Great Rock Albums of 1984: Queen- The Works
Here is a perfect example of why I never buy or not buy an album on account of one song. When the first single from Queen’s album, “The Works,” came on the radio, my response was “What the hell?” I thought “Radio Ga Ga” was several steps down from what I had loved about Queen throughout my teenage years of the 1970s. The conclusion I was starting to draw was that they were departing from the harder rock music I enjoyed and were selling out to the synth pop of the 1980s. Fortunately, I didn’t let one bad song close my mind so I didn’t miss the rest of this cool album.
I have always had this sneaking feeling that Queen knew exactly what they were doing. “The Works” might open with the mentioned single which might alienate some of their hardcore fans, therefore, they followed up “Radio Ga Ga” with the hard rocking second track, “Tear It Up.” After the first ten seconds of rocking out to that song, you are completely thinking, “Radio Who?” Then if the hard rock of “Tear It Up” isn’t enough to grab you, Queen hit you with a very Queen sounding “It’s a Hard Life.” This song is Queen as they have always been as it follows the script of all the great classics. “Man on the Prowl” is a very likable rockabilly song in the vein of the famous, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” I love the little piano bit at the end. “Machines (Back to Humans) is a very progressive sounding tune. While there are elements of hard rock, there are some very quirky sounding keyboard sounds on the song, some of them sounding like a robot. Plus there is the famous harmonizing from the band. This is my favourite track on the album because Queen do hear what they have always done best. Incorporate several different musical genres into one song. On my first listen and the many subsequent listens after, by the time my favourite track was at its conclusion, I had totally forgotten “Radio Ga Ga” was even on the album.
Some may argue that “I Want to Break Free” is on the line of that first single. I have to slap down such fools. True, there is a little disco back beat to it but May’s guitar is definitely present, especially when he does that solo. Yes, some people might have discoed down to it but I just listen to it. Saying that, it’s not the best track on the album, there are so many better ones. The next one in fact, “Keep Passing the Open Windows.” This is on the lines of my favourite track, but not quite to the same level. “Keep Passing the Open Windows” is my third favourite track. There’s some good Queen elements on here as well. BTW, “Tear It Up” is my second favourite. “Hammer to Fall” is a good rock out and it follows on very nicely. I do like May’s guitar solo on it. “The Works” ends on a interesting note. It’s a ballad type song, “Is This the World We Created.” It’s almost an anti- climax to the album but the band makes it work and end the album on a good note.
Track Listing:
- Radio Ga Ga
- Tear It Up
- It’s a Hard Life
- Man on the Prowl
- Machines (Back to Humans)
- I Want to Break Free
- Keep Passing the Open Windows
- Hammer to Fall
- Is This the World We Created
Freddie Mercury- lead and backing vocals, piano
Brian May- guitar, backing vocals
John Deacon- bass, rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
Roger Taylor- drums, keyboards, backing vocals
Thank God, I never let one song on an album influence my decision to purchase it. If that was the case, I would have completely missed out this great album from Queen.
Next post: Tony Carey- Some Tough City
To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html
Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London
May 10, 2017 at 8:59 pm
Queen went from an amazing rock band to an amazing pop rock band. I didn’t like 80s Queen…until I did! I LOVE the Works.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 10, 2017 at 9:05 pm
I was kind of the same. If it hadn’t been for some of the other great tracks on the album, I would never have gotten it.
LikeLike
May 10, 2017 at 9:50 pm
Don’t judge me, but I like Radio Ga Ga! I like this whole album too so hopefully that makes up for it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 12, 2017 at 8:28 pm
I’m probably the only one here who doesn’t but there is everything to like on the rest of the album.
Like
May 11, 2017 at 1:21 am
Yeah I’d slap anyone who knocked “I Want to Break Free” too. Classic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 12, 2017 at 8:28 pm
LOL, We know now not to say anything bad about that song around you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 11, 2017 at 6:41 am
I’m a bit of a sucker for Radio Ga Ga. Along with Bohemian Rhapsody, it’s the reason I got interested in them a bit in the 90s. I’ve got this album sitting on a list to pick up if I see it… seems to be another that folks recommend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 12, 2017 at 8:29 pm
If we bought every album recommended by ourselves or our follow bloggers, we’d all be bankrupt. This is a good one to recommend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 12, 2017 at 9:18 pm
No kidding! Not enough money or hours!
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 13, 2017 at 5:36 pm
That’s true enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 11, 2017 at 6:53 am
I love Radio Ga Ga… I think it’s one of their best singles. Tear It Up is one of their best rockers too, it’s awesome.
LikeLiked by 2 people
May 12, 2017 at 8:30 pm
“Tear it Up” is a classic rocker. My best Queen singles are “You’re My Best Friend” and “We Are The Champions.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 12, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Also love Radio Ga Ga, and the video for it too. A great album by a great band.
LikeLiked by 1 person
May 12, 2017 at 8:31 pm
I’m definitely in the minority in regards to that song. But this is a fantastic album and Queen are a great band. My first post about them has Queen as one of the great metal influences.
LikeLiked by 1 person