Queen — Forever

Time Lord’s Rating: 8/10 ♫♫♫♫

This is an excellent compilation of killer Queen songs about that crazy little thing called love. But it’s more than a greatest hits package. In the two-disc deluxe edition, it provides an unparalleled synoptic view of the development of the band’s inimitably epic sound.

Three new songs lead off the collection: “Let Me in Your Heart Again,” “Love Kills,” and “There Must Be More to Love Than This” (with Michael Jackson). They alone are worth the price of admission. Play them loud and revel in the greatness.

The first track “Let Me in Your Heart Again” (4:35) is a true slice of power chord awesomeness, but I also recommend that you hunt down on iTunes the William Orbit synthed-up remix (6:42) of it, which has a totally different flavor, yet is also pure genius.

The compilation doesn’t unfurl in chronological order, so let me unscramble the mix. This is so I can let you know about all the goodies on the discs and where they happen to be coming from.

Digging into the Seventies, we get thirteen tracks. But Queen II (1974) only contributes one track: “Nevermore”; however, Sheer Heart Attack (also 1974) yields “Dear Friends,” “Lily of the Valley,” and “In the Lap of the Gods… Revisited.” Fantastic music!

From the same decade, “You’re My Best Friend,” “Love of My Life,” and “’39” show up from A Night at the Opera (1975), while “Drowse,” “You Take My Breath Away,” “Long Away,” and “Somebody To Love” represent A Day at the Races (1976). Amazing how much skill is found in this band.

Finally, “Jealously” shows up from from Jazz (1978), but “Spread Your Wings” is an extra favorite track of mine, from News of the World (1977). I have to hit repeat on that one again and again.

Moving on to the Eighties, for twelve tracks, we begin with four from The Game (1980), namely, “Play the Game,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Save Me,” and “Sail Away Sweet Sister.” I favor the last two especially. Repeat, repeat!

“Las Palabras de Amor (The Words of Love)” is from Hot Space (1982), while from The Works (1984) we get “It’s a Hard Life” and “Is This the World We Created?” Oh, but wait, the Eighties are not over yet…

“Who Wants to Live Forever,” “Friends Will Be Friends,” “One Year of Love,” and “Forever” are from A Kind of Magic (1986); then, the Eighties end with “The Miracle” from The Miracle (1989).

The Nineties yield nine tracks. “Don’t Try So Hard,” “Bijou,” and “These Are the Days of Our Lives” represent Innuendo (1991); but “I Was Born to Love You,” “A Winter’s Tale,” “Mother Love,” “Made in Heaven,” and “Too Much Love Will Kill You” come from Made in Heaven (1995).

Queen is a one-of-a-kind band with amazing material and top notch talent. If you have worn out Classic Queen and Greatest Hits, this is where to turn to next. God save the Queen!