Queen, Lily Of The Valley- A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- #queen #freddiemercury #brianmay #johndeacon #rogertaylor
An utter delight to hear, this song achieved what very few songs do - TOOK MY BREATH AWAY!
Here’s the link to the original song by Queen:
• Queen - Lily Of The Va...
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.
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Credits: Music written and performed by Queen
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I would like to point out that what you called strings in your review is an arrangement of electric guitars. Brian May used his guitar analogously to string and woodwind instruments in an orchestra. Congratulation. Great content!
Here I stand (Here I stand)
Look around, around, around, around, around...
But you won't see me
@@stargzer_nzm2239 Is that a Dear Prudence reference? If not, maybe it should be ;)
The diversity of songwriting in this band never ceases to amaze me. This song is on the same album in which they invent Speed Metal: "Stone Cold Crazy"
Please don't let "Nevermore" from Queen II pass you by. It's one of the prettiest pieces of music I've ever heard, and it's only 1m08s long
Sadly she passed on so many great songs. My fairy king and march of the black queen should be analyzed!
The whole BLACK side of Queen 2 and NEVERMORE is a beautiful piece in the middle of absolute genius competitions!
And yes March of the Black Queen, needs her analysis POST HASTE!
I treat Queen II as a concept album and should be listened to a whole side at a time
I'm from Russia and I've loved this album since the 70's. And yes, I think Putin is an ogre.
Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack are the my favorite Queen albums. They are very cohesive works. Both just flow from start to finish. Amazing versatility!
At the end of Queen II you hear them singing “I like to be beside the seaside”. At the beginning of Sheer Heart-attack Album the amusement sounds of Brighton Rock, someone is whistling the seas side tune before the guitar comes in.
Absolutely agree on those two albums.
I'd love for you to do a listen to Flick of the Wrist.
My favourite Queen albums are Queen II and a night at the opera.
I go bk & forth tween ll & SHA !
virgin rock and queen are match made in heaven
Sheer Heart Attack is a wonderful starting point for many a Queen fan looking for more depth than just the singles. Queen were after all, much more of an album band.
I was lucky to begin my Queen listening starting with Queen I QueenII ect..That was over 40 yrs ago and it was a time where albums were a suite of songs all belonging together even in the ordering. Queen and The Beatles really understood this more than any other bands I think.
OMGoodness, Amy, I feel like I'm back in my college Music Appreciation class in the 1970s. Excellent review of one of my favorite Queen songs. You brought magic and insight into every note and nuance of such a lovely, short, and meaningful song.
The one word I always use to describe Freddie's singing is PASSIONATE. His singing always comes from his heart and soul. He never goes through the motions, even when he was sick and had to perform or record. If you ever have a chance to watch a live performance of Queen, not only will you hear the passion in Freddie's voice, but you will see the passion he has for his listeners.
IMO, Freddie was a genius when it came to creating songs...both the music and the lyrics. Since I'm not a musician, and you so eloquently described "Lily of the Valley," I'd like to add a few things on the lyrics. Why does Freddie call on Neptune, who was the Roman god of fresh water and the seas, and who controlled the wind and storms. If indeed this song was written for or about Freddie's relationship with Mary Austin, I'm sure that Freddie felt buffeted by his feeling towards Mary and his gay partners as if in a terrible storm. Also, fresh water is like a baptism into a new life...a new life for Freddie. When Freddie sings about the "Messenger from the Seven Seas has flown...".... Mercury was the most clever of the Roman Olympian gods and served as "messenger" for all the other gods. Is Freddie the "Messenger" in "Lily of the Valley?" I don't know? And, why call the song "Lily of the Valley?" Interestingly, Lily of the Valley was Queen Elizabeth's favorite flower! Lily of the Valley in the Victorian era symbolized purity, joy, love, sincerity, and a return to happiness...a happiness to another life style for Freddie? And Freddie was totally obsessed with Victorian life, even decorating his Kensington home, Garden Lodge, with Victorian antique furniture and art. Lily of the Valley is mentioned several times in the Bible, including in the great love story book of the Bible, "Song of Solomon."
Something you didn't mention whilst listening to "Lily of the Valley" was Freddie's voice, which I find quite remarkable. It has a lovely quality that goes from different octaves and utilizes his great falsetto talent. You astutely picked up on Freddie's ability and talent to emphasize words when singing. He had a great genius for that, and he knew it. Brilliantly, Freddie plays the piano and does ALL vocals on the song, probably with overdubbing?
