| farouhkina83 04.02.2007 04:26 |
I would say Brian, because if you think of songs such as "Save Me" or "The show must go on" it has to be him. What do you think? |
| mike hunt 04.02.2007 04:52 |
good question, but it's a matter of opinion. no one is truly better. In my opinion If your looking for soulful lyrics it's brian, but if your looking for fun lyrics it's freddie. |
| jeffuk49 04.02.2007 05:06 |
Roger lyrics are more intelligent, day to day observations. |
| Serry... 04.02.2007 05:09 |
Roger |
| mike hunt 04.02.2007 05:16 |
funny I wouldn't have thought of roger I'm in love with my car? but for each their own. days of our lives is great, so maybe. |
| Winter Land Man 04.02.2007 05:53 |
Actually, I think Freddie's lyrics seemed more emotional. (It's A Hard Life, You Take My Breath Away, Love Of My Life, Life Is Real, Somebody To Love, tons of other Queen songs, and tons of his solo songs (How Can I Go On, Guide Me Home, Love Me Like There's No Tomorrow, etc) Its really hard to say. It's hard to say because they all write about many different things, Brian can write some really emotional things, yet he can come up with stuff like Headlong. I have nothing wrong with rock songs, in fact, I love them, but I'm a depressed usually. Too Much Love Will Kill You and Who Wants To Live Forever are perhaps Brian's most emotional songs, and The Show Must Go On... The usual reason why Brian's are more noticed is because they are usually singles. |
| Sebastian 04.02.2007 06:40 |
Keep in mind that Brian helped Freddie with some 'A Hard Life' lines, and remember that Brian didn't write the lyrics of 'Too Much Love', just the music. Imo, the best lyricist would be a toss-up between Roger and Brian, because of 'Innuendo', 'Days Of Our Lives', 'White Queen' and '39 respectively. |
| farouhkina83 04.02.2007 06:47 |
Yeah, but apart from Brian you don't get senteces like: "I'm naked and I'm far from home" I find that kind of thing very poetic and absent in other songs from the other guys |
| unknown 04.02.2007 06:54 |
Personally, I like Freddie's lyrics the best because of their deep symbolism and metaphors, i.e. 'My Fairy King', 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'March Of The Black Queen', 'Great King Rat'... I like how Freddie 'hides' the meaning within the song, so that you have to go yourself through a personal evolution to explore more and more facets of his lyrics:) |
| you_rock_my_socks06 04.02.2007 07:04 |
I think Freddie because his songs were generally the most entertaining and he wrote the most emotional lyrics. |
| Raststätte-Knödel 04.02.2007 07:40 |
Both Freddie's and Brian's I think, but I do like Freddie's more |
| thomasquinn 32989 04.02.2007 07:55 |
Roger has a very direct quality, his lyrics are the most appealing socially, in a Springsteenian fashion. Brian and Freddie tie in poetics, but Freddie can do tongue-in-cheek, which Brian isn't very good at. John is good at the narratives, but when he tries anything else, he fails miserably (remember "Misfire"?). |
| Arnaldo "Ogre-" Silveira 04.02.2007 08:00 |
farouhkina83 wrote: Yeah, but apart from Brian you don't get senteces like: "I'm naked and I'm far from home" I find that kind of thing very poetic and absent in other songs from the other guysThat quote is my favorite! I love it! I would also say Brian is the best. Cheers, Ogre- |
| 7 seas of Rhye 04.02.2007 08:41 |
Freddie is the best! |
| bitesthedust 04.02.2007 08:54 |
<b><font color = "crimson"> ThomasQuinn wrote: Roger has a very direct quality, his lyrics are the most appealing socially, in a Springsteenian fashion. Brian and Freddie tie in poetics, but Freddie can do tongue-in-cheek, which Brian isn't very good at. John is good at the narratives, but when he tries anything else, he fails miserably (remember "Misfire"?).Couldn't have put it better myself....except I rather like Misfire. |
| mercurygirl 04.02.2007 11:03 |
personally i would say freddie very emotional :-) |
| Going Back 04.02.2007 11:43 |
Freddie Mercury wrote the best lyrics, for example A Winters Tale. |
| QueenTaylor 04.02.2007 11:48 |
Well I really can't choose, but Freddie-March of the Black Queen, Love of My Life, Bohemian Rhapsody, Funny How Love Is, ... Roger-Tenement Funster, More of That Jazz, Fun It, Action This Day, Radio Ga Ga, Fight From the Inside... Brian-Save Me, Sail Away Sweet Sister, Dragon Attack, Hammer to Fall... John-One Year of Love, You're My Best Friend, Misfire, Back Chat..... All really good song writing on their part!! I think all of them had their own way and produced a variety of different songs! |
