Can someone reach out to Brian May? I think he would be delighted to have an interview with you, he is one of the kindest and humble person in the music business, if not on earth. Lovely reaction
I try not to have a favourite in Queen. I mean, Queen without Brian? No. Without Roger? No. Without John(and im a bass player here), no. And without Freddie? Certainly not. The stars aligned when Queen formed. 4 parts of a whole.
The opening line is the giveaway. "She came without a farthing, a babe without a name". A perfect descrption of the cat distribution system. It's a lovely song whoever you think its about. Love your sweet heart Brian.
Dementia is slowly causing my wife to slip away. This song's melody and slight dissonance perfectly captures my feelings of both joy and loss. Thank you once again, Amy, for your insight, your delightful and heartfelt reaction, and for reminding me of this lovely tune at this time in our lives.
I have suffered with every pet I’ve had to say goodbye to … Brian’s song has always helped me look at things with the right perspective. I used to cry and stubbornly say I’d never have another pet yet Brian’s song has shown me that I can simply allow an adorable pet pass through my life and survive the moment I must face. Thank you Amy for tearing up 🥰🌷
I am always amazed out how Queen fans who have never listened to an album are surprised by the variety of styles, play, vocalization. Queen is tour of music itself.
Brian May is an only child so his pets might have taken on more importance to him than they would for kids with siblings, maybe. To him they were possibly his siblings and/or best friends.
Thank you dear Amy for sharing this Queen gem with us. This song was and is something special for me. It was already my favourite song from the album when it was released. Many years later, it literally changed my life. At the time, my neighbour brought me a small kitten that was about a week old. It was very weak and the vet told me it had no chance of surviving. But I didn't want to give up on the helpless kitten, so I took the rest of my holiday and fed it every two hours, cleaned it and kept it warm. Fortunately, the kitten survived and I named it Xari. He never left my side, slept in my bed and his loud purring kept me awake some nights. He was like one of my children to me. Then, after three years, Xari became terminally ill and I had to put him to sleep with a heavy heart. As I buried him in my garden, crying and desperate, I remembered this song. I discovered the video that had just been released. It was so heartbreaking and yet so beautiful. It gave me comfort to cope with the grief and hope that he is well now and his suffering has ended. I know he will be there waiting for me and we will be happy together again. R.I.P. Xari, my never forgotten furry friend. Everyone who has lost their beloved pet and friend should find comfort and hope in this wonderfully sad song. Thank you Brain for this wonderful gift.
I've always thought of Freddie as the cat man, as many times as I've heard this song, it never sank in that it was about a cat until I listened to it yesterday in preparation for today. When I heard "rainbows end" it hit me like a ton of bricks. I thought of all the cats I've loved and lost, especially my sweet Delilah who came to me as a kitty out of nowhere. She was with me for over 20 years and now rests in my backyard ❤ While I love Brian, Freddie will always be first in my heart. Great job Amy, I also teared up 😢
@@Suzismymom I am truly sorry for the loss of your beloved cat Delilah.😔 Right, Freddie was also a very big cat lover and he also wrote a song for his cat shortly before he died. He had many cats, but his favourite cat was called Delilah like your cat. She was with him until his last day. The song is called Delilah and is immortalised on the album Innuendo.
@buckwahn8241 thank you so much! My Delilah was named after Freddie's cat, when we took her to the vet we were shocked to find that although she was so young, she was pregnant. She had 4 kittens which I named Freddie, Roger, Brian and John. I was able to find homes for all 4 kittens at the NJ shore. After we lost Delilah, I was devastated of course, that Christmas I was given a box and told to open it immediately, out popped 2 little kittens, both from the same litter. I named them after characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Anya and Drusilla but it was the strangest thing, Drusilla looked exactly like Delilah! Not only that, she also had the exact same personality. She followed me everywhere, she'd constantly stare at me as if she was trying to tell me something. She did every little thing Delilah did, exactly! I don't know how things work, but I would swear she was Delilah come back to me. It sounds crazy, but she was a carbon copy in every way 💞 You never know! Have a wonderful holiday and a Merry Christmas!
Brian May is very good at engaging with musicians/people on the internet who like and respect him, hopefully he sees this. It would be fascinating seeing you in the same room with your instruments. Thank you for this.
Brian did a great interview with Rick Beato, maybe a year ago-Rick is a brilliant music producer with a great youtube channel. Brian’s so intelligent, well spoken, and kind. You can tell he truly likes people, and loves talking music down to the technical details. And of course reminiscing. Amy should reach out to him! He probably would be flattered that a trained harpist and classical musician is looking into rock music generally, and Queen specifically.
This song hits pretty hard in the sense that it reminds me of all the people who told me there is no place in heaven for our beloved pets. That our wonderful little companions do not deserve a place by our sides. That's no heaven.
I'm a Queen fan and have always loved Brian May's guitar playing, love his use of delay and his multi-tracked "wire choir". I didn't know he sang this as well as played the piano.
I lost my wife a year and a half ago and the children are grown and have moved on, and songs like this are especially poignant for me. It often feels like that, you know? In a very real way, my dreams died with her, and it's difficult sometimes to think of a reason to keep going. And emotions are why we listen to music. Being analytical is a compliment to the music. To me, it's about learning to play and understand the music that you enjoy, and perhaps sharing what you've understood. Exactly like you're doing now. ❤ On a News of the World related note, this album has two of the most highly recognized songs in all of rock: We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions, most often played back-to-back. Melancholy Blues, Fight From The Inside, and Sheer Heart Attack are also interesting songs from the album.
And now it is time that you reach out to Brian and meet him. You will understand the how and the why. He is an incredible likable person, who is really sincere and honest. Humble, and I know he will appreciate your comment on Queen's work... Amy I never cried over this song, until you cried, then I cried...
