Actually I think that this track is a quite clever comment to the Punk movement. It kind of displays the 'one dimensional' trait of it. The line 'It was the DNA that made me this way' is like saying 'I am not responsible for behaving like I do - I can't help it'. And I think that Queen has quite a different take on life. Similarly, 'I feel so...inar, inar, inarticulate' displays rather accurately the primitive way of expression the Punk music was, the total opposite of what Queen was: complex, multilayered, talented,... And maybe that's why they named this song 'Sheer Heart Attack' - to say: if you want to express feelings through aggressive rock that's fine, but do it in a clever way, like we did on the album of that name. Maybe I am overinterpreting it, but that's how I understand this track.
I was 12 years old when i heard this song the first time, in 1979. I bought the album "News of the world" for "We will rock you", but this here became my favorite.
It is a punk parody song. Queen was the main target of the punk loving press. For example, a rule was that anyone who worked for NME had to hate Queen and write about it regularly (people who left the NME has said that afterwards). These magazines and critics seemingly had a lot of power back in the day. Queen made this parody song, with lyrics "there is a lot of space between my ears", out of tune singing, bad quality. But the live versions are really a lot of fun! The punk bands themselves did not hate Queen.
You’re absolutely right about the sound quality. But after hearing this song many many times I’ve grown to like it. For what it is. It’s a unique song that doesn’t really fit in with their catalog. But I never skip it. It probably would have been better if it was included on the Sheer Heart Attack album
Great track! They played it untill 1982, it was great live and they played it faster, they sometimes went crazy during this tune, throwing guitars, drums, amps, mic stands etc...
I've been anticipating this song. It's one of my favourite Queen songs thinking you wouldn't care for it much. Takes me back to 16 borrowing my Dad's Delta 88 425 HP Oldsmobile with Quadraphonic Stereo - Buying this cassette and first Nickle Bag, then hitting the Highway. Wasn't lots of 'speed rock' back then (that I knew of) other than Beatles *Helter Skelter* and *Paranoid*
Just rewatched Your reaction (funnily enough) and have to add that You realy need to mix with all studio Queen and some live versions of the songs as well, cause Queen live and studio are mostly two different dimentions, and some interviews from each album era would be great as You Sir did before! Love Your reactions even if You dont like the songs that I adore! All the best and "peace on Earth "( from Queen The Miracle 1989) Also if You will do the Queen documentary "Days Of Our Lives: and Queen - The Making of "A Night at the Opera" I think it wll be interesting for You as a musician! Cheers and all the best!
Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols loves this track... he would play it on his radio show all the time.. I always liked this track... but it was always the outlier on the LP. Was a big track live too....
I have zip connection/familiarity with Punk and have to say when I first saw the live video of this song, I was clueless. Left field, could not make out hardly a word. But then saw the lyric video and got SUCH a kick out of it! "Inarticulate" made me roar. Thx to your read, I now hear Taylor on the chorus in the studio version. Think of this song in context of Queen songs - you would hardly recognize it as being by them - which I find pretty wild.
Sheer Heart Attack - written by Roger Taylor John Deacon: 👀 Brian May: Electric guitar Freddie Mercury: Lead and backing vocals Roger Taylor: Electric guitar, bass, co-lead and backing vocals and drums
There are several Queen tracks that aren’t my favorites, but I’m glad they created. Sheer Heart Attack is one of them. It was a reaction to punk’s production and energy and screams “F-you, we can do it too, MFers!” Not my personal taste, but it definitely adds to their canon.
Love this track, my mom hated it!!! Just raw speed and noisy, and alive it's CRAZY!!! Queen are the most versatile band... And the next track, "All Dead, All Dead", is one of the masterpieces of Brian, maybe you can read the story of the song AFTER listening, it will be a surprise!!!
I always figured the differing sound quality was probably due to it coming from the SHA masters. Like most of the songs that might be just "okay" on the album, this one goes off live. Freddie often has to change his mic stick coz he bends it, smacking things and pushing over amp stacks.
_News of the World_ and _Queen II_ are two of my three favorite Queen albums. I also believe they are the best records they ever made. These two things (favorite/best) don't always go together with me, by the way. _Queen II_ is a multilayered precursor to speed metal. Forward thinking, innovative, even grandiose. _News of the World_ is the polar opposite. One-dimensional, sparse, with little or none of the pretentiousness that featured in the previous two albums. "Sheer Heart Attack" is one of my favorite songs by them. It's scathingly funny in its criticism of punk music. Sort of like how Blur parodies grunge in "Song 2". Context matters, of course, but the sheer brutality of the song (no pun intended) is a breath of fresh air for me. I pick this song over "We Are the Champions" any time.
