Queen — The Show Must Go On
Album: InnuendoAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1978
Length: 4:13
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Empty spaces - what are we living for?
Abandoned places - I guess we know the score
On and on
Does anybody know what we are looking for?
Another hero, another mindless crime
Behind the curtain in the pantomime
Hold the line
Does anybody want to take it anymore?
The show must go on
The show must go on
Inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on
Whatever happens I'll leave it all to chance
Another heartache, another failed romance
On and on
Does anybody know what we are living for?
I guess I'm learning
I must be warmer now
I'll soon be turning round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free
The show must go on
The show must go on - yeah
Ooh inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on
Yeah, oh oh oh
My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly - my friends
The show must go on - yeah
The show must go on
I'll face it with a grin
I'm never giving in
On with the show
I'll top the bill
I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on
On with the
On with the show
The show must go on, go on, go on, go on, ...
Abandoned places - I guess we know the score
On and on
Does anybody know what we are looking for?
Another hero, another mindless crime
Behind the curtain in the pantomime
Hold the line
Does anybody want to take it anymore?
The show must go on
The show must go on
Inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on
Whatever happens I'll leave it all to chance
Another heartache, another failed romance
On and on
Does anybody know what we are living for?
I guess I'm learning
I must be warmer now
I'll soon be turning round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free
The show must go on
The show must go on - yeah
Ooh inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on
Yeah, oh oh oh
My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly - my friends
The show must go on - yeah
The show must go on
I'll face it with a grin
I'm never giving in
On with the show
I'll top the bill
I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on
On with the
On with the show
The show must go on, go on, go on, go on, ...
Comments (97)add comment
Not their best...but still a solid 8!!
ed_cardiff wrote:
If your ears aren't bleeding you're not playing it right - that goes for most (but not all) Queen tracks. The heater shouldn't have stood a chance
My air heater kicked in and obscured a line or two mid-way through this song, so I cursed it for being disrespectful and turned it off.
If your ears aren't bleeding you're not playing it right - that goes for most (but not all) Queen tracks. The heater shouldn't have stood a chance
Band aid glory moment.
Not my favourite band.
But this was glorious.
An opera.
I'm in the "rated: 1" camp... so noisy, put the cat out of its misery already.
The tenn-iest of tens...so very ten...thanks boys, you will rock out forever...
ed_cardiff wrote:
if you can't hear this song over a jet engine, you are playing it wrong...
My air heater kicked in and obscured a line or two mid-way through this song, so I cursed it for being disrespectful and turned it off.
if you can't hear this song over a jet engine, you are playing it wrong...
My air heater kicked in and obscured a line or two mid-way through this song, so I cursed it for being disrespectful and turned it off.
Sometimes, this song... just... it.. damn...
csumby wrote:
Yes. But not in our lifetimes.
A one take vocal by a man in the final days of his life. A consummate performance by a consummate performer. Will we ever see or hear the like again.
Yes. But not in our lifetimes.
Truly, gloriously operatic. Freddie sure could belt the songs out.
A one take vocal by a man in the final days of his life. A consummate performance by a consummate performer. Will we ever see or hear the like again.
Beautiful transition from Massive Attack to this :)
Einer der schlechtesten Queen Songs.
so many "souvenirs" with this amazing song...
damn
scott_bruce wrote:
Is it allowed within the RP Listenership By-Laws to bump the rating of the song up after reading the above passage?
Yeah.
Is it allowed within the RP Listenership By-Laws to bump the rating of the song up after reading the above passage?
8 -> 9.
Yeah.
It's an amazing, intensely personal and gut-wrenching performance from a nearly dead man. It's up there with Bowie's last stand, in an obviously more glam, stagey, Freddie way.
But I wish he'd improved upon "my smile still stays on." It's clunky and it bugs me. Soz.
But I wish he'd improved upon "my smile still stays on." It's clunky and it bugs me. Soz.
acolt wrote:
Paul Simon, Kanye West, Adele, and Kurt Cobain beg to differ.
Kanye West? Adele? Kurt Cobain? You have got to be joking.
Paul Simon, Kanye West, Adele, and Kurt Cobain beg to differ.
Kanye West? Adele? Kurt Cobain? You have got to be joking.
I am not a fan. That said, they are amazing! When I make myself listen like when they play here I am always in awe of the talent and skills of these musicians. Wow, just wow.
liveaudio608 wrote:
Paul Simon, Kanye West, Adele, and Kurt Cobain beg to differ.
