It's All Coming Back To Me Now - Happy Birthday Freddie!

I'd say this was taken at one of Freddie's birthday parties, but who's to say? He could have worn that to the supermarket
...he was Freddie Mercury, after all.

Oh Freddie, How Do I Love Thee? Let Me Count The Ways

by Jo Michelmore

It might have been K-Tizz's birthday this week, but it was also someone else's. There's probably been thousands (millions? billions?) of people having birthdays this week, but I'm no statistician so let's just say there's two important birthdays this week. Both of them people I adore. One? K-Tizz. Two? Freddie Mercury.


We all know the legend of Freddie and let's be honest, I kind of hope that if he was still alive today, he'd have a 67th birthday party involving very short people with bowls of powder on their heads wandering around offering their goods to all who attended. You can read into that story what you will, but it's one of rocks greatest.


You know I love him. I mentioned him a couple of weeks ago over on Where Is My Mind? but maybe you don't know just how much I love him...Freddie, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Number One - Killer Queen

There is no way I could possibly not love a man who could successfully wear a fur coat like that. Look, I've been vegetarian for a long time now, but seriously, that coat? Whatever that animal was, it would have died happy if it knew it was going to be swung around the shoulders of a man who managed to include references to Marie Antoinette, Moet et Chandon,  Kruschev, Kennedy, caviar and cigarettes all in one song. I haven't even mentioned gunpowder and gelatine. Freddie, you glorious wordsmith you.

Number Two - Radio Gaga

Radio Gaga. Lady Gaga. See what's happening there? Yes, this is the song that inspired the name of your favourite Stefani. This is why she called herself Lady Gaga as opposed to Lady Stefani Germanotta which doesn't quite have the same ring, does it? Some of the lyrics even describe some of Lady Gaga's delicious vacuous pop:


"All we hear is radio ga ga, radio blah blah, radio, what's new?"


It may also contain some lyrics that may possibly sum up a large portion of my own teenage years perfectly:


"I'd sit alone and watch your light, my only friend through teenage nights
And everything I had to know, I heard it on my radio"

 

Number Three - Don't Stop Me Now

Not only is this song probably in my top three Queen songs with it's incredible keys and harmonies, it also references rocket ships on the way to Mars, tigers defeating the laws of gravity, racing cars, Lady Godiva and sex machines about to explode. Is there anything not to love here? You're going to have to explain to me if there is, because I think this song is A-MAY-ZING.

Number Four - Under Pressure

So you just need to know this song features Freddie Mercury AND David Bowie. Both of them. At once.


David. Bowie.


Freddie. Mercury.


What? Don't get it? Want me to say it again?


David. Bowie.


Freddie. Mercury.


Well, skip through to 2:43. Go on, do it. Now tell me you don't get the goose bumps at Freddie begging; "why can't we give love one more chance?" then hear the crescendo with David pleading; "this is our last dance, this is our selves..." Music isn't always this good. Not convinced? Well, that song you probably know the first couple of lines to (regardless of your age or gender) that song 'Ice Ice Baby'? You know it; "stop collaborate and listen". It sampled this song. So there. See? Best song ever (maybe).

Number Five - Fat Bottomed Girls

I may or may not have an impressive derriere. I may or may not make the rockin’ world go round.

Number Six - Somebody To Love

Because there's nothing more simple than this.


"Can anybody find me somebody to love?"


 Happy Birthday Freddie and thanks. You were, you still are, the best.