| chazz12345 04.02.2007 12:46 |
in the early days freddie, later on brian...infact was freddie even in the band in the later days |
| Another queen fanatic 04.02.2007 13:48 |
I would say Deacon, he has very romantic lyrics (you and I), but didnt seem to provide such a variety as the others. Therefore I'd say Freddie was the best, but only because the volcabulary is so varied (Fairy Feller's Master Stroke, I spent a long time with a dictionary with that one). But overall, lyrics and music, Brian was better as he could fit in guitar solos that worked very well with lyrics, one the most emotional parts of No One But You is the guitar in the middle, it really brings out the emotions of the song. It depends what you enjoy most really: Roger- to be listened to when fed up with modern society, or something that is a bit more interllectual Deacon - to be listened to when wishing you had a girlfriend Brian - to be listened to for good music Freddie - to boost your volcabulary, but also for something completely different. However if you look at Queen's biggest hits, most were writen by Brian though. |
| Sebastian 04.02.2007 14:11 |
Actually most of the hits are Freddie's: 'Bo Rhap', 'Champions', 'Crazy', 'Under Pressure'... Brian's only mega-hit is 'Rock You'. As for poems, my favourite remains outside Queen, in Rog's solo career: 'Foreign Sand'. So bloody beautiful! |
| i'm going slight mad... 04.02.2007 14:18 |
brian: lonely as a whisper on a starchase, love it! also from that song; take care my friend we love you though i seems like you're alone a million lights above you smile down upon your home love it, love it, love it! |
| star 04.02.2007 15:29 |
Roger Taylor |
| deleted user 04.02.2007 15:49 |
Wow, I was ready to say Brian but you all raised some really good points. Towards the end of Queen's career with Freddie Roger became the best lyricist. TATOOL is just wonderful, but other than that Brian and Freddie together but for different reasons. Early Freddie's lyrics were fun, quirky and very daring and clever whereas Brians were beautifully poetic (not to say Freddie's weren't) and gentle. But later on in the Eighties I believe that their lyrics started to sound similar in terms of emotion, that's Bri and Fred. I mean look at 'It's A Hard Life' full of emotion and then 'Who Wants to Live Forever' and they wrote Is This The World We Created together right? which I think symbolised a fusion in their styles in some way. |
| Mr.Jingles 04.02.2007 17:42 |
To be honest with you Freddie started off as good writer of mystical and obscure lyrics, but then he started writing some stuff that was utterly ridiculous to the point where it wasn't even funny enough to find it tongue in cheek. John's lyrics were quite sappy, but not too bad. Roger was rather weak when it came to writing lyrics in the beginning, but he certainly improved. Brian is definitely the one who has been the most consistent writing the good lyrics out of the 4 of them. |
| Scott_Mercury 04.02.2007 23:40 |
chazz12345 wrote: in the early days freddie, later on brian...infact was freddie even in the band in the later daysYep, he sure was... as a matter of fact he wrote 7 of Innuendo's 12 songs. 6 or 7 of The Miracle's songs...plus the "new day is born" beginning to Roger's Breakthru. And correct me if I am wrong,Sebastian? ...but isn't 40-45% of Made in Heaven said to be Fred's as well?? In conclusion, Freddie ill with a terminal disease still = Queen's chief songwriter. |
| mike hunt 05.02.2007 00:17 |
so far it's evenly split between the four and for good reason. Roger I thought was great in the later days, but for most of his queen career he was pretty horrid. "Loser in end" "Prime jive" "coming soon" "fun it" "more of that jazz" these lyrics arn't exactly dylan material. "Love with my car" good song, but silly lryics. I'm also surprised no one mentioned "I'm going slightly mad" great lryics and "somebody to love" "love of my life" I would vote for freddie personally for those songs alone. and then brian. "the show must go on" john is third with "spread your wings" and roger last. "you take my breath away" is another freddie gem. |
| mike hunt 05.02.2007 00:17 |
