to share that yesterday (01.18.07) the gameshow Jeopardy's "double jeopardy" segment consisted entirely of Queen songs, and I screamed the whole time.
The categories were:
Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, We are the Champions, Under Pressure, Keep Yourself Alive, and Another One Bites the "Ust".
Though only one of the questions actually mentioned Queen (the question had something to do with which World Cup soccer team played "We Are the Champions" (it was Italy)), I thought it was pretty cool considering that Queen doesn't get as much respect as they deserve in America.
But I guess I did have a "discussion" question:
When it comes to Queen, it seems like they were popular everywhere else BUT America. I see that in the UK there are TONS of special on them, which I usually end up catching on youtube.
So I was wondering (since there must be an international audience here) on what level does Queen seem to be accepted in your country?
Queen are popular in America. The problem is, is that the Americans aren't willing to admit that they like Queen. People don't mind bragging about Def Leppard or Metallica but God forbid they mention that they listen to Queen! People might think they're gay!
<font color=FF0033 face=symbol>Freddie wrote: Queen are popular in America. The problem is, is that the Americans aren't willing to admit that they like Queen. People don't mind bragging about Def Leppard or Metallica but God forbid they mention that they listen to Queen! People might think they're gay!
Yep, hit the nail on the head right there.
deleted user 20.01.2007 23:31
I've never noticed a significant lack of people not liking Queen here. I live in Michigan, which is in the USA.
Sure, not everyone loves or likes Queen. I'm fine with that.
But I've met people who do. People in my school, even. Of course, I could have sat in a corner and whined that "everyone thinks Queen are gay" (this is NOT directed at the original poster, by the way... just something I hear complained about a lot) - but by having conversations, sometimes ones that aren't about Queen, I've gotten to know people.
I've gotten "Were they all gay ?" from one of my teachers (who I am friends with) - but I didn't get defensive or anything. I just made a joke about it (probably involving the quantity of children Deacon has helped produce) and explained, and moved on with life.
I've introduced some people to Queen, and it's not like I make that my mission in life. Sometimes it's just what's on my MP3 player, or I'm nice and make a copy of a CD (which I feel sinful about, but some go on and buy more).
I got stopped once because I was wearing a Queen shirt, "Hey, what does your shirt say ? -- Neat !"
Plenty of adults like Queen, too. "I love Queen" - "Wow - do you know how BIG Queen were ?" - "You really DO listen to our music !" - and, today, "He had a great voice" (Freddie).
I don't go around talking about Queen all the time, either. I just run into other people who like Queen. Today, I was asked what I bought with my gift-card to a book-store. I got "Barcelona" and when I explained who it was, Queen came into the conversation.
I think Queen is doing just fine here. I mean - there are bands with fewer fans, by far.
I don't get why so many people think that Queen is shunned in the US. Queen is as big here as any other classic rock band, if not bigger. The "big three" represented on classic rock stations are the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Queen.
On another note, there are just as many "TV specials" on Queen as there are for just about any other band in the United States. That number averages to about zero.
I agree that Queen are pretty big in the states. I get fustrated when people on this site say how queen are ignored here. Over a dozen top 40 hits and numerous top ten albums are my proof. They may not be as big as the stones or zep/who/hendrix, but their very close. I also think it's the kids in their teens who don't get this band. 20's + people know how big queen are.
Whenever Queen is mentioned here (NYC), people use words like brilliant and genius. A friend of mine went to PC Richards to buy a new air conditioner. Instead, he wound up sitting in the TV section watching the Wembley concert. And he said there was a crowd watching right along with him.
Queen not popular in the states? That has not my experience. Not by a long shot.
Queen are huge in the USA. The big 3 here in the states for classic rock are Led Zeppelin,Pink Floyd and of course Queen. It is a myth that they are not popular here. News Of The World, The Game and Hot Space were more popular here than in any other country.
j tucker wrote: Led Zeppelin,Pink Floyd and of course Queen.
My three favorite bands!=)
Here in Sweden... Well, most people think it is wierd music. Boys at my age think that they are a gay band, suck and they are happy that Freddie is dead because he was a damn fag, they think that Queen didn't even do real rock and was more of a gay pop band, and that I should start listening to techno. I don't even bother with learning them something: It is impossible.
Girls say "Oh, Queen is a good band." and "Freddie was an awesome singer. A shame that he died." That is great to hear. They don't have to listen to it, but at least they don't think GHEY when they hear Queen. They think "The guys that made that great power ballad."
I guess it is about maturity. Most 14 years old boys are still stupid and homophobic, and therefor hate fag-bands like Queen. Girls are usually much more accepting when it comes to homosexuality and can see that there is a great band beneth the gay surface.
Queen isn't really that well known or talked about in Canada. I love them but if I go up to most people and say something about Queen or I'm wearing my Queen shirt and ask who it is I list the obvious songs some ignorant people might know such as we are the champions and we will rock you (frequently played during hockey games) and some people STILL have no idea who I'm talking about