The Miracle es un álbum de Queen, publicado en 1989 por Parlophone. El disco incluye 12 canciones, entre ellas «Party», «Khashoggi's Ship», «The Miracle» y «I Want It All».
Lanzado en 1989, The Miracle es el decimotercer álbum de estudio de Queen y representa un período de renovada unidad y creatividad para la banda, a pesar de las difíciles circunstancias personales que atravesaban. Tras un parón de tres años en el que los miembros se dedicaron a proyectos en solitario, el grupo se reunió con una nueva filosofía de trabajo. El álbum se caracteriza por un sonido de pop-rock brillante y muy pulido, típico de finales de los 80, y por la decisión de acreditar todas las canciones colectivamente a "Queen", eliminando las disputas de autoría individuales y presentando un frente unido.
El proceso de grabación
La grabación de "The Miracle" se extendió desde enero de 1988 hasta principios de 1989. Este largo período se debió a dos factores cruciales. Primero, el diagnóstico de VIH de Freddie Mercury en 1987 (aunque no se hizo público), que influyó en la decisión de no realizar una gira. Segundo, Brian May atravesaba una grave crisis personal, lidiando con su divorcio y la enfermedad de su padre.
Estas adversidades, en lugar de separar a la banda, la unieron. Decidieron que, a partir de ese momento, todas las composiciones se acreditarían a la banda en su conjunto, independientemente de quién fuera el autor principal. Esto fomentó un ambiente de colaboración y eliminó las tensiones por ver qué canción se lanzaría como sencillo. Las sesiones tuvieron lugar en los Olympic y Townhouse Studios de Londres y en los Mountain Studios de Montreux, con David Richards como coproductor.
Claves musicales
El sonido de "The Miracle" está fuertemente influenciado por la tecnología de producción de finales de los 80. El uso de sintetizadores, cajas de ritmos y teclados es prominente en todo el disco, creando un sonido muy pulcro que algunos fans del rock más duro criticaron. Sin embargo, bajo la producción moderna, el álbum contiene una fuerte dosis de hard rock y pop melódico. Es un disco predominantemente optimista y enérgico, con canciones que celebran la vida y las maravillas del mundo.
Tema a tema
El álbum generó cinco sencillos, demostrando su potencial comercial. "I Want It All", escrita principalmente por May, es un himno de hard rock con un riff potente y una letra sobre la ambición, que se convirtió en un himno anti-apartheid en Sudáfrica.
"Breakthru" comenzó como una balada de Mercury y se fusionó con una pieza rítmica de Roger Taylor para crear una canción de pop-rock de alta velocidad, cuyo vídeo es famoso por mostrar a la banda tocando en un tren en movimiento, el "Miracle Express".
"The Invisible Man", una composición de Taylor, es una pieza funky y electrónica. Es la única canción de Queen en la que los nombres de los cuatro miembros se mencionan en la letra. "Scandal", de May, es una crítica directa a la prensa sensacionalista británica que acosaba a los miembros de la banda.
La canción que da título al álbum, "The Miracle", es una pieza pop compleja y optimista, escrita principalmente por Mercury y Deacon, que enumera varias "maravillas del mundo".
Portada
La portada del álbum es una de las más famosas de la banda. Utilizando la tecnología de morphing digital de la época, la imagen combina los rostros de los cuatro miembros en una sola entidad cohesiva, una poderosa metáfora visual de su decisión de trabajar como una unidad.
Lanzamiento y rendimiento en listas
El álbum fue un gran éxito en Europa, alcanzando el número 1 en el Reino Unido y en varios otros países. Su rendimiento en Estados Unidos fue modesto.
- UK Albums Chart: 1
- Alemania (GfK Entertainment): 1
- Austria (Ö3 Austria): 1
- Suiza (Schweizer Hitparade): 1
- USA Billboard 200: 24
- España (PROMUSICAE): 4
Cómo lo recibió la crítica
La crítica fue mixta en su lanzamiento. Algunos elogiaron la fuerza de los sencillos y la energía positiva del álbum, mientras que otros criticaron la producción por considerarla demasiado sintética. Con el tiempo, "The Miracle" es visto como un sólido trabajo de pop-rock que captura a una banda redescubriendo su unidad y su propósito en un momento de gran adversidad personal.
