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"Killer Queen" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was their breakthrough hit, reaching #2 in the UK in early 1975. The song was taken from Queen's 1974 album Sheer Heart Attack, and was written by pianist and lead singer Freddie Mercury. It was released as a Double A-side, along with "Flick of the Wrist".
Mercury commented that the influences he received for the track included early Beatles records, Beach Boys and (lyrically) Noel Coward. He wrote the lyrics first before adding the complex musical arrangements. The recording features elaborate 4-part vocal harmonies (particularly in the choruses, and also providing backing parts in the verses), and also an elaborate multitracked guitar solo by Brian May. The song was included in the List of songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel following the September 11, 2001 attacks, although its inclusion has been subject to criticism.[1]
[edit] Recording sessions
Besides using a grand piano as he used to, Freddie Mercury overdubbed the song with an upright (credited as "jangle piano"), in order to give the track a vaudeville sound. Besides piano, bass, drums, and guitar, there are several percussion instruments such as bike horn and bell tree.[citation needed]
[edit] Queen on the record
Freddie Mercury:[2]
| “ |
People are used to hard rock, energy music from Queen, yet with this single you almost expect Noel Coward to sing it. It's one of those bowler hat, black suspender belt numbers – not that Coward would wear that. (...) It's about a high class girl. I'm trying to say that classy people can be whores as well. That's what the song is about, though I'd prefer people to put their interpretation upon it – to read into it what they like. |
” |
Brian May:
| “ |
'Killer Queen' was the turning point. It was the song that best summed up our kind of music, and a big hit, and we desperately needed it as a mark of something successful happening for us... I was always very happy with this song. The whole record was made in a very craftsman-like manner. I still enjoy listening to it because there's a lot to listen to, but it never gets cluttered. There's always space for all the little ideas to come through. And of course I like the solo, with that three-part section, where each part has its own voice. What can I say? It's vintage Queen. The first time I heard Freddie playing that song, I was lying in my room in Rockfield [a residential recording studio in Wales], feeling very sick. After Queen's first American tour I had hepatitis, and then I had very bad stomach problems and I had to be operated on. So I remember just lying there, hearing Freddie play this really great song and feeling sad, because I thought, 'I can't even get out of bed to participate in this. Maybe the group will have to go on without me.' No one could figure out what was wrong with me. But then I did go into the hospital and I got fixed up, thank God. And when I came out again, we were able to finish off 'Killer Queen.' They left some space for me and I did the solo. I had strong feelings about one of the harmony bits in the chorus, so we had another go at that too. |
” |
[edit] Personal
- Freddie Mercury: lead vocal, piano
- Brian May: electric guitar, backing vocals
- John Deacon: bass guitar, backing vocals
- Roger Taylor: drums, backing vocals
[edit] Live recordings
[edit] References
[edit] External links