Too bad the zenith of popular music took place in the '60s and '70s. Where are the songwriters who can take it farther? We've been WAITING.
Paul Simon, Kanye West, Adele, and Kurt Cobain beg to differ.
Too bad the zenith of popular music took place in the '60s and '70s. Where are the songwriters who can take it farther? We've been WAITING.
YYYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSS
That is all.
That is all.
At this point in Freddie's life, his AIDS had badly affected his vocal cords and every note of this must have taken a super-human effort. Yet, it's vocal dynamite. What a human being he was!
Pretty good song. Not Queen's best, but just for you, Freddie, I humbly rate this a 10.
Freddie, you were GODLIKE.
Freddie, you were GODLIKE.
Never been a fan but this is great.
KevinM wrote:
The most over-rated band ever!
I stopped following Queen after ’The Game’ this is new to me, sounds like I didn’t miss much.
The most over-rated band ever!
Just tuned in, on comes this amazing song... I log in to vote it a 10 - already done it
Love RP - has helped keep me sane-ish during Covid and working from home!!!! Thanks guys
Love RP - has helped keep me sane-ish during Covid and working from home!!!! Thanks guys
jackie0 wrote:
Wonder if I'll get the same segue four years later... nope - Everlong by Foo Fighters. It's all good...
kellipeter05 wrote:
And as I write this Knophler's Brothers in Arms comes on, what perfect sequencing! Thank you Radio Paradise!
AMAZING. Love Freddie. This song makes me think about the end of his life. RIP Freddie. You are a god.
Yes, so true. And as I write this Knophler's Brothers in Arms comes on, what perfect sequencing! Thank you Radio Paradise!
Wonder if I'll get the same segue four years later... nope - Everlong by Foo Fighters. It's all good...
I stopped following Queen after ’The Game’ this is new to me, sounds like I didn’t miss much.
Epic
11
Still makes me cry. Miss you, Freddie.
It boggles my mind how anyone could rate this song below a 7, especially if one is aware of the history of Freddie Mercury.
Tomasni wrote:
I'll make the +1 and join you Tomasni. Long Live RP indeed!
Long Live Radio Paradise
9 -OUTSTANDING to me
9 -OUTSTANDING to me
I'll make the +1 and join you Tomasni. Long Live RP indeed!
Can you really not give a 10?
I'm just so abashed!!!
Although not being a dedicated Queen fan, this is nothing but pure gold, sorry for all the bad (h)ears here...
Long Live 
Radio Paradise
9 -OUTSTANDING to me
Radio Paradise9 -OUTSTANDING to me
Nice! My 8 year heard 'We are the Champions' on the radio and started singing. I said I have this on vinyl, (yes she knows what this is, also knows to walk softly when daddy's music is playing).
I played Queen's Greatest Hits while my daughter and a friend was over playing. When they heard Bicycle Race they went NUTS! What is this song PaPa!!
FourFortyEight wrote:
Did you take her into your lap and share these lovely tunes with her and explain their amazing origins with a life lesson of hope and joy or did you smack her across the room? Inquiring minds want to know.
I played Queen's Greatest Hits while my daughter and a friend was over playing. When they heard Bicycle Race they went NUTS! What is this song PaPa!!
FourFortyEight wrote:
Did you take her into your lap and share these lovely tunes with her and explain their amazing origins with a life lesson of hope and joy or did you smack her across the room? Inquiring minds want to know.
ravnur wrote:
Did you take her into your lap and share these lovely tunes with her and explain their amazing origins with a life lesson of hope and joy or did you smack her across the room? Inquiring minds want to know.
My 10 year old daughter just peeked around the corner and asked if I was watching Spongebob
Did you take her into your lap and share these lovely tunes with her and explain their amazing origins with a life lesson of hope and joy or did you smack her across the room? Inquiring minds want to know.
My 10 year old daughter just peeked around the corner and asked if I was watching Spongebob
ncollingridge wrote:
Then I'm sure you'll enjoy
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ New Trailer Touches on Freddie Mercury’s Sexuality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP0VHJYFOAU
Horrible.
Then I'm sure you'll enjoy
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ New Trailer Touches on Freddie Mercury’s Sexuality
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mP0VHJYFOAU
Superlative showman. We won't see his like again.
If the lyrics were about something other than his impending death, this song would be a 5 or 6. But given the subject and release shortly before his death, this is quite stirring. Moved up to an 8 based on that relevance.
