So, I was recently asked what my favorite Queen memory is … and I honestly didn’t know the answer.
I’m too young to have experienced the greatness in person, but I’ve reaped the benefits of their immortality. Most Queen moments in my life include singing at the top of my lungs in the car to Queen’s CD’s or to the classics I have loaded on my iPod. And if you don’t already know, Queen is great running music. They’re always my first choice, although my urge to sing along can make this difficult. I usually just end up looking like Chad from Burn After Reading on the treadmill. Air drums are much easier than trying to sing along in that scenario.
I didn’t really know anything about Queen until I was in high school. Of course, I knew some of their songs due to various happenings throughout my life, like “Bohemian Rhapsody” in Wayne’s World and “We Are the Champions” through back-to-back Houston Rockets Championship. And I also knew that “Under Pressure” sounded a lot like “Ice Ice Baby” (just as much as I know you die hard fans are cringing right now at that admission). But I didn’t even know who sang those songs. My big brother was the one who introduced me to the band, and I’m eternally grateful to him.
The thing I love the most about Queen is how they can relate to my everyday life. I like to listen to “Fat Bottomed Girls” while running and “Bicycle Race” while riding the bike. My husband and I like to duet to “Don’t Stop Me Now” cause we’re “Havin’ a good time, havin’ a good time…”.
Anyway, once I became a Queen fan, I was always impressed how their music has stayed relevant and engaging. As recently as last year, Queen music has been featured in TV shows, movies and even Broadway. From Glee (Yes, I’m a proud Gleek) to Lady Gaga (who got the inspiration for her fame name from Queen’s “Radio GaGa”), to Wayne’s World, Moulin Rouge, Shaun of the Dead and Happy Feet. Did I mention they also got their very own Broadway and West End show? Their music is all around us even today.
Why is this the case? Well, the music is just plain FUN. It’s also relatable, sing-along-able, iconic and … well, fun. The other reason it is picked to be in so many movies is because you can pretty much find a Queen song to go into any scenario. Perhaps I am such a fan because of the theatricality of the group and their music, especially Freddie Mercury. I feel like I’m in the midst of a BIG SHOW whenever I hear one of their songs. It makes people (at least it makes me) want to sing and dance and put on lots of eyeliner.
Needless to say, I’m super excited that the Music of Queen is coming to the Houston Symphony. And as a marketing person all I want to do is project this excitement to other people so they will come see the show. Luckily, Queen has given us lots of tools to get the word out — what more could a marketing person ask for with songs titles like “The Show Must Go On” and “We Will Rock You” and one-liners like “It’s a kind of magic”?
If you join us on July 22nd at Jones Hall, we can promise a fun, sing-along-able, theatrical and still relevant concert that everyone can enjoy, and “We Will [definitely] Rock You.” I’m living proof that you don’t have to be of the Queen era to love this music. It transcends the 70’s and 80’s and lives on today!
So to all you Queen fans, since I was so lame and couldn’t think of just one favorite Queen moment, I want to hear your’s. Comment and let us know what you remember about growing up with (or getting thrown into) The Music of Queen!
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