Brian wrote and sings this clever folk tune. I really love it and can imagine him playing it for his children when they were young. Thank you for your wonderful reaction, as always. There is a theory about a phenomenon that occurs when traveling so quickly through space that time of that traveling object stands still (the craft in this song) while time continues on in the rest of the universe. So these travelers went out in search of new lands and were gone for one year but returned to find that all on earth and everyone there had aged 100 years. Their loved ones had all passed but he found his daughter and could see her mother's eyes in her eyes. Those on earth had long forgotten the travelers as they lost radio contact (can you hear my calls though you are many [light] years away, and write your letters in the sand for the day I take your hand). Brian is and always has been fascinated by the universe and space, he has a PhD in Astrophysics and now also does some work with NASA. This is very much a Brian song though he like the rest of Queen is so very versatile in his writing and his playing. Roger Taylor (drummer) is the falsetto you are hearing in the background.

@HarriBestReactions

2 жыл бұрын

Wow! Thanx for this

@JK_Clarke

2 жыл бұрын

Your explanation is splendid, and answers many questions I had. Thanks!

@Yldcatz

2 жыл бұрын

I’m not a lyric person but that is fascinating. Thanks

@sherryheim5504

2 жыл бұрын

The child he returned to find was most likely a grandchild considering the time and he probably saw the eyes of his child in her/his eyes. I came to this not only by the time passed, but because the song says "in the land that our grandchildren knew" so I believe I misspoke above in stating that it was his daughter.

Another fun astronomical fact. The Distance from Earth to Mercury is around .39 AU (astronomical units) Brian the astronomer is playing with us all...

Brian May being an astrophysicist, it was probably inevitable there would be a folk song about time dilation LOL

That falsetto is drummer Roger Taylor. He did a lot of those “dog whistle notes” (as Freddie referred to Roger’s high-high notes) throughout their early catalogue, although he lost some of his highest notes sometime in his mid-30s - as so often happens as a man’s voice reaches full maturity.

The volunteers sought a new planet because the earth was dying. When they returned, having travelled at the speed of light, they aged only a year but all of their loved ones were long dead so...."For my life still ahead, pity me". The joy of finding a new earth was at the cost of losing everyone they left behind. Try a few songs like "Seaside Rendezvous" or "Bring back Leroy Brown". Sounds like vaudeville. "Let me live" almost gospel. "My Melancholy Blues" or "Dreamer's Ball" for jazz/blues style.

@davidshattock9522

2 жыл бұрын

There is a live version with a violin and it's good too

This is one of my favorite Queen songs, and yes, Brians songs are often very different from the ones composed by Freddie. If you want to experience another shock, try "Sleeping on the Sidewalk". Also written by Brian.

Yes the guy doing falsetto is Roger Taylor. His speciality back then. I was lucky to see them perform this live. Great song .

@iqbalmuhammad2920

7 ай бұрын

What year was that?

The movie Interstellar is made from this song. The high pitched vocals is Roget Taylor, the drummer

Broan wrote this song about time travel. The falsetto is Roger 😊the drummer.

Queen has a lot of shocking songs in their catalouge …😀

Love your reactions. You are right its about traveling in space and coming back to earth a 100 years later and discover how things had changed

I’ve been listening to Queen for a long time (I’m 77) and have never heard this song before. I like it. You’re never too old to experience something new.

You should hear Melancholy Blues. Queen did all types of music, perfectly.

@katehaynes5735

5 ай бұрын

Agreed, Queen are genreless! They did it all and fabulosly! I was lucky to hear this live a few months ago, Brian, and acoustic guitar and a stool to sit on, that's it. Beautiful!

Shocking? No, beautifully melancholic ,yes. I've loved this song from when I first heard it on A Night at the Opera after getting it for my 11 th Birthday (mind you theres not a duff track on that whole album).

Great reaction! That was the drummer, Roger Taylor with the high falsetto. He is the same one who did the high notes in Bohemian Rhapsody and many other songs. Roger usually sang his own songs on Queen records and Brian sang some of his as well, until the 80s when Freddie sang all the songs. Brian wrote in different styles, like Good Company with a Dixieland Jazz band style and Sleeping on the Sidewalk about a trumpet players life in blues style. Dreamer's Ball has a New Orleans style and then there is Who Wants to Live Forever and Show Must Go On which could be called power ballads. Sir Dr Brian May - genius.

such a deep but simple song

By the way i love this song. It just shows how queen can do anything

talk about different ... every song on A Night At The Opera was different from each other. You should check out another Brian song from ANATO called The Prophet's Song. IMHO it is a more elaborate arrangement to Bohemian Rhapsody, and has an acapella harmonized vocal solo by Freddie. Truly amazing

@buckwahn8241

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, The Prophet`s Song is a great prog rock song. Totaly underrated.