As far as a true rock band goes, I'm not sure that Queen falls into that box. Queen is my favorite band since 1974 because they were always willing to step out of the box and experiment with new genres and sounds. You didn't always know what style of music you would hear, but it was always well composed, sung, and performed. It was always a banquet of talent from John, Brian, Freddie, and Roger.
Amy, I think Freddie would be extremely pleased at your analysis of his songs. He said that he never wanted his songs to be boring, and you have made them come more alive to your listeners, and this older rocker chick is so thankful for that. Thank you, Amy. ♥
There's another song that belongs to the Rhye series: My Fairy King from the first album. 😀
It's such a good song! She should hear it
wow you appreciated the HELL out of this one!!! 40 min review of a 2 minute song, and i was hooked throughout! great stuff, plus i appreciate that youve gone back to listening to it straight through 1st, thats probably made the 1st impression more powerful!!! BRAVO
When this came out in 1974 my brother bought it for me for Christmas. It was all I could do not to buy my own copy in between the release date of 8th November and December 25th.
I played the album non-stop for about a week and then went out and bought Queen I and II ( I wasn't sure about them beforehand, how wrong I was!!
thank you very much for your explanations und much more for your harp interpretations. once again I was very near on crying to your appreciation on Queen's music. It means so much for me.
Did not hear old Queens stuff very often the last time, and it is also a journey for me to my youth, when I was such a huge Queen fan.
thanks thanks thanks.
greetings from Germany
I am a Queen fan and I love this series. Amy's analysis provides insights that bring me a whole new layer of pleasure in listening to these songs.
If you liked this then you will also enjoy “You Take my Breath Away” studio version. But you need to listen to the very very end... 👑
And Bijou…
I will appreciate at a whole new level - it is brilliantly crafted.🥰
We need more Queen II and also Liar and My Fairy King from the first album.
Your channel is great! I am in my seventies and ahuge music fan and thought i knew it all, but ive learned such a lot from you.Thank you 😅
Love your comment✌🏼
This song starts the way it does because it continues from the previous track on the album, "Flick of the Wrist"
I think that deserves a 'd'oh'.....!!!
Thank you Amy for yet another spectacular reactionary analysis of another short and sweet Freddie composition... well done, with such precision, unfortunately, this song is one of their most underrated pieces... amazing how their music seems to be so timeless and appropriate for the day. It seems so simple and entertaining, yet such a masterful intricate composition.... maybe that is one reason I have so thoroughly enjoyed Queen music over and over again for so many years, it seems I never tire of listening... and your explanations are phenomenal, thank you so much... looking forward to your next one... blessings.
I grew up studying classical, but also a fan of Queen during their discovery, for the reason of bringing in classical components into rock. It such a pleasure to watch your analysis of their music. There are so many songs that you will enjoy. New subscriber.
Soo happy to follow along with you on your Queen journey. I love what you've done so far, but I had really hoped that you would take a look at My Fairy King. It's astonishing that this early composition of Freddie's found its way onto what was really kind of a heavy rock album. I feel just as emotional about that as you do about Lily of the Valley.
Next, just must... March of the Black Queen... please 😁
One of the most beautiful songs ever 🥰 I have read Freddie wrote it sang it. Played the piano and did all the voices on it. I hope I’ll find out if this is true here because You are digging into these works of art. Thank you Amy 🌹
Freddie left most of his possessions and wealth to Mary Austin. That shows how much he did love her.
It is an absolute joy and very enlightening to hear such an engaged analysis of every detail in this short tune. I have always wondered what it was about 'Lily of the Valley' and 'Nevermore' that intrigued me so much. I am not a musician, and I have always felt I was missing a way to express what makes those songs so fascinating.
It must require an immense attention to detail as well as an enourmous amount of - well - passion to create such a rich composition that doesn't simply resemble something you've heard many times before.
Brian May said that Freddie's compositions were by far the most demanding. He often found that he had to move his fingers in the strangest ways on his guitar(s) to contribute to Freddie's vast musical ideas. Roger mentioned being completely baffled, when he first heard Freddie pitch "The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke" to the band.
Amy on classical music stretching into the 2nd hour "Too many notes!"
R&R is the modulation pushback on Mozart's endless keyboard riffs.
(Don't mind me, I spend too much time out in the sun)
Yes, the first 3 albums have SO many brilliant musical snippets, lyrical color etc….of course as do the rest.