Brian May is a major animal advocate and has worked to save hunted animals. So it doesn’t surprise me his inspiration was his childhood pet. Still he wrote so beautifully from beginning to end. I love that Freddie who arguably had one of the greatest voices in the world backed up his band mate and friend sing such a personal song to Brian. The whole band were connected in an artistic, creative way. Brian has a sad voice doesn’t he? I do love that elastic stretching effect. This one is a tear jerker for me too! Love your analysis as always!
Brian is definitely incredibily sensitive and caring with a deep love of animals. I had the pleasure of.meeting him and Anita once and he's a lovely, gentle and generous man. Have you heard the version of this song on Queen's channel where Freddie sings the lead vocal with slightly altered lyrics?
I wish such talented musicians would never grow old and live forever. So that the next generations will listen to Queen's songs and can cry and rejoice as much as you do. But...
After all these years, and hundreds of listens to Queens entire catalogue, I’ve NEVER known the story behind this song. It has often brought tears to my eyes as well. I LAUGHED HYSTERICALLY after hearing the backstory! …and that ALSO brought tears to my eyes! This has turned into one of my favorite reactions. I LOVE what you and Vlad have created here! Thank you Amy and Vlad! ❤❤❤
Brian May wrote a lot of Queen songs but Freddie sang most of them. But I must say he typically picked the absolute perfect ones to do his own vocals. I've heard the Freddie vocals version of this song and I love his singing but Brian's soft and tender vocals are absolutely perfect for this one. Really enjoyable to hear your breakdown. I just discovered this page yesterday and can't get enough!
Many people thought that Brian May had (at long last) been tempted to introduce guitar synthesisers for the guitar orchestral section, but apparently, Queen didn't introduce synthesisers until the beginning of the 1980s with the release of The Game album. But Brian was stretching the tonal possibilities of electric guitar throughout the 1970s to create orchestral string, woodwind, and brass sounds!
I have known this song since 1977 but I never knew the story behind the lyrics, so I'm grateful for learning about this now. I very recently lost the cat that really was my better half for 12 years. When he passed, I have never grieved so hard in my life and I can so relate to young Brian's pain... It's amazing how we sometimes can have a special bond with an animal, but it's only extraordinary people like Brian May who can turn it into art. Love to all of you who have had a very special furry friend in your life! ❤️🐾
Brian is the master of using the studio as another instrument. The high guitar sounds were achieved by slowing down the tape, recording the parts then playing it back at the correct speed. That gives the guitars an almost piccolo distorted sound. Genius.
Amy, I don’t see you as cold, I see the joy music brings to you. You are smart and learned but you clearly feel everything. Music gets right at it, goes for the jugular. Your vulnerability is always welcome.
as someone who started 2020 with five cats,and here at the end of 2023 have only one left this hit me kind of hard. i've known of this song for decades,but didn't know the origins of it until now. please excuse me now while i go give my 18 year old matilda a big hug and kiss.
"All Dead, All Dead" is very open to interpretation, as much as it was about a pet, It could be the death of a relationship, or the passing of a loved one. May's piano is simply beautiful on it, and that guitar choir is just amazing!
If she's surprised by the variety of Queen songs so far I'm looking forward to her hearing Cool Cat, this song has aged so well and I think it's a totally different composition to anything Queen has ever done, not to mention the quality and originality of the music
It's quite amazing that the song brought tears to Amy's eyes, and THEN she reads Brian May's words that the song was intended to bring tears to your eyes.
Oh my. I’m awash with my own tears. My sister Marie, and her not quite yet husband saw Queen at a smaller Masonic Temple in Detroit on the Opera tour a few years previous to this tour, which I saw in ‘77 at the famed Cobo Arena. Sister Marie is fighting so hard against cancer, but soon she too will be All Dead and gone. This song hit me very hard this morning. Any prayers for her will be so appreciated. Bittersweet song.
Wonderful review! The song is one that can bring out emotion! Brian's skills as a musician often take second place against Freddie and his skills and personality that defined Queen to many. However, he is second to none in the sounds he is able to produce. To me his techniques on the guitar defined the sound of Queen as much as Freddie did.
Queen is a band that I can honestly say, no one personality, singer, instrument or songwriter defines the band. It is the unique perfect mix of personalities, instruments, talents, etc.
I love Queen, but this song had slipped by me. Thanks to you and Vlad for analyzing it and letting me hear it. Brian May is simply great. What a great song. I still mourn a cat that died in 1983 so I really related to this.
Amy totally caught off guard, for the first time if I recall. Still - being one of Queen's hidden gems - it was so brave to share her un unrequited emotion. Now THAT was a reaction. 🤗
Cold not at all I find you warm and wonderful, your seriousness and focus on the task at hand is highly respectable, it is this that makes your channel a favorite of mine. Your playfulness and humor show through every time. I was fine until your tears came then I let go knowing your feelings are pure and sincere. Thank You Amy
Been a Queen fan for 40 years and, somehow, the fact that Brian wrote this song for his cat was something I didn't know until now!! My beautiful cat Frodo died a few months ago after over 18 years of love and friendship and listening to this song knowing that made me shed a tear... or many. Miss you every day, my lovely Frodo!!!💔 I always loved the "of course I don't believe you're dead, and gone" line. I think it somehow expresses perfectly what we all experience with the dead of our loved ones. I think we never really fully believe our loved ones are gone. We get used to the idea, yes, but it doesn't matter how much time goes by, we will find ourselves occasionally thinking about them as if they were still here. I don't know, maybe it's just me. Beautiful reaction and analysis as always, Amy!! As a Queen fan, rediscovering all these well loved songs with you is always a pleasure!! 😍
Queen was such an amazing band....certified geniuses. Sure they had Freddie Mercury, but their Ace in the Hole was the certified guitar god Brian May. A match made in rock n roll heaven. There will never be another band like them.
I envy you the sweet discovery of this gem! I remember receiving the album as a gift from my cousin, for Christmas in 1977. I was 12 years old. By then 'We Will Rock You' and 'We Are the Champions' had gotten a lot of radio play. I ran up to my room to play it, and when 'All Dead' came along I reacted much as you did. I spent the afternoon playing it over and over, and it's since become my favorite Queen song. While it's been several years since I've heard it, every note and lyric comes right back, as does the emotion. Thanks for the memories!