@nancyblumberg4612

Жыл бұрын

@@buckwahn8241 I really don’t like prophet and I love love Queen, scream at me all you want, just not for me. Sorry guys

This is a folk song written by Brian May, who is in real life, Dr. Brian May, Ph.D. (in Astrophysics). The high falsetto voice is Roger Taylor (Queen Drummer). This song is a science fiction tale that brilliantly employs a part of Einstein's theory of Relativity, time dilation. Meaning as speed increases time expands; a week becomes a month, a month becomes a year, etc. It tells a story of a group of space voyagers (the volunteers), who in the year '39 (could be 2239, 2339, who knows) depart a dying Earth in a spaceship to explore a distant world for habitability. Presumably a government project, essentially scouting the planet for colonization. If they were to travel at speeds approaching the speed of light then the effects of time dilation would dramatically reduce the rate at which they age. A year back on Earth could mean only a day to them physiologically. If you follow the words you can piece together it took the volunteers 100 years to complete the mission, returning to Earth exactly one century later (in the year of 39 came a ship in from the blue). It's the year '39.... in the next century. Upon their return they discover the world they left no longer exists. They have been gone a century yet the effects of time dilation have aged them only a year. Their families are long dead, and the Earth has deteriorated to a gray planet. They came back to report the world they explored is vibrant and perfect for humanity. But their good news is quickly squashed by the realization that they are now refugees in time.

@Yldcatz

2 жыл бұрын

I’m fascinated with astrophysics but not smart enough to understand it.

One of the most amazing things about queen is the variety. Their album tracks are more surprising than the hits!

Queen's comfort zone is so big that it would be practically impossible to step outside it. They never belonged to one genre.......indeed their genre was Queen

That whole album (A Night at the Opera) is nothing but masterful songs, all different sounds and styles. One of the best rock albums ever, in my opinion. And I've listened to a LOT of albums.... The lyrics make your mind wander around different interpretations and realities.... This particular song's style reminds me of Moody Blues.

@andrewflockhart7270

2 жыл бұрын

Superb album, the prophet song is my favourite

If you're looking for something like rap from Queen, try Dragon Attack! Definitely a funky beat with heavy percussion - careful!

@HarriBestReactions

2 жыл бұрын

That sounds interesting

If you think that’s OK check out lazying on a Sunday afternoon, and seaside Rendezvousoff the. Same album

This was the first song I ever heard from Queen. I loved it because of the harmonies and the way it made me think of The Moody Blues. Excellent choice digging deep! #Peace!

I also have to say I never would’ve guessed this was Queen. They have so many great songs.

This album was my intro to Queen. Such an amazing mix of styles on the one record.

Love this song.

I was severely bullied for about a year after me and a couple of my friends sang this in the high school cafeteria. It was 1978. It was anti gay bullying. And I am not gay. The world was not ready for Queen.

Queen have so many sounds/styles!

In a way, this song makes me think of "Too Much Love Will Kill You". I actually like Brian May's solo version better than when Queen did it.

@26shedan

2 жыл бұрын

me too!

You're very close to the song's meaning, Harri. Keep in mind that Brian May is an astrophysicist. He hadn't earned his doctorate yet at the time A Night At The Opera came out, but he was a student of astrophysics. There is a theory called Time Displacement, which posits that the closer one approaches the speed of light, the slower they age. The plot of the song is volunteers went out on a 100 year journey to find a new planet for humans to colonize, as the Earth is dying. They depart in '39 and return 100 years later in '39. The protagonist of the song is singing to both his now deceased wife and his child at different points in the song. The final lines relate his dismay that he is still so young with much of his life ahead of him to be lived without the love of his life, his now deceased wife. At least, this has always been my interpretation of the story.

@susieq9801

2 жыл бұрын

A very sad theme.

@imweakfordeaky

2 жыл бұрын

That’s exactly what the song is about, although I think the space-time travel problem is called Time Dilation.

