In my opinion, Freddie Mercury changed the way we think of music. He combined disparate genres that had never been combined previously, and his lyrical genius is comparable the greatest English-language writers, like Shakespeare. Plus he could sing.
Not to mention how Queen’s music brought the queering of genders and sexual orientations to the mainstream. Much as Shakespeare did. If you think I am overselling Freddie Mercury and Queen music by comparing them to Shakespeare, I have two words for you: Bohemian Rhapsody. Shakespeare wishes he had written Bohemian Rhapsody. The lyrics are so perfectly modern and yet timeless, and the orchestration and operatic vocals highlight this incredible juxtaposition.
“Under Pressure” is less recognized for its awesomeness than “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but it shouldn’t be. Born from a jam session with the Queen musicians and David Bowie in a recording studio in Switzerland, it defies the modern notion of what “pop music” is. There is nothing more than a vague structure to it, and the melody and baseline resist categorization. Yet it was popular: it was Queen’s first number one hit after Bohemian Rhapsody.
You’ll hear how sweeping and impressive this song is when it’s stripped down without the music. You’ll also hear the impressive vocals of Bowie and Mercury without the musical accompaniment that you usually rock out to.
The world lost a genius on November 24th, 1991. I still weep when I think of a young man’s life cut way too short. The Queen music repertory showed us all that it’s okay to be different, it’s okay to be weird, it’s okay to express yourself loudly. So what if it’s never been done? So what if it raises eyebrows?
Freddie Mercury changed the world through his music. He made “queer” a good thing and showed the strength that exists in diversity.
