If you are comparing it with some latter stuff, this ain't particulary heavy, but for 1976, this is sludgy and heavy as you can get.If they didn't actually invent them, they certanly anticipated almost all of the eighties and nineties heavy music genres.
In the 60s, 70s, and 80s it was fairly common for bands and other musical artists to have at least one song about the conflict between native Americans and European immigrants. For example, there was As Long as the Grass Shall Grow, by Johnny Cash; Indian Reservation, by Paul Revere and The Raiders; Cortez the Killer, by Neil Young; Indian Sunset, by Elton John; The Last Resort, by The Eagles; and (perhaps my favorite), Run to the Hills, by Iron Maiden.
I wouldn't pay much attention to what these so called music journos write. Your assessment and critique is as good as anyone's and better than those snake oil salesmen😅 Its a simple arrangement for a basic message. I love it for that message and it's exemplification, yet again, of the diversity, adaptability and capability of Mercury's vocal talents.
Happy New Year, Justin. Love your Queen reactions. Love the lyric at the end. What is left of your dream, just the words on your stone, 'A man who learned how to teach, then forgot how to learn'
Apparently this song was an inspiration for Iron Maiden's Run To The Hills. I get your point with these message songs, luckily Queen did not write a lot of message songs. The live version is great, although practically exactly the same as the studio version. You have to remember there not that heavy music around at the time, so it stood out more. Queen definitely has more heavier or more metal songs songs that you haven't heard yet.
Great lyrics! Love this song as much as Sweet Lady! Also drop D tuning makes it sound heavy, in drop D they did, Procession, The Prophet's Song, White Man, Fat Bottomed Girls, Headlong, The Hitman...And A Happy New Year!
I agree that the song isn't very heavy and surely not one of Queen's heaviest. About the topic of the song: keep in mind that the song came out 1976, a time when this topic was seen different.
Happy New Year, Justin and thanks for all of the entertaining Queen reactions in particular! It's interesting to hear authentic music reactions from a musician's perspective.
One of my favorites as a 12 year old kid when it came out. Great guitar sounds in 1976. And the chorus has alot of voices mixed, but it's a grittier chorus because Roger Taylor isn't singing falsetto. My mom used to play something like Brian's riff on the piano when I was little. So I guess I liked it with the gain! Extremely heavy in 1976.
As far as subjects you have to sing about something! In Brian's case his subjects are things he's passionate about. I doubt he thought it was the final, ultimate statement about the greatest tragedy ever.
The injustice done to the native Americans is particularly striking, so I am glad Brian commented on that, especially considering that at that point people were only slowly beginning to realize that the removal and outright destruction of native peoples was a big part of the American history.
This is a very underrated Song and one of a handful of Political messages that Queen rarely wade into. Others would be, Is this the World we created and Innuendo comes to mind. I find with this Song you can here the change that is about to come with their future-sounding records.
I feel a bit like the odd one out here, this is one of my favourite Brian May tracks. The last line is one of his best. I agree about the politics, a lot of reactors focus on that and forget we're here to discuss a song. The slower (sludge) pace lends more weight to the track, unlike 'Run to the Hills' for example.
One of Queen's few "message" songs. They generally stayed clear of politics as a band. In private life Roger and Brian took definite stances on different social and political topics. Brian seemed to take an especial interest in the US for some reason.
When I was younger this was the skip track... but I have learnt to like it a lot more. The Houston live version is killer as I think they nail a higher tempo and that drum groove locks with the guitar and bass a lot more....
I really like this song, Queen wasn't a political band, it was odd for them, this one is the only one I would say. Freddie didn't want to get into politics at all, this was a give in to Brian. Great reaction
@@ManChan-w5p To me bicycle race is more about Freddie feelings about being able to go about freely, he loved his privacy. He also made reference to star wars which could be about Carrie Fisher, giving her nod. Carrie talked about her affairs with Bowie and Freddie who she met at a Bowie party in London. That's my opinion anyway.
@@MasonicbrotherIs this the world we created. I think that's more about giving love and caring about your fellow man. The song doesn't mention politics, only about rich men who could do so much if they chose to, I guess you could interpret as a politician.
thanks for your reaction - the drums were really good! I don't think this would have been a hit single if it were released, but Queen could have done that.