This is such an emotive song, Amy, and I don't blame you for joining me in shedding tears. It was released at a time when I was having miscarriages and I honestly thought it referred to a stillbirth or a perinatal death, it sounds so personal. When Freddie died, I played this over and over and sobbed my heart out. Thank you Amy.
This album is what awakened my interest in music when I was in the 4th grade. If you're going to do this entire album, one little suggestion, when you get to "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions", you really need to listen to them as one song or people will complain :)
This is why Queen was and is an incredible band. Each member had the freedom to write their own songs. Furthermore each members had #1 hits on their own within Queen. John Deacon and Roger Taylor are incredible Songwriters in their own right and contributed in major songs for the band. All 4 had/ have PHD's in various fields beyond music. Smart bands tend to be Brilliant bands.
He sums up the relationships we have with pets and it gets harder and harder every time we lose them. They live such short lived and then we are supposed to move on.
Brian May was an only child so I'm sure he was very close to his cat, probably told the cat his feelings. I know how I felt about my dog, she was my best friend. Great reaction.
i love queen so much, they have many many hidden jewels that get you every time. Brian is the reason i picked up a guitar to begin with but he was a good pianist and a good composer, the thing is that, he said it himself, how can you take the front space when you have the greatest around?
This is perhaps my favorite Queen song. Actually shocked to see a reaction to it, it's so rarely covered. (Edited to add: Also, almost died laughing when you read it was about a pet cat. Hahaha!) The guitar solo feels almost funerary, to me. Similar to Elton John's Funeral for a Friend (though definitely less bombastic).
You are right Queen has a song connecting with every emotion possible. Since I am a fan, my (grown up) children know the songs too. And so as a familiy we invented 'Queen therapy'. When you're down you start with listening to Mother love - which is the most desperate song in our collective opinion. Then, you listen to more songs and an hour later you are dancing and singing to I was born to love you, or another cheerful song. It works for us!!!
I love that: Queen therapy!!! Do you mind if I borrow that term? I do that quite often these days but just play the cheerful songs and dance around the house (like no one's watching). 💖
@@chergui77 Don't mind at all! What are your most cheerful songs? Mine are: Don't stop me now, I was born to love you and breakthrough! One of those 3 are sure to pull me out of any mood I'm in!
When listening to both the song and your amazing analysis I can only compare this to someone listening to a foreign language you don't understand but you would love to learn.
Great reaction! Don't feel bad about the tears...I've shed many to this song! It's perfectly melancholy - and indeed, perfect use of Brian's beautiful voice!! There are several in Queen's catalogue that utilize his vocal talents - sure he's no Freddie, he never claimed to be, but he has a sweet, tender and very melodic voice that fits with all the times it gets used (check out '39, Some Day One Day, Sail Away Sweet Sister, beginning & bridge of Who Wants To Live Forever, Sleeping On The Sidewalk...and others...) Beautiful song! Always loved this one. Cheers.
Amy when you got emotional it made me become emotional and I think a lot of other people too. That’s one of the beautiful things about people, we share emotions in a sympathetic resonance like harmonies in music. Beautiful song and discussion thank you. All the best !
Besides The Show Must Go On this is the other song fron their catalogue that gets me tearful. It's a piece of art. That guitar passage always makes me think that Brian is musically expressing how the spirit of his beloved cat elevates to heaven There is another version with Freddie on vocals with an extra verse I'd realy love to hear your thoughts on that What a great reaction, and thanks for doing so much Queen!!! ❤
I will say I don't care for Freddie's version. Brian likely doubted he should sing it. When you have Freddie why would you, but like with 39 Freddie said to Brian, you sing it well enough.
When I saw in the title that you "cracked" I wasn't sure if you meant laughing or crying. I wasn't familiar with this song, so I didn't know. Interesting to know that Queen are capable of both.
I wish I could give 5 thumbs up! The range of Queen is simply amazing. They could do hard rock, fun 1920s, sad, funny, and every style in between. They refused to be typecast in the best way possible. I always think of Queen and Rush as two bands that did absolutely their own thing with pride and somehow succeeded using their differences rather than following the herd.
When I was a little boy, my dream was to be good at guitar and piano, have a great voice and write great songs and also be able to somehow follow my second love.. astrophysics. As I was getting older I realized that what I actually wanted was to be like Bryan May. I really admire that man, he accomplished everything I thought was impossible.
This tune has me weeping for my li'l baba Sadie. Such a sweet friend that I lost to the ravages of time. What a beautiful tribute to the little creature in our lives.
Prophet's Song is better than Bohemian Rhapsody. Yeah, I said it. Fight me. (And that's quite a thing to state, since Bohemian Rhapsody is FANTASTIC and AMAZING.)
It's so satisfying to see someone else notice the same things and feel the same feelings with this particular piece of music. As a teenager, even though I had very little proficiency with the piano and no relevant life experiences, I enjoyed this song so much that I took it upon myself to learn it. The use of major and minor, the care put into the performance on the words "forgive me", I noticed these things then. And I knew then that someday I would experience the loss of my own cats. That time came this year. It also came for people in my life. So occasionally I've been turning to this song when I have felt a certain way. I deeply relate to this video both analytically and emotionally, so thank you. It's a funny coincidence that on yesterday's video I left a comment about Brian May's guitar nearly making me cry while this video was already filmed to be released today.
Brian May is definitely the sound of Queen imho while Freddie is the face. I don’t believe there’s ever been a better front man than Freddie but Queen would have been a very different band without Brian.
The band needs them all. Before Freddie joined, they already were a band: Smile. And a good band. But Freddie was the missing element that lifted them up to a world class band.
And this song again (like the Millionare waltz and Good old fashioned...) has a sister. 3 years younger. The brilliant and emotive (too) " Sail away sweet sister", with Freddie on piano this time.