I loved it first time I ever heard this.Queen goes heavy. I think it's more Metal than Punk. THAT GUITAR TONE. It rips. That's what you like about Queen. You like that they'll try anything.once. I was just getting into Metal when this was released and it hit the spot.
Led Zeppelin did the same thing released the album Houses of the Holy in 1973 and then released the song Houses of the Holy on the next album Physical Graffiti in 1975.
I get it some people prefer the softer side of Queen for the rest of us sheer heart attack, tie your mother down, I'm in love with my car and other hard rockers are favourites.
It's a Roger Taylor song, so I'm not surprised you don't like it. 😁 Roger Taylor had a certain style in the 70s ‐ either you like it or not. But he broadens his songwriting skillset in the 80s.
It does go on too long, proving RT sort of missed one of the main points of how punk songs are written. I'd say the recording style is very much deliberately raw and loud. I thought it was kind of catchy, although it's sort of driving a wedge between Freddie's smoother, pop balladeer approach and Taylor's lust for good time rock and roll.
Totally not in love with Sheer Heart Attack… always waiting for it to be over . If someone must hear it Freddie Live - Hammersmith Odeon jumps on the speakers and knocks them over 😂 so there is that … so many great bangers from Queen like Brighton Rock so I don’t bother with Sheer Heart Attack ( sorry Roger … still love you 😄 )
I like this song, sorry you didn't but that is how it goes sometimes. I am not a huge fan of All Dead, so we will see what you think. I think Brian wrote that song about when his childhood cat died and he was devastated, or so I have read from fans on the web.
This song performed live indulges Freddie’s wild side x10!! IMO, Freddie did it intentionally to prove that anybody can perform punk rock aka Sex Pistols Sid Vicious!! 🤪 React to Montreal’s live version .. 😝 Tongue action on Brian’s guitar! 👅💦
I am someone who paid attention to lyrics growing up(not on first listen). I first heard this song off of live killers around 1980 and owned NoTW not too long after that. I was today years old when I learned the line was it’s in the DNA. I always thought he was singing something about T n A. 😂😂. I never liked the squeaky guitar in the studio version. I like the song but it’s not in top 50 of Queen songs for me.
Never been a huge fan of this track. I have learned that roger Taylor is one of the worst (if not the worst) songwriter of the group. He has made decent hits, but compared to Brian and Freddie there’s no comparison. Also, I really assume that, as a Queen fan, part of the reason why the track has a lesser quality is because of the “punk” aspect to it. I don’t really listen to punk so I don’t have much reference, but it sounds punk “ish”. Like “Queen does punk” or whatever. Similar to somebody to love having a gospel feel but not actually being gospel. Next song is definitely a whole heck of a lot better
I prefer Freddie's take on this track live, as opposed to the sterility of this studio version. It didn't always appear on the set list...but certainly was a treat when it did.
Yeah. Too long for me. Chorus too stretched out. Why the drums bit? And the instrumental guitar part didnt benefit at all with the 'scream' screech guitar overlays. In my humble opinion, of course. Aside from that, i like it and appreciate the punk referencing, tongue in cheek or whatever it was. Fun
The live performances at Montreal and Milton Keynes were really great! Freddie went wild!
Actually I think that this track is a quite clever comment to the Punk movement. It kind of displays the 'one dimensional' trait of it.
The line 'It was the DNA that made me this way' is like saying 'I am not responsible for behaving like I do - I can't help it'. And I think that Queen has quite a different take on life.
Similarly, 'I feel so...inar, inar, inarticulate' displays rather accurately the primitive way of expression the Punk music was, the total opposite of what Queen was: complex, multilayered, talented,...
And maybe that's why they named this song 'Sheer Heart Attack' - to say: if you want to express feelings through aggressive rock that's fine, but do it in a clever way, like we did on the album of that name.
Maybe I am overinterpreting it, but that's how I understand this track.
I was 12 years old when i heard this song the first time, in 1979. I bought the album "News of the world" for "We will rock you", but this here became my favorite.
The unknown best song of Queen
Сильная песня!!!
It is a punk parody song. Queen was the main target of the punk loving press. For example, a rule was that anyone who worked for NME had to hate Queen and write about it regularly (people who left the NME has said that afterwards). These magazines and critics seemingly had a lot of power back in the day. Queen made this parody song, with lyrics "there is a lot of space between my ears", out of tune singing, bad quality. But the live versions are really a lot of fun! The punk bands themselves did not hate Queen.
All Dead, All Dead is a great song, I think you will love it
Agreed. Very cool and sweet...