@IllumeEltanin

2 жыл бұрын

@@imweakfordeaky Ah, thank you. I'm positive you're correct on the proper term.

@HarriBestReactions

2 жыл бұрын

Only a clever book head could have written a song like this 😀😀

Missed you, Harri! Love that you recognize the glorious creativity of Queen!!!!

one of Queens most favourite fans live songs

Hey Harri,thanks for this...not often done by requestors..good on you..This is one of my fav. Queen tunes.

These two songs are very different as well: Seaside Rendezvous and Cool Cat. You would never guess it is Queen. And if you like to see their most beautiful video, check out The Miracle. Loved your reaction. ❤

Harri please check out Cool Cat by Queen. I know that you love a great bassline, trust me you won't be disappointed! I think Cool Cat is also different from most Queen songs.

@timg5011

2 ай бұрын

On the "Hot Space" album.

Try The Millionaire Waltz, Harri!

To me, it's the most beautiful Queen song, though not their best (Bohemian Rhapsody). "Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cries to me". Always get goosebumps when Brian May sings this part. Beautiful lyrics.

'39' is my favorite Queen song. Just love this!

You don't get many songs about the theory of time dilation, but when you do, trust Queen to make a great job of it! The idea is that, the faster you travel, i.e. in a space craft away from earth, the slower time becomes. To those travelling it seems as though time is going by at the normal rate, but to those on earth time rushes by. These astronauts travelled a year to and from the new planet they discovered, but on earth 100 years had past by. Which meant everyone they knew back on earth was, essentially, dead. Only their grandchildren would remain. The poignant lyrics of, 'your mothers tears from your eyes cry to me', pretty much sums up the feeling of sadness felt.

They sound almost like Peter Paul & Mary, or the Byrds. I've never heard this before and it is GOOD. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

@avlisk

2 жыл бұрын

Same experience for me. I bought their first record back in the early '70's, know all their hits, and this was a surprise for sure. Sounds like it might be from Chris DeBurgh's album, The Getaway, too.

Harri may I suggest you react to the Queen song, NO ONE BUT YOU ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG. It was a tribute song that the three members got together and recorded it was also John Deacon the Bass players last time he was with Queen before he retired.

@clarkcraig6959

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/oYB_28OIfMWYdtY.html

LOL... @2:04.. " No way on Earth"!! it's about Time, Space and Reality when we venture the Stars only to come back and a 100 years have passed after a year!! Brian May is a AstroPhysicist!!

Songs like this never get old.

This reminds me of Lindisfarne--a folk rock band of the 60s and 70s.

You really need to watch a live performance of this. Hyde Park '75 is pretty good. Brian sings lead on the album but Freddie sings lead in concert. The only instrumentation is Brian - acoustic guitar, Roger - bass drum & tambourine and John - electric bass.

This is a bit more rousing during Queen concerts! In those, it's Freddie who sings lead - so it sounds different. Roger is right upfront on stage, brings a drum (& his falsetto) with him while he smacks away at a tambourine. And it is a heck of a lot of fun to watch them. Yes, it's VERY folk-like in tone. That said, I love Brian's voice here as he performs his own composition.

I went to watch Queen last month and Brian performed this song with some good visuals on a huge massive screen & it is Brian May Singing it.

Brian said this was written about the future. Brian May performs this at their concerts before he does Love of My Life which always brings me to tears when Freddie comes on the screen to sing the last verse with audience. Queen didn't have a specific sound. They sang all varieties. This makes sense when you consider you have 4 very talented songwriters writing their songs and many times fighting for their song to be on the new album. Freddie was known as the peacemaker and Brian and Roger don't agree on anything.

Freddie was the singer, my friend. 💜✌

i feel like this song lyrics in a nutshell is a summary of the movie interstellar.

The song is about a group of space explorers who embark on what is, from their perspective, a year-long voyage. Upon their return, they realize that a hundred years have passed, because of time dilation. The loved ones they left behind are now all dead or aged. “Your mother’s eyes, from your eyes, cry to me … “ 🚀💥🌙🌟⭐️ “For my life .. Still ahead .. Pity me”

@GinMae

2 жыл бұрын

DEBBIE!! hello, my love!

