Queen de Queen
Álbum de Queen
- Fecha de lanzamiento: 13 de Julio de 1973
- Sello Discográfico: EMI
- Compositores: Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor
- Productores: John Anthony, Roy Thomas Baker, Queen
Queen es un álbum de Queen, publicado en 1973 por EMI. El disco incluye 10 canciones, entre ellas «Keep Yourself Alive», «Doing All Right», «Great King Rat» y «Liar».
El álbum homónimo de Queen, lanzado en 1973, es la declaración de principios de una banda destinada a redefinir el rock. Aunque su éxito inicial fue modesto, este disco es una pieza fundamental en la discografía de Queen para comprender la génesis de su sonido.
En este trabajo ya se aprecian los pilares que sustentarían su carrera: una amalgama de estilos que van desde el hard rock más contundente hasta el rock progresivo y el glam, todo ello envuelto en las complejas armonías vocales y la sofisticación instrumental que se convertirían en su sello distintivo.
El proceso en el estudio
La grabación de "Queen" fue un proceso largo y complejo, desarrollado de forma intermitente entre 1971 y 1972 en los estudios De Lane Lea y Trident de Londres. La banda se enfrentó a severas limitaciones presupuestarias, lo que les obligó a grabar en los "tiempos muertos" del estudio, habitualmente de madrugada, cuando artistas de mayor renombre como David Bowie o The Rolling Stones habían finalizado sus sesiones.
Pese a las dificultades, esta situación les otorgó una libertad creativa sin la presión directa de los ejecutivos. Trabajaron con los productores Roy Thomas Baker y John Anthony, quienes ayudaron a dar forma a su ambicioso sonido. Ya en esta etapa, el perfeccionismo del grupo era evidente, especialmente en el meticuloso trabajo de Brian May con sus capas de guitarra y de Freddie Mercury con sus arreglos vocales.
Una de las declaraciones de principios del álbum fue la inclusión de la ya famosa frase ".and nobody played synthesizer" en los créditos. Con ello, querían dejar claro que los complejos paisajes sonoros que creaban provenían de la manipulación de guitarras, pianos y voces, y no de instrumentos electrónicos, una proeza técnica para la época.
Análisis musical y temático
Musicalmente, el álbum es una exhibición de las influencias de la banda, que iban desde el hard rock de Led Zeppelin y The Who hasta el rock progresivo. La guitarra de Brian May, la legendaria "Red Special", es la protagonista, con riffs pesados y solos melódicos que definieron un estilo único.
La voz de Freddie Mercury se muestra como una fuerza de la naturaleza, capaz de transitar por múltiples registros y emociones. Las letras exploran una variedad de temas, destacando una fuerte inclinación hacia la fantasía y la mitología, como se puede apreciar en canciones como "My Fairy King". Estas temáticas diferenciaron a Queen de muchas bandas contemporáneas.
Las canciones clave
El disco se abre con "Keep Yourself Alive", una enérgica composición de May que se convirtió en su primer sencillo. A pesar de su calidad y su inolvidable riff de guitarra, fracasó en las listas en su lanzamiento inicial.
"Doing All Right", coescrita por May y Tim Staffell (vocalista de Smile, la banda pre-Queen), es una de las piezas más diversas, alternando entre balada y heavy metal, un claro ejemplo de la capacidad del grupo para manejar dinámicas contrastantes.
"Great King Rat" es una composición épica de Mercury, una muestra temprana de su talento para crear narrativas complejas con cambios de ritmo y estructuras no convencionales. Es una pieza de rock duro con toques progresivos que destaca por su energía.
"My Fairy King" introduce el piano de manera prominente y adelanta el estilo operístico que Queen exploraría más a fondo en álbumes posteriores. Fue en esta canción donde Freddie Bulsara adoptó definitivamente el apellido "Mercury" tras escribir el verso "Mother Mercury, look what they've done to me".
"Liar", escrita por Mercury, es una de las canciones más potentes del álbum. Con casi seis minutos y medio de duración, es un torbellino de hard rock con un ritmo atronador y una interpretación vocal apasionada. Se lanzó como segundo sencillo en Estados Unidos, también sin éxito.
El álbum en listas
El álbum fue lanzado el 13 de julio de 1973 en el Reino Unido. La recepción inicial fue modesta. La crítica lo recibió con tibieza y comercialmente tardó en despegar, en parte debido a la falta de un sencillo exitoso y a que la discográfica no supo cómo promocionar a una banda con un sonido tan particular.
- UK Albums Chart: 24
- USA Billboard 200: 83
- Japón (Oricon): 51
Opiniones de la crítica
La crítica inicial fue mixta. Algunos medios como Rolling Stone lo criticaron por considerarlo derivativo. Con el tiempo, la percepción del álbum ha cambiado drásticamente y hoy es considerado por muchos como uno de los mejores álbumes debut de la historia del rock, un trabajo que, aunque imperfecto, contenía todos los elementos de la futura grandeza de Queen.