so far it's evenly split between the four and for good reason. Roger I thought was great in the later days, but for most of his queen career he was pretty horrid. "Loser in end" "Prime jive" "coming soon" "fun it" "more of that jazz" these lyrics arn't exactly dylan material. "Love with my car" good song, but silly lryics. I'm also surprised no one mentioned "I'm going slightly mad" great lryics and "somebody to love" "love of my life" I would vote for freddie personally for those songs alone. and then brian. "the show must go on" john is third with "spread your wings" and roger last. "you take my breath away" is another freddie gem. |
| Winter Land Man 05.02.2007 02:07 |
Scott_Mercury wrote:SCOTT, can you please tell me which seven songs Brian wrote off of Innuendo. And which six or seven songs off of The Miracle? Or do you mean Freddie?chazz12345 wrote: in the early days freddie, later on brian...infact was freddie even in the band in the later daysYep, he sure was... as a matter of fact he wrote 7 of Innuendo's 12 songs. 6 or 7 of The Miracle's songs...plus the "new day is born" beginning to Roger's Breakthru. And correct me if I am wrong,Sebastian? ...but isn't 40-45% of Made in Heaven said to be Fred's as well?? In conclusion, Freddie ill with a terminal disease still = Queen's chief songwriter. The person you replied to said it like this "in fact, was Freddie even in the band in the later days?" ... acting as if Freddie didn't write any songs on Innuendo or The Miracle. |
| mike hunt 05.02.2007 02:43 |
.*.Messenger Of Leah.*. wrote:I'm sure scott meant freddie wrote 6 or 7 songs on Innuendo and the miracle.Scott_Mercury wrote:SCOTT, can you please tell me which seven songs Brian wrote off of Innuendo. And which six or seven songs off of The Miracle? Or do you mean Freddie? The person you replied to said it like this "in fact, was Freddie even in the band in the later days?" ... acting as if Freddie didn't write any songs on Innuendo or The Miracle.chazz12345 wrote: in the early days freddie, later on brian...infact was freddie even in the band in the later daysYep, he sure was... as a matter of fact he wrote 7 of Innuendo's 12 songs. 6 or 7 of The Miracle's songs...plus the "new day is born" beginning to Roger's Breakthru. And correct me if I am wrong,Sebastian? ...but isn't 40-45% of Made in Heaven said to be Fred's as well?? In conclusion, Freddie ill with a terminal disease still = Queen's chief songwriter. |
| Rikke 05.02.2007 03:37 |
It's very hard to say... I can find GREAT examples from each of them! Freddie - The March of The Black Queen - all those songs with insane lyrics, and FANTASTIC music/backing music. Brian - Some Day One Day, Long Away, Dragon Attack - There are so many GREAT, GREAT songs with incredible, emotional music and backing vocals etc. Roger - Fight From The Inside, I'm In Love With My Car, These Are The Days of Our Lives - He writes very different songs, and the lyrics are often fantastic! John - You And I - One of my absolute fov. songs! I makes me wanna dance! =D But all in all, I'd say Freddie and Brian - they have written most of my fav. songs... |
| Sebastian 05.02.2007 07:55 |
About Freddie as chief songwriter: true, but keep in mind that for most of his songs the lyrics were co-written with somebody else (and we're discussing lyrics in this topic): 'Miracle' is a four-way split in the words, 'Worth It' too has input from all of them, so do 'Party' and 'Kashoggi's', and I'm quite sure 'Hitman' has contributions by all four on lyrics (even if Freddie, probably, directed in a similar way to Bowie on 'Under Pressure'). Fred did start off the lyrics in 'Innuendo', but Roger completed them. 'Slightly Mad' is lyrically an unacreditted collaboration between Freddie and Peter Straker. So I'm trying to think and perhaps the only Queen songs after 'Princes' for which Mercury penned the totality of lyrics were 'Winter's Tale', 'Don't Try So Hard', 'Bijou' and perhaps 'All God's People' (assuming that Mike's contribution was restricted to the music, something I'm not sure about). For the rest, he was always assisted by someone else, even before the "Queen credit" era: Brian helped out with some lines in 'Friends Will Be Friends' and 'A Hard Life'. Still, as you said, Fred was Queen's dominant songwriter, but his input was still more musical (and especially melodic) than lyrical. About 'Made In Heaven' (the album), that one's more a compilation than an actual album. The only truly post-Innuendo material is limited to three songs, but then of course we can see that he was the creative force: off those three tracks, he wrote one and co-wrote the other two. |
| Saif 05.02.2007 08:19 |