That’s right. Why would a musician EVER use music/lyirics as a vehicle to advance a political or moral message? Unthinkable! I want to live in a world where the justification for shedding blood is derived from the fact that somebody else somewhere also did it…
Some songs have a stereotypical "Native American music" sound, that was kind of caricaturized in Western-themed TV shows (and movies I guess) back in the 50's and 60's. With the theme of this one, I'm sure they did that on purpose, but I hear it in The Prophet Song too. My question is what is it about a melody that slots it into that category (or any other category, like the "East Asian" riff in "A Passage to Bangkok")? Is it the intervals or the mode or the chord progression or something else?
Definitely feels like a throwback to those first albums. It falls into the 'filler' category IMO. Re: the message, the mid-70's saw a lot of support by rock bands for native people's causes (especially British ones, for some reason).
Thanks for doing this one, dude. You seem like you're a little underwhelmed by the song, but that's okay. Different things in music appeal to different people. No worries.
This is might be Queen's heaviest song, and it's one I like, but I don't think the band was ever fully convincing as an out-and-out rock band. I think it falls outside of what Freddie Mercury was comfortable with vocally when he didn't have a strong melody to work with, and he is possibly the weak link in the performance. I feel the same way about tracks like Stone Cold Crazy and Sweet Lady.
I thought you might like this one more, but glad it wasn't a "No" 😁... To be fair on the topic - I'm glad you can separate the "message" from the music, because even though "preachy" songs might not be what you want to listen to, I'm pretty sure you will agree that when it comes to music - any topic is fair game, right? Indulge me channelling Neil imagining a world where music must never journey into the "Forbidden Topics" under penalty of death 😁🤔😗... that would be bad, right? OK, returning from Neil-channeling... Brian (whether you might agree or not) was moved by this topic to write this music, and so that is a good thing for everyone... Since you know me, I can safely say this without it seeming like I'm picking a fight (I'm 100% confident you know that's not my point...)
I’m a very political person but I don’t like political songs.… at all. It’s not because this is political that I’m not into it. Truth is I find it rather boring. Thanks Justin ✌🏼 Happy New Year 🥂
Justin, I share your lukewarm impression of this song. Never found it interesting at all. Perhaps a better arrangement could have brought out some hidden charms, but I'm almost thankful the arrangement obscured some of Brian's weaker lyrics.
This is not one of my favorite Queen songs, one of two that I actually don't like. It is okay, but I find this to be non inventive and not Brian's best work. Even the music writing itself feels like it is a lesser offering from sound track out of an early 1950's "B" movie Western. In my mind, I keep waiting for the War Party to appear from the other side of the hill.
White Man - by Brian May John Deacon: Bass Brian May: Backing vocals and electric guitar Freddie Mercury: Lead and backing vocals Roger Taylor: Backing vocals and drums
My wife and I went on a quick weekend road trip from Myrtle Beach SC to Virginia to visit my sister. I listened to A Day At The Races a few times and this song just didn't do it for me. The Roger Taylor song upcoming is even worse. Excellent album overall but a couple duds on it. I also listened to all of News Of The World a couple times. Most of the album I had never heard with obvious exceptions. It wasn't good at all but we'll see if you do that one and what you think. Queens first 5 albums are stellar...
A man who learned how to teach,
Then forgot how to learn…
And he talked over the most important lyric of the song...
If you are comparing it with some latter stuff, this ain't particulary heavy, but for 1976, this is sludgy and heavy as you can get.If they didn't actually invent them, they certanly anticipated almost all of the eighties and nineties heavy music genres.
In the 60s, 70s, and 80s it was fairly common for bands and other musical artists to have at least one song about the conflict between native Americans and European immigrants. For example, there was As Long as the Grass Shall Grow, by Johnny Cash; Indian Reservation, by Paul Revere and The Raiders; Cortez the Killer, by Neil Young; Indian Sunset, by Elton John; The Last Resort, by The Eagles; and (perhaps my favorite), Run to the Hills, by Iron Maiden.