So happy you have this wonderful channel. This perfect song has “ just as many notes as necessary your Majesty” … I’m thinking of Mozart’s statement to the Emperor in Vienna ( love the play Amadeus … his rival Salieri thought Mozart didn’t have enough notes in his compositions ) 😂 I think of Freddie’s spare compositions and how powerful and beautiful they are. As much as I love Freddie’s singing and showmanship and the fact he was a great musician … for me his most outstanding talent was that he was a fabulous composer and it’s heartbreaking when I think of the music he would have written if he was still here. You will end up loving him 😊
Thanks, my Girl!... he was amazing.. I hope you do some more LIVE reactions... he was incredible... I am "old" - and was privileged to see Queen several times with Freddie between ages 17-19... absolutely unforgettable... but not to forget the rest of the band... every single one of them wrote a #1 hit.. and each of them were amazing musicians on their own... appreciate your analysis... (p.s. Brian May was the "Love of my Life" as a teen... I still love geriatric Brian... he is amazing... lol)
Another amazing analysis! I am glad that it brought you some enjoyment, it sounds as if you might have a good voice. It is songs such as these that brings out the ethereal beauty of Freddie's voice, a lot of opera "stars" these days, could only dream of singing with such exquisite legato as Freddie displays here. Lily Of The Valley is part of Freddie's fantasy series, which also includes other songs such as the Great King Rat, My Fairy King, Seven Seas Of Rhye and March Of The black Queen. I hope Any will do these songs as well. I don't think this song has anything to do with Mary Austin. I respect Brian's judgement he is a great musician, but he and Freddie were very much opposites, they were often fighting because of their different thoughts and ideas, I am not sure he always understood how Freddie's mind worked. But it also doesn't matter that much, since Freddie did not not mind how people interpreted his music.
March Of The lack Queen?
@@YourBeingParanoid lol oops!
I have never heard Brian's explanation before.
But when I heard the song for the first time, I instantly thought of Mary Austin. Because a very old name for the flower is "Mary's tears". My german grandmother told me this as a young child. And I was fascinated, because this is such a lovely and at the same time sad name for this beautiful flower. And she also said, it's a symbol for shyness, purity and innocence in Christian mythology.
So, I always can see Freddie's inner struggle how to tell Mary about his true inner feelings. You know "the lily of the valley doesn't know"....... yet.
But this is only my opinion. Like Freddie said, when you can see it, then it's there. So Brian's explanation makes sense for me.
I also want to say, I always appreciate your knowledge about Queen and music.
@@ulrikealtmann4655 Thank you, that is very interesting, I have never heard of that name before. What you say does make a lot of sense. I guess you learn something new every day.
Yes, makes lot of sense.
Have you ever heard about the Queen Insurance Building in Liverpool?
A hardcore Queen fan told me about this a couple of days ago. If you don't know it, look it up. It's a very old building, long before Queen was in the making so to say, and Freddie lived there in his Ibex days for a year. Look at the top of the building in detail. For me it was like a punch in the face.
I'm interested in what you think about it. As I said before, for me it was unbelievable. Some say, this is how Freddie came up with the idea for the name and crest for Queen. Look it up and you'll know what I mean.
The guitar part you mention at the beginning was the last note of the previous song, and was recorded backwards. The technique was used by many artists, but my first real awareness of it was "Castles Made of Sand" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience and "Tomorrow Never Knows" by the Beatles. If you would like to experience a real bit of studio magic, check out "The Prophet Song" from A Night at the Opera. 😊
0. Yeah 0.02
1. Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon 1:07
2. Dear Friends 1:09
3. Seven Seas Of Rhye 1:10
4. Procession 1:13
5. God Save The Queen 1:16
6. Nevermore 1:19
7. Lily Of The Valley 1:43
As you can see it is the 7th shortest actually, not second.
yeah is literally one word! it doesn't count!
you've included 3 instrumentals
take them away and it's 4th !
she's just starting I think we can forgive her a small mistake !
@@bluebell3720 it's just a correction don't get me wrong. I also didn't include some of the songs of the album Flash. And of course I didn't put Yeah as first literally because of that.
This was wonderful! Outstanding analysis Amy. I had not heard this song in many, many years, but you've taken my appreciation of it to another level!
