And no autotune.....remember that, the man was seriously ill, months aways from death and he still outperforms most of the artists that make up the charts today

That Spanish guitar riff is one of the most powerful riffs I've ever heard. Yes, Freddy is amazing but every single one of the band members are second to none

I love the interview with Brian May where he said that as sick as Freddie was, in the studio he would sit in his chair and would be tired and looking like he couldn’t make it through a session. Then when it was time for him to sing, he would take a drink out of his bottle of choice adult beverage, prop himself up and lay down some of his most powerful vocals ever. He would just put his chin up and get on with it. THAT, my friends, is badass! Probably my favorite Queen song and this was at the end of Freddie’s time.

You still really HAVE to do The Millionaire Waltz by Queen. It's a ridiculously amazing track from their 5th album A Day At The Races

According to Steve Howe: Inside, there’s Freddie, Brian and Roger all sitting together. They go: ‘Let’s play you the album’. Of course, I’m hearing it for the first time […] And they saved "Innuendo" itself until last. They played it and I was fucking blown away. They all chimed in: ‘We want some crazy Spanish guitar flying around over the top. Improvise!’ I started noodling around on the guitar, and it was pretty tough. After a couple of hours, I thought: ‘I’ve bitten off more than I can chew here’. I had to learn a bit of the structure, work out what the chordal roots were, where you had to fall if you did a mad run in the distance; you have to know where you’re going. But it got towards evening, and we’d doodled and I’d noodled, and it turned out to be really good fun. We have this beautiful dinner, we go back to the studio and have a listen. And they go: ‘That’s great, just what we wanted

My favourite part of this song, "You can be anything you want to be Just turn yourself into anything you think that you could ever be", I find this inspiring.

This song should be played everyday on radio and television.

“Was It all worth it” is another epic to listen to, very underrated.

The complexity of this song reminds me of the early days when Queen created Bohemian Rhapsody and March of the Black Queen. Freddie’s vocals are amazing considering how sick he was.

The album's liner notes contain the credit "on "Innuendo": Additional Wandering Minstrel Spanish Guitar - Somewhere In The Middle - by Steve Howe. Many thanks Steve".

Damn, this song is still as stunning today as it was the day it came out.

Queens classical/opera sensibilities are unmatched. Nice to see someone talk about their composition skills.

I love this freaking song. The whole album is great.

The B side of this is Bijou, which is an extraordinary vocal by Freddie and Brian’s guitar

Another masterpice from them, beautifuly crafted. They put the bar really high. Larger than life band.

I think with the benefit of hindsight there's something quite personal and existential in the lyrics. For a man who did not have long left in this world to sing about keeping trying until the end of time; it's just beautifully tragic and poignant. I think the references to the status quo are in contrast to the chorus, and I think it's reflected in the key change too. Whilst the inexorable march of time goes on, we'll keep on trying, whilst all the bad stuff in life happens, we'll keep on trying. There's a sense of courage in the face of adversity. Again with the benefit of hindsight, someone going through what Freddie did with the disease? I think the don't take offence at my innuendo line is probably largely self referential too. He's gay, he's ostentatious on stage, he's flamboyant. But I think he's saying through the sorrow through the splendor. So like through the good times and through the bad, don't let that get in the way of what matters. Don't just be shocked by his appearance and mannerisms. Let's not forget he came through the 70's and 80's. People will have been shocked by him back then. And then it's on to the you can be anything you want to be. Maybe a bit corny, but again in context, leaving a message of hope behind perhaps? And then back to the main riff and the verse. This time it's looking at devine justice. What's the point, why do we live, why do we die. For someone going through what he was it's hard not to see that as being a personal plea to a higher power. Like a wanting for it to be ok, a wanting for there to be something more, or a devine plan or whatever. And then we'll keep on trying, we'll keep on smiling. It's almost like the cliche British idiom Keep Calm and Carry On. In the face of all this existential dread, well put our smiles on and do the best we can. Until the end of time. It ends with that phrase, and again I can't help but wonder if he knew deep down that the end of time wasn't far off? Maybe I'm way off, and maybe I'm looking at joining dots what weren't there at the time of writing it. But I suppose that's the beauty of music and how we interpret it. It can be anything you want it to be as long as it makes sense to you. I've been asking for you to take a look at this one for a long time now, so really glad you found time to fit it in at last. Really enjoyed it.

