Welcome back to “Queen The Greatest”,
a journey through some of Queen’s
most extraordinary songs, performances
and achievements.
This week we celebrate what is undoubtedly
one of Queen’s greatest hits,
the gospel inspired masterpiece,
Somebody To Love.
Having set such a high bench mark with their
A Night At The Opera album,
fans were eager to see what Queen
would come up with next.
But as ever, the band refused to stand still
and were intent on trying new things,
and for Somebody To Love
Freddie found inspiration from
one the world’s finest singers to
create this unique Queen moment.
(Freddie Mercury) “I mean we had
the same three people singing
on the big choir sections,
but I think it had a different kind of
technical approach, because I mean
there was this sort of Gospel way of singing
which, I think, is different to us.
And there’s me going on about Aretha Franklin,
sort of made them go a bit mad.
(Freddie Mercury) “I just wanted to
write something in that kind of thing,
I was sort of incensed by the gospel approach
that she had on her albums, the earlier albums,
although it might sound the same kind of approach on,
say, the harmonies, it is very different
…in the studio because it’s like a different kind of
…a different range.”
(Brian May) “Freddie wanted to be Aretha Franklin,
you have to bear this in mind,
and that explains everything.
He loved Aretha.
And, this was his Gospel epic.
It kind of followed in the steps
of Bohemian Rhapsody in the sense that
we were building up these multiple vocal parts,
but this time we were being a Gospel choir,
instead of being an English choir.
(Brian May) “Freddie came in very well prepared
with a lot of vocal parts
and we just worked our way through it.
Yes, there was a very good feeling.
I always remember thinking
‘yeah, this is going to be something great.’”
For many “Bohemian Rhapsody”
was the greatest song Freddie ever wrote,
but according to the man himself,
he didn’t necessarily agree…
(Freddie Mercury) “People will, obviously,
no matter how hard you try
will think in terms of your past hits.
That’s inevitable.
But I think it’s up to the group and the musicians
to really think in other terms.
For my point of view, I mean as far as
the writing side of it is concerned.”
(Freddie Mercury) “I really thought…
I said, ‘Ok, Bohemian Rhapsody is a big hit,
but as far as my writing ability is concerned
I think I can write better anyway’.
And I just looked at it from that point of view.
I mean I went and wrote, for my estimation,
I think a song like Somebody To Love,
is in my estimation, a better sort of…
from the writing aspect…a better song.”
Frustratingly, Somebody To Love
just missed out on the top spot in the UK charts,
peaking at number 2.
But it quickly became a powerhouse on stage,
as witnessed by this performance
at the Milton Keynes Bowl in 1982.
Ten years later,
at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert,
the song had its place firmly cemented in Queen history
thanks to this unforgettable performance by
Brian, Roger, John, the London Gospel Choir
and, of course, George Michael.
The songs subsequent inclusion
on the Five Live EP release
saw it finally top the UK charts in 1993.
A truly greatest hit.