@GinMae

2 жыл бұрын

@@debramoore7513 Ha - no beach kid here.. lol... just stayin' in AC and out of the sun... lol

@debramoore7513

2 жыл бұрын

@@GinMae Don’t blame ya 👒🩴🩴🧊

Brian May has said, among early childhood memories, he was influenced by Lonnie Donegan and skittle bands. This particular song reminds me of The Strawbs, a folk-inflected band also popular in the early to mid '70s.

@drxfairless7440

2 жыл бұрын

I think you mean skiffle bands, These were 'street corner' bands who had maybe one guitar and a miscellany of household objects to make music with, For instance a washboard for percussion and a tea chest with a broom handle to make a double base. I remember learning the words to Rock Island Line so I could join in with my local group!!

A lot of people do not realize that other members of Queen, Roger Taylor and Brian May, did sing a lot of songs. Listen to Good Company Brian sings that one also and Tenement Funster sung by Roger Taylor.

Fitting song for Brian May to write as he studied physics and astronomy at university, and in recent years went back to finish his PhD.

you gotta listen to the whole "Night at the opera Album" the whole thing is awesome, different and Mader me luv this band.

Cool track.😊 ynwa 💥

This is my favorite Brian May led Queen track. It's like someone said write a John Denver-esque song, but make it Queen and sci-fi.

You should have a listen to Stone Cold Crazy for something different too loved your reaction ❤️

Roger has a fantastic falsetto.

Thank you for the excellent reaction Harri! For some more "different" Queen I would suggest "Tenement Funster", "In The Lap of the Gods", "Stormtroopers In Stilettos", "The Night Comes Down" and "The Fairy Feller's Master Stroke" among many more. And no, Harri, I don't remember any other Queen songs that sounded much like this beauty!

My favorite Queen song. Excellent!

With a handful of exceptions, when Brian writes, Brian sings. Two notable exceptions are from Queen 2 Side White Father to Son and White Queen (as it began), from Jazz Dreamers Ball and from The Game, Save Me are all sung by Freddie. Same goes for Roger and his most unique voice and singing style. The notable exception for his writing is the much better known Radio Gaga. Almost every album has at least one song written and sung by both Brian and Roger. Other great songs by Brian: From Queen 2 - Someday One Day, From Sheer Heart Attack - She Makes me (Stormtrooper in Stilettoes) From News of the World - All Dead, All Dead, Sleeping on a Sidewalk and It's Late. From The Game - Sail Away Sweet Sister and there are others. Then, there is the whole Roger Taylor rabbit hole.

@vernhoke7730

2 жыл бұрын

Actually Brian, Freddie, Roger and John wrote. In fact they've each had at least one #1 hit. Freddie is the the primary lead vocalist, there are the occasional songs where either Brian or Roger sings lead and all 4 lend their voices to the harmonies.

@richgoebel6650

2 жыл бұрын

@@vernhoke7730 I knew someone would point that out, but i was focusing on singing the songs they write.

This is a fairly popular theme in science fiction, with many many variations on the theme, but the first song I've ever heard dealing with it. Such a sad, beautiful song.

Oh, yes. I know Bohemian Rhapsody is the main one from A Night At The Opera, but this is my favorite.

HEY HARRI, (Long time-no see... as-far-as Queen/Freddie goes, I mean.) THANK YOU for doing another great Queen reaction! And YEAH... Queen & Freddie have LOTS of ALL DIFFERENT styles of songs that you've never heard of. (Do you know that Freddie recorded an album of OPERA? Titled Barcelona... it's FANTASTIC.) ...Most Queen fans will tell you that their BEST material are the "Deep Cuts", album songs that were never even released as singles; some of these a are a bit more known because - even tho they weren't released as singles - Queen always played them in their live shows, where they also became fan favorites.

I always loved this song. It is so different from their other stuff. Just LOVE it. Thanks for reacting to this one. Queen always amazed me. I read other comments & see you got the explanation of the song already. This came off my favorite album by them, A NIGHT AT THE OPERA. A purely genius of an album. Another song from that same album, written & sung by Brian May, is GOOD COMPANY. You should give that one a listen. It is another different sounding song. I always had a crush on him. Thank you for more Queen. ☮

Now that you've heard Brian sing lead, you MUST must try a song where Roger sings lead! -"Modern Times Rock & Roll", "I'm In Love With My Car", "Tenement Funster" or 'Fight From The Inside" -Your jaw will drop when you hear him sing. Who will back me up? : )

I was most shocked by their song, "White Man."

