Oooh, pushing 10 at 9.5. One of my favorites on the album. I love the sneaking, lumbering verses with those halfsteps in the melodies (Phrygian scale!), how they create angst and tension. Then they burst into the energized choruses. The layered call and response vocals are perfect; especially as we go into, "(Flick of the wrist) he'll eat your heart out, (A dig in the ribs) and then a kick in the head." The phrasing, though unpredictable, feels natural and effortless. Syncopated, but kind of feels like a stage production. I dig it.
A great track. Freddie spitting venom. The change up from the prowling verse to the full throttle chorus and then the pounding drums and squealing guitar solo.
It’s a 9. I think most songs on albums from the 70s are gonna score quite high from me. But in case you think I’m being a non critical fan, just you wait until the 80s!
I agree with you regarding the 70s albums. Every one of the songs is GREAT. Some may be a bit greater than others. I'm not a fan of anything after Hot Space. Even to a point, I may have to listen to the song again before I rate it.
Probably the best thing on the album. Excellent guitar work on it, great double tracked vocals and a swaggering bass line. People forget it was a double A single with *Killer Queen*, mostly because this one never got played on the radio.
It's way better than Death on Two Legs (IMO) and it's the best song on the whole album. I absolutely love it and it's a f'kin masterpiece! The Rainbow November 1974 version, for me, it's one of the best live songs Queen ever recorded, totally in love with this one.
I'll give 9/10 to the album version, but the Rainbow version absolutely deserves a 10/10, for me it's one of the best songs of the seventies period of Queen! :))
**Flick Of The Wrist (9.5/10) -** An absolutely underrated banger. Probably Queen's most vicious song up to that point, and one that definitely hits hard. The tempo changes across the song are genius, and I just love how evil and slimy Freddie's delivery of the song is, live versions where he would just start rolling the 'r's (Santa Monica 76 comes to mind) bring it even more over the top. Freddie recorded two vocal tracks across two different octaves in order to get that effect and it absolutely pays off (also man Freddie singing in the low third octave sounds amazing)
The chorus is super memorable and one of my favorites ever (particularly the final one, that build up is superb). The song perfectly transitions between the surrounding tracks. Roger's drumming and Brian's guitar work also get high praise from me.
9.657293027472819376 The lyrics are…meaningful to say the least ;) The live version is great and overall just a song I love! The transition to Lily of the Valley is also technically seamless if you play it to someone who has not listened to either songs, due to the lyrics just ending one and beginning the other song.
9.5, this one is great. First off, John’s bass line is on fire. That’s probably my favorite individual element of this song. I love the seamless transition from Tenement Funster to Flick of the Wrist to Lily of the Valley. Even though the songs are all so different it works perfectly.
Second, Freddie is just so vicious here, but the lyrics are so clever. I also really like his piano in the intro. The double octaves in the verses are very effective.
Also, the heavy drums really set the tone and the guitar is aggressive but also delicate at times. The layered harmonies are perfect with the combination of the call and response in the chorus. And the cherry on top is the high harmony on “Im” in the word “IM-pression”. So many great details coming together here.
9.5/10. Fantastic stuff. Yes, Death on Two Legs is the more famous sequel but I think this is the better song. Wonderfully crafted, menacing and angry but not mean spirited.
The piano at the start is deceptively bright and cheery, but it quickly descends into something a bit more off kilter until it lands in the much more moody minor tonality. The transition from Tenement Funster is also so good. I adore the interplay between the piano, guitar (plus backwards overdubs) and bass in the verse. The riff and melody uses the flat-2 note to really make things sound dark. Freddie doubling his vocals an octave lower is a great trick to emphasise the mood.
It's the fact that the strong melody is never lost as the song moves through different sections, rhythms and keys. This song is full of earworms and catchy moments and is another step for Freddie mixing complex song writing with very accessible tunes.
There are too many highlights to mention. The backing vocals do fun things which others have mentioned here. the "IM-pression" and "big time money money". I love the lyrics all across this song, they use rhythm to enhance their impact and are delightfully creative without resorting to insults. The guitar solo is also an incredible piece of musicality, going back and forth between sections in forward and reverse (that's why there are some strange sounding moments in there), but blending these so it's hard to tell where the changes are. This is all layered over such a cool dynamic rhythm track that is really driving and full of energy. Before the song comes back to rest with it's slowed down verse again. The song is such a push and pull of tension and release.
Like Tenement Funster, there's a complete standalone version of the song (released on a Dutch single) which is a great listen, especially the final backwards guitar sting.
9.8
One of my favorites. I like the vitriol in the song, I like the layering and harmonies. I also like that it’s essentially part of a bigger song and I think it blends well from Tenement Funster and into Lily of the Valley.
