Queen – Think Bensonium

Day 463: The prophet song, Queen

Roderick Benson — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 23:00:36 +0000

Time for another Queen classic. This song opened the B side of their Night at the Opera album and in some ways has the same intense rock opera theme of Bohemian Rhapsody which closed the B side. Amazing really to have two such intense songs on the same side of the same album.

In some ways this song perhaps has more resonance than it did when it was released in the 70s because in a very real sense we now have modern prophets (scientists) warning us about the seriousness of global heating and warning us of the dire consequences if we do not change our ways. Let’s hope at some point we are able to rise to the challenge global heating presents for the sake of future generations.

Day 369: Death on two legs, Queen

Roderick Benson — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 00:00:08 +0000

So yesterday I cited “Cold as Ice” by Foreigner and when writing about this song I said that its intense anger reminded me a little of the Queen classic “Death on two legs”. Here is a live version of the song from 1977. I wonder who this song was about?

Day 353: Keep good company, Queen

Roderick Benson — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 00:00:38 +0000

This little number appeared on Queen’s “Night at the Opera” album which in my view was by far their best album. I really like this little ditty as it captures the wise truth that it is very easy to lose friendships with the progression of the years. In my own life I can think of many who have travelled some of that strange road we call our life and yet are no longer walking with me. My favourite lines in this song are:

Now I’m old and puff my pipe but no one’s there to see
Ponder on my the lesson of my life’s insanity
Take care of those you call your own and keep good company.

The banjo in this song is also very good!

Day 194: Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen

Roderick Benson — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 23:00:00 +0000

Since our theme appears to be mega rock and roll classics, I guess this song is long overdue at making its appearance on Covid Island Discs.

Day 18: You’re my best Friend by Queen

Rbenson — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 22:01:27 +0000

So the other half of the rock collaboration that produced “Under Pressure” was Queen. Their most famous song is obviously “Bohemian Rhapsody”, however the original video for this song does not appear to be on Youtube. I thought of posting “The Prophet’s Song” but, given the darkness of the times, best go for something a little more cheerful.

This song also appeared on “A Night at the Opera” (the album that carried Bohemian Rhapsody). I dedicate it to all my lovely friends out there. God keep and bless you xx.

“???? Bedoo do do do do do do do Bedoo do do do do do do do.????????”

Day 14: Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie.

Rbenson — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 21:53:05 +0000

Staying with the music collaboration theme, magazine said this was the second best rock collaboration of all time. An apt song for the reality in which we currently find ourselves.