Listado de Canciones
- Party2:24
Letra
We had a good night jamming away There was a full moon showing And we started to play But in the cold light of day next morning Party was over uh uh The party was over We got love and we got style And we got sex and I know I know We got what it takes Why don't you come back and play Come back and play (hey hey) Come back and play We got all night all day Everybody's gone away Why don't you come back and play Come back and play Come back and play Come back and play Play play it play it Go get 'em boy - let's party Yeah Give it give it We had a food fight in somebody's face We were up all night singing (singing) And giving a chase But in the cold light of day next morning Everybody was hung over Hey come back and play (Come back and play) Come back and play We got all night all day Everybody's gone away Why don't you come back and play (and play) Come back and play We got all night we got all day We got all night to play Come back, come back Come back, come back back and play Hey hey hey Goodbye, goodbye Goodbye, goodbye the party is over - Khashoggi's Ship2:47
Letra
Who said that my party was all over, huh, huh I'm in pretty good shape The best years of my life are like a super nova Huh, huh, perpetual craze, I said that Everybody drank my wine, you get my drift And then we took a holiday on Khashoggi's ship, well We really had a good good time they was all so sexy We was bad, we was blitzed All in all it was a pretty good trip This big bad sucker with a fist as big as your head Wanted to get me, I said: Go away I said: Kiss my ass, honey He pulled out a gun, wanted to arrest me I said: Uh, uh, babe Now listen no-one stops my party No-one stops my party No-one, no-one, no-one stops my party Just like I said We were phased, we was pissed Just having a total eclipse This one's on me so let us do it just right This here one party don't get started 'till midnight Party to the left Party to the right Left, right No-one stops my party! - The Miracle5:02
Words and music by queen Every drop of rain that falls in sahara desert says it all Its a miracle All gods creations great and small The golden gate and the taj mahal That's a miracle Test tube babies being born Mothers, fathers dead and gone Its a miracle Were having a miracle on earth Mother nature does it all for us The wonders of this world go on The hanging gardens of babylon Captain cook and cain and able Jimi hendrix to the tower of babel Its a miracle it's a miracle it's a miracle Its a miracle The one thing were all waiting for is peace on earth - an end To war Its a miracle we need - the miracle The miracle were all waiting for today If every leaf on every tree could tell a story that would be a Miracle If every child on every street had clothes to wear and food to Eat That's a miracle If all gods people could be free to live in perfect harmony Its a miracle Were having a miracle on earth Mother nature does it all for us Open hearts and surgery (wonders of this world go on) Sunday mornings with a cup of tea Super powers always fighting But mona lisa just keeps on smiling Its a miracle it's a miracle it's a miracle (wonders of this world go on) Its a miracle it's a miracle it's a miracle Its a miracle The one thing (the one thing) were all waiting for (were all Waiting for) Is peace on earth (peace on earth) and an end to war (an end To war) Its a miracle we need - the miracle The miracle peace on earth and end to war today That time will come one day you'll see when we can all be Friends That time will come one day you'll see when we can all be Friends That time will come one day you'll see when we can all be Friends That time will come one day you'll see when we can all be Friends - I Want It All4:40
Adventure seeker on an empty street Just an alley creeper light on his feet A young fighter screaming with no time for doubt With the pain and anger can't see a way out It ain't much I'm asking I heard him say Gotta find me a future move out of my way I want it all I want it all I want it all and I want it now I want it all I want it all I want it all and I want it now Listen all you people come gather round Gotta get me a game plan gotta shake you to the ground. Just give me what I know is mine People do you hear me just give me the sign It ain't much I'm asking if you want the truth Here's to the future for the dreams of youth I want it all (give it all) I want it all I want it all and I want It now I want it all (yes I want it all) I want it all (hey) I want it all and I want it now I'm a man with a one track mind So much to do in one life time (people do you hear me) Not a man for compromise and wheres and whys and living Lies So I'm living it all (yes I'm living it all) And I'm giving it all (and I'm giving it all) Ooh ooh ha ha ha ha Yeah yeah Yeah yeah yeah yeah I want it all all all all It ain't much I'm asking if you want the truth Here's to the future Hear the cry of youth (hear the cry hear the cry of youth) I want it all I want it all I want it all and I want it now I want it all (yeah yeah yeah) I want it all I want it all and I Want it now I want it I want it Now - The Invisible Man
I'm the invisible man I'm the invisible man Incredible how you can see right through me When you hear a sound that you just can't place Feel somethin' move that you just can't trace When something sits on the end of your bed Don't turn around when you hear me tread I'm the invisible man I'm the invisible man Incredible how you can see right through me I'm the invisible man I'm the invisible man It's criminal how I can see right through you Now I'm in your room and I'm in your bed And I'm in your life and I'm in your head Like the CIA or the FBI You'll never get close never take me alive I'm the invisible man I'm the invisible man Incredible how you can see right through me I'm the invisible man I'm the invisible man It's criminal how I can see right through you Hah, hah, hah, hello Hah, hah, hah, OK Hah, hah, hah Hello, hello, hello, hello Never had a real good friend Not a boy or a girl No-one knows what I've been through Let my flag unfurl So I make my mark from the edge of the world From the edge of the world From the edge of the world Now I'm on your track and I'm in your mind And I'm on your back but don't look behind I'm your meanest thought I'm your darkest fear But I'll never get caught you can't shake me shake me dear I'm the invisible man I'm the invisible man Incredible how you can see right through me Watch me I'm the invisible man I'm the invisible man It's criminal how I can see right through you Look at me Look at me Shake you, shake you, dear - Breakthru4:07