Dull@@kennethmckinney2532
You’re absolutely right about the sound quality. But after hearing this song many many times I’ve grown to like it. For what it is. It’s a unique song that doesn’t really fit in with their catalog. But I never skip it. It probably would have been better if it was included on the Sheer Heart Attack album
Amazing
Great track! They played it untill 1982, it was great live and they played it faster, they sometimes went crazy during this tune, throwing guitars, drums, amps, mic stands etc...
I've been anticipating this song. It's one of my favourite Queen songs thinking you wouldn't care for it much. Takes me back to 16 borrowing my Dad's Delta 88 425 HP Oldsmobile with Quadraphonic Stereo - Buying this cassette and first Nickle Bag, then hitting the Highway. Wasn't lots of 'speed rock' back then (that I knew of) other than Beatles *Helter Skelter* and *Paranoid*
Quality song
Hugs from Brazil 🎉
Just rewatched Your reaction (funnily enough) and have to add that You realy need to mix with all studio Queen and some live versions of the songs as well, cause Queen live and studio are mostly two different dimentions, and some interviews from each album era would be great as You Sir did before! Love Your reactions even if You dont like the songs that I adore! All the best and "peace on Earth "( from Queen The Miracle 1989) Also if You will do the Queen documentary "Days Of Our Lives: and Queen - The Making of "A Night at the Opera" I think it wll be interesting for You as a musician! Cheers and all the best!
I was a 15 year old hormonal teenager when i brought this album in 1981, I used to crank this up to no 11 when it came on! 😂
Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols loves this track... he would play it on his radio show all the time.. I always liked this track... but it was always the outlier on the LP. Was a big track live too....
The Sex Pistols were recording NMTB at the same time at the studio next door, There was a lot of mutual respect ❤
I have zip connection/familiarity with Punk and have to say when I first saw the live video of this song, I was clueless. Left field, could not make out hardly a word. But then saw the lyric video and got SUCH a kick out of it! "Inarticulate" made me roar. Thx to your read, I now hear Taylor on the chorus in the studio version. Think of this song in context of Queen songs - you would hardly recognize it as being by them - which I find pretty wild.
I honestly thought you'd like this one.
Sheer Heart Attack - written by Roger Taylor
John Deacon: 👀
Brian May: Electric guitar
Freddie Mercury: Lead and backing vocals
Roger Taylor: Electric guitar, bass, co-lead and backing vocals and drums
They did a Led Lepplin "Houses of the Holy" on Physical Graffiti
All Dead All Dead coming up, talk about a contrast. A contrast in a good way. Cool song 🎵
The sound quality of this song was intended.
There are several Queen tracks that aren’t my favorites, but I’m glad they created. Sheer Heart Attack is one of them. It was a reaction to punk’s production and energy and screams “F-you, we can do it too, MFers!” Not my personal taste, but it definitely adds to their canon.
Love this track, my mom hated it!!! Just raw speed and noisy, and alive it's CRAZY!!! Queen are the most versatile band... And the next track, "All Dead, All Dead", is one of the masterpieces of Brian, maybe you can read the story of the song AFTER listening, it will be a surprise!!!
I love the rawness of this song especially as it leads into the next song which couldn't be more different. But each to their own
Wow that was awesome sorry it's a great song try to listen as a teenager the whole sound is spot on
I always figured the differing sound quality was probably due to it coming from the SHA masters. Like most of the songs that might be just "okay" on the album, this one goes off live. Freddie often has to change his mic stick coz he bends it, smacking things and pushing over amp stacks.
I always saw this song as a spoof on punk and that they made it sound kinda dumb on purpose..." I feel so In-ar...in-ar...inarTICULATE". 😂🤣
They work hard! I like it!
When it comes to Queen i usually really love many songs and the rest are like WTH, lol
No, but it was their answer to the punk movement. It was supposed to sound punk, and Freddie was singing out of tune.
It’s late, Who Needs you, My Melancholy Blues are the great tracks next to the 2 openers
And I forget the best track on the album ‘Spread your Wings’, Live version Live Killers is even better by the way
_News of the World_ and _Queen II_ are two of my three favorite Queen albums. I also believe they are the best records they ever made. These two things (favorite/best) don't always go together with me, by the way. _Queen II_ is a multilayered precursor to speed metal. Forward thinking, innovative, even grandiose. _News of the World_ is the polar opposite. One-dimensional, sparse, with little or none of the pretentiousness that featured in the previous two albums. "Sheer Heart Attack" is one of my favorite songs by them. It's scathingly funny in its criticism of punk music. Sort of like how Blur parodies grunge in "Song 2". Context matters, of course, but the sheer brutality of the song (no pun intended) is a breath of fresh air for me. I pick this song over "We Are the Champions" any time.
