The UK Queen’s song “Show Must Go On” without exaggerating the fact has become one of the most well-known inspiring songs for already 2 generations of people all over the world. Recorded in 1990 and officially released on the 14th of October 1991 the song can be easily recognized by those who like rock as a music genre, as well as those who have never been interested in rock. The reason for this is simple as it can be. “Show Must Go On” has become something more than just a song. It is also a motivation for people, who have something worth fighting for in life. It carries the story, the irreversible tragedy, but yet hope and strength of the human spirit. Music patterns coincide with vocals of the leading performer, Freddie Mercury, and the lyrics tell the story, which is full of metaphors, allusions and other figures of speech representing the courage, spirit, humanity and refusal to give up till the very end.
In order to understand the impact of any song on a specific person, nation or generation, you have to explore the core of the song, the key idea of it. And the main thing is how many intimate things are exposed in the song. They can be thinly disguised, however, still close to what a person once lived through, heard or felt. That is the main factor that influences a person’s choice on whether to listen to the song or not. What did the author want to say with a specific sentence in the lyrics? What did the performer want to express with each vocal transition?
For sure, it might be hard to find other song story that is filled with so many heart catching details placed all in a one piece of music. Probably, the “Show Must Go On” story, the song’s symbolic meaning regarding the life of Freddie Mercury, all together these are the main aspects that have been influencing so many people so far. It is a widely known fact that the song was written by Brian May, who was the guitarist of the band also, and it served as a tribute to Freddie Mercury, whose life was coming to an end because of serious health issues. He had AIDS-related bronchial pneumonia, which killed him on November 24, 1991, around six weeks after the song has been released. Without doubt, this absolutely dramatic fate transition raised the attention of the masses to the song. Though, there was no speculating on the fact from the band’s side of course.
It is believed that thanks to the song people’s awareness of the HIV issue has been raised. The problem was discussed by the mass media like never before; however, many awfully disrespectful speculations also occurred. After “Show Must Go On” has been released in Queen’s album “Innuendo”, a number of campaigns have been organized by the friend of the band Elton John, members of the band – Roger Taylor (drums), Brian May (guitar, keyboard) and John Deacon (bass guitar) in order to inform people that what Mercury sang in the song was not a fake. It was a sincere story of one battle for life. “Even as he was dying, Mercury threw himself into his majestic, operatic singing. Brian May recalls that Mercury could hardly walk when the band recorded "The Show Must Go On" in 1990. "I said, 'Fred, I don't know if this is going to be possible to sing,'” May says, “And he went in and killed it, completely lacerated that vocal” (“Rolling Stone Music”). We all know now that the fight was lost physically, but spiritually Mercury received a victory over the illness. As this story was exposed to the masses later, no one doubted how crucial was the role that Freddie Mercury played himself in making this song so influential. He is like a magnet that draws attention to the song. “Freddie already knew he was a starhe was something very special” (Hodkinson 164). “A hard-rock hammerer, a disco glitterer, a rockabilly lover boy, Freddie Mercury was dynamite with a laser beam, his four-octave range overdubbed into a shimmering wall of sound on records such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Killer Queen” (“Rolling Stone Music”). However, of course his last record had the biggest impact.
Many stories have been told that after song has been released people practically memorized each word of it. It has become a personal motivation song for many people. Some famous musicians were also influenced by song and its performer. It is known that George Michael, Axl Rose and Joe Elliott have been huge fans of Freddie Mercury and almost each one of them claims that “Show Must Go On” itself opened their eyes on a big issue and made them believe in their strength at the same time. Freddie became their inspiration and the song is always with them, in their hearts and minds to remind that they must not stop no matter how hard it can be.
It is an open secret that “Show Must Go On” is autobiographical song. Those who knew Freddie Mercury more personally must have been influenced the most. Jim Hutton, a person who Mercury had a relationship with until his last day, wrote, “the most autobiographical line was: 'My make-up may be flaking but my smile still stays on.' No matter how ill Freddie felt, he never grumbled to anyone or sought sympathy of any kind. It was his battle, no one else's, and he always wore a brave face against the ever-increasing odds against him” (Hutton 201).
Considering the fact that Freddie Mercury was involved in bisexual relationships there were quite many controversial thoughts about him and how he got himself into the state of health that he had. Many claim he was guilty of what he had. That was cruel to say something like that. However, mass media has never been quiet about things which go against the moral code just so they get the bait ready and catch the fish, make the crowd interested. “Show Must Go On” was a song of the Rebel and surprisingly even those who were always against same sex relationships found it more than suitable to keep own thoughts to themselves regarding the issue of Mercury’s bisexual contacts. While raising the awareness about AIDS some also claim that Mercury played a role of good morale breaker. However, should this Spiritual Giant change himself only because he seemed to be a symbol of culpability? Would he become then what he has become? Would he get up then and despite all the horrible pain record the song telling his story to the universe? No one can answer these questions now, but a wise guess would make us answer negatively to all of them. It has been proven throughout the history that many of those artists who have become legends in their own life time quite often have been disregarded by the representatives of moral code. In the case of Mercury, we would not be able to imagine the lines “I’ll face it with a grin, I’m never giving in” sang by someone else. Whatever the news were he was facing them with a wide grin on his face and a couple of spicy expressions. No one could perform the song better than him.
“Show Must Go On” has become the last song of Freddie Mercury and the last song of Queen as a group which initially consisted of May, Mercury, Taylor and Deacon. This song deserves special attention as it can be said that it has reached an “anthem” status. It was a child determined to become a genius. “The intro sequence written by Taylor and Deacon is used during the biggest part of the song shifted in different keys.” (“Queen Songs”). Brian May is considered to be the main songwriter, who has been inspired by Mercury and together with him wrote marvelous lyrics. Many experts say that the lyrics would not flow in such poetical way if not based on this specific music. The transition from B minor to C# minor can be considered as a raise of hope as there is slight increase of the tone and it coincides with lyrics, and then it goes back to B minor.
In the end, it would be suitable to say that “Show Must Go On” has been a great motivation to several generations already and will play the same role for the upcoming generations. The reason is that this song talks about something any person stops to think about at least once in his or her life. “Does anybody know what we are living for?” This and many other questions and thoughts, which the song puts the stress on, have always been and will be things interesting to the humanity.
Works Cited
Hodkinson, Mark. Queen: The Early Years. London: Cox & Wyman Ltd., Reading, Berks, 2009. Print
Hutton Jim, and Tim Wapshott. Mercury and Me. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc., 1995. Print
100 Greatest Singers. Rolling Stone Music. Web. 9 July 2013
The Show Must Go On. Queen Songs. Web. 9 July 2013