Portada
La portada, fotografiada por Douglas Puddifoot, es una imagen icónica del glam rock. Muestra a Freddie Mercury en el centro, sosteniendo un micrófono bajo un foco de luz, en una pose dramática que captura perfectamente la estética teatral y andrógina que la banda cultivaba en sus inicios.
Listado de Canciones
- Keep Yourself Alive3:46
I was told a million times Of all the troubles in my way How I had to keep on trying Little better evry day But if I crossed a million rivers And I rode a million miles Then Id still be where I started Bread and butter for a smile Well I sold a million mirrors In a shop in alley way But I never saw my face In any window any day Well they say your folks are telling you To be a super star But I tell you just be satisfied To stay right where you are Keep yourself alive keep yourself alive Itll take you all your time and a money Honey youll survive Well Ive loved a million women In a belladonic haze And I ate a million dinners Brought to me on silver trays Give me evrything I need To feed my body and my soul And Ill grow a little bigger Maybe that can be my goal I was told a million times Of all the people in my way How I had to keep on trying And get better evry day But if I crossed a million rivers And I rode a million miles Then Id still be where I started Still be where I started Keep yourself alive keep yourself alive Itll take you all your time and money honey Youll survive Keep yourself alive Keep yourself alive Itll take you all your time and money To keep me satisfied Do you think youre better evry day No I just think Im two steps nearer to my grave Keep yourself alive Keep yourself alive mm You take your time and take your money Keep yourself alive Keep yourself alive Keep yourself alive All you people keep yourself alive Keep yourself alive Keep yourself alive Itll take you all your time and a money To keep me satisfied Keep yourself alive Keep yourself alive All you people keep yourself alive Take you all your time and money honey You will survive Keep you satisfied Keep you satisfied - Doing All Right4:09
Letra
Yesterday my life was in ruin Now today I know what I'm doing Got a feeling I should be doing all right Doing all right Where will I be this time tomorrow? Jump in joy and sinking in sorrow Anyway I should be doing all right Doing all right Should be waiting for the sun Looking round to find the words to say Should be waiting for the skies to clear There ain't time in all the world Should be waiting for the sun And anyway I've got hide away Yesterday my life was in ruin Now today God knows what I'm doing Anyway I should be doing all right Doing all right Doing all right - Great King Rat5:43
Letra
Great king rat died today Born on the twenty first of may Died syphilis forty four on his birthday Every second word he swore Yes he was the son of a whore Always wanted by the law Wouldn't you like to know? Wouldn't you like to know, people? Great King Rat was a dirty old man And a dirty old man was he Now what did I tell you Would you like to see? Now hear this Where will I be tomorrow? Will I beg or will I borrow? I don't care I don't care anyway Come on, come on the time is right The man is evil and that is right I told you, ah, yes, I told you And that's no lie, oh, no, no, no Wouldn't you like to know? Wouldn't you like to know? Wouldn't you like to know? Great king rat was a dirty old man And a dirty old man was he Now what did I tell you Would you like to see? Show me Wouldn't you like to know? Wouldn't you like to know, people? Great King Rat was a dirty old man And a dirty old man was he Now what did I tell you Would you like to see? Now listen all you people Put out the good and keep the bad Don't believe all you read in the bible You sinners get in line Saints you leave far behind Very soon you're gonna be his disciple Don't listen to what mama says Not a word not a word mama says Or else you'll find yourself being the rival The great lord before he died Knelt sinners by his side And said you're going to realize tomorrow No I'm not gonna tell you What you already know Cause time and time again The old man said it all a long time ago Come come on the time is right This evil man will fight I told you once before Wouldn't you like to know? Wouldn't you like to know? Just like I said before Great King Rat was a dirty old man And a dirty old man was he The last time I tell you Would you like to see? - Liar6:25
I have sinned dear father Father I have sinned Try and help me father Won't you let me in? Liar Nobody believes me liar Why don't they leave me alone? Sire I have stolen stolen many times Raised my voice in anger When I know I never should Liar oh everybody deceives me Liar why don't you leave me alone? Liar I have sailed the seas Liar from mars to mercury Liar I have drunk the wine Liar time after time Father please forgive me You know you'll never leave me Please will you direct me in the right way Liar liar liar liar liar Liar look what they've done to me Liar Liar Liar Listen are you gonna listen? Mama I'm gonna be your slave All day long Mama I'm gonna try behave All day long Mama gonna be your slave All day long I'm gonna serve you 'till your dying day All day long I'm gonna kneel down by your side and pray And pray All day long All day long All day long all day long all day long All day long all day long all day long All day long all day long all day long Liar liar they never ever let you win Liar liar everything you do is sin Liar nobody believes you Liar they bring you down before you begin Now let me tell you this Ah yes for they let you - Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll
Letra