Hello Amy. May's musical mind and skill are second to none in modern popular/rock music. He has a PhD. in AstroPhysics remember. His musical ideas are sublime. He is also a master of electric guitar orchestration and YES, all of those " instruments " you hear are his home made electric guitar, " The Red Special " made from a 200 year old fireplace mahogany wood mantle piece which he still plays as his main guitar today. He has created the sounds of instruments including, trumpets, cellos, violins, trombones, tubas, flutes, recorders, violas, clarinets, saxophones, double basses, flugelhorns, middle eastern wind instruments, police sirens, cat meows, and etc., etc , etc., etc., . He is a musical genius and a perfectionist to the degree that it bothered the hell out of the rest of the band at times because May would not settle for one out of place note, nor it's timbre, attack, decay and etc. Plus he was just as picky about harmonies, track dubbing, stereo spread, etc. etc. His guitar harmonies and orchestrations were so unique and special and grand...even surpassing the creator of guitar multi-tracking, the great Les Paul who May met and played together with on stage once ( on UA-cam BTW ). I have been lucky enough to have met May and his daughter Emily once and he's very real, down to earth, direct and a true gentleman. Please realize that Brian May FOUNDED Queen ( The band name was, "Smile" first ). May is in fact, Queen's founding member, with Taylor, Mercury and Deacon following. Brian started Queen. He had the sounds of those guitar harmonies in his head since a teen and set out to build a guitar that could create those sounds of his imagination...and he did just that. It also took a lot of technical fingerwork and fiddling with speakers and such on Brian's part to coax those sounds out of his guitar and amps, but he did it. Amazing guy/musician. (Antique stereoscopic photography has also been a massive hobby of his since he was young and he even wrote a giant coffee table book about the craft and designed and constructed the fold out camera which is included in every hardcover book sold. Not an easy task.) May is a huge part of Queen. HUGE.
The song from this album that you should be paying attention to IMHO is Sheer Heart Attack, it was written by Roger and was Queen's response to punk rock which had recently taken the world by storm and was changing the face of rock music.
What a wonderful song that I just heard now for the first time, together with Amy. And what a great reaction. I am really blown away by everything about this song and it will definitely stay with me forever. Thank you, Amy and Vlad! 🖤 And please, everyone, just take a time and go hug, kiss and spend a little quality time with your loved pet or person. 🖤
Interesting take on how All Dead, All Dead manages to balance its emotions. It feels melancholic for the loss and yet grateful for the great times at the same time to me. As per usual, wonderful job, Amy! Ps: You misspelled Freddie Mercury in the tag section haha
This song has always been one of my favorites on my favorite album of there's... The musical, emotional sensitivity and vulnerability of your reaction was wonderful and emotional for me to watch... They are modern-day mozarts and there's no other way to see them... Truly an incarnation of classical music 💜
Can someone reach out to Brian May? I think he would be delighted to have an interview with you, he is one of the kindest and humble person in the music business, if not on earth.
Lovely reaction
I was going to suggest the same thing
Yeah... just said exactly the same❤😂😂😂
@BrianMay I know Brian's a busy boy but he'd be great here
I said the same last time - without pressuring Amy I think a meeting (virtual of course) with Brian would be wonderful@@fretlessfender
Already have
I try not to have a favourite in Queen. I mean, Queen without Brian? No. Without Roger? No. Without John(and im a bass player here), no. And without Freddie? Certainly not. The stars aligned when Queen formed. 4 parts of a whole.
The opening line is the giveaway. "She came without a farthing, a babe without a name". A perfect descrption of the cat distribution system. It's a lovely song whoever you think its about. Love your sweet heart Brian.
Glad I am not the only one that cries every time I hear this song
Dementia is slowly causing my wife to slip away. This song's melody and slight dissonance perfectly captures my feelings of both joy and loss.
Thank you once again, Amy, for your insight, your delightful and heartfelt reaction, and for reminding me of this lovely tune at this time in our lives.
Arms wrapped around you tightly xx
@41Forethought...lots of warmth and love to you and your wife. ❤
What can be the greatest tragedy for a child without siblings? The loss of your parents or your pet.
Seeing her cry made me cry no lie ♥️
I have suffered with every pet I’ve had to say goodbye to … Brian’s song has always helped me look at things with the right perspective. I used to cry and stubbornly say I’d never have another pet yet Brian’s song has shown me that I can simply allow an adorable pet pass through my life and survive the moment I must face. Thank you Amy for tearing up 🥰🌷
I am always amazed out how Queen fans who have never listened to an album are surprised by the variety of styles, play, vocalization. Queen is tour of music itself.
Brian May is an only child so his pets might have taken on more importance to him than they would for kids with siblings, maybe. To him they were possibly his siblings and/or best friends.
Thank you for being you Amy - and wearing your heart on your sleeve. We all benefit from your honest responses. X
Thank you dear Amy for sharing this Queen gem with us. This song was and is something special for me. It was already my favourite song from the album when it was released. Many years later, it literally changed my life.
At the time, my neighbour brought me a small kitten that was about a week old. It was very weak and the vet told me it had no chance of surviving. But I didn't want to give up on the helpless kitten, so I took the rest of my holiday and fed it every two hours, cleaned it and kept it warm. Fortunately, the kitten survived and I named it Xari. He never left my side, slept in my bed and his loud purring kept me awake some nights. He was like one of my children to me.
Then, after three years, Xari became terminally ill and I had to put him to sleep with a heavy heart. As I buried him in my garden, crying and desperate, I remembered this song. I discovered the video that had just been released. It was so heartbreaking and yet so beautiful. It gave me comfort to cope with the grief and hope that he is well now and his suffering has ended. I know he will be there waiting for me and we will be happy together again.
R.I.P. Xari, my never forgotten furry friend.
Everyone who has lost their beloved pet and friend should find comfort and hope in this wonderfully sad song.
Thank you Brain for this wonderful gift.
I love a good cat story. I have a few sweet ones of my own.