Lol. Are we even listening to the same track? Ah well, each to his own!
ncollingridge wrote:
ncollingridge wrote:
Horrible.
Horrible.
this is seriously awful.
too soulful atm
bye
bye
thewiseking wrote:
Yup, apart from Seven Seas of Rhye, Now I'm Here, and Keep Yourself Alive I personally find most of their stuff as you describe.
this is godawful hair band crap. sure they had a solid guitarist and powerful vocals but face it, much of their catalogue, especially this later stuff, was rubbish
Yup, apart from Seven Seas of Rhye, Now I'm Here, and Keep Yourself Alive I personally find most of their stuff as you describe.
From a purely musical standpoint, Queen has recorded better songs, but one has to admire the courage of this performance. A solid 8 for me, and a song that always brings vivid memories of the day that Freddie passed.
black321 wrote:
Ha...i like to laugh at my own jokes.
OK, this sounds like Spongebob singing in that episode when Squidward tries to conduct a band at football halftime show, with Patrick on the drums and Mrs. Puff on guitar.
Ha...i like to laugh at my own jokes.
Bluhhh!
Couldn't stand this noise then. It has not mellowed with age.
Couldn't stand this noise then. It has not mellowed with age.
jackie0 wrote:
Same sequence today, btw.
And as I write this Knophler's Brothers in Arms comes on, what perfect sequencing! Thank you Radio Paradise!
Same sequence today, btw.
this is godawful hair band crap. sure they had a solid guitarist and powerful vocals but face it, much of their catalogue, especially this later stuff, was rubbish
Never "got" Queen. This is great.
Not my favorite song by Queen or period. I liked their stuff in the 70's with gusto. I struggled with their stuff in the 80's. Creatively, they had moved on. Which is what artists do to stay fresh and interesting. I respect that. Having said that, Freddies vocals in this were short of miraculous given his health at the time. He left a huge void when he passed. Little Queenie forever!!
I just thought about how human needs ideals and what happens him when he don't have them.
kellipeter05 wrote:
Same here. This gives me the chills. The backstory behind David Bowie's recording of "Blackstar" is eerily similar.
THE BEST Queen song. I love the story behind this song, but it does break my heart. RIP Freddie. I will always love you.
Same here. This gives me the chills. The backstory behind David Bowie's recording of "Blackstar" is eerily similar.
THE BEST Queen song. I love the story behind this song, but it does break my heart. RIP Freddie. I will always love you.
kellipeter05 wrote:
And as I write this Knophler's Brothers in Arms comes on, what perfect sequencing! Thank you Radio Paradise!
AMAZING. Love Freddie. This song makes me think about the end of his life. RIP Freddie. You are a god.
Yes, so true. And as I write this Knophler's Brothers in Arms comes on, what perfect sequencing! Thank you Radio Paradise!
scrubbrush wrote:
Exactly! and many another 80s hair band. Makes you appreciate how influential Queen was.
Sounded like the Scorpions circa 1989.
Exactly! and many another 80s hair band. Makes you appreciate how influential Queen was.
Woah! Sheer regal magnificence. Great tune. Nice surprise.
scrubbrush wrote:
The Scorpions singer could never approach Freddie's voice. The man was amazing.
Sounded like the Scorpions circa 1989.
The Scorpions singer could never approach Freddie's voice. The man was amazing.
Sounded like the Scorpions circa 1989.
Not many singers get to say Goodbye
AMAZING. Love Freddie. This song makes me think about the end of his life. RIP Freddie. You are a god.
Over the curtain in the pantomime, and the mime is keen on lasting until the show is over.
This song goes to eleven! 
GwaiLo wrote:
For me, the reason this song is so amazing is summed up in this passage:
Demo versions featured May singing, having to sing some parts in falsetto because they were too high. When Brian May presented the final demo to Mercury, he had doubts that Mercury would be physically capable of singing the song's highly demanding vocal line, due to the extent of his illness at the time. To May's surprise, when the time came to record the vocals, Mercury consumed a measure of vodka and said "I'll fuckin do it, darling!" then proceeded to nail the vocal line in one take without problems. To this day, Brian May regards this vocal performance as one of Mercury's best.
For me, it's basically a eulogy for himself, that one last final song, his gift.
Demo versions featured May singing, having to sing some parts in falsetto because they were too high. When Brian May presented the final demo to Mercury, he had doubts that Mercury would be physically capable of singing the song's highly demanding vocal line, due to the extent of his illness at the time. To May's surprise, when the time came to record the vocals, Mercury consumed a measure of vodka and said "I'll fuckin do it, darling!" then proceeded to nail the vocal line in one take without problems. To this day, Brian May regards this vocal performance as one of Mercury's best.