<font color=brianJM>RollingBowieQueen wrote: Wow, I was ready to say Brian but you all raised some really good points. Towards the end of Queen's career with Freddie Roger became the best lyricist. TATOOL is just wonderful, but other than that Brian and Freddie together but for different reasons. Early Freddie's lyrics were fun, quirky and very daring and clever whereas Brians were beautifully poetic (not to say Freddie's weren't) and gentle. But later on in the Eighties I believe that their lyrics started to sound similar in terms of emotion, that's Bri and Fred. I mean look at 'It's A Hard Life' full of emotion and then 'Who Wants to Live Forever' and they wrote Is This The World We Created together right? which I think symbolised a fusion in their styles in some way.^^What he said; except with a little more credit to Deacy |
| The Fairy King 05.02.2007 08:53 |
<b><font color = "crimson"> ThomasQuinn wrote: Roger has a very direct quality, his lyrics are the most appealing socially, in a Springsteenian fashion. Brian and Freddie tie in poetics, but Freddie can do tongue-in-cheek, which Brian isn't very good at. John is good at the narratives, but when he tries anything else, he fails miserably (remember "Misfire"?).Agree with TQ here...except for Misfire. I like all four in their own right. |
| Scott_Mercury 05.02.2007 09:14 |
.*.Messenger Of Leah.*. wrote:Yep...I thought my sentence very clearly stated the amount of songs Freddie wrote...not Brian...Scott_Mercury wrote:SCOTT, can you please tell me which seven songs Brian wrote off of Innuendo. And which six or seven songs off of The Miracle? Or do you mean Freddie? The person you replied to said it like this "in fact, was Freddie even in the band in the later days?" ... acting as if Freddie didn't write any songs on Innuendo or The Miracle.chazz12345 wrote: in the early days freddie, later on brian...infact was freddie even in the band in the later daysYep, he sure was... as a matter of fact he wrote 7 of Innuendo's 12 songs. 6 or 7 of The Miracle's songs...plus the "new day is born" beginning to Roger's Breakthru. And correct me if I am wrong,Sebastian? ...but isn't 40-45% of Made in Heaven said to be Fred's as well?? In conclusion, Freddie ill with a terminal disease still = Queen's chief songwriter. I don't understand where you got that from. |
| Deacon Fan 05.02.2007 11:59 |
I'd have to say Brian. Especially in the early days, he wrote so many beautiful, poetic songs.. not that Freddie didn't, but it seems Freddie's lyrics were (usually) a little more direct without really getting too deep. There are exceptions.. 'Nevermore' always strikes me lyrically. But I could list a whole bunch of Brian songs which lyrically just blow me away.. White Queen, '39, Long Away.. even into later material like Hammer to Fall, WWTLF. I tend to enjoy John's songs a lot, but none strike me as being very brilliant ;) As for Roger, there's a recurrent theme of nostalgia, being a teenager, loving your mom.. it's all kinda cute but again, nothing too deep except TATDOOL which I would say is his masterpiece lyrically, just for being so open and honest. |
| Mr.Jingles 05.02.2007 12:20 |
Freddie's songwriting abilities started going down hill from 'The Game' onwards. ...and that both lyrically and musically speaking. |
| Serry... 05.02.2007 13:55 |
Best Brian's lyrics were posted by him in his soapbox recently. Some words about journalists. Something sharming in the a la Greg Brooks style. Wonderful! |
| its_a_hard_life 26994 05.02.2007 14:16 |
All of them were good lyricists in their own way. |
| Bambi 05.02.2007 19:06 |
Ditto |
| hipsternomad26 05.02.2007 23:26 |
Freddie was certainly the most fanciful and daring, while Bri took care of the more serious and vulnerable aspects of the human condition. John wrote the "silly love songs" Paul McCartney once lamented. Roger tended to be more straightforward and less romantic, but also provided that cutting bit of acid to leaven out the flowery passages from the other three. For unabashed and glorious inventiveness, Freddie wins in a landslide, but kudos to Bri for sensitivity and moments of sheer poetry, and points to Roger for putting some bile into the '70s albums in particular (and increasingly showing a bit of pop-friendly turns of phrase later on). Certainly Roger and John improved as Freddie and Brian's lyrics became less interesting as the '80s progressed. Highlights: Freddie - March of the Black Queen, Killer Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are the Champions, Life is Real ("Guilt stains on my pillow ..." - haunting and sublime), I'm Going Slightly Mad Brian - White Queen, Long Away ("Lonely as a whisper on a star chase" - beautiful!), Save Me, Hammer to Fall, The Show Must Go On John - Don't Try So Hard (if it was indeed John? Did Freddie help with these lyrics?) Roger - Drowse, Breakthru, Heaven for Everyone |