I've always thought of Freddie as the cat man, as many times as I've heard this song, it never sank in that it was about a cat until I listened to it yesterday in preparation for today. When I heard "rainbows end" it hit me like a ton of bricks. I thought of all the cats I've loved and lost, especially my sweet Delilah who came to me as a kitty out of nowhere. She was with me for over 20 years and now rests in my backyard ❤
While I love Brian, Freddie will always be first in my heart.
Great job Amy, I also teared up 😢
@@UrbanSurvivalLaboratories Thank you very much for your participation.❤
@@Suzismymom I am truly sorry for the loss of your beloved cat Delilah.😔
Right, Freddie was also a very big cat lover and he also wrote a song for his cat shortly before he died. He had many cats, but his favourite cat was called Delilah like your cat. She was with him until his last day. The song is called Delilah and is immortalised on the album Innuendo.
@buckwahn8241 thank you so much! My Delilah was named after Freddie's cat, when we took her to the vet we were shocked to find that although she was so young, she was pregnant. She had 4 kittens which I named Freddie, Roger, Brian and John. I was able to find homes for all 4 kittens at the NJ shore.
After we lost Delilah, I was devastated of course, that Christmas I was given a box and told to open it immediately, out popped 2 little kittens, both from the same litter. I named them after characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Anya and Drusilla but it was the strangest thing, Drusilla looked exactly like Delilah! Not only that, she also had the exact same personality. She followed me everywhere, she'd constantly stare at me as if she was trying to tell me something. She did every little thing Delilah did, exactly! I don't know how things work, but I would swear she was Delilah come back to me. It sounds crazy, but she was a carbon copy in every way 💞
You never know! Have a wonderful holiday and a Merry Christmas!
"We Are the Champions", "All Dead, All Dead", "Spread Your Wings", "It's Late", "My Melancholy Blues"... Great album!
Fight from the inside from Taylor is greeeat so 🤟🤟a jewel, like Sleeping on The sidewalk (May) and Who needs You (Mercury) ❤
@@toddmathers5075 ohh is a Deaky song? Cool !
Sheer Heart Attack!!
The rocking song on this classic lp!!
My Melancholy Blues is sooo underrated! News of the World is my favorite album partly because it has such personal touches from each individual member
Brian May is very good at engaging with musicians/people on the internet who like and respect him, hopefully he sees this. It would be fascinating seeing you in the same room with your instruments. Thank you for this.
Brian did a great interview with Rick Beato, maybe a year ago-Rick is a brilliant music producer with a great youtube channel. Brian’s so intelligent, well spoken, and kind. You can tell he truly likes people, and loves talking music down to the technical details. And of course reminiscing. Amy should reach out to him! He probably would be flattered that a trained harpist and classical musician is looking into rock music generally, and Queen specifically.
@@richlisola1 search for Rosie Bennet
@@richlisola1 his latest was with a new vlogger, a musician. The channel's name was Fret Not.
This song hits pretty hard in the sense that it reminds me of all the people who told me there is no place in heaven for our beloved pets. That our wonderful little companions do not deserve a place by our sides. That's no heaven.
I'm a Queen fan and have always loved Brian May's guitar playing, love his use of delay and his multi-tracked "wire choir". I didn't know he sang this as well as played the piano.
I lost my wife a year and a half ago and the children are grown and have moved on, and songs like this are especially poignant for me. It often feels like that, you know? In a very real way, my dreams died with her, and it's difficult sometimes to think of a reason to keep going.
And emotions are why we listen to music. Being analytical is a compliment to the music. To me, it's about learning to play and understand the music that you enjoy, and perhaps sharing what you've understood.
Exactly like you're doing now. ❤
On a News of the World related note, this album has two of the most highly recognized songs in all of rock: We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions, most often played back-to-back. Melancholy Blues, Fight From The Inside, and Sheer Heart Attack are also interesting songs from the album.
May your heart be soothed and healed, but your memories of your wife live on.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Take one day at a time - some will be harder than other.
And now it is time that you reach out to Brian and meet him. You will understand the how and the why. He is an incredible likable person, who is really sincere and honest. Humble, and I know he will appreciate your comment on Queen's work...
Amy I never cried over this song, until you cried, then I cried...
Brian May is a major animal advocate and has worked to save hunted animals. So it doesn’t surprise me his inspiration was his childhood pet. Still he wrote so beautifully from beginning to end. I love that Freddie who arguably had one of the greatest voices in the world backed up his band mate and friend sing such a personal song to Brian. The whole band were connected in an artistic, creative way. Brian has a sad voice doesn’t he? I do love that elastic stretching effect. This one is a tear jerker for me too! Love your analysis as always!
I completely agree
Brian is definitely incredibily sensitive and caring with a deep love of animals. I had the pleasure of.meeting him and Anita once and he's a lovely, gentle and generous man. Have you heard the version of this song on Queen's channel where Freddie sings the lead vocal with slightly altered lyrics?
@@spiritusinfinitus I will look that one up!
@@spiritusinfinitus This demo also sounds great, different voices really convey different emotions
Brian May est aussi diplômé en astrophysique pour info
I wish such talented musicians would never grow old and live forever. So that the next generations will listen to Queen's songs and can cry and rejoice as much as you do. But...
After all these years, and hundreds of listens to Queens entire catalogue, I’ve NEVER known the story behind this song. It has often brought tears to my eyes as well. I LAUGHED HYSTERICALLY after hearing the backstory! …and that ALSO brought tears to my eyes! This has turned into one of my favorite reactions. I LOVE what you and Vlad have created here! Thank you Amy and Vlad! ❤❤❤
…And a GREAT BIG shoutout to Vlad for setting this up MASTERFULLY!
Please watch the animated version here on UA-cam - it really is wonderful
@YoureBeingParanoid Thanks, I enjoyed that. Good animation.
