Artist: Queen
Song: Let Me Entertain You
Year: 1978
Album: Jazz
"Let Me Entertain You" is one of my favorite lesser known Queen songs. When I would DJ at the vampire LARP, I would frequently slip this in near the beginning of the set. We had a lot of Queen fans role playing at the club, so this was always a nice welcome wink and nod.
It had the dual role of announcing that I was open for requests. Most of the regulars knew that already, but it wasn't always clear to the newbies. Just like in my life, I would play anything that would pop into my head. It was always appropriate though.
The first time that I remember listening to this song was on the Live Killers album. I must have listened to that live album over and over again. So much so, that I wore out two cassette copies. I didn't start getting deeply into Queen until shortly before Freddie's death, so these tracks were mostly new to me. I knew the classics that were all over the radio and the greatest hits compilations, but this was my first exposure to the hidden gems.
I always associate this song with beginnings. Probably because this was near the beginning of many of my Saturday night sets. It is the perfect choice to open a party. It's upbeat. It's full of energy. It signals the start of something big. Happy new year!
Lyrics:
Hey - it's a sellout
Hey - let me welcome you ladies and gentlemen
I would like to say hello
Are you ready for some entertainment?
Are you ready for a show?
Gonna rock you gonna roll you
Get you dancing in the aisles
Jazz you razzmatazz you
With a little bit of style
C'mon let me entertain you let me entertain you
Let me entertain you let me entertain you
I've come here to sell you my body
I can show you some good merchandise
I'll pull you and I'll pill you
I'll Cruella-de-Ville you
And to thrill you I'll use any device
We'll give you crazy performance
We'll give you grounds for divorce
We'll give you piece de resistance
And a tour de force of course
We found the right location
Got a lot of pretty lights
The sound and amplification listen
Hey if you need a fix if you want a high
Stickell's see to that
With Electra and E.M.I.
We'll show you where it's at
So c'mon
Let me entertain you let me entertain you
Let me entertain you let me entertain you
Just take a look at the menu
We give you rock a la carte
We'll breakfast at Tiffany's
We'll sing to you in Japanese
We're only here to entertain you
If you want to see some action
You get nothing but the best
The S and M attraction
We've got the pleasure chest
Chicago down to New Orleans
We get you on the line
If you dig the New York scene
We'll have a son of a bitch of a time
C'mon
Let me entertain let me entertain
Let me entertain you tonight
Hey where's my backstage pass
That was great
What an outrageous costume
Hey that Brian May is outta sight man
Not many not many
I've always wanted to be a groupie
Showing posts with label Queen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Queen. Show all posts
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The Show Must Go On - Queen
Artist: Queen
Song: The Show Must Go On
Year: 1991
Album: Innuendo
This song really picked up steam in early 1992. Due to Freddie Mercury's declining health, a proper video could not be made for the song. It is comprised of clips and outtakes from previous Queen and Freddie Mercury solo videos. After Freddie's death, this song became a symbol of his attitude and gave comfort to his legions of fans.
Initially, it was said that the band did not know of Freddie's health issues. If you look at clips in this video of Queen's last video shoot, it is very apparent that something is ailing Mercury. Queen has leaked out information since then that made it clear that everyone close to Freddie knew what was going on.
Thanks to the track order on the Classic Queen compilation album, I cannot listen to this song without first hearing "Who Wants To Live Forever" and vice-versa. Those two songs give a fitting end to Freddie and leave the listener with hope. "The Show Must Go On" is said to have gained popularity as a funeral song. I can believe that.
Every member of Queen worked on this song. There are part contributed to every member. This was the last song on the last album that was released when Freddie Mercury was still alive. It is poetic justice that this song would feature Queen on the credits. The band was more than just Freddie Mercury or Brian May or Roger Taylor or John Deacon. What made Queen into the band that it became was the ability for all four members to make important contributions.
Lyrics:
Empty spaces - what are we living for
Abandoned places - I guess we know the score
On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for...
Another hero, another mindless crime
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime
Hold the line, does anybody want to take it anymore
The show must go on
The show must go on, yeah
Inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on
Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance
Another heartache, another failed romance
On and on, does anybody know what we are living for ?
I guess I'm learning (I'm learning learning learning)
I must be warmer now
I'll soon be turning (turning turning turning)
Round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free
The show must go on
The show must go on, yeah yeah
Ooh, inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on
Yeah yeah, whoa wo oh oh
My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairytales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly - my friends
The show must go on (go on, go on, go on) yeah yeah
The show must go on (go on, go on, go on)
I'll face it with a grin
I'm never giving in
On - with the show
Ooh, I'll top the bill, I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on
On with the show
On with the show
The show - the show must go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on
Song: The Show Must Go On
Year: 1991
Album: Innuendo
This song really picked up steam in early 1992. Due to Freddie Mercury's declining health, a proper video could not be made for the song. It is comprised of clips and outtakes from previous Queen and Freddie Mercury solo videos. After Freddie's death, this song became a symbol of his attitude and gave comfort to his legions of fans.
Initially, it was said that the band did not know of Freddie's health issues. If you look at clips in this video of Queen's last video shoot, it is very apparent that something is ailing Mercury. Queen has leaked out information since then that made it clear that everyone close to Freddie knew what was going on.
Thanks to the track order on the Classic Queen compilation album, I cannot listen to this song without first hearing "Who Wants To Live Forever" and vice-versa. Those two songs give a fitting end to Freddie and leave the listener with hope. "The Show Must Go On" is said to have gained popularity as a funeral song. I can believe that.
Every member of Queen worked on this song. There are part contributed to every member. This was the last song on the last album that was released when Freddie Mercury was still alive. It is poetic justice that this song would feature Queen on the credits. The band was more than just Freddie Mercury or Brian May or Roger Taylor or John Deacon. What made Queen into the band that it became was the ability for all four members to make important contributions.