Hi Amy, the original album sequence was Roger's "Tenement Funster" then Freddie's "Flick of the Wrist" then "Lily Of The Valley". I wish you'd do a full album listen to 'Sheer Heart Attack', i think it would all make sense, they did actual albums, "Queen II" also has several Segways into other tracks, they were masters of doing these transitions.
Amy, I wish you'd do a full album listen to "Queen II" as it gives you a full example of what they are capable of.
The reason why the beginning sounds a bit odd is because the previous song on the album (Flick of the Wrist) flows right into this one. Obviously, it makes much more sense when you listen to it that way, one song right into the next haha
the first time i heard this song i listened to it the whole day, over and over again, i immediatly fell in love wih Freddie´s voice and way of playing
You should hear Nevermore. Along with Love Of My Life, Lilly Of The Valley in my opinion form a unit thematically, stylistically and, aesthetically.
Also even if you don't make reaction videos, for your own benefit and pleasure you should go through the Queen II album. It just celebrated its 50th release anniversary. A master piece.
Complementi Maestra !
Brilliant insight and wonderful selection from Sheer Heart Attack. Thank you, as always, for your insight!
You give us such an insight! 😊😍
I would love to see a collab btw you and Doug Helvering.
Both of you are so knowledgeable in music!
These insightful reactions are both fascinating and compelling, and it's great to see a series devoted to Queen songs. Assuming the reactions are going to continue being done in chronological order of when the songs were released, and no disrespect to Lily of the Valley which is a brilliant, beautiful song, I think it's a shame that it's been included whilst other tracks which demand attention aren't going to be featured. I'm thinking of songs like "Liar", "My Fairy King" and "March of the Black Queen" for example. Obviously others will have their own (different) candidates!
Since 'My Fairy King' contains the line from which Fredde took his new surname, and 'March of the Black Queen' - along with 'White Queen (as it began)' was literally the inspiration for the name of the band (as well as being phenominal pieces of music, of course) I was hoping they would be included in the 50. They still might be, so fingers crossed, although it's looking less likely now.
@@andrewsheppard1940 Indeed! How could I have forgotten White Queen - Amy would have a field day with that?!
The genuine joy on your face was wonderful, coming from such a different musical background I think you are starting to realise that there is more to this music than perhaps you have been led to believe, I still believe that Freddie was just a modern version of some of the classical composers who in their own time were considered as rebellious seditionists, they broke the accepted rules of their time, so did Freddie.
Ooohhh... I just love this song ❤....
The "baby you've been had" and sustained guitar note are really the end of the prior song, which flows right into this.
What a lucid explanation of Modulation! You are SUCH a good teacher, Amy!
Amy, bless….. you really are dizzy 😊….. Vladd are you still on point…… I’m awaiting a new educational insight from you both in regard to my music….. 😁💥👍😎🍺
As always great analysis. So many songs to choose from. A precursor to Bohemian Rhapsody which is worth a listen is March of the Black Queen. Another song that I am sure you will enjoy is The Miilionaire Waltz, for oddities, Lazying on a Sunday afternoon and Bring Back that Leroy Brown.
Innuendo one of their last masterpieces….. I could go on.
Great video as always. Just wanted to say that I hear the implied melody in the intro as c-b-G-e rather than c-b-A-e.
I have loved your musical journeys, but not said much. The reference to Mozart's clarinet concerto (K.622?), however, is sublime. I recall playing that (I was 2nd clarinet in a chamber orchestra when I was younger), and yes: the comparison is quite appropriate. The sentiment in the moment and the emotional demand on the performer is there in both. Lovely. Thank you.
While I am at it: is there any chance you will critique modern classical harp music, such as for instance Alan Stivell's oeuvre?
It was almost as if he brought music from a fairy-tale or a world of castles and swords.
Yet he and May did all that in their earlier albums.
Another incredible and educational reaction to The Queen
Thought incorrectly that there was nothing left to be seen
However, at the other end, our dear and shattered friend Pink
Has patiently waited enough behind his wall, don’t you think?
Well spoken!
The last low note that is lengthened in the finale of the song, coincides with the word "Low" in the first phrase of the song (I am forever searching high and low). It's the same note. ❤🔥
This song is on a rock album but oh so far away to me from rock. Yet you are listening to it as a rock song - with your classical background. I love that - worlds collide!
That's the end of Flick of the wrist you listen in the first seconds.
Amazing ! so it's like Fur Elise... ? coming back home after the Thunder Storm
Will You do Nevermore with the Fairy Fellers Master Stroke? They blend together, the most great?