I wouldn't pay much attention to what these so called music journos write. Your assessment and critique is as good as anyone's and better than those snake oil salesmen😅
Its a simple arrangement for a basic message. I love it for that message and it's exemplification, yet again, of the diversity, adaptability and capability of Mercury's vocal talents.
Can’t mistake this one for a Beatles song. 🤘🏻
One of the lesser knower songs to the average Queen listener. Thanks for all the reactions and have a Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Justin. Love your Queen reactions.
Love the lyric at the end.
What is left of your dream, just the words on your stone, 'A man who learned how to teach, then forgot how to learn'
Justin..you are correct,this was not as heavy as most of the stuff on Queen II .But a solid rocker none the less.
Тяжёлая вязкая и грузовая вещь, которая в наше время разорвёт в хлам любую новинку!
Apparently this song was an inspiration for Iron Maiden's Run To The Hills. I get your point with these message songs, luckily Queen did not write a lot of message songs. The live version is great, although practically exactly the same as the studio version. You have to remember there not that heavy music around at the time, so it stood out more. Queen definitely has more heavier or more metal songs songs that you haven't heard yet.
Great lyrics! Love this song as much as Sweet Lady! Also drop D tuning makes it sound heavy, in drop D they did, Procession, The Prophet's Song, White Man, Fat Bottomed Girls, Headlong, The Hitman...And A Happy New Year!
I agree that the song isn't very heavy and surely not one of Queen's heaviest.
About the topic of the song: keep in mind that the song came out 1976, a time when this topic was seen different.
Happy New Year, Justin and thanks for all of the entertaining Queen reactions in particular! It's interesting to hear authentic music reactions from a musician's perspective.
One of my favorites as a 12 year old kid when it came out. Great guitar sounds in 1976. And the chorus has alot of voices mixed, but it's a grittier chorus because Roger Taylor isn't singing falsetto. My mom used to play something like Brian's riff on the piano when I was little. So I guess I liked it with the gain! Extremely heavy in 1976.
As far as subjects you have to sing about something! In Brian's case his subjects are things he's passionate about. I doubt he thought it was the final, ultimate statement about the greatest tragedy ever.
The injustice done to the native Americans is particularly striking, so I am glad Brian commented on that, especially considering that at that point people were only slowly beginning to realize that the removal and outright destruction of native peoples was a big part of the American history.
Great HEAVY song
This is a song that grows everytime you hear it.
This is a very underrated Song and one of a handful of Political messages that Queen rarely wade into. Others would be, Is this the World we created and Innuendo comes to mind. I find with this Song you can here the change that is about to come with their future-sounding records.
Put out the Fire is another song with a political/social message, specifically anti-gun.
@@clintonsmith5163 of course and in reaction to Lennon.
I feel a bit like the odd one out here, this is one of my favourite Brian May tracks. The last line is one of his best. I agree about the politics, a lot of reactors focus on that and forget we're here to discuss a song. The slower (sludge) pace lends more weight to the track, unlike 'Run to the Hills' for example.
One of Queen's few "message" songs. They generally stayed clear of politics as a band. In private life Roger and Brian took definite stances on different social and political topics. Brian seemed to take an especial interest in the US for some reason.
When I was younger this was the skip track... but I have learnt to like it a lot more. The Houston live version is killer as I think they nail a higher tempo and that drum groove locks with the guitar and bass a lot more....
This song is just straight up BadAss!
I really like this song, Queen wasn't a political band, it was odd for them, this one is the only one I would say. Freddie didn't want to get into politics at all, this was a give in to Brian. Great reaction
How about "Is This The World We Created?" and "One Vision"?
Don't try Suicide, Put out the Fire, Is This the World We Created, Hammer To Fall. Queen has done alot of politically based songs.
Listen to the lyrics to Bicycle Race. It's camp but can easily interpreted as anti American popular culture.
@@ManChan-w5p To me bicycle race is more about Freddie feelings about being able to go about freely, he loved his privacy. He also made reference to star wars which could be about Carrie Fisher, giving her nod. Carrie talked about her affairs with Bowie and Freddie who she met at a Bowie party in London. That's my opinion anyway.
@@MasonicbrotherIs this the world we created. I think that's more about giving love and caring about your fellow man. The song doesn't mention politics, only about rich men who could do so much if they chose to, I guess you could interpret as a politician.