| Sebastian 05.02.2007 23:38 |
'Don't Try So Hard' is Fred's |
| Scott_Mercury 06.02.2007 00:13 |
Sebastian wrote: 'Don't Try So Hard' is Fred'sRight. DTSH is not John's style at all... I guess I'm just not seeing the "Freddie sucked" in the later years idea that some of you are saying. Freddie, for better or worse still wrote more then the others... 7/12 of Innuendo's were is... while dying of AIDS (only months away)... and many highlights of the others songs were his as well. With Brian now, for example saying he and Freddie sat down and wrote the first verse, and general idea for TSMGO together.... and Freddie helping with lyrics on TATDOOL. I'm not saying others didn't augment to Freddie's songs...but Freddie still was the main member who had to "deliver" a new song to general public, plus, eventhough he downplayed his abilities, he was by far the most technical advanced member of the group from a theory perspective, and combine that with his personality type....I would bet it was very seldom that Roger would turn a 4 chord, all major chord song into Freddie... and Freddie wouldn't do something to change it. Let's get real... in order for a Queen song to hit the radio, be a hit, sound like Queen, have that signature Queen sound to it to that the passive general public (not us on here...GENERAL public) could identify... it had to be sung from Freddie Mercury's mouth. right??? Ok...stay with me.... meanwhile, he was by far the most music theory advanced member of the group, and without question, as per the charts, wrote most of the major hits. Based on these facts. Not opinions. Who would you say the overall concensus is of which was the best writer? |
| mike hunt 06.02.2007 01:32 |
Sebastian wrote: About Freddie as chief songwriter: true, but keep in mind that for most of his songs the lyrics were co-written with somebody else (and we're discussing lyrics in this topic): 'Miracle' is a four-way split in the words, 'Worth It' too has input from all of them, so do 'Party' and 'Kashoggi's', and I'm quite sure 'Hitman' has contributions by all four on lyrics (even if Freddie, probably, directed in a similar way to Bowie on 'Under Pressure'). Fred did start off the lyrics in 'Innuendo', but Roger completed them. 'Slightly Mad' is lyrically an unacreditted collaboration between Freddie and Peter Straker. So I'm trying to think and perhaps the only Queen songs after 'Princes' for which Mercury penned the totality of lyrics were 'Winter's Tale', 'Don't Try So Hard', 'Bijou' and perhaps 'All God's People' (assuming that Mike's contribution was restricted to the music, something I'm not sure about). For the rest, he was always assisted by someone else, even before the "Queen credit" era: Brian helped out with some lines in 'Friends Will Be Friends' and 'A Hard Life'. Still, as you said, Fred was Queen's dominant songwriter, but his input was still more musical (and especially melodic) than lyrical. About 'Made In Heaven' (the album), that one's more a compilation than an actual album. The only truly post-Innuendo material is limited to three songs, but then of course we can see that he was the creative force: off those three tracks, he wrote one and co-wrote the other two.also keep in mind that freddie added lryics to other people songs as well. "another one bites the dust" and the middle section of the prophet song. I think they helped each other with the lryics. A lot of facts we don't even know about yet. For this reason it's hard to say who came up with the best lryics which is only one's opinion anyway. |
| Sebastian 06.02.2007 07:47 |
About Freddie's input on other people's songs: That's correct. Still it was more related to melody, song structure and (perhaps) chords than lyrics. About Queen's chart success: hardly related to lyrics in that case. They were good lyricist, but not remembered for that. 'Twas much more about melody and performance (guitar+vocals). |
| john bodega 06.02.2007 08:21 |