One of the greatest rock bands of all time. I will never forget seeing them live in January 1981 on "The Game" tour. I was shocked. Mercury blew me away. It was fascinating how he made people sing, following him. Of following him with the choir, he created it, as the great frontman that he was. unique. And an amazing voice.

IMO, this song, and the album as a whole, is their most underrated. It's the best opening song on any of their albums (2nd best to me being Mustapha) and there's so much heart and sadness in this song but the tone still manages to stay positive. The whole album is like that and it's heartbreaking and beautiful.

One of their best songs, still brings me to tears. Classic

Basically it’s Queen’s version of “can’t we just all get along” and showing us through history how we haven’t and in 2022 nothing much has changed

Innuendo was my first CD purchase. What an extraordinary song to have come out of my first CD player. I love this amazing song. Great album. The lyrics of I'm Going Slightly Mad are hilarious and fun. Thanks for looking at this mini-movie. What a great rich piece.

The Prophet´s song from a night at the opera is a great and amazing song to analyse

Cuando se pensaba que Queen no tenía más nada que ofrecer, y cuando se rumoreaba acerca de la terrible enfermedad de Freddie, aparece esta obra maestra. La voz de Mercury y sus tonalidades directamente no son de este mundo. Lo puedo afirmar ya que tuve la fortuna de verlos en vivo en Buenos Aires en 1981...un showman excepcional, único. Una banda legendaria. Escucharlo aún pone mi piel de gallina. God bless you Freddie, wherever you are!!

As a hard core Queen fan I interpret this song as being an imprecation to God. As he's really looking death squarely in the eye at this point I imagine Freddie was caught in the ultimate quandary- 'is there a God, and if there is why is He not listening to my prayers?' The key expression I believe is that 3rd verse- 'show yourself, destroy our fears- release your mask.' Thankyou Doug, a great and very thought provoking video which I enjoyed greatly.

This track is a masterpiece. Period.

This song always lifts me when I feel down. Freddies defiance which I hear in his voice just nails it for me, never mind the lyrics. Bravo Freddie.

Bravo! I grew up as a Queen fan, much to the delights of bullies. I was 15 when Freddie died. The last thing I expected when this song came out as first single from the album and went straight to number 1 in the u.k., I felt able to genuinely claim them as relevant and not just for dads.

I Attended many Queen concerts in the 70s and 80 s my favourite band of all time a group with so much energy their live performances absolutely amazing , they were at the forefront of musical videos !

I love this song. It's progressive rock. One of their finest songs. Better then Bohemian Rhapsody by far. The message is evident. You just have to listen. "Be who you are.. World Peace...Questioning organized religion. It's all up to us and ourselves to make change. The physical world will stay the same. Don't take offense by my Innuendo is.. Don't be confused by what I say." This song is very deep with a very strong message. This is what I have always gotten out of it. That they brought in Steve Howe is phenomenal. They never used outside musicians. Steve just happened to be next door recording. He's always been great at Spanish guitar.

This is absolutely one of my favorite Queen song. Thanks Doug.

Freddie was so sick they had to use old images of him, out of former MVs. But vocally, he KILLS on that album. I can't express how much admiration I have for his dedication to his art.

In my opinon, this song is about Queen's saying that trough the ages mankind is messing things up, but as an individual, you should not be offended by that statement (innuendo) and just try to do your best. The third verse is an effort to make things better for mankind: what if there really is a better life after death? If indeed so, Queen asks God to kind of confirm that.

FYI, Steve Howe from Yes plays the acoustic Spanish guitar part in the middle of this song right before Brian May’s guitar solo.

This song always fills my eyes with tears and my body with shivers . RIP FREDDY

This song on first listening is almost too much 😄 I love it very much and it conveys all kinds of feelings to me: fear, anger, beauty, mourning ... strength, hope, ... I feel like he knows there's not much time left to him, and he "desperately" wants us all to listen to this song and the message.