For me, it's basically a eulogy for himself, that one last final song, his gift.
Is it allowed within the RP Listenership By-Laws to bump the rating of the song up after reading the above passage?
8 -> 9.
My god. This is horrible. PSD please.
is it passion, or is it real fear? I can feel something, and its not easy listening! RIP Freddie.
undoubtedly a 9.
undoubtedly a 9.
cc_rider wrote:
Awesome.
Awesome.
Or a mincing prince, more like.
andesitic wrote:
andesitic wrote:
Queen is the King!
Yeah, I can hear ABBA do this...but Freddie can give so much more than Agnetha.
Hey, for Cheesy 70s Drama Rock, it's hard to beat a song like this. Tons of fun, if one appreciates this for what it is (which may not be what Queen wanted it to be...).
MT
MT
GwaiLo wrote:
Agreed. This is a spectacular swan song, in every sense of the metaphor.
For me, the reason this song is so amazing is summed up in this passage:
Demo versions featured May singing, having to sing some parts in falsetto because they were too high. When Brian May presented the final demo to Mercury, he had doubts that Mercury would be physically capable of singing the song's highly demanding vocal line, due to the extent of his illness at the time. To May's surprise, when the time came to record the vocals, Mercury consumed a measure of vodka and said "I'll fuckin do it, darling!" then proceeded to nail the vocal line in one take without problems. To this day, Brian May regards this vocal performance as one of Mercury's best.
For me, it's basically a eulogy for himself, that one last final song, his gift.
Demo versions featured May singing, having to sing some parts in falsetto because they were too high. When Brian May presented the final demo to Mercury, he had doubts that Mercury would be physically capable of singing the song's highly demanding vocal line, due to the extent of his illness at the time. To May's surprise, when the time came to record the vocals, Mercury consumed a measure of vodka and said "I'll fuckin do it, darling!" then proceeded to nail the vocal line in one take without problems. To this day, Brian May regards this vocal performance as one of Mercury's best.
For me, it's basically a eulogy for himself, that one last final song, his gift.
Agreed. This is a spectacular swan song, in every sense of the metaphor.
GwaiLo wrote:
Without this context, the song isn't that great by Queen standards, but with that backstory, it kicks ass.
For me, the reason this song is so amazing is summed up in this passage:
Demo versions featured May singing, having to sing some parts in falsetto because they were too high. When Brian May presented the final demo to Mercury, he had doubts that Mercury would be physically capable of singing the song's highly demanding vocal line, due to the extent of his illness at the time. To May's surprise, when the time came to record the vocals, Mercury consumed a measure of vodka and said "I'll fuckin do it, darling!" then proceeded to nail the vocal line in one take without problems. To this day, Brian May regards this vocal performance as one of Mercury's best.
For me, it's basically a eulogy for himself, that one last final song, his gift.
Demo versions featured May singing, having to sing some parts in falsetto because they were too high. When Brian May presented the final demo to Mercury, he had doubts that Mercury would be physically capable of singing the song's highly demanding vocal line, due to the extent of his illness at the time. To May's surprise, when the time came to record the vocals, Mercury consumed a measure of vodka and said "I'll fuckin do it, darling!" then proceeded to nail the vocal line in one take without problems. To this day, Brian May regards this vocal performance as one of Mercury's best.
For me, it's basically a eulogy for himself, that one last final song, his gift.
Without this context, the song isn't that great by Queen standards, but with that backstory, it kicks ass.
How the F--- can anyone vote this song anything less than a 10....??
What a phenomenal band. What an extremely talented singer. So sad to have lost him.
A band that is getting better with age. RIP Freddie.
Miss this band along with Freddie M.
If ever a song deserved an 11, this song is it.
Freddie Mercury was quite the genius.
i still mourn his passing.
yet i revel in the celebration of his soul.
Freddie Mercury was quite the genius.
i still mourn his passing.
yet i revel in the celebration of his soul.
Apart from how I rate this song it's very RP-ish to play Queen (or another artist) after a song from Queen (or another artist) played by another 
which I like a lot!!
which I like a lot!! GwaiLo wrote:
I knew what the song was about, and totally appreciated how ANYONE, much less this genius, could put so much into something so gut -wrenching as a song about their own imminent demise...reading this makes it sadder yet.