Had to make do with a worn out rock and roll scene The old bop is gettin' tired need a rest Well you know what I mean Fifty eight that was great But it's over now and that's all Somethin' harder's coming up Gonna really knock a hole in the wall Gonna hit ya grab you hard Make you feel ten feet tall Well, I hope that big new baby's gonna come along soon You don't know it could happen any ol' rainy afternoon With the temp'rature down And the jukebox blowin' no fuse And my musical life's feelin' Like a long sunday school cruise And you know there's one thing Every single body could use Yeah, listen to me, baby Let me tell you what it's all about Modern times rock and roll Modern times rock and roll Get your high heeled guitar boots and some groovy clothes Get a hair piece on your chest And a ring through your nose Find a nice little man who says He's gonna make you a real big star Stars in your eyes ants in your pants Think you should go far Everybody in this bum sucking world's Gonna know just who you are! Look out Modern times rock'n'roll - Son And Daughter3:23
Letra
I want you Tried to be your son and daughter rolled into one You said you'd equal any man for having your fun Now didn't you feel surprise to find The cap just didn't fit? The world expects a man To buckle down and to shovel shit What'll you do for loving When it's only just begun? I want you To be a woman Tried to be a teacher and a fisher of men An equal people preacher, will you lead us all the same? Well I travelled around the world To find a brand new word for day Watching the time mustn't linger behind Pardon me I have to get away What'll you think of heaven If it's back from where you came? I want you To be a woman I want you to be a woman, yeah - Jesus3:44
Letra
And then I saw him in the crowd A lot of people had gathered round him The beggers shouted and the lepers called him The old man said nothing He just stared about him All going down to see the Lord Jesus All going down to see the Lord Jesus All going down Then came a man before his feet he fell Unclean said the leper and rang his bell Felt the palm of a hand touch his head Go now go now you're a new man instead All going down to see the lord Jesus All going down to see the lord Jesus All going down It all began with the three wise men Followed a star took them to bethelehem And made it heard throughout the land Born was the leader of man All going down to see the Lord Jesus All going down to see the Lord jesus All going dow It all began with the three wise men Followed a star took them to bethelehem And made it heard throughout the land Born was the leader of man All going down to see the Lord Jesus All going down to see the Lord Jesus All going down - Seven Seas Of Rhye
Fear me you lords and lady preachers I descend upon your Earth from the skies I command your very souls you unbelievers Bring before me what is mine, the seven seas of rhye Can you hear me you peers and privy counsellors I stand before you naked to the eyes I will destroy any man who dares abuse my trust I swear that you'll be mine, the seven seas of rhye Sister, I live and lie for you Mister, do and I'll die You are mine, I possess you, I belong to you forever Storm the master-marathon, I'll fly through By flash and thunder-fire I'll survive, I'll survive, I'll survive I'll survive, I'll survive Then I'll defy the laws of nature and come out alive Then I'll get you Be gone with you, you shod and shady senators Give out the good, leave out the bad evil cries I challenge the mighty titan and his troubadours And with a smile I'll take you to the seven seas of rhye Oh I do like to be beside the seaside Oh I do like to be beside the sea Where the brass band plays, tidily, Om, pom, pom Oh I do like to be beside the seaside Oh I do like to be beside the sea Where they crowd beside the sea And besides themselves with glee beside the seaside - Mad The Swine
Letra
Been here before a long time ago But this time I wear no sandals Ages past I gave all you people Food and water Three feet tall so very small I'm no trouble I bring thunder lightning sun and the rain For all the people in the land A message of love I bring you from up above All good children gather around Come join your hands and sing along They call me mad the swine I guess I'm mad the swine I've come to save you save you Mad the swine Mad the swine So all you people gather around Hold out your hands and praise the lord I'll walk upon the water just as before I'll help the meek and the mild and believers and the blind And all the creatures great and small Let me take you to the river without a ford Oh and then one day you realise You're all the same within his eyes That's all I've come to say just like before They call me mad the swine I'm mad the swine I've come to save you save you Mad the swine Mad the swine So all you people gather around Hold out your hands and praise the lord Ooh Before and now So all you people gather around Hold out your hands and praise the lord Don't ever fail me Mad the swine Mad the swine I've come to save you save you Before and now Mad the swine Mad the swine So all you people gather around Hold out your hands and praise the lord Hands and praise the lord Praise the lord Get down on my knees and praise the lord - My Fairy King4:12
Letra
In the land where horses born with eagle wings And honey bees have lost their stings There's singing forever Lions den with fallow deer And rivers made from wine so clear Flow on and on forever Dragons fly like sparrows thru the air And baby lambs where samson dares To go on on on on on on [first voice] [second voice] My fairy king can see thingshe rules the air and turns the tides That are not there for you and meohh yeah he guides the winds My fairy king can do right and nothing wrong Then came man to savage in the night To run like thieves and to kill like knives To take away the power from the magic hand To bring about the ruin to the promised land They turn the milk into sour Like the blue in the blood of my veins Why can't you see it Fire burnin in hell with the cry of screaming pain Son of heaven set me free and let me go Sea turn dry no salt from sand Teeth don't shine like pearls for the poor mans eyes Someone someone has drained the colour from my wings Broken my fairy circle ring And shamed the king in all his pride Changed the winds and wronged the tides Mother mercury (mercury) Look what they've done to me I cannot run I cannot hide