Top 20 Classic Queen Tracks

17. The Show Must Go On

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ADh8Fs3YdU By the time Queen recorded 1991's 'Innuendo' album they were more than aware of Freddie Mercury's failing health. The singer, who had been diagnosed with AIDS in the summer of '87, had already managed to help promote and release 'The Miracle' in 1989 without actually touring or conducting any recorded interviews. As his condition had not been disclosed to the public or his fans, Mercury used his songwriting to convey his thoughts and feelings during this time, including this song about continuing against insurmountable odds. Closing the 'Innuendo' album, the song is musically a very depressing piece with lower bass sounds and a very dramatic conclusion. Song inspiration could certainly be taken from the orchestral soundtrack to films like Batman €“ which Mercury had attested to both watching and being highly influenced from at the time €“ with its very dark and brooding tone. The lyrics however, convey a sense of hope and possibility. Mercury speaks about knowing the show must go on €“ either in his absence or not €“ and that it is a very fitting understanding from Mercury that his music would, like all great artists, live beyond the mortal constraints of their own creator. There is no sense of having given up, even in his worst moments, which must surely have been a possibility. In hindsight it's been said by those closest to the singer that if he had refused to work so much in his final years and simply retired in seclusion to save his strength, treatments were in development which could have extended his life significantly. But the passion and strength Mercury put into his music €“ even on his final ever recording, 'Mother Love' €“ prove that the singer was determined to give his best performance until the bitter end.