The Beauty of Queen Lyrics

I have to say that I entirely agree with Maani's points!

Proglover:

What "warning" are you referring to?  I am completely in the dark here..

Re "lyrics are a huge part of prog rock," tell that to Tangerine Dream, Can, Gong, Soft Machine and dozens of other prog bands who don't even use lyrics.  As for the bands that do, I suppose that lyrics add to the prog quality of the compositions - but they are by no means a truly "critical" element.  Indeed, if you were to take, say, a couple of Genesis albums, a couple of Yes albums, a couple of GG albums, a couple of KC albums et al, and remove the vocal tracks entirely, you would still have brilliant prog music.  Indeed, that is one of the reasons why we all appreciate the instrumental sections of extended prog songs so much: because they focus entirely on the music, and how well it is composed, arranged, played, produced, etc.

Don't get me wrong: I love most prog lyrics, from Gabriel's allegories to John Anderson's mystical writings, from Peter Sinfield's paranoia to Ian Anderson's quasi-Celtic and "rural" ramblings.  But it is simply a gross overstatement to say that lyrics are "a huge part" of prog.  They are one element, and perhaps a "fun" one, but not a "critical" one.

As for "intelligence" somehow setting prog apart from "ordinary" popular music, as true as that may be in many cases, if it were true "across the board" then The Beatles would be the first band added to any prog site, since they probably brought more "intelligence" to popular music - i.e., to a vastly wider audience by sheer dint of their global fame - than any band in history.

You seem to think that my disagreeing with you - or even having a different opinion based on my own knowledge and understanding - is a "personal" thing.  It is not, so please try to refrain from taking it that way.  We are having an...intelligent (hopefully ) discussion/debate.  You need not react as if I had thrown an ashtray at you...

Peace.

maani wrote: Proglover: ...And exactly what does a "prog lyric" look like? The question is rhetorical.  Prog encompasses lyrics of all types - and so does non-prog.  This makes the lyric question vritually meaningless when it comes to determining who is prog and who is not. Sorry, but I don't buy your entire line of reasoning here... Peace.

OH Good Lord Maani.....DO YOU EVER BUY MY LINE OF REASONING?????????.....I'll answer that, NO!!!!!..........By the way your response does not surprise me in the least. I didn't expect you of all people to TRY to say a positive thing about Queen or my writings....SO MOVING ON!!!!!

The main point here is, the songs are extremely cleverly written. I remember Freddie Mercury saying one thing in regards to how the band approaches their music...he said..."we always try to attack music in a very intelligent way...intelligent music is GOOD music"......I could not have said it better myself. Is that not ONE of the things which seperates prog from ordinary pop/rock music?...Itelligence!!

And yes,......Lyrics are a HUGE part of prog rock, lyrical content has always been important. I would think you would know that.

Oh by the way....are you giving out any more warnings, or was that just for me???

I think that conjouring up an atmosphere of a far away land populated by mythical folk is fairly standard lyrical fare for prog of the 1970s - not every song, but many bands strolled down that hooded and wooded path once or twice. It's a fairly reasonable stereotype - one that both Queen and Spinal Tap fondly ripped the pea soup out of...

Proglover wrote: chopper wrote: I'd agree with you about the early stuff but Lazin' On A Sunday Afternoon and Seaside Rendezvous (which are both good songs) are in no way prog. Yes, they are very well written and the "brass section" is fantastic but that doesn't make them prog IMO. Anyway, I'm bored with discussing Queen now. HAHAHAHA......Once again I reiterate....those two songs are most certainly prog. I mean what would you call them? You can't call them pop, because Vaudeville is not pop. You could in fact just call them Vaudeville or music hall inspired tunes. But if you are a rock band and, you are clever enough and have the intelligence and the writing ability to compose vaudeville tunes, wouldn't you call that progressive?.....I would!!

"You could in fact just call them Vaudeville or music hall inspired tunes." Yes - that's exactly what I would call them. They are very clever pastiches of music recorded around 50 years in the past (at the time) - how does that make them prog? They may be "progressive" in being intelligent and writing clever songs, but then that would make Abba prog as well.


Edited by chopper

chopper wrote: I'd agree with you about the early stuff but Lazin' On A Sunday Afternoon and Seaside Rendezvous (which are both good songs) are in no way prog. Yes, they are very well written and the "brass section" is fantastic but that doesn't make them prog IMO. Anyway, I'm bored with discussing Queen now.

HAHAHAHA......Once again I reiterate....those two songs are most certainly prog. I mean what would you call them? You can't call them pop, because Vaudeville is not pop. You could in fact just call them Vaudeville or music hall inspired tunes. But if you are a rock band and, you are clever enough and have the intelligence and the writing ability to compose vaudeville tunes, wouldn't you call that progressive?.....I would!!

Queen rule. Early Queen at any rate. Before the 80's finally struck

meurglysIII wrote: I like that song

more time-signature and chord changes than in Supper's Ready squeezed in 3 minutes

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like

You say black I say white
You say bark I say bite
You say shark I say hey man
Jaws was never my scene
And I don't like Star Wars
You say Rolls I say Royce
You say God give me a choice
You say Lord I say Christ
I don't believe in Peter Pan
Frankenstein or Superman
All I wanna do is

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my
Bicycle races are coming your way
So forget all your duties oh yeah!
Fat bottomed girls they'll be riding today
So look out for those beauties oh yeah
On your marks get set go
Bicycle race bicycle race bicycle race
Bicycle bicycle bicyI want to ride my bicycle
Bicycle bicycle bicycle
Bicycle race

You say coke I say caine
You say John I say Wayne
Hot dog I say cool it man
I don't wanna be the President of America
You say smile I say cheese
Cartier I say please
Income tax I say Jesus
I don't wanna be a candidate
For Vietnam or Watergate
Cos all I want to do is

Bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle bicycle bicycle
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride my bike
I want to ride my bicycle
I want to ride it where I like

I have a tricycle myself, so I like to ride my trike

you're all kidding, right?