Agreed. I really don't feel that their lyrics were ever regarded like Dylan's, Townshend's, or Waters'. I do feel Brian was capable of the most thoughtful lyrics. That he should also take the gong (by popular opinion, anyway...) for also having written some of the worst lyrics is no-never-mind to me. |
| Poo, again 06.02.2007 09:10 |
If I had to choose only one it would be Brian. |
| Donna13 06.02.2007 10:45 |
I think I appreciated any lyrics that seemed to have come from a real personal experience. Jealousy Love of My Life Too Much Love Will Kill You You're My Best Friend These Are the Days of Our Lives |
| August R. 06.02.2007 10:48 |
about Freddie being the chief songwriter in the latter days: Yes, when it comes to Queen albums. But keep in mind that Brian was making a solo album at the time. Brian seemed to be very productive at the time, as well, but he wanted to release most of his stuff on his own album. I think, the decision to credit everything to Queen suited very well to Brian. He could focus on his solo project. And still he'd get good share of royalties from the Queen albums, even though he had less input than in the earlier albums. Anyway, I really can't tell who is the best lyricist. Since English isn't my native language, I think, I'll never get all the nyances, inter-textual references, etc. But I really like some of Brian's emotional stuff, so for me, it's probably Brian. |
| mike hunt 07.02.2007 00:14 |
Sebastian wrote: About Freddie's input on other people's songs: That's correct. Still it was more related to melody, song structure and (perhaps) chords than lyrics. About Queen's chart success: hardly related to lyrics in that case. They were good lyricist, but not remembered for that. 'Twas much more about melody and performance (guitar+vocals).Good point, I wanted to say that from the beginning. All four members of queen were good with lryics, but they were far from the best in rock. |
| Sebastian 07.02.2007 05:30 |
August R. wrote: about Freddie being the chief songwriter in the latter days: Yes, when it comes to Queen albums. But keep in mind that Brian was making a solo album at the time.So were Freddie (Barcelona) and Roger (Shove It - Mad Bad...). Brian's batch of (released) songs between 1987 and 1992 were 7 solo songs, 3 co-written solo songs, 5 songs for Queen, 3 co-written songs for Queen (counting 'Bijou'), for a total of 15 (12 + 6/2), which isn't actually quite much for a six-year period: during 1973 and 1978 he wrote 24 numbers. Even adding what he wrote for Anita, he wasn't as active as before. Same for Freddie: he co-wrote eight numbers for 'Barcelona' (including 'All God's People'), wrote 7 2/2 for 'Miracle' (counting 'Hang On In There' and 'Stealin', and 'New Life Is Born' as a separate track), 4 2/2 for 'Innuendo' (counting 'Innuendo' and 'Bijou' as half each) and 1 2/2 after 'Innuendo', for a total of 12 + 14/2 = 19. To that you could add some unreleased numbers and perhaps one or two things in 'Barcelona' for which he could have done both music and lyrics (and Mike "only" arranged the orchestra, a la George Martin), but still it wasn't even sort of close to what he composed between, for instance, 1973 and 1978: 27 tracks (even regarding 'Battle', 'Seven Seas' and 'Stone Cold Crazy' as pre-'73 things). So actually neither was as prolific as in the early days. Of course Roger's another story... |
| AmeriQueen 08.02.2007 10:18 |
It's tough to say. Freddie had mysterious and ambiguous lyrics that were less specific in context, but more subjective. The words and ideas of which were often very strong, sometimes were not, and sometimes were just plain silly. Brian wrote what I think are the deepest and most emotionaly powerful Queen lyrics of the catalogue(Save Me, Sail Away Sweet Sister, All Dead All Dead, Hammer To Fall, etc.), but he also wrote some of the crappiest and weakest lyrics as well. Roger's lyrics are more specifically about something and are usually very simple and direct, but then like Brian, he had some lyrical duds as well(all four have at least had one or two songs with weak lyrics accompanying the song, but not too many. In the end I'll go with John because like Freddie he uses some strong individual words, but he doesn't go straight forward like Roger, nor does he write the ambiguous ways of Freddie. He sort of straddles a middle ground in between, but what impresses me most is that he's the one whom I notice the lyrics the most with. He puts a little more emotion in his words, or at least I see it that way. But in the end, I don't really care. Lyrics are to me less than one percent of the importance of a song. Most Americans put lyrics equal to instrumentation and overall sound impact, but for me it's Brian's guitar sound 1st and foremost, followed by Freddie's voice/piano, Roger's voice/drums, Deacon's bass, Brian's voice and all other sound production involved with the music. |
