I can’t remember if the actual memory of Queen’s music came with Flash Gordon or Highlander. I do remember I was young… eight or nine I think. I remember getting a further introduction to their music because it was a bonding experience with my Dad, kicking back on the floor of my parents’ room while he played A Night at the Opera for me.

Given the amount of music Queen had released by the time I was eight, I’m sure I probably heard some of it before then and just didn’t know who sang it. At that age I don’t think I cared about any music other than what my mother listened to. Still, the time we spent listening to Queen opened a door of commonality for us and he has had a great influence on my taste in music.

I digress however. I’m here to discuss Queen, not my past.

I think what brings this particular post is a wonder if Freddie Mercury would approve of the advertisement use of their music, were he still with us today. Coke used “I Want to Break Free” for their Coke Half or whatever it was and now Dr Pepper is using “I Want it All” for Diet Dr Pepper and I know I’ve heard another set of advertisements using one of their songs, but at the moment its not coming to mind. It’s probably the Harry Chapin I have playing on the radio at the moment, but that’s a whole different subject and musician, isn’t it.

I do know that while the ads don’t drive me to go out and get a Coke or a Dr Pepper, they do drive me to computer and my massive collection of Queen discs. After that introduction to their music I glutted myself on Queen’s music. I still find myself looking through the selection at the music store to see if there’s anything I don’t have. There are a few, admittedly, that I’m missing, but the three collections of their greatest hits keep me sane on a bad day.

I always found their music uplifting, despite some of the connotations of the songs. There are days I tend to think of “The Show Must Go On” as my theme song. Then again, I’m sure everyone has theme songs and they just don’t share them.

I know, after having only been introduced to their music in those tender years that I was distraught when I learned of Mercury’s death in 1991; got my hands on Innuendo as quickly as I could since it was the last of Queen’s recordings. That disc has another of my personal favorites with the song “I’m Going Slightly Mad,” which I recommend for anyone having one of those nervous breakdown days.

Sure, Brian May and Roger Taylor hooked up with Paul Rodgers of Bad Company fame and have gone touring to introduce a new generation to Queen’s music; and while my father and my boyfriend would call me a blasphemer to say the music isn’t bad (especially since they didn’t let Rodgers screw with it and kept things the same), its still not as good as the original. I will admit however that Chris Daughtry did a wonderful job with Innuendo on American Idol last season… and Elton John does a great rendition of “The Show must Go On”. Hmm… that’s as far as I’ll go with other people being able to sing Queen without making me want to climb walls.

Their music has been featured in so many things, but most prominently in the film (and television show) Highlander with the use of “Princes of the Universe” for the theme, and “Bohemian Rhapsody” helped reignite the interest in Queen with the use of it in “Wayne’s World” (Does anyone else head bop to this song now because of that movie?).

As you can see, I could write for a while on this subject. Queen is, and always will be, one of my favorite bands and a perfect edition to any music collection. So I’m going to stop hear and leave you with part of my favorite lyrics from “Don’t Try so Hard”

But if you fall and take a tumble, it won’t be far
If you fail you mustn’t grumble, thank your lucky stars
Just savour every mouthful, and treasure every moment
When the storms are raging round you, stay right where you are

Oh don’t try so hard
Oh don’t take it all to heart
It’s only fools they make these rules
Don’t try so hard

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