With the tour underway and selling out venues across the country, we asked new frontman Alirio Netto to compile his choice non-Greatest Hits – from singles to albums tracks and live recordings to rarities.
Check the original material at: https://movetotrash.co.uk/2018/11/queen-extravaganza-queens-other-greatest-bits-ii/
1. Love Of My Life – Live At Rock In Rio
This one is probably one of my favorites songs ever, and also one of the most famous performances of all time in South America. That “love of my life” was the reason I became a singer in the first place. I was around 9 years old when I watched Freddie on TV, making half a million people sing the whole song with him at the first Rock in Rio festival. That scene blew my mind and made me realize that being a singer is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. How can you not be in love with a song written and dedicated to a true love? Thank you, Freddie.
2. You Take My Breath Away
Such a beautiful and emotional song. Freddie is so gentle and emotive at the same time that, every time I listen to this song, it takes my breath away.
3. The Prophet’s Song
It’s a masterpiece! Every bit of it is perfection. Heavy and soft at the same time, and the middle section with all those vocals blows my mind every single time I listen to it.
4. Spread Your Wings
It’s that kind of song that makes you think about your own life. Everyone could be Sammy at some point in life. “Leave his dead life behind” – it’s exactly how you should act during your life.
5. My Melancholy Blues
Queen was always trying something different to express their music. I love the bluesy feeling that this song brings to the table. It’s such a perfect marriage between a sweet melancholy feeing, beautiful piano parts and a bass line that brings the song to a whole other level.
6. White Queen (As I Began) – Live At The Rainbow
It’s so beautiful it hurts! That live version is so powerful – probably one of the best live moments from the Rainbow concert. Every time I hear it, it makes me feel like I was there in the audience.
7. It’s Late – BBC Session
It’s that kind of song that keeps growing until the end. And the BBC version has that Led Zeppelin feeling in the middle, it’s brilliant. By the end of it I feel possessed every time – it’s mind blowing.
8. Liar
Pure rock and roll. The kind of song that has that progressive atmosphere from the seventies mixed with soft and powerful moments. I love all those “liars” backing vocals.
9. Don’t Try So Hard
I still can’t believe that Freddie was able to deliver such perfect vocals during those last years. This song has the power to make me cry almost every time. The last chorus is so beautiful it gives you the feeling that Freddie is probably an angel.
10. Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)
Beautiful song, and the singing in Japanese is such a sweet touch. It has that catchy melody that sticks in your head for the whole day.
11. Tie Your Mother Down
This one should be on the Greatest Hits! Rock and roll, catchy, powerful, great chorus, great guitar solo… It’s got everything. The guitar riff at the beginning gives you the sensation that you’re about to be kicked in the face by a rock God.
12. I Was Born To Love You
I remember when they released Made In Heaven after Freddie was gone. This version is one the best songs on the album – I love the guitar solo and the end with all those Freddie moments. Thrilling.
13. Mother Love
I believe this is the most heartbreaking song I’ve ever heard in my life. And I love every bit of it. The lyrics, the passion, the melancholy – “Mama please, let me back inside…” This line brings me near to tears every single time. Sublime.
14. One Year Of Love
It’s the perfect love song. Freddie’s vocals are really special in this one. You can feel his love through every single word he’s singing. The saxophone solo is amazing and gives the band something new and unexpected.
15. Bijou
Almost an instrumental song. Beautiful guitar solo – Brian must have been so inspired when he recorded it. And when you think you’ve got everything the song has to offer, here comes Freddie singing one line – just to show you that with one single line he can make something perfect even more special.
16. In The Laps Of The Gods… Revisited – Live At Wembley
The show is just pure perfection. When they start to play this one right at the beginning of the concert, you get really surprised. That’s one of the things I love the most about Queen. When you think you know what’s coming they hit you in the face with something unexpected.
17. Is This The World We Created? – Live At Wembley
I would love to play that song with Extravaganza at some point. A wonderful moment between Brian and Freddie. This version still gives me goosebumps.
18. Get Down, Make Love
What a sexy and groovy song! It’s that kind of song that make you feel you’re in control. I also love the bass line on this one, it’s just raw.
19. Big Spender – Live At The Hammersmith Odeon
I’ve always been such a huge fan of musicals. Freddie, I believe, also had the same passion for them. I believe that if he was still alive he would either write or be in a musical. This version has the theatre passion.
20. There Must Be More To Life Than This – William Orbit Mix (Queen & Michael Jackson)
Freddie and Michael in the same song? Truly, there is nothing more perfect than that. Two of my favorites singers showing the world how to be flawless in every single way. Beautiful song, I love it!