...and it is a terrific song, as well!
For me, the reason this song is so amazing is summed up in this passage:
Demo versions featured May singing, having to sing some parts in falsetto because they were too high. When Brian May presented the final demo to Mercury, he had doubts that Mercury would be physically capable of singing the song's highly demanding vocal line, due to the extent of his illness at the time. To May's surprise, when the time came to record the vocals, Mercury consumed a measure of vodka and said "I'll fuckin do it, darling!" then proceeded to nail the vocal line in one take without problems. To this day, Brian May regards this vocal performance as one of Mercury's best.
For me, it's basically a eulogy for himself, that one last final song, his gift.
Demo versions featured May singing, having to sing some parts in falsetto because they were too high. When Brian May presented the final demo to Mercury, he had doubts that Mercury would be physically capable of singing the song's highly demanding vocal line, due to the extent of his illness at the time. To May's surprise, when the time came to record the vocals, Mercury consumed a measure of vodka and said "I'll fuckin do it, darling!" then proceeded to nail the vocal line in one take without problems. To this day, Brian May regards this vocal performance as one of Mercury's best.
For me, it's basically a eulogy for himself, that one last final song, his gift.
I knew what the song was about, and totally appreciated how ANYONE, much less this genius, could put so much into something so gut -wrenching as a song about their own imminent demise...reading this makes it sadder yet.
...and it is a terrific song, as well!
For me, the reason this song is so amazing is summed up in this passage:
Demo versions featured May singing, having to sing some parts in falsetto because they were too high. When Brian May presented the final demo to Mercury, he had doubts that Mercury would be physically capable of singing the song's highly demanding vocal line, due to the extent of his illness at the time. To May's surprise, when the time came to record the vocals, Mercury consumed a measure of vodka and said "I'll fuckin do it, darling!" then proceeded to nail the vocal line in one take without problems. To this day, Brian May regards this vocal performance as one of Mercury's best.
For me, it's basically a eulogy for himself, that one last final song, his gift.
Demo versions featured May singing, having to sing some parts in falsetto because they were too high. When Brian May presented the final demo to Mercury, he had doubts that Mercury would be physically capable of singing the song's highly demanding vocal line, due to the extent of his illness at the time. To May's surprise, when the time came to record the vocals, Mercury consumed a measure of vodka and said "I'll fuckin do it, darling!" then proceeded to nail the vocal line in one take without problems. To this day, Brian May regards this vocal performance as one of Mercury's best.
For me, it's basically a eulogy for himself, that one last final song, his gift.
damien wrote:
there are a lot of great Queen songs...
and this isn't one of them
<-( It definitely is one of their best songs, if you see it in it's context
I didn't even know this was a Queen song until I listened to the commentary track on the Moulin Rouge DVD... 8-<
Mark1970 wrote:
Yes, a song about Freddie dying is so much fun. I guess you put the "fun" in funerals?
Is that what it's about? Hm. Didn't listen too closely to the lyrics. Sad song, then. Still sounds like Cheesy 70s Drama Rock, though.
MT
mdtuley wrote:
Hey, for Cheesy 70s Drama Rock, it's hard to beat a song like this. Tons of fun, if one appreciates this for what it is (which may not be what Queen wanted it to be...).
MT
Yes, a song about Freddie dying is so much fun. I guess you put the "fun" in funerals?
mdtuley wrote:
Hey, for Cheesy 70s Drama Rock, it's hard to beat a song like this. Tons of fun, if one appreciates this for what it is (which may not be what Queen wanted it to be...).
MT
YES. Let us enjoy the drama in peace!
Hey, for Cheesy 70s Drama Rock, it's hard to beat a song like this. Tons of fun, if one appreciates this for what it is (which may not be what Queen wanted it to be...).
MT
damien wrote:
there are a lot of great Queen songs...
and this isn't one of them
What he said.
I thought this was some awful Scorpions ballad until the chorus kicked in. Instead it's an awful Queen ballad.
damien wrote:
there are a lot of great Queen songs...
and this isn't one of them
:nodhead:
damien wrote:
there are a lot of great Queen songs...
and this isn't one of them
When comparing their catalogue, I am inclined to agree with you. This is a ways behind their best...
there are a lot of great Queen songs...
and this isn't one of them
OK, this sounds like Spongebob singing in that episode when Squidward tries to conduct a band at football halftime show, with Patrick on the drums and Mrs. Puff on guitar.
i REALLY needed to hear this song today. thank you.
Queen is the King!