Thank you, have a fab Christmas@@douglasgonzalez7561
Brian May wrote a lot of Queen songs but Freddie sang most of them. But I must say he typically picked the absolute perfect ones to do his own vocals. I've heard the Freddie vocals version of this song and I love his singing but Brian's soft and tender vocals are absolutely perfect for this one. Really enjoyable to hear your breakdown. I just discovered this page yesterday and can't get enough!
He still uses the guitar he made with his father when he was 12 years old. Brian May is a person with a tremendous amount of love.
I believe he was 16 rather than 12yo
Many people thought that Brian May had (at long last) been tempted to introduce guitar synthesisers for the guitar orchestral section, but apparently, Queen didn't introduce synthesisers until the beginning of the 1980s with the release of The Game album. But Brian was stretching the tonal possibilities of electric guitar throughout the 1970s to create orchestral string, woodwind, and brass sounds!
Queen were outsiders playing to outsiders. That's what made them legendary.
I have known this song since 1977 but I never knew the story behind the lyrics, so I'm grateful for learning about this now. I very recently lost the cat that really was my better half for 12 years. When he passed, I have never grieved so hard in my life and I can so relate to young Brian's pain... It's amazing how we sometimes can have a special bond with an animal, but it's only extraordinary people like Brian May who can turn it into art. Love to all of you who have had a very special furry friend in your life!
❤️🐾
I truly love this song, When I seen the cartoon I melted .
The line which really "catches you offguard" is: "Of course I don't believe you're dead and gone, all dead and gone."
I bet you anything Brian May would be delighted to speak with you if you were interested in interviewing him.
Your reaction was beautiful
Brian is the master of using the studio as another instrument. The high guitar sounds were achieved by slowing down the tape, recording the parts then playing it back at the correct speed. That gives the guitars an almost piccolo distorted sound. Genius.
Amy, I don’t see you as cold, I see the joy music brings to you. You are smart and learned but you clearly feel everything. Music gets right at it, goes for the jugular. Your vulnerability is always welcome.
May is brillant, genius, musician..🎉
One of the most beutiful reaction to this hidden jewel of Queen
Hi, they made a beautiful animated video for this song,
on the Queen Official YT channel
Queen - All Dead, All Dead - At Last, the Video!
as someone who started 2020 with five cats,and here at the end of 2023 have only one left this hit me kind of hard. i've known of this song for decades,but didn't know the origins of it until now. please excuse me now while i go give my 18 year old matilda a big hug and kiss.
Brian May composed a beautiful song dedicated to 'the sister I never had' called Sail Away Sweet Sister. I cannot wait for you to hear this x
By the way, it's Brian May who plays the harp in the final chord of "Love of My Life"
"All Dead, All Dead" is very open to interpretation, as much as it was about a pet, It could be the death of a relationship, or the passing of a loved one. May's piano is simply beautiful on it, and that guitar choir is just amazing!
I have a Persian who i absolutely adore. This piece has had me in tears from the beginning. 🥺
That guitar orchestration is phenomenal.
If she's surprised by the variety of Queen songs so far I'm looking forward to her hearing Cool Cat, this song has aged so well and I think it's a totally different composition to anything Queen has ever done, not to mention the quality and originality of the music
Thank you for not editing out your emotional response.
"It's Late" is my favorite from the album. Such an epic tune.
That’s a great one
My favourite too.
Someday one day for me
It’s Late. I first saw Queen in 1978 on the News of the World tour. And “It’s Late” was quite incredible!
Probably the best Queen song ever. Striped down yet so powerful
It's quite amazing that the song brought tears to Amy's eyes, and THEN she reads Brian May's words that the song was intended to bring tears to your eyes.
Oh my. I’m awash with my own tears. My sister Marie, and her not quite yet husband saw Queen at a smaller Masonic Temple in Detroit on the Opera tour a few years previous to this tour, which I saw in ‘77 at the famed Cobo Arena. Sister Marie is fighting so hard against cancer, but soon she too will be All Dead and gone. This song hit me very hard this morning. Any prayers for her will be so appreciated. Bittersweet song.
I will be praying for Marie 🙏
Wonderful review! The song is one that can bring out emotion! Brian's skills as a musician often take second place against Freddie and his skills and personality that defined Queen to many. However, he is second to none in the sounds he is able to produce. To me his techniques on the guitar defined the sound of Queen as much as Freddie did.
Queen is a band that I can honestly say, no one personality, singer, instrument or songwriter defines the band.
It is the unique perfect mix of personalities, instruments, talents, etc.
I love Queen, but this song had slipped by me. Thanks to you and Vlad for analyzing it and letting me hear it. Brian May is simply great. What a great song. I still mourn a cat that died in 1983 so I really related to this.
Amy totally caught off guard, for the first time if I recall. Still - being one of Queen's hidden gems - it was so brave to share her un unrequited emotion. Now THAT was a reaction. 🤗
I love this album. Spread Your Wings is great. The version on the Live Killers album rocks.
The best version is the one recorded for BBC, wonderful.
my favorite queen song!!!
BBC version of SYW is far superior
@@konradtomala3580 When they ramp it up and go pure rock near the end is pure gold
Cold not at all I find you warm and wonderful, your seriousness and focus on the task at hand is highly respectable, it is this that makes your channel a favorite of mine.
Your playfulness and humor show through every time.
I was fine until your tears came then I let go knowing your feelings are pure and sincere.
Thank You Amy
Been a Queen fan for 40 years and, somehow, the fact that Brian wrote this song for his cat was something I didn't know until now!!
My beautiful cat Frodo died a few months ago after over 18 years of love and friendship and listening to this song knowing that made me shed a tear... or many. Miss you every day, my lovely Frodo!!!💔
I always loved the "of course I don't believe you're dead, and gone" line. I think it somehow expresses perfectly what we all experience with the dead of our loved ones. I think we never really fully believe our loved ones are gone. We get used to the idea, yes, but it doesn't matter how much time goes by, we will find ourselves occasionally thinking about them as if they were still here. I don't know, maybe it's just me.