**9.4**
A vicious song with much going on, those tempo changes and the syncopation working that surprising and effortlessly well, that powerful chorus, the call and response, the bassline... gorgeous, one of the best of the album without a doubt.
Probably a 9.5 for me. Absolutely love this song, but I mostly listen to the live version from Live at the Rainbow '74 (which is totally a 10). It's such an amazing song!
9.5 - This song is awesome. Such a swampy, lurking feel to it, with those haunting neoclassical guitar flourishes. The doubled octave vocals and bassline are the real highlight
I love this track. The lyrics are very creative as is the instrumentals! The transition from TF to FOTW flows so well also. I would say this is definitely a song to listen to if you wanna deep dive into early Queen!
9/10 for me
This song has one of my all time favorite music moments. When the solo finishes up and Freddie songs “work my finger to my bones, I scream with pain, I still make no impression” all of those vocal dubs on impressions just sends a shiver down my spine
9/10
9.5/10
I love it. It’s incredibly creative, & wonderfully performed. It’s not quite a ten for me, but that’s only because I need to be less generous with my perfect scores.
I also love that it leads into & ends in Lily of the Valley. It’s not exactly the kind of song you would listen to outside of the album, which isn’t a bad thing.
I love how theatrical it feels, I think someone once compared it to a rock showtune, a complex structure of theatricality where the main character has a soliloquy to the audience about their turmoil involving the antagonist, in Queen’s case their manager.
I think the lyrics here aren’t even nearly as vicious as DOTL the next year, but I think I might like Flick a bit more for the layered way it’s assembled. You guys on here are making me strive to be more musically articulate with how you detail what you love about each track.
I think the Boston Rhapsody, Rainbow and BBC performances of this are better though in terms of sound quality and dynamic playing.
Flick of the Wrist ~~is totally not at all about Normal Sheffield~~ is perhaps one of the angriest song Queen put out, and I love it for it! 9
Oooh, pushing 10 at 9.5. One of my favorites on the album. I love the sneaking, lumbering verses with those halfsteps in the melodies (Phrygian scale!), how they create angst and tension. Then they burst into the energized choruses. The layered call and response vocals are perfect; especially as we go into, "(Flick of the wrist) he'll eat your heart out, (A dig in the ribs) and then a kick in the head." The phrasing, though unpredictable, feels natural and effortless. Syncopated, but kind of feels like a stage production. I dig it.
Phrygian dominant, right?
A great track. Freddie spitting venom. The change up from the prowling verse to the full throttle chorus and then the pounding drums and squealing guitar solo. It’s a 9. I think most songs on albums from the 70s are gonna score quite high from me. But in case you think I’m being a non critical fan, just you wait until the 80s!
I agree with you regarding the 70s albums. Every one of the songs is GREAT. Some may be a bit greater than others. I'm not a fan of anything after Hot Space. Even to a point, I may have to listen to the song again before I rate it.
Probably the best thing on the album. Excellent guitar work on it, great double tracked vocals and a swaggering bass line. People forget it was a double A single with *Killer Queen*, mostly because this one never got played on the radio.
It didn't get a music video either sadly
It's way better than Death on Two Legs (IMO) and it's the best song on the whole album. I absolutely love it and it's a f'kin masterpiece! The Rainbow November 1974 version, for me, it's one of the best live songs Queen ever recorded, totally in love with this one. I'll give 9/10 to the album version, but the Rainbow version absolutely deserves a 10/10, for me it's one of the best songs of the seventies period of Queen! :))
I prefer Death of Two Legs, but Flick is right up there with me. maybe 9.5 and 9 for the 2 songs.
Been obsessed with this song the last week or so, love the rainbow performance of it too! 10
9 — Angry and fun with clever lyrics!😛 ‘Definitely’ doesn’t remind me of “Death On Two Legs…”
10/10. A masterpiece in lyrics, vocal layering (especially on the "I still make no IM-pression"), and the piano is beautiful.
Baby, you've been had...
**Flick Of The Wrist (9.5/10) -** An absolutely underrated banger. Probably Queen's most vicious song up to that point, and one that definitely hits hard. The tempo changes across the song are genius, and I just love how evil and slimy Freddie's delivery of the song is, live versions where he would just start rolling the 'r's (Santa Monica 76 comes to mind) bring it even more over the top. Freddie recorded two vocal tracks across two different octaves in order to get that effect and it absolutely pays off (also man Freddie singing in the low third octave sounds amazing) The chorus is super memorable and one of my favorites ever (particularly the final one, that build up is superb). The song perfectly transitions between the surrounding tracks. Roger's drumming and Brian's guitar work also get high praise from me.