Hey Mr. Harry try listening to "it's late " . Just an awesome rocker and a true deep album cut from the lp "News of the World" -another banger of an album. Such a great song. Love me some Queen!!!!!!!!!!!

If you listen to the Live Killers version of '39, Freddie sings lead vocals.

I always thought it was about exploration from 400 yrs ago and the discovery of the America's. When they returned successfully, the man's wife had died. I am drawn to haunting music. I found it back when queen came out, so I can't really say if it sounds like queen or not

I believe that Brian May wrote this song based on a book by Robert Heinlein, Time for the Stars, which deals with traveling around the speed of light, searching for new planets

Time dilation in sci-fi can be heartbreaking & of course it's Queen's resident Rocket Scientist who writes a song about it. 😢

Great reaction 👑😃🥂

Fantastic! My favorite Queen song! Thank you!

@dishields7808

2 жыл бұрын

I know, right?

Only song I know of that deals with the effects of speed of light travel and time dilation. A classic. These dudes are all smarter than the average person.

@richardsinger01

2 жыл бұрын

Ha ha, yes but that’s a low bar. 50% of the population are smarter than the average person.

@barbarjinx3802

2 жыл бұрын

@@richardsinger01 wrong. You can’t have 50% smarter than the average and 50% dumber than average. That would mean 0% of people are of average intelligence.

A similar type song also sung by Brian is called Good Company

Sounds like an old Irish Folk song. Clever boy, that Brian May.

Freddie always sang this live(I prefer Brian on this one)They all come up front and have fun with this song Live. Another unusual one for them is Cool Cat.

@DonnaleaSpencer

2 жыл бұрын

great minds think alike! I wrote my comment, then found yours! :)

@marggie4129

2 жыл бұрын

Lol, I have had you post what I planned to post also. Yes...great minds.

I love this one and haven't heard it in forever! Thank you 😊

My all-time favorite Queen masterpiece.

Queen has more styles, Harry. "Millionaire Waltz" is very different, but beautiful. "In the Lap Of the Gods" is gorgeous, as well. If you end up listening to as much Queen as you have ELO, you will be completely knocked out!

@dianecourtney2724

2 жыл бұрын

Amen

A Night At The Opera is, in my opinion, Queen's magnum opus.

I believe you are the first person I can think of to have reacted to one of my favorite Queen songs. Thanks! Peace ☮

One of my favorite Queen songs. Takes me back to 1976 when I was young United States Marine and I lost a good buddy ran over by a drunk driver, RIP Otis.

You were close the song is about time dilation, the traveller left earth travelled close to the speed of light, they aged hardly at all while the earth kept on going. I didn't pick it up, saw an interview where Brian May stated that.

listen to Sail Away Sweet Sister from The Game album. another great Brian song

React to queen 39 live at earls court 1977 freddie sings this time

Have to love a Brian May song

It’s fun to watch it live. They all come up to the front of the stage and Freddie sings the lead. In this one Brian takes the lead. He’s good and Roger does the high notes.

I completely agree with you Harri. I would never have landed on Queen even if I had been given 100 chances to guess who this was. Very surprising but nice 🌺✌️

great choice... great reaction

On top of the layered harmonies, I think Brian's electric guitar tone/style is another giveaway that this is a Queen song. Very subtle in this song, but nonetheless definitely there. Roger Meddows Taylor provides the falsetto. He's also written and taken the lead vocals on many of their songs. Like this song, if you listened to 'Drowse', you probably would never have guessed that that was a Queen song.

For a different version of this song, react to one of the live versions, Freddie sings lead.

I like the live one sing by Freddie

I love watching you react to a song I've never heard before, either. I really enjoyed this tune and agree that it does not sound like a typical Queen song.

This is from A Night at the Opera, like Bohemian Rhapsody. There are many great songs on that album. Seaside Rendezvous, Death on Two Legs, The Prophet's Song, they are all great!

Hi Harri! All Dead All Dead is another beautiful song by Brain, which is not clealy recognized as a Queen song. I think it has a little Beatles vibe. A bittersweet song with Piano sound, that Brain wrote for his childhood pet cat Pixie, witch had died. Please check out All Dead All Dead - At Last The Video, witch was released 2017 for the 40th anniversary of the album News Of The World.😿😹💔 PS There two versions, one with Freddy`s vocals and one with Brain`s. Take Brain`s. Unbelievable, but it`s much better.