Words and music by queen When love breaks up When the dawn light wakes up A new life is born Somehow I have to make this final breakthrough Now I wake up Feel just fine Your face Fills my mind I get religion quick Cos you're looking divine Honey you're touching something you're touching me I'm under your thumb under your spell can't you see If I could only reach you If I could make you smile If I could only reach you That would really be a breakthrough - oh yeah Breakthrough these barriers of pain Breakthrough to the sunshine from the rain Make my feelings known towards you Turn my heart inside and out for you now Somehow I have to make this final breakthrough Now! Your smile speaks books to me I break up With each and every one of your looks at me Honey you're starting something deep inside of me Honey you're sparking something this fire in me I'm outta control I wanna rush headlong into this ecstacy If I could only reach you If I could make you smile If I could only reach you That would really be a breakthrough If I could only reach you If I could make you smile If I could only reach you That would really be a breakthrough Oh yeah Breakthrough breakthrough If I could only reach you If I could make you smile If I could only reach you That would really be a breakthrough If I could only reach you If I could make you smile If I could only reach you That would really be a breakthrough Breakthrough - Rain Must Fall4:20
Letra
I can see it in your stars Life is so exciting Acting so bizarre Your world is so inviting Playing really cool And looking so mysterious Your every day is full of sunshine But into every life a little rain must fall Anyone who imagines They can blind you with science Bully you all over With property and finance But you have position To call the shots and name the price You found success and recognition But into every life a little rain must fall You lead a fairy tale existence But into every life a little rain must fall Others seem to think You are over dramatising Problems at work So it's hardly surprising There's little you can do To alter their opinions You want a clean reputation But now you're facing complications 'Cos into every life a little rain must fall - Scandal4:42
Scandal, now you left me all the world's gonna know Scandal, they're gonna turn our lives into a freak show They'll see the heartache They'll see the love break They'll hear me pleading We'll say for God sake Over and over and over again Scandal, now you left me there's no healing the wounds Scandal, and all the world can make us out to be fools Here come the bad news Open the flood gates They'll leave us bleeding We say you cheapskates Over and over and over again So let them know when they stare It's just a private affair They'll have us hung in the air And tell me what do they care It's only a life to be twisted and broken They'll see the heartache They'll see our love break yeah They'll hear me pleading I'll say for God sakes Over and over and over and over again Scandal, scandal, scandal Scandal, yes your breaking my heart again Today the headlines Tomorrow hard times And no-one ever really knows the truth from the lies And in the end the story deeper must hide Deeper and deeper and deeper inside Scandal, scandal - My Baby Does Me3:22
Letra
Turn it up a bit, please My baby Baby does My baby does me good My baby does My baby does me My baby does me good My lady Understands Understands me right She understands me She understands me Understands me right My baby cares She really cares She knows what's really right for me Does me good then she hurts me so She winds me up and then lets me go Turns me on and then tells me no She's just a pussy cat My baby loves me My baby loves me My baby cuffs me One day she tells me that she cares Another day she tells me she don't love me She really, really does me Ooh Now people do you believe this Do you Ooh Ooh She really, really, really, really, really, really Does me - Was It All Worth It5:45
Letra
What is there left for me to do in this life? Did I achieve what I had set in my sights? Am I a happy man or is this sinking sand? Was it all worth it? Was it all worth it? Yeah, now hear my story let me tell you about it We bought a drum kit blew my own trumpet Played the circuit, thought we were perfect Was it all worth it? Giving all my heart and soul and staying up all night Was it all worth it? Living breathing rock'n'roll a godforsaken life Was it all worth it Was it all worth it all these years? Put down our money without counting the cost It didn't matter if we won if we lost Yes we were vicious yes we could kill Yes we were hungry yes we were brill We served a purpose like a bloody circus We were so dandy we love you madly Was it all worth it? Living breathing rock'n'roll this godforsaken life Was it all worth it Was it all worth it? When the hurly burly's done We went to bali saw God and Dalí So mystic, surrealistic Was it all worth it, yeah, yeah? Giving all my heart and soul staying up all night Was it all worth it? Living breathing rock'n'roll this never ending fight Was it all worth? It was it all worth it? Yes, it was a worthwhile experience! It was worth it! - Hang On In There3:46
Letra
Don't let go, don't lose your mystique Wait a little longer Tomorrow brings another feast Don't let go, don't lose your reputation Thank God you're still alive You're still in one piece Hang on in there, don't lose your appetite Hang on in there, forget the danger signs Pray for that magical moment and it will appear (Don't fight for lost emotions) Wait for the sunrise And everything will seem so clear (Look straight ahead, look straight ahead) Hang on in there (hang on in there) Hang on in there (hang on in there) Your wish will be granted All your problems will disappear Don't be a fool, you haven't reached your peak You got a fast car racing up inside you Your life is incomplete Hang on in there hang on in there Pray for that magical moment and it will appear (Wait for that moment) Wait for the sunrise Just wait and see and it will seem so clear Let's go let's go Ok now do the change now Yeah hang on in there Hang on in there - Chinese Torture1:46
Letra
Instrumental