It is amazing to think that Freddie sang those songs knowing he was very ill.

This song is telling us the truth about us. We humans never seem to learn our lessons from our history, we repeat all the wrongs, but at the same time we create such beauty (splendid). People do wear masks, either to hide the ugliness within their souls, or because they just want to fit in. No one can truly be free unless they remove those masks and be who they are. As the song says keep on trying, never give up, that gives us hope. Smile, be happy. The line, and what will be, will be, says to me there may be nothing we can really do, but be happy, be kind and show love.

the chords and the feeling in this song are so heavy that it really hits and hurts you, still followed by moments of joy and hope. fascinating song by the best band of all time

I loved 😍 ♥️ this song when it came out. Rock music was fairly dominant and allowed bands like Queen to express themselves in this kind of magnificent ✨️ manner. Unlike now where all chart/commercial music is fairly soulless, takes the form of 4/4 time and basic progressions and lyrics talk about such deep things as cars, money, 'babyyyyyy' and so on... #queen

Masterpiece..always brings tears in my eyes knowing what has happened a few months later...

One of my favorite songs of all time,

I distinctly remember when this song came out, seeing the video, I was 12, and I know it's cliche to say, but I was completely blown away! I was already a Queen fan, but really only knew the 'radio' hits, but this opened my eyes to how progressive and heavy (yet soft) they could be (I would discover The Prophet's Song & Ogre Battle, March Of The Black Queen not long after getting this album! So realized this was not unique in Queen's long & illustrious catalogue) I was always a fan of Latin/Spanish influenced music, especially guitar, so Steve Howe's contribution was glorious & so fitting to the mood of the track. The rest of the song is pure bliss - expertly crafted as Queen did all too often. Then came the words. As a bit of a social misfit, the message of being true to yourself, to press-on and keep trying, especially in a world of brutality, violence & prejudice, was quite impressionable to a pre-teen. This has, and will forever will be, my #1 Queen track! Great reaction Doug. Now if you will indulge, you should do Bijou off this same album. It comes right before The Show Must Go On - and it highlights Brian and his Red Special guitar soulfulness - as it's 'singing' the versus, with Freddie providing the middle-8 bridge vocally. Beautiful piece.

This album brought me back to Queen after their kind of "directionless" period. I can't remember how Brian phrased it, but I agree. Heard it on the radio, stopped on the way home and bought it. Truly "The Spirit of Radio." Same thing the fist time I heard "Cliffs of Dover" by Eric Johnson.

This album was really Freddie saying goodbye. Some seriously powerful lyrics. And it blew me away that he had one more album in him. Made in Heaven is good too. And much less dark. Such an amazing singer, songwriter, entertainer, and band.

Fun fact: a music teacher I had in high school, who was a drummer and big Queen fan, once told me the initial drum rhythm was a reference / homage to Maurice Ravel's Boléro... later I read about Freddie's love of opera and classical music, and understood some cool references such as the beginning of "It's a hard life" quoting "Pagliacci" or Figaro and Scaramouche in "Bohemian Rhapsody".

One of the greatest songs and albums ever!!! Listen to the album start to finish, read the lyrics, and remember they were written by a someone who knows his time on this Earth is predictably short and experiencing all of the emotions and questions about life and death one might feel and ponder under such a burden. While it might not be intentional, I personally think every single song relates to what Freddy was going through, regardless of it it was more literally spelled out or just Innuendo. R.I.P. Mr. Mercury!

For me that is their best song ever, the swan song...it encompasses all their art and potential. It's simply unbelievable... P.s. Your bass/baritone voice is really relaxing and..I don't know if yours is perfect pitch but I'm amazed every time you guess the tone..

One of my favourite Queen songs, beautifully written!

A masterpiece!

This is a powerful song you don’t just hear it, you breathe it

Some time ago, I started watching reaction videos to Music that I like. And I've often been thrilled to re-discover pieces of music again, lead by people who are listening to them for the first time. - However: Since I've found your channel, I do not just get reminded of what has benn facinationg in certain songs. IActually I learn to listen to them in a new way, gaining new depth of my love through your insightfull and really original commentaries and explanations. THANK YOU!

this song is truly timeless. I doubt that there is a band around that could write and perform a song like this. Doug, thank you for this. I knew that your reaction would be brilliant. and it was worth the weight.

