Freddie Mercury was the legendary vocalist and front-man of Queen. Here are my Top 5 Freddie Mercury Live vocals of all time.
5. It’s a Hard Life – Rock in Rio 1985
There’s only one reason this is bottom of the list. The original footage has now been messed with on YouTube with pitch-correction, reverb, and god-knows-what, even to the point of correcting Freddie’s lyrical slip-ups. It’s still a timeless example of a performer and vocalist at the very height of their powers, delivering an emotional song in such a heartfelt manner.
Those phrases from 1m 53s, are more than just great vocals. That’s a raw, direct projection from the soul, whilst playing the piano and even managing to get in the odd gesture to the audience.
… And that’s just the piano parts. Towards the end, it’s chest pumping power, falsetto and a final, calming of the waves.
Wow.
Queen didn’t play It’s A Hard Life very often live, it must have been difficult as there are a few ropey versions about. Keane’s Tom Chaplin did a version of it, almost note-perfect against the original recording, and completely devoid of any feeling at all. No, this is the ultimate version of the song, performed in the spirit of the moment by its loving creator.
Absolutely beautiful!
4. Somebody to love – Milton Keynes 1982
Bit of an obvious one. Emulated by many, but never matched. This is less a song and more a demonstration, a statement, a message to all aspiring singers. Here’s the bar, and Freddie just set it too high for everyone else.
3. Who Wants to Live Forever – Friday Concert. Wembley 1986
Subtlety and power. That accent on the D(ares) at 1m 49s. That pause at 1m 59s before he launches into the full-roar of beast mode. An epic moment of an epic concert.
But there seems to be something else at play with this particular song at this particular time in this particular place. This was Queen’s final homecoming tour-wise, which they knew at the time, so Who Want’s To Live Forever couldn’t be more apt. It feels like a swan song, with Freddie giving his absolute last, best effort to 72,000 adoring fans at sunset.
Five years later, with The Show Must Go On, he would also close out his illustrious recording career with similar results.
Of course, the following night’s concert is more well-known and has the official footage, etc. It’s also a better concert in general but we’re talking specific vocals in specific songs here.
2. Tie Your Mother Down – Live in Rio 1985
From the frightening opening explosion to the altogether groovier take on one of Queen’s more predictable tracks. I absolutely love how every single line Freddie Mercury delivers is completely different from the record. But more than that, it’s the swagger, the confidence, the humour. This is next-level showmanship before we had that phrase, with Freddie pretty much covering the entire stage area in one song.
I’ll go a stage further and say this is NOTHING like the original recording, just listen to the delivery at 2m 53s, making the original almost twee in comparison.
The Rock in Rio set a record with an audience of 250,000 but Queen and in particular Freddie hit knocked them all dead with this rocked up, grooved up version of Tie Your Mother Down (and explosions).
My favourite opening of any Queen concert.
Probably worth noting that Queen took a lot of flack on the back of Rock and Rio. Some have even said it’s their worst performance and they didn’t seem to be on their ‘A’ game at all. I’d say Rock in Rio wasn’t a Queen-only concert like we had on the Magic tour the following year, so we can’t expect the same level of polish.
Nevertheless, I still rate Rock in Rio as one of Queen and Freddies’ best live concerts.
Liar – Rock in Rio – 1985
That note at 19s !
I feel I need no other explanation. But this Freddie the musical peacock in full stride, atop the drum-kit, feet apart, chest out, fist in the air (and dressed as Flash Gordon of course).
He even (almost) manages to slip in a trademark Dairrrr – do in the mix too.
In fact, he doesn’t come down until he’s almost done, then delivers one final, lung-busting flourish.
Perfect.
Thanks for the memories, Freddie.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my top 5 favourite Freddie Mercury Live vocals.
What’s your favourites? Drop me a comment below or visit the Forum,
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