I hope you cover "She Makes Me (Stormtrooper in Stilettos)" as it's about the only psychedelic song by Queen that I can think of. You're sure to like the next several Queen albums: A Night At The Opera; A Day At The Races; News Of The World; and Jazz.
It is so true when they say you can miss Freddie Mercury without even knowing him rip Freddy! Please try to play "In my defence" I would love to hear your analysis because you are so intellectual! I find your channel very interesting thank you
When people say Freddie wrote operatically, this is what they mean - not just the theatre of the central section of Bohemian Rhapsody.
"You could find out, just from little insights, that a lot of [Freddie's] private thoughts were in there, although a lot of the more meaningful stuff was not very accessible. Lily Of The Valley was utterly heartfelt. It's about looking at his girlfriend and realizing that his body needed to be somewhere else. It's a great piece of art, but it's the last song that would ever be a hit."
Brian May
I think the first long guitar note is reversed. I mean Brian May played it the right way round but the tape was then reversed.
This is one of best Queen somgs as is the other short song
Best to listen to this song in sequence along with Tenement Funster/Flick of the Wrist/Lily of the Valley as they all run together.
Hi Amy, are you going to continue with Queen on uTube? Love your analyses. I have not seen them blocking.
Definitely!
"let me go!!" where have we heard that before? In Bohemian Rhapsody... the "land of rhye" as ruled by childhood innocence (the king of Rhye) was destroyed by the "Seven Seas" (the wider adult world).
22:40 There are plenty of rock songs that are long, like Kashmir by Led Zeppelin and Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who, which are both 8 and half minutes long. And then there's Echos by Pink Floyd which is 23(!) minutes long (they are all awesome songs though)
They were very progressive in their beginning. Vlad could attest to this. Queen's early albums were consept albums. Really had to listen to the entire recording to get the "book" so to speak. Keep at it Amy and Vlad. Really enjoying your experience.The thing Amy isn't commenting on is backing vocals that hold the song together. Brian and Roger are amazing.The string section is Sir Brian May and his Red Special.
I love that you pointed out that hidden descending set of notes. I'd never actively heard it but now I can't not hear it. (forgive the double negative) ;)
Rye was an imaginary fairytale place that Freddie and his sister would visit when they were young.
You really picked the prettiest Queen songs.
The very start the track your playing was actually the end of the previous track
I’m starting to work my way through the Queen collection. I notice two other things I want to comment on. I see anniversary numbers on different topics. I notice your harp. It’s the 40th anniversary year of the passing of Karen Carpenter (2/4/83) and their cover of Superstar (and other songs) used a harp. I’d refer you to the “official video” as it has the one take Karen did for it. I am still surprised you haven’t dived in to Carpenters yet but maybe you don’t know? I can’t believe that so I just sit and wonder. Maybe one day while still in a sad anniversary year.
I never listen to this song without the previous 2. It’s too short
That guitar at the beginning was recorded backwards. Another difference from classical music.
40 minutes spent on a song that's less than 2 minutes long! 👍😃
Amy you are doing such an amazing job on reacting to these early Queen masterpieces I have only one question for you: What do we need to do to get you to turn this into the Queen 100 project??????????? Name your price!!
Probably best not to call it a "reaction". Reaction video's tend to be self centered click searching nobodies. What we have here is an educated analysis of a piece of music for the sake of the music not the host.
I’d adore hearing Amy cover every Queen song with Freddie Mercury singing. Heaven. I’m amazed at how brilliant her ear is picking up things I didn’t notice before. I’m in!😂❤
It’s not a popular opinion, but I think Sheer Heart Attack is Queens best album.
Well, I don't agreed with you. It's a very popular opinion
Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack are my favorites
Nick that is stone cold crazy dont ya know :p
I've no idea whether it's a popular one but it's my opinion too.
Night at the Opera, but I have overeaten it 😁
If you think this is beautiful, you'll have a field day with "You take my Breath away"
Try You take my breath away😍
Freddie had an amazing, beautiful, voice.
Freddie was a sensitive man having a very complex personality, his music was just as diverse as he himself. Thank you Amy for this very detailed analysis.
Freddie Mercury is the best. Amen
OMG! You gotta do Faerie Feller's Masterstroke/Nevermore from Queen II! Oooh and Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon - Night at the Opera.
Listening to the music of the band Queen, it's like seeing Michelangelo's paintings from the Sistine Chapel or listening to Beethoven's symphonies.