Beautiful reaction and analysis as always, Amy!! As a Queen fan, rediscovering all these well loved songs with you is always a pleasure!! 😍
Queen was such an amazing band....certified geniuses. Sure they had Freddie Mercury, but their Ace in the Hole was the certified guitar god Brian May.
A match made in rock n roll heaven. There will never be another band like them.
Every band is different, they mean to be different. That's part of the greatness of rock as a genre.
I envy you the sweet discovery of this gem! I remember receiving the album as a gift from my cousin, for Christmas in 1977. I was 12 years old. By then 'We Will Rock You' and 'We Are the Champions' had gotten a lot of radio play. I ran up to my room to play it, and when 'All Dead' came along I reacted much as you did. I spent the afternoon playing it over and over, and it's since become my favorite Queen song. While it's been several years since I've heard it, every note and lyric comes right back, as does the emotion. Thanks for the memories!
This is such an emotive song, Amy, and I don't blame you for joining me in shedding tears. It was released at a time when I was having miscarriages and I honestly thought it referred to a stillbirth or a perinatal death, it sounds so personal. When Freddie died, I played this over and over and sobbed my heart out. Thank you Amy.
I can relate. When I lost my beautiful calico cat Sunshine, who was 16, it ripped my heart out.
This album is what awakened my interest in music when I was in the 4th grade.
If you're going to do this entire album, one little suggestion, when you get to "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions", you really need to listen to them as one song or people will complain :)
This is why Queen was and is an incredible band.
Each member had the freedom to write their own songs.
Furthermore each members had #1 hits on their own within Queen.
John Deacon and Roger Taylor are incredible Songwriters in their own right and contributed in major songs for the band.
All 4 had/ have PHD's in various fields beyond music.
Smart bands tend to be Brilliant bands.
He sums up the relationships we have with pets and it gets harder and harder every time we lose them. They live such short lived and then we are supposed to move on.
Brian May was an only child so I'm sure he was very close to his cat, probably told the cat his feelings. I know how I felt about my dog, she was my best friend. Great reaction.
i love queen so much, they have many many hidden jewels that get you every time. Brian is the reason i picked up a guitar to begin with but he was a good pianist and a good composer, the thing is that, he said it himself, how can you take the front space when you have the greatest around?
Brian May is an amazing human being.
How many people go from legendary musician and composer to world renowned astrophysicist in one lifetime?
@@helifanodobezanozi7689...and 3d photographer and conservationist as well.
Hi. I just cried as you did. I was waiting for an explanation of their music.thaks so much
This is perhaps my favorite Queen song. Actually shocked to see a reaction to it, it's so rarely covered. (Edited to add: Also, almost died laughing when you read it was about a pet cat. Hahaha!)
The guitar solo feels almost funerary, to me. Similar to Elton John's Funeral for a Friend (though definitely less bombastic).
You are right Queen has a song connecting with every emotion possible. Since I am a fan, my (grown up) children know the songs too. And so as a familiy we invented 'Queen therapy'. When you're down you start with listening to Mother love - which is the most desperate song in our collective opinion. Then, you listen to more songs and an hour later you are dancing and singing to I was born to love you, or another cheerful song. It works for us!!!
I love that: Queen therapy!!! Do you mind if I borrow that term? I do that quite often these days but just play the cheerful songs and dance around the house (like no one's watching). 💖
@@chergui77 Don't mind at all! What are your most cheerful songs? Mine are: Don't stop me now, I was born to love you and breakthrough! One of those 3 are sure to pull me out of any mood I'm in!
i loooove “i was born to love you.” freddies voice is crazy powerful in it. what a hype song!
There is a version that was found as a demo with Freddie singing most of the song, it's quite wonderful.
When listening to both the song and your amazing analysis I can only compare this to someone listening to a foreign language you don't understand but you would love to learn.
Great reaction! Don't feel bad about the tears...I've shed many to this song! It's perfectly melancholy - and indeed, perfect use of Brian's beautiful voice!!
There are several in Queen's catalogue that utilize his vocal talents - sure he's no Freddie, he never claimed to be, but he has a sweet, tender and very melodic voice that fits with all the times it gets used (check out '39, Some Day One Day, Sail Away Sweet Sister, beginning & bridge of Who Wants To Live Forever, Sleeping On The Sidewalk...and others...)
Beautiful song! Always loved this one. Cheers.
News Of The World and Jazz are awesome albums. Anything off of them would be great
Jazz is comparatively weak with numerous fillers.
one of the greatest songs ever written! heard it for the first time at 9 years old, was my very first album i ever bought on 8 track. just fantastic.
true
Amy when you got emotional it made me become emotional and I think a lot of other people too. That’s one of the beautiful things about people, we share emotions in a sympathetic resonance like harmonies in music. Beautiful song and discussion thank you. All the best !
Besides The Show Must Go On this is the other song fron their catalogue that gets me tearful. It's a piece of art.
That guitar passage always makes me think that Brian is musically expressing how the spirit of his beloved cat elevates to heaven
There is another version with Freddie on vocals with an extra verse I'd realy love to hear your thoughts on that
What a great reaction, and thanks for doing so much Queen!!! ❤
I will say I don't care for Freddie's version. Brian likely doubted he should sing it. When you have Freddie why would you, but like with 39 Freddie said to Brian, you sing it well enough.
When I saw in the title that you "cracked" I wasn't sure if you meant laughing or crying. I wasn't familiar with this song, so I didn't know. Interesting to know that Queen are capable of both.
This was an outstanding analysis, well done.
I wish I could give 5 thumbs up! The range of Queen is simply amazing. They could do hard rock, fun 1920s, sad, funny, and every style in between. They refused to be typecast in the best way possible. I always think of Queen and Rush as two bands that did absolutely their own thing with pride and somehow succeeded using their differences rather than following the herd.
When I was a little boy, my dream was to be good at guitar and piano, have a great voice and write great songs and also be able to somehow follow my second love.. astrophysics. As I was getting older I realized that what I actually wanted was to be like Bryan May. I really admire that man, he accomplished everything I thought was impossible.