I've always loved this song. It's definitely my favourite of the later Queen hits, but you've given me a whole new appreciation for it. Thank you!

Queen was the first band I listened to as a boy, independent from my parents. I was helped by my older cousin, who at one point got a CD player and was so generous to give his collection of Queen cassette tapes to me. Queen have been a big influence in the development of my, I dare say eclectic, musical tastes. Even though I hardly ever listen to queen anymore, Innuendo has been one of my favourite Queen songs for decades, thank you for reacting to it.

I was stationed in Germany when this came out. I fondly remember a local radio station playing this all the time and listening on my Sony Walkman as I went for a run after work. C Co., 103rd MI BN, 3rd ID.

This song is amazing. The best song of the album and one of their best song. Legendary.

This is one of my favourite Queen songs. Freddie was obviously nearing the end of his life and lyrically it’s apparent he was thinking about life, his existence, our existence, what it’s all about and if there’s maybe a higher power at play or not. Musically, the song flits between a slow & heavy, imposing tempo and this light, fast paced and playful Spanish guitar section in the middle. It’s a fascinating juxtaposition which, on paper, shouldn’t really work - but this is Queen, who were able to marry opera and rock, so it works beautifully. A truly epic song.

I really aprreciate how diligently you analyse the texts. That's unique. Famous rocksingers usually bring more to the table than good voices. They often stick out and leave rivals behind by taking part in the songwriting and by finding unique lines...

This is a masterpiece, the likes of which we would hardly see again.

Phenomenal! It is actually thought of as Bohemian Rhapsody's younger sister and "March of the Black Queen" is thought of as the older sister song. Queen's music is always full of surprises and they bring something to the table to satisfy every sense! Not only are they still a band of transcendent geniuses that stand the test of time, but of deep thinkers that border on (if not totally delve into) philosophical! The beauty of their music is that they preferred the individual listeners interpret the lyrics for themselves. Good approach and analysis. Personally, I also take it as an anthem of perseverance, survival, nonconformity, staying true to yourself and staying strong! Each member of the band was illustrated in homage to a different artist or artistic style: Freddie Mercury in homage to Leonardo Da Vinci, Brian May after victorian etchings, John Deacon in homage to Picasso, and Roger Taylor after Jackson Pollock.

For many years, this was my favorite Queen song. Now, of course, it is March of the Black Queen. Their greatest song. But this is also still very good. Love the arabic double harmonic vibe

You know, I don't think I've ever heard this. Wow! I think this could be my favourite Queen yet. What a consummate performer and what a voice Freddie was (and the rest of the band, I'm doing them a disservice if I don't thank them too). Thank you Doug and all

I've been a Queen fan since I first got them on a bootleg cassette when I was 6 or 7 and, as a kid, Innuendo was the first proper, sealed and original, album I ever owned. Nearly 30 years later I still have it. I always loved this particular song, though as an 8 year old with just a basic understanding of English and little knowledge of the world I had no way of grasping what they were going on about in the lyrics. As I grew older I started understanding more and more of the meaning and now, looking back on it, I realize what a dramatic effect it had on me as a teenager. Knowing that someone who was on the precipice of death could sing such powerful lyrics and with such strength of conviction was inspiring... it led me to see that questioning authority and dogma was, after all, OK. You didn't have to simply submit to it. There was nothing to be scared of, as long as your mind was free... be free to yourself. That's what the innuendo was all about for me.

Oooh...I did not know that Steve Howe was playing that amazing Spanish Guitar thing here...👏🙌😯Cheers from Poland!

I love how your mind goes into analyzing what you hear while at the same time you're trying to just enjoy what you hear! For me Innuendo is BohRhap masterpiece level! I ALWAYS tear up listening to it, he's such an inspiration. Still is! I've been a 40+ year Queen fan and there every week, still 3/4 times a week I listen to their music. There never will be another one like Freddie❤

What a powerful song. I've loved it since it came out when I was 8 or 9. That guitar tone though, and that riff on the chorus. Beautiful.

as a metalhead this is my favourite queen song....it's just incredible

This song gives me goosebumps. What an unbelievable performance under those circumstances. So moving. Love Queen, love Freddie ❤

My favorite Queen album. Brings me to tears every single time. You can really feel the intensity throughout it.