1 of my very favourites.
thanks for your reaction - the drums were really good! I don't think this would have been a hit single if it were released, but Queen could have done that.
That’s right. Why would a musician EVER use music/lyirics as a vehicle to advance a political or moral message? Unthinkable! I want to live in a world where the justification for shedding blood is derived from the fact that somebody else somewhere also did it…
Happy new year everyone!!! Thanks Justin! 20? Lol.
I'm not familiar with the lyrics but musically I thought it had some very interesting bits. Love Brian's guitar tone
Always thought this track was like Prophet Song part 2.
In riff style yes, although not all the vocal hysteria
Happy new year my dear
Some songs have a stereotypical "Native American music" sound, that was kind of caricaturized in Western-themed TV shows (and movies I guess) back in the 50's and 60's. With the theme of this one, I'm sure they did that on purpose, but I hear it in The Prophet Song too. My question is what is it about a melody that slots it into that category (or any other category, like the "East Asian" riff in "A Passage to Bangkok")? Is it the intervals or the mode or the chord progression or something else?
yes to all
Definitely feels like a throwback to those first albums. It falls into the 'filler' category IMO. Re: the message, the mid-70's saw a lot of support by rock bands for native people's causes (especially British ones, for some reason).
Happy New Year.
Thanks for doing this one, dude. You seem like you're a little underwhelmed by the song, but that's okay. Different things in music appeal to different people. No worries.
This is might be Queen's heaviest song, and it's one I like, but I don't think the band was ever fully convincing as an out-and-out rock band. I think it falls outside of what Freddie Mercury was comfortable with vocally when he didn't have a strong melody to work with, and he is possibly the weak link in the performance. I feel the same way about tracks like Stone Cold Crazy and Sweet Lady.
Queen did all rock stuff with such ease that they quickly turned to other things. And although unortodox, Freddie was a KILLER rock singer.
I'm a yellow man.
I thought you might like this one more, but glad it wasn't a "No" 😁... To be fair on the topic - I'm glad you can separate the "message" from the music, because even though "preachy" songs might not be what you want to listen to, I'm pretty sure you will agree that when it comes to music - any topic is fair game, right? Indulge me channelling Neil imagining a world where music must never journey into the "Forbidden Topics" under penalty of death 😁🤔😗... that would be bad, right? OK, returning from Neil-channeling... Brian (whether you might agree or not) was moved by this topic to write this music, and so that is a good thing for everyone... Since you know me, I can safely say this without it seeming like I'm picking a fight (I'm 100% confident you know that's not my point...)
I’m a very political person but I don’t like political songs.… at all. It’s not because this is political that I’m not into it. Truth is I find it rather boring. Thanks Justin ✌🏼 Happy New Year 🥂
Justin, I share your lukewarm impression of this song. Never found it interesting at all. Perhaps a better arrangement could have brought out some hidden charms, but I'm almost thankful the arrangement obscured some of Brian's weaker lyrics.
This is not one of my favorite Queen songs, one of two that I actually don't like. It is okay, but I find this to be non inventive and not Brian's best work. Even the music writing itself feels like it is a lesser offering from sound track out of an early 1950's "B" movie Western. In my mind, I keep waiting for the War Party to appear from the other side of the hill.
White Man - by Brian May
John Deacon: Bass
Brian May: Backing vocals and electric guitar
Freddie Mercury: Lead and backing vocals
Roger Taylor: Backing vocals and drums
This song is White Man, not White Queen - but fortunately, Brian wrote both of them
Wish it was White Queen. That was a good one. This one not so much...
Corrected. Just some impulse. LOL
My wife and I went on a quick weekend road trip from Myrtle Beach SC to Virginia to visit my sister. I listened to A Day At The Races a few times and this song just didn't do it for me. The Roger Taylor song upcoming is even worse. Excellent album overall but a couple duds on it. I also listened to all of News Of The World a couple times. Most of the album I had never heard with obvious exceptions. It wasn't good at all but we'll see if you do that one and what you think. Queens first 5 albums are stellar...
You have a very fair point. Musical diversity is confounding. Hits and misses.
I’m not a fan of this song