| MarkieKnopflie 08.02.2007 15:56 |
there isn't much john is it? |
| deleted user 08.02.2007 16:34 |
Saif wrote:I'm a girl.<font color=brianJM>RollingBowieQueen wrote: Wow, I was ready to say Brian but you all raised some really good points. Towards the end of Queen's career with Freddie Roger became the best lyricist. TATOOL is just wonderful, but other than that Brian and Freddie together but for different reasons. Early Freddie's lyrics were fun, quirky and very daring and clever whereas Brians were beautifully poetic (not to say Freddie's weren't) and gentle. But later on in the Eighties I believe that their lyrics started to sound similar in terms of emotion, that's Bri and Fred. I mean look at 'It's A Hard Life' full of emotion and then 'Who Wants to Live Forever' and they wrote Is This The World We Created together right? which I think symbolised a fusion in their styles in some way.^^What he said; except with a little more credit to Deacy |
| Saif 08.02.2007 22:19 |
Oh, sorry. :( Silly me . |
| Saif 08.02.2007 22:21 |
Who wrote Spread Your Wings? That's my favourite, and IMO it's the best. I REALLY wish Greatest Hits I & II disappear. |
| drwinston99 09.02.2007 00:02 |
<font color="#FF00FF">its_a_hard_life wrote: All of them were good lyricists in their own way.True, but they were also all guilty of some lyrics that made you cringe. As an American, I can say that Brian's lyrics challenged me. Brighton Rock, White Queen, 39, All Dead All Dead (WTF is a farthing?), She Makes Me, Now I'm Here, Tie Your Mother Down, Prophet's Song and others contained phrases that I wasn't familiar with, but in context they taught me something new - either about REAL English, or about inventive ways to use language. He was also very adept at writing emotional lyrics that may have seemed cheesey if sung by someone other than Freddie, but with FM's delivery they were very effective (Who Wants to Live Forever, Las Palabras De Amore, Dreamer's Ball, Save Me, It's Late, etc.) His lyrics also contained depth that was not only unique in the group, but also in hard rock (White Man, Long Away, Father to Son, Leaving Home Ain't Easy, Sail Away Sweet Sister, etc.) And of course, when it came to writing a rocker, he didn't let his intellect get in the way (Tear It Up, WWRY, Dead on Time, Headlong, Son and Daughter, The Hero, Sleeping on the Sidewalk, Dragon Attack, etc.). I could go on, but for a band that never seemed to display lyrics as a strength, Brian would stop me. I would consider him a great lyricist except for one thing - "You call me sweet like I'm some kind of cheese". OUCH! |
| chazz12345 11.02.2007 15:11 |
Scott_Mercury wrote:Well no offence, but what was queens love of my life of the 80's etc...chazz12345 wrote: in the early days freddie, later on brian...infact was freddie even in the band in the later daysYep, he sure was... as a matter of fact he wrote 7 of Innuendo's 12 songs. 6 or 7 of The Miracle's songs...plus the "new day is born" beginning to Roger's Breakthru. And correct me if I am wrong,Sebastian? ...but isn't 40-45% of Made in Heaven said to be Fred's as well?? In conclusion, Freddie ill with a terminal disease still = Queen's chief songwriter. I don't think that keyboards are great, why didn't he play a real instrument. He only wrote a handful of good songs in the 80's and 90's better but again the piano was missing and something else was too, some sound thing |
| Killer Queenie 11.02.2007 15:31 |
I dunno... I think all were talented in their own rights, so I won't say who is the best 'coz I have a favourite song that each member wrote - if you know what I mean... |
| Sebastian 11.02.2007 20:26 |
Keyboards are a real instrument too. |
| Saif 11.02.2007 23:09 |
I think now that Deacon was the best lyricist. "Spread Your Wings" is the best Queen song, IMO. He was just afraid of going slightly mad like the other three so he wrote fewer songs. |
| Queen-Obsessed 12.02.2007 00:01 |
All for different reasons they tie :D |
| Oberon 12.02.2007 15:51 |
drwinston99 wrote: WTF is a farthing?An old english unit of currency |
| Ella! Formerly known as the Metal Maiden 12.02.2007 22:02 |
I really like Roger and Freddie. Maybe a little bit of deaky. |
