Queen have shared episode seven of their weekly video series, ‘The Greatest’. This week’s episode, ‘Behind The Hits – Roger Taylor’ examines how Queen’s drummer’s song-writing skills have enriched the band’s back catalog. You can check it out below.
As well as being recognized for their individual skills as incredible musicians and performers, perhaps less often documented is the considerable writing talents of all four members of Queen: Mercury, May, Taylor, and Deacon each individually contributing a significant portion of the extensive Queen song catalog which continues to resonate on playlists and music charts to this very day.
‘Behind The Hits’ highlights five band classic hits that all came from Roger Taylor.
As well as writing, among others, fan favourites such as “I’m In Love With My Car”, famously the B-Side to “Bohemian Rhapsody” (and the source of much parody in the band’s blockbuster Bohemian Rhapsody film) , and the live tour de force “Sheer Heart Attack”, Queen’s first major chart success with a Taylor composition came in 1984 with “Radio Ga Ga”. The single was a worldwide success for the band, reaching number one in 19 countries.
The iconic video moment of the crowd clapping along to the drum beat was quickly adopted by fans attending live Queen shows around the world and continues to be an awe inspiring audience participation moment during every live performance.
More chart success for Taylor followed on the band’s next album with the title track, “A Kind of Magic”, accompanied by another classic video in which Freddie gets to weave his ‘magic’ over his less than glamorous looking band mates.
By the time The Miracle album came along in 1989, songs were being credited as being composed by Queen, rather than individually – but it is acknowledged that Roger was the originator of two of the album’s chart hits – “Invisible Man” and “Breakthru”.
“These Are The Days of Our Lives” is a song close to every Queen fan’s heart and although it was originally conceived by Roger as a reflective song about parenthood, it took on a different significance on its release, coming shortly after the tragic loss of Freddie Mercury. The song, deservedly, gave Queen a number one hit.
Further along, ‘The Greatest’ series will take a look at the hits originated by Freddie Mercury, Brian May and John Deacon.
Watch every episode of ‘The Greatest’ at Queen’s official YouTube channel.