This song is so powerful....

An absolute visual and musical masterpiece.

At about 13:04 you said "while Richard Wright is playing" - but I think you meant to say Steve Howe

In Freddie’s last few months on earth . He laid down so many vocal tracks. Couldn’t even imagine the horrific pain he was in. RIP Freddie! We love you

Innuendo is my favorite Queen song of all time. I am not sure how many Queen songs you have already done, but my personal top 5 by Queen are: 1. Innuendo 2. Who Wants to Live Forever (if you ever do this one, you must do the audio only and not the music video, which cuts a lot of coda off the end) 3. Somebody to Love 4. Bohemian Rhapsody 5. Breakthru

Only Queen can produce a second song as majestic as Bohemian Rhapsody in Innuendo

absolutely masterpiece!

To me this song always feels like Bohemian Rhapsody Part 2 - try playing them back to back and it is mind blowing.

I enjoyed your analysis Doug! Taken in context with other tracks like "Days of our Lives" and "The show must go on" it appears to me that Freddie was saying goodbye and at the same time encouraging us to continue the fight for free expression. Be who you want to be but lose the ego that keeps us entrapped in the theater of Life.

Beautiful and sad at the same time. Freddie was very sick, but his voice is so powerful and venine. Amazing power, and the lyrics are really deep. Masterpiece and one of my favs ❤️ He kept on going until he couldn’t anymore, so much respect for him and the guys. They made some timeless music, Innuendo is still so relevant today. Spinechilling! Thankyou for this reaction and keep up the work👍🏻

Great reaction Doug! Freddie was amazing on this album considering everything he was going through. Also the contrasts of light and heavy are startling- the metal influence of 'The Hitman' leading into the absolutely beautiful and atmospheric 'Bijou'. Try those two one day please Doug and other classics such as 'The Millionaire's Waltz' and 'Was It All Worth It'.

This album is my personal favorite, the music if really rich and mature, and the lyrics are so deep especially in this song 🔥

I think it's this: Never give up, never surrender..... even in the face of unending adversity, and even if it seems like there is no hope or no point. The words of a man who knew he was near the end of his life and was determined not to go quietly.

The composition, the power of his voice...this is just AMAZING!

Doug - this is a really heart felt shout out - you're posts have kept me alive over the past couple of years - thank you!

This song is a great exercise in Progressive, and I loved it, a great farewell and legacy for his work Mecury and the entire band

"A man walked into a bar, and said he wanted an Innuendo. So the barman gave him one"

I've been a Queen fan since I was in middle school. I saw them in 1980 on The Game tour. Freddie's death was devastating. Watching/listening to this video brought up old tears. I've been following you, Doug, for about a year. Thank you for this. Keep digging.

Music is all about the tension and release of emotion with sound and theory!!! Freddy was a god of vocals and knew more of music than most respect and appreciate. Thank you for tackling this complicated song!!!

Love this song. There is so much going on in here.

This is an ominous song sung by a man who knew he didn't have alot of time left. It's foreboding yet stunning

My favourite part of the song is the final chorus, when they leave out the first modulation and stay in the original key for the "We'll keep on smiling" and do the modulation for the "And whatever will be, will be" part.

My favourite of many favourite Queen songs.

The sheer brilliance of Queen….

This brings back so many memories of where I was and doing when this album came out. Loved it.

Fabulous! Have been hanging out for so long for your reaction to this. At last, but not before time ... 😊😊

I've heard this song about 200 times ...since i was a kid... I'm a Queen fan from 1990...

An incredible track, and something of a throwback to the prog style of Queen's early catalog.

haha I think I was one that requested this. Very powerful song. Thank you Doug 🤘

The only guest guitarist ever invited on a Queen album was Steve Howe for this little flamenco interlude at 9:05.

Great analysis, again! 👊🏻