This tune has me weeping for my li'l baba Sadie. Such a sweet friend that I lost to the ravages of time. What a beautiful tribute to the little creature in our lives.
Whoever could ever think of you as "cold hearted". Your warmth, your passion, you compassion!
You should absolutely listen to It's Late as well! Wonderful song, and one of Freddie's best performances.
I didn't know this song. One thing that I have noticed is how the bass and the drums enter in the middle of the chorus. It's a great arrangement.
Nice growth in texture.
Reminds me of Bohemian Rhapsody as the song begins solely with piano, bass, and vocals (no percussion).
My favorite Queen song. I have loved it ever since I borrowed my sister’s album to listen to as a kid. I think it is very underrated.
I feel sorry no song from Brian from 'Opera' was chosen.
For me '39', 'Prophets song' and 'Good Company' belong to the best Queen-Songs ever...
Prophet's Song is better than Bohemian Rhapsody. Yeah, I said it. Fight me. (And that's quite a thing to state, since Bohemian Rhapsody is FANTASTIC and AMAZING.)
@@ReplicantSeven It is not a better song then Bohemian Rhapsody, but I can certainly understand why people can become tired of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Prophets song is brilliant @@ReplicantSeven
It's so satisfying to see someone else notice the same things and feel the same feelings with this particular piece of music. As a teenager, even though I had very little proficiency with the piano and no relevant life experiences, I enjoyed this song so much that I took it upon myself to learn it. The use of major and minor, the care put into the performance on the words "forgive me", I noticed these things then. And I knew then that someday I would experience the loss of my own cats. That time came this year. It also came for people in my life. So occasionally I've been turning to this song when I have felt a certain way. I deeply relate to this video both analytically and emotionally, so thank you.
It's a funny coincidence that on yesterday's video I left a comment about Brian May's guitar nearly making me cry while this video was already filmed to be released today.
Brian May is definitely the sound of Queen imho while Freddie is the face.
I don’t believe there’s ever been a better front man than Freddie but Queen would have been a very different band without Brian.
The band needs them all. Before Freddie joined, they already were a band: Smile. And a good band. But Freddie was the missing element that lifted them up to a world class band.
And this song again (like the Millionare waltz and Good old fashioned...) has a sister. 3 years younger. The brilliant and emotive (too) " Sail away sweet sister", with Freddie on piano this time.
I know we've moved well past A Night at the Opera, but I would really love you to react to The Prophet's Song. PLEASE consider doing this one!!!
Love that hindi accent of Freddie's singing 'oLL' dead
Great as always, this is the best ever analisys of Queen over internet. Gracias!!
I have never heard this song. I am going to listen to it right now to prepare. . . It was good!
that is what music is all about!
Hello Amy.
May's musical mind and skill are second to none in modern popular/rock music. He has a PhD. in AstroPhysics remember. His musical ideas are sublime. He is also a master of electric guitar orchestration and YES, all of those " instruments " you hear are his home made electric guitar, " The Red Special " made from a 200 year old fireplace mahogany wood mantle piece which he still plays as his main guitar today. He has created the sounds of instruments including, trumpets, cellos, violins, trombones, tubas, flutes, recorders, violas, clarinets, saxophones, double basses, flugelhorns, middle eastern wind instruments, police sirens, cat meows, and etc., etc , etc., etc., .
He is a musical genius and a perfectionist to the degree that it bothered the hell out of the rest of the band at times because May would not settle for one out of place note, nor it's timbre, attack, decay and etc. Plus he was just as picky about harmonies, track dubbing, stereo spread, etc. etc. His guitar harmonies and orchestrations were so unique and special and grand...even surpassing the creator of guitar multi-tracking, the great Les Paul who May met and played together with on stage once ( on UA-cam BTW ).
I have been lucky enough to have met May and his daughter Emily once and he's very real, down to earth, direct and a true gentleman.
Please realize that Brian May FOUNDED Queen ( The band name was, "Smile" first ).
May is in fact, Queen's founding member, with Taylor, Mercury and Deacon following.
Brian started Queen. He had the sounds of those guitar harmonies in his head since a teen and set out to build a guitar that could create those sounds of his imagination...and he did just that. It also took a lot of technical fingerwork and fiddling with speakers and such on Brian's part to coax those sounds out of his guitar and amps, but he did it. Amazing guy/musician.
(Antique stereoscopic photography has also been a massive hobby of his since he was young and he even wrote a giant coffee table book about the craft and designed and constructed the fold out camera which is included in every hardcover book sold. Not an easy task.)
May is a huge part of Queen. HUGE.
The song from this album that you should be paying attention to IMHO is Sheer Heart Attack, it was written by Roger and was Queen's response to punk rock which had recently taken the world by storm and was changing the face of rock music.
What a wonderful song that I just heard now for the first time, together with Amy. And what a great reaction. I am really blown away by everything about this song and it will definitely stay with me forever.
Thank you, Amy and Vlad! 🖤
And please, everyone, just take a time and go hug, kiss and spend a little quality time with your loved pet or person. 🖤
There's a version of this song with Freddie on vocals. Queen released it in 2017 to celebrate the 40th birthday of the album.
Try listening to the version with Freddie on lead vocals 👌
Interesting take on how All Dead, All Dead manages to balance its emotions. It feels melancholic for the loss and yet grateful for the great times at the same time to me. As per usual, wonderful job, Amy!
Ps: You misspelled Freddie Mercury in the tag section haha
I appreciate your Honesty.
AND Brian could write a beautiful song that rhymes in Japanese also... how many western musicians can claim that?
Enjoyed this. I always thought that Brian was more than second fiddle.
This song has always been one of my favorites on my favorite album of there's...
The musical, emotional sensitivity and vulnerability of your reaction was wonderful and emotional for me to watch...
They are modern-day mozarts and there's no other way to see them...
Truly an incarnation of classical music 💜