Lyrics:
Empty spaces - what are we living for
Abandoned places - I guess we know the score
On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for...
Another hero, another mindless crime
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime
Hold the line, does anybody want to take it anymore
The show must go on
The show must go on, yeah
Inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on
Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance
Another heartache, another failed romance
On and on, does anybody know what we are living for ?
I guess I'm learning (I'm learning learning learning)
I must be warmer now
I'll soon be turning (turning turning turning)
Round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free
The show must go on
The show must go on, yeah yeah
Ooh, inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on
Yeah yeah, whoa wo oh oh
My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairytales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly - my friends
The show must go on (go on, go on, go on) yeah yeah
The show must go on (go on, go on, go on)
I'll face it with a grin
I'm never giving in
On - with the show
Ooh, I'll top the bill, I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on
On with the show
On with the show
The show - the show must go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on
Go on, go on
Friday, October 17, 2008
Flash's Theme - Queen
Artist: Queen
Song: Flash's Theme
Year: 1980
Album: Flash Gordon
This was a bad idea on so many levels, but it worked (for Queen anyway). The movie was so camp, that it was panned by almost everyone upon it's release. It has since developed an audience, but not enough to warrant a sequel (even though it was discussed). The only place that the film was a success was the United Kingdom. Queen and two of the top billed actors came out relatively unscathed from the experience. Those actors being Max von Sydow and Timothy Dalton.
The timing for the soundtrack release couldn't have been worse. It dropped first in the UK, on Monday, December 8, 1980. If that date sounds familiar, it should. Instead of people lining up for the new Queen album throughout the week, the world was preoccupied by the death of John Lennon. The world could care less about a soundtrack to a campy movie. The album wasn't released in the United States until February 1981, two months after the film had premiered.
Despite being attached to a box office bomb, and later a cult classic, Queen's soundtrack provided some memorable moments. This song was the single from the movie and it couldn't have been a wiser choice. The thumping bassline has been imitated countless times and is instantly memorable.
I can remember blasting this on a Walkman walking to school. Most of my friends would join in on the chorus part. If you can imagine a group of kids walking down the street shouting, "Flash! Ah! Ahhhhh!", then you can get a sense of what a treat the neighborhood had on some days.
Lyrics:
Flash - Ah - Saviour of the universe
Flash - Ah - He'll save ev'ry one of us
Seemingly there is no reason for these
Extraordinary intergalactical upsets (ha ha ha)
What's happening Flash?
Only Dr Hans Zarkov formerly at N A S A
Has provided any explanation
Flash - Ah - He's a miracle
This mornings unprecedented solar eclipse
Is no cause for alarm
Flash - Ah - King of the impossible
He's for ev'ry one of us
Stand for ev'ry one of us
He'll save with a mighty hand
Ev'ry man ev'ry woman ev'ry child
With a mighty Flash
General Kaka Flash Gordon approaching
What do you mean Flash Gordon approaching?
Open fire all weapons
Dispatch war rocket Ajax to bring back his body
Flash - Ah
Gordon's alive
Flash - Ah - He'll save ev'ry one of us
Just a man with a man's courage
He knows nothing but a man
But he can never fail
No one but the pure in heart
May find the golden grail oh oh oh oh
Flash Flash I love you
But we only have fourteen hours to save the Earth
Flash
Song: Flash's Theme
Year: 1980
Album: Flash Gordon
This was a bad idea on so many levels, but it worked (for Queen anyway). The movie was so camp, that it was panned by almost everyone upon it's release. It has since developed an audience, but not enough to warrant a sequel (even though it was discussed). The only place that the film was a success was the United Kingdom. Queen and two of the top billed actors came out relatively unscathed from the experience. Those actors being Max von Sydow and Timothy Dalton.
The timing for the soundtrack release couldn't have been worse. It dropped first in the UK, on Monday, December 8, 1980. If that date sounds familiar, it should. Instead of people lining up for the new Queen album throughout the week, the world was preoccupied by the death of John Lennon. The world could care less about a soundtrack to a campy movie. The album wasn't released in the United States until February 1981, two months after the film had premiered.
Despite being attached to a box office bomb, and later a cult classic, Queen's soundtrack provided some memorable moments. This song was the single from the movie and it couldn't have been a wiser choice. The thumping bassline has been imitated countless times and is instantly memorable.
I can remember blasting this on a Walkman walking to school. Most of my friends would join in on the chorus part. If you can imagine a group of kids walking down the street shouting, "Flash! Ah! Ahhhhh!", then you can get a sense of what a treat the neighborhood had on some days.
Lyrics:
Flash - Ah - Saviour of the universe
Flash - Ah - He'll save ev'ry one of us
Seemingly there is no reason for these
Extraordinary intergalactical upsets (ha ha ha)
What's happening Flash?
Only Dr Hans Zarkov formerly at N A S A
Has provided any explanation
Flash - Ah - He's a miracle
This mornings unprecedented solar eclipse
Is no cause for alarm
Flash - Ah - King of the impossible
He's for ev'ry one of us
Stand for ev'ry one of us
He'll save with a mighty hand
Ev'ry man ev'ry woman ev'ry child
With a mighty Flash
General Kaka Flash Gordon approaching
What do you mean Flash Gordon approaching?
Open fire all weapons
Dispatch war rocket Ajax to bring back his body
Flash - Ah
Gordon's alive
Flash - Ah - He'll save ev'ry one of us
Just a man with a man's courage
He knows nothing but a man
But he can never fail
No one but the pure in heart
May find the golden grail oh oh oh oh
Flash Flash I love you
But we only have fourteen hours to save the Earth
Flash
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