Great track!!!!!🔥
Please react to Sheer Heart Attack live at Hammersmith 1979
Top Queen song
KITTY! - this was fun song to watch them perform in concert anyway. But hey, again, it's not about a car!
I loved it first time I ever heard this.Queen goes heavy.
I think it's more Metal than Punk.
THAT GUITAR TONE.
It rips.
That's what you like about Queen.
You like that they'll try anything.once.
I was just getting into Metal when this was released and it hit the spot.
I can see it, but I think Punk is more stronger here.
Experimental/Awesome.
I totally agree on your comment, most of the times I skipped this one. Like most of the Taylor songs btw.
Led Zeppelin did the same thing released the album Houses of the Holy in 1973 and then released the song Houses of the Holy on the next album Physical Graffiti in 1975.
I get it some people prefer the softer side of Queen for the rest of us sheer heart attack, tie your mother down, I'm in love with my car and other hard rockers are favourites.
It's a Roger Taylor song, so I'm not surprised you don't like it. 😁
Roger Taylor had a certain style in the 70s ‐ either you like it or not.
But he broadens his songwriting skillset in the 80s.
It does go on too long, proving RT sort of missed one of the main points of how punk songs are written. I'd say the recording style is very much deliberately raw and loud. I thought it was kind of catchy, although it's sort of driving a wedge between Freddie's smoother, pop balladeer approach and Taylor's lust for good time rock and roll.
Totally not in love with Sheer Heart Attack… always waiting for it to be over . If someone must hear it Freddie Live - Hammersmith Odeon jumps on the speakers and knocks them over 😂 so there is that … so many great bangers from Queen like Brighton Rock so I don’t bother with Sheer Heart Attack ( sorry Roger … still love you 😄 )
I like this song, sorry you didn't but that is how it goes sometimes. I am not a huge fan of All Dead, so we will see what you think. I think Brian wrote that song about when his childhood cat died and he was devastated, or so I have read from fans on the web.
The Beatles Twist and Shout with steroid.
Totally fair criticism. Not my favorite Queen song.
Got "Sweet" written all over it . Blockbuster etc . Could of been written by Chinn and Chapman for sure. Its not Punk more like Bubble gum power pop.
Chinn and Chapman wrote hits that were catchy. This would be on the B side. Written by sweet.
This song performed live indulges Freddie’s wild side x10!! IMO, Freddie did it intentionally to prove that anybody can perform punk rock aka Sex Pistols Sid Vicious!! 🤪 React to Montreal’s live version .. 😝 Tongue action on Brian’s guitar! 👅💦
I am someone who paid attention to lyrics growing up(not on first listen). I first heard this song off of live killers around 1980 and owned NoTW not too long after that. I was today years old when I learned the line was it’s in the DNA. I always thought he was singing something about T n A. 😂😂. I never liked the squeaky guitar in the studio version. I like the song but it’s not in top 50 of Queen songs for me.
Never been a huge fan of this track. I have learned that roger Taylor is one of the worst (if not the worst) songwriter of the group. He has made decent hits, but compared to Brian and Freddie there’s no comparison. Also, I really assume that, as a Queen fan, part of the reason why the track has a lesser quality is because of the “punk” aspect to it. I don’t really listen to punk so I don’t have much reference, but it sounds punk “ish”. Like “Queen does punk” or whatever. Similar to somebody to love having a gospel feel but not actually being gospel. Next song is definitely a whole heck of a lot better
I prefer Freddie's take on this track live, as opposed to the sterility of this studio version. It didn't always appear on the set list...but certainly was a treat when it did.
I don't like punk, it's too erratic. I think it was done on purpose, Queen or at least Freddie kind of dissed punk. I skip this one. Great reaction.
One of my least fav Queen songs - so far away from punk. Imagine the Sex Pistols trying to record Bo Rhap… I always skip it
Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols loves this track.... he always talks about it when Queen is mentioned.
This song is waaaaay better live
Yeah. Too long for me. Chorus too stretched out. Why the drums bit? And the instrumental guitar part didnt benefit at all with the 'scream' screech guitar overlays. In my humble opinion, of course. Aside from that, i like it and appreciate the punk referencing, tongue in cheek or whatever it was. Fun
Good to hear a real opinion , can't love them all
The Live Killers version is better, a bit.
I've never been a fan of this song.
Absolute garbage. They try hard to not sound like themselves and end up sounding like badly produced Sparks.
It has always been a skip for me personally..