Lily of the Valley is quite a quintessential Queen song. It has all the hallmarks of what makes the Queen outstanding artists, their unique talent. It is their tenderness of vocal expression , complexity of the melody, and mastery of the musical substance, and impeccable taste. Brian May says „We are the Champions“ is the utter Queen, but surely, you can appreciate it only knowing that this group has been capable of making „Lily of the Valley“. Not to diminish entire body of their work, but certainly what made them unique and defined their contribution to rock music is this high musical art they could accomplish like no other group could
I think it was a big part of their appeal and success that you have 4 very good musicians
but 4 very different people with distinctive styles of composition and lyrics every album feels very diverse
their harmonies are beautiful
but it's only Freddies vocals on this one you just know before nowing this is a Freddie song! their personalities come through the songs
he had a few songs that he did all the vocals
We Are The Champions is actually a very complex song. It might sound simply or easy to digest, but it is really not simple at all. We are the champions have 21 different cords, with key changes and modal mixture. Just like Lily Of The Valley the song's composition is really masterful. There is a great analysis of We Are The Champions. Check out the video, "Analysing The Perfect The Perfect Chords from "We Are The Champions" from the channel Signals Music Studio.
The thing with Queen II and Sheer Heart Attack is they have several shorts songs that are breathtakingly beautiful and delicate. For instance "dear friends" it's literally a lullaby to me, yet it's one of my personal favs along the already commented Lilly and Nevermore
You Take My Breath Away - Queen
My very first Queen album brought for me in 1974 was ' Sheer Heart Attack' I played it so much, that when I started work a few years later I had to buy it again, as I had worn out my original copy & I still listen to it today.
It was mine too and same year 👍🏻
That bit at the beginning of this song is the end of another song called ‘Flick of the Wrist’, which is very different in a lot of ways, which may be why they fit so well together. It’s definitely worth listening to the two of them together as they appear on the album. Anyway, another great video! I haven’t listened to this song since my mid teens (a looooong time ago), when I just thought it was a pleasant song to listen to on this album. I never realized the complexity of it the way you did, as you broke it down practically measure by measure showing how it all fit together as one complete song. It’s so much more than just another ballad to me now. I bet Freddie would have really liked your analysis, especially after just one listen.
I really love this song. Decon's bass lines are so sensitive in the upper register for the instrument. It was unusual for it's time that few bands even thought about. The integrity of the band was really great producing wonderful results. Thank-u for this analysis and reaction video.❤
The song is very sad and so beautiful. In Christianity the lily of the valley is Mary the mother of Jesus. So he is referring to Mary his girlfriend.Thank you.
Yes, exactly. And another very old name for the beautiful flower lily of the valley is "Mary's tears".
@@ulrikealtmann4655 Yes.
Brian May stuff and the voice harmonies of the three of them are also amazing.
Queen was a great combination of people.
Yes but it only Freddie vocals on this
If you want to see Freddie's stage presence and how much interaction he has with a crowd, you need to watch the full 20 minutes of Queen's set at Live Aid.
That “Hidden melody” at the beginning is resolved by Brian May’s multi tracked guitar part at the very end. It is also used again in the Flash Gordon soundtrack with “The Kiss” - another beautiful piece by Freddie..
I've always loved this song.
Brilliant as always. I am a musician but I no longer play for money. I have been listening to these songs since they were released and I know I like them but I could never put it as eloquently as you have. I always liked Lily of the Valley.
There are loads of Queen's songs I feel the same about and I have actually seen them play quite a lot of them live many times. Sadly, that can't happen anymore
The dynamics here are way better than your average rock band. And it's very effective for what the song is getting at. That big crescendo feels like an ocean wave, consistent with the Neptune thing.
WOW, what a reaction. I just loved how you swooned over this song. It is also one of my favorites. If you do learn to play it on the harp, would definitely watch and listen to that. The hits are the hits, and for a reason, they are great. But these "little" album songs are (in my opinion anyway) what makes Queen above and beyond.
The 'start' of this is the 'end' of the previous song - Flick Of The Wrist. You should consider Lily Of The Valley as starting from when the piano takes over.
My favourite analysis yet! :D
It's amazing how much development Freddie was able to pack into this tiny song. ❤
Freddie is looking down at you from Heaven smiling.
I think he will be in amazement! Although Freddie is a genius, I don't think he thought his music this much over... it came naturally❤