| * adventure seeker * 16.02.2007 12:31 |
funny, if you break it down. there all good, but the question is, from the one song hes writen with them, is paul included in that? but it depends, john writes very subduede soft songs with what i often thnk has alot of meaning, rogers are day to day observations, brian can be rokie but soul full, an freddie was the one with the vivid imaginaiton and flare, so, but with paul, its a diferent ketle of fish |
| Saif 17.02.2007 12:45 |
babehodson wrote: funny, if you break it down. there all good, but the question is, from the one song hes writen with them, is paul included in that? but it depends, john writes very subduede soft songs with what i often thnk has alot of meaning, rogers are day to day observations, brian can be rokie but soul full, an freddie was the one with the vivid imaginaiton and flare, so, but with paul, its a diferent ketle of fishPaul as in Paul McCartney!? He wrote a song with Queen? Which one?? I hate that guy but this is really interesting! |
| Good_Company50 17.02.2007 13:30 |
Saif, I think he means Paul Rodgers. |
| Good_Company50 17.02.2007 15:22 |
Interesting discussion! Wish I had started reading it sooner. >Sebastian said: “Keep in mind that Brian helped Freddie with some 'A Hard Life' lines, and remember that Brian didn't write the lyrics of 'Too Much Love', just the music.” Are you sure about TMLWKY? In the liner notes on Back to the Light, the song is credited to (May, Musker, Lamers), with no distinction as to who wrote what. The lyrics sound so much like Brian and it seems as though he is expressing himself about being torn between the feelings he had for his wife and family and his new love (at the time), Anita. That is what I always felt the song was about. Of course, the lyrics are purposely vague enough that one can interpret it many ways. >Sebastian also said: “Actually most of the hits are Freddie's: 'Bo Rhap', 'Champions', 'Crazy', 'Under Pressure'... Brian's only mega-hit is 'Rock You'.” I don’t know how they decided which songs were worthy enough to be released as singles, but obviously Freddie’s won out most often. And they are wonderful songs to be sure, no argument here. But I think there are a couple of Brian’s songs that could have been really big as well, namely Brighton Rock and ’39. Especially ’39. And I would have liked to have had it released with Brian singing it, even though all of Queen’s big hits are sung by Freddie. Then maybe people would have begun to realize that Queen consisted of four “equal” members instead of thinking Queen = Freddie Mercury. And BTW, sad that WWRY is Brian’s only mega-hit (not my favorite Brian song, by a long shot). >I’m going slight mad . . . said: brian: lonely as a whisper on a starchase, love it! also from that song; take care my friend we love you though i seems like you're alone a million lights above you smile down upon your home Ah! Yes! I agree, so lovely! *swoons* Back to the topic: Who was the best lyricist? That, of course, depends on who you ask; everyone has their opinion. I can’t say who was the best, but I can only say whose lyrics appeal to me the most and touch me emotionally. And that would be Brian’s. I love the poetry of his lyrics and the vocabulary he uses (The Prophet Song, Brighton Rock, White Queen, etc.) ; his songs about relationships, touch me in particular (Save Me, Good Company, I Can’t Live With You, Leaving Home Ain’t Easy, etc.) because I have gone through much of the same in my life. But they all wrote terrific songs. The variety of styles and subjects of those songs are part of what appeals to me about Queen’s music and keeps me addicted to them. |
| Sebastian 17.02.2007 16:33 |
Regarding 'Too Much Love', there was a debated about that some time ago here on QZ. I think we "concluded" that most likely Frank had penned most of the lyrics, and Brian had done the chords. And Liz ... the title, and possibly the melody. |
| deleted user 17.02.2007 17:07 |
I'd say Freddie is the best lyricist :D :D :D :D |
| Poo, again 18.02.2007 10:03 |
<font color="FF0066">Helter Skelter wrote: I'd say Freddie is the best lyricist :D :D :D :DI'd say yo moma is the best lyricist. |
| deleted user 19.02.2007 08:57 |
<font color=pink>Account Deleted wrote:Hah. So funny.<font color="FF0066">Helter Skelter wrote: I'd say Freddie is the best lyricist :D :D :D :DI'd say yo moma is the best lyricist. |
| Matias Merçeauroix 19.02.2007 10:26 |
FREDY WOZ DA BEST |