Talon's Take:
DelilahWritten by Freddie Mercury
Musicians:
Freddie Mercury - lead and backing vocals, piano, keyboards, drum programming
Brian May - guitars
John Deacon - bass guitar
- Written about Freddie's favorite cat, Delilah! Freddie was a legendary cat lover.
- Reportedly Roger hated the track so much that when Freddie introduced the "meowing" section he walked out without a word. It is no coincidence that Roger is not on this track.
QUOTE:
"I was pleased with the guitar on that - [mimics sound] 'meow, meow, meow'." Was that played through a talkbox? "Yeah. It's the first time. I finally succumbed and used one. They wheeled it in and I said, 'Well, I suppose there's no other way I can make "meow" noises.'"
- Brian May - August 1991 - Guitar World
ALTERNATIVE VERSIONS
PROMO VERSION- NOT ESSENTIAL but interesting version.
- Slightly different take that was finalized after the promo Hints Of Innuendo was released.
DEMO- NOT ESSENTIAL - just a slightly earlier version and it sounds like Freddie is sick.
PERSONAL NOTES:
- I can understand why some don't like it. It's silly and it's very much a band catering to it's sick lead singer. But honestly, I am highly amused by it and not all music has to be seriously impacting. I find it funny and that's all that counts to me.
NEW TO TALON'S TAKE: I will give you a hint for your set lists. I will give you my percentage of how likely QAL will play it on the upcoming tour!
AND as a bonus I'll include here everything up til now:
NEVERMORE.....5% - It is short so I could see a 40th Anniversary of Queen II medley but highly doubtful
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST.....100% - I would bet my first born.
SON AND DAUGHTER.....3% - If Neil Fairclough does a spot the riff bass solo well THAT would be 75% BUT being a Brian song you just never know.
SEE WHAT A FOOL I'VE BEEN.....3% - Doubtful...but if the right time comes up it's not impossible.
DON'T STOP ME NOW.....65% - The song has raised awareness in American now, QAL have done it before. Brian didn't like the song at first but now that Freddie isn't around to lower his guitars...
LILY OF THE VALLEY.....5% - Much like Nevermore and it is also the 40th Anniversary of Sheer Heart Attack but again highly doubtful
PAIN IS SO CLOSE TO PLEASURE....0%I can't see it. It's a Freddie/John song - strike one, it's a dancy song - strike two, Not a hit and certainly not in America. strike three.
I CAN HEAR MUSIC & GOIN' BACK.....0% Again I can't see it. Freddie was roped into singing it by a producer trying to recapture the Wall of Sound and Freddie roped in Brian and Roger. No real attachment for B&R
STONE COLD CRAZY....25%I don't think it's likely but a better chance than others. Pros? Known in America thanks to Metallica, a real rocker that Brian likes, early old school number. Cons? Can Roger keep up at his age on that rhythm? *shrug* And personally I'm not a fan of Adam doing metal like that. (don't hit me
)
THERE MUST BE MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS/STATE OF SHOCK/VICTORY.....1/2% Honestly I don't see it. The ONLY reason they would do it is to promote a new album or single or whatever but Brian said they weren't doing any new music and this would be "new" music in a way. I just don't see them debuting this with Adam and then releasing it with Freddie.
GREAT KING RAT.....1% Ummm...more likely than the Michael Jackson tracks? I can't see them resurrecting this song which is a deep cut of deep cuts off the first album.
IN THE LAP OF THE GODS.....5%/IN THE LAP OF THE GODS...REVISITED.....25% I highly doubt that the first one gets played. Roger ain't screaming anymore and it hasn't been played in a while. I put it at 5 because Queen Extravaganza HAS played it (in fact played both back to back):
- Now Revisited I placed as higher as it seems to be a track that would suit Adam well, is a nice singalong and a throwback to a previous concert closer. It would be a bit nostalgic but I would love it.
LEADING US TO TODAY:
DELILAH.....0% Sorry, I just don't see it. Roger HATES it. I can't see any reason they would play it. None.
