The only song I don't love is Sweet Lady but other than that, they are all perfect.

Not a bad song on the album, IMO.

I particulary love the little ditties they do on this one (Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon/ Seaside Rendevous/ Good Company).

Freddie's vocal for "Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon" was sung over a telephone line, pumped through headphones and recorded by a mic.

They had to be creative in how they recorded things back then.

These days, you could just punch up that sound in seconds.

I also love some of Brian May's guitar tricks in the opening track "Death On Two Legs". There is a sound done by the guitar after the line "you never had a heart of your own" that is just amazing.

And who can forget, "No synthesizers were used on this record !"

I always gave them props for creativity when they could easily just used a synth here and there.

A DAY AT THE RACES
(1976)

1. Tie Your Mother Down
2. You Take My Breath Away
3. Long Away
4. The Millionaire Waltz
5. You & I
6. Somebody To Love
7. White Man
8. Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy
9. Drowse
10. Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)

Whether it was the constant grind of touring of recording or the departure of producer Roy Thomas Baker, I'm not sure, but to me, A Day At The Races is a big disappointment. I guess any album would have a hard time following the creative breakthrough of A Night At The Opera, but this album just failed to live up to even lessened expectations, IMO.

Of course, it starts off strong with "Tie Your Mother Down" and "Somebody To Love" is one of the great Queen singles, but the album lacks the spark and inspiration of the earlier albums. I'm sure some people will disagree, but this album just didn't make the cut for me for some reason.

I like the singles, but the rest is a complete mess.

Flawed album, but Somebody To Love is still my #1 favorite Queen song.

I like it and it is a companion in tone to ANATO. My favorite song is "Drowse".

My favorite tracks from this album are "Tie Your Mother Down" and "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy." I loved "Somebody to Love" when I first heard it on the radio, and I played it over and over as a 45, but I find it a little repetitious now. Some beautiful moments on this collection, but, yes, A Night at the Opera is the pinnacle, in my view.

A Day at the Races had the dubious distinction of being the first single rock album released with a $7.98 list price. Some consumers even tried to organize boycotts.

They should have called Tom Petty.

I only find this statement slightly insane!
I love, love, love this album. A mess? What?
Man, I think "You Take My Breath Away" is tremendous. I am stunned at it's beauty and openness. A Queen masterpiece.
"Long Away", "You & I", "White Man", "Dowse", "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy"-I will not babble any further.
I think this album is almost equal to A Night At The Opera. I had no idea people thought it was a mess or weak.
I think it is a gem and blows away most of the rest of the catalogue. But, these are just my ramblings, so proceed from here.

Not as good as A Night at the Opera but a very good album nonetheless. Somebody To Love is actually one of my least favorite songs on this...for some odd reason it just seemed too typical and too "Queen by numbers" to me. Favorite songs are You Take My Breath Away and Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy.

I've always been more of a Mustache Era Queen fan.

"Teo Torriatte" is one of my favorite Queen songs......beautiful tune, nice lyrics, and love the Japanese singing.

this one is my fave. it was absolutely huge when i lived in germany. i also have always loved the way it starts and end with the same reverse guitar loop.

IP, how did A Day at the Races do on the charts? Thanks!

A Day At The Races

UK #1 US #5

hit singles:
"Somebody To Love" UK #2 US #13
"Tie Your Mother Down" UK #31 US #49
"Queen's First EP" UK #17 (lead track was "Good Lod Fashioned Lover Boy")

I'll take my cue from Pete here and...proceed!



NEWS OF THE WORLD
(1977)

1. We Will Rock You
2. We Are the Champions
3. Sheer Heart Attack
4. All Dead, All Dead
5. Spread Your Wings
6. Fight from the Inside
7. Get Down, Make Love
8. Sleeping on the Sidewalk
9. Who Needs You
10. It's Late
11. My Melancholy Blues


News Of The World is a step up from its predecessor, A Day At The Races. For me, anyway.

While not perfect, it does start off with the one-two punch of "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions," which have not only become signature songs for Queen, but possibly two of the most overplayed tracks on US rock radio, not to mention being done to death at numerous sporting events. Not the band's fault, but I think some people will agree with me here.

Other highlights are the punkish "Sheer Heart Attack," the quirky "Get Down Make Love" and the semi-ballad, "Spread Your Wings."

There's a lot of diversity here, as all of the band members contribute songs here. The production is a little more rough edged and while this album has some flat spots, it's still a better overall album than the one preceding it.