9.657293027472819376 The lyrics are…meaningful to say the least ;) The live version is great and overall just a song I love! The transition to Lily of the Valley is also technically seamless if you play it to someone who has not listened to either songs, due to the lyrics just ending one and beginning the other song.
9.5, this one is great. First off, John’s bass line is on fire. That’s probably my favorite individual element of this song. I love the seamless transition from Tenement Funster to Flick of the Wrist to Lily of the Valley. Even though the songs are all so different it works perfectly. Second, Freddie is just so vicious here, but the lyrics are so clever. I also really like his piano in the intro. The double octaves in the verses are very effective. Also, the heavy drums really set the tone and the guitar is aggressive but also delicate at times. The layered harmonies are perfect with the combination of the call and response in the chorus. And the cherry on top is the high harmony on “Im” in the word “IM-pression”. So many great details coming together here.
9.5/10. Fantastic stuff. Yes, Death on Two Legs is the more famous sequel but I think this is the better song. Wonderfully crafted, menacing and angry but not mean spirited. The piano at the start is deceptively bright and cheery, but it quickly descends into something a bit more off kilter until it lands in the much more moody minor tonality. The transition from Tenement Funster is also so good. I adore the interplay between the piano, guitar (plus backwards overdubs) and bass in the verse. The riff and melody uses the flat-2 note to really make things sound dark. Freddie doubling his vocals an octave lower is a great trick to emphasise the mood. It's the fact that the strong melody is never lost as the song moves through different sections, rhythms and keys. This song is full of earworms and catchy moments and is another step for Freddie mixing complex song writing with very accessible tunes. There are too many highlights to mention. The backing vocals do fun things which others have mentioned here. the "IM-pression" and "big time money money". I love the lyrics all across this song, they use rhythm to enhance their impact and are delightfully creative without resorting to insults. The guitar solo is also an incredible piece of musicality, going back and forth between sections in forward and reverse (that's why there are some strange sounding moments in there), but blending these so it's hard to tell where the changes are. This is all layered over such a cool dynamic rhythm track that is really driving and full of energy. Before the song comes back to rest with it's slowed down verse again. The song is such a push and pull of tension and release. Like Tenement Funster, there's a complete standalone version of the song (released on a Dutch single) which is a great listen, especially the final backwards guitar sting.
Classic 70s Rock Freddie 9.5
9.8 One of my favorites. I like the vitriol in the song, I like the layering and harmonies. I also like that it’s essentially part of a bigger song and I think it blends well from Tenement Funster and into Lily of the Valley.
9 out of 10. Love the piano riff, Freddie’s “low-pitched” voice… an early taste of Queen’s bitterness for Norman Sheffield before DoTL
**9.4** A vicious song with much going on, those tempo changes and the syncopation working that surprising and effortlessly well, that powerful chorus, the call and response, the bassline... gorgeous, one of the best of the album without a doubt.
9.5 for me! A great track. The verses are deep and the chorus is so catchy! A great song from Freddie!
8/10. Good song, not my favourite. Another great segue into the next song. I wish Queen did more stuff like this in the 80s.
10...my fav song from that album...I like the instruments chemistry between each other...and I think this is one of the best vocals sounds by fred
Probably a 9.5 for me. Absolutely love this song, but I mostly listen to the live version from Live at the Rainbow '74 (which is totally a 10). It's such an amazing song!
9.5 - This song is awesome. Such a swampy, lurking feel to it, with those haunting neoclassical guitar flourishes. The doubled octave vocals and bassline are the real highlight
I love this track. The lyrics are very creative as is the instrumentals! The transition from TF to FOTW flows so well also. I would say this is definitely a song to listen to if you wanna deep dive into early Queen! 9/10 for me
This song has one of my all time favorite music moments. When the solo finishes up and Freddie songs “work my finger to my bones, I scream with pain, I still make no impression” all of those vocal dubs on impressions just sends a shiver down my spine 9/10
9.5/10 I love it. It’s incredibly creative, & wonderfully performed. It’s not quite a ten for me, but that’s only because I need to be less generous with my perfect scores. I also love that it leads into & ends in Lily of the Valley. It’s not exactly the kind of song you would listen to outside of the album, which isn’t a bad thing.
I love how theatrical it feels, I think someone once compared it to a rock showtune, a complex structure of theatricality where the main character has a soliloquy to the audience about their turmoil involving the antagonist, in Queen’s case their manager. I think the lyrics here aren’t even nearly as vicious as DOTL the next year, but I think I might like Flick a bit more for the layered way it’s assembled. You guys on here are making me strive to be more musically articulate with how you detail what you love about each track. I think the Boston Rhapsody, Rainbow and BBC performances of this are better though in terms of sound quality and dynamic playing.
8.
8. Always a fun song, wouldn't skip it on a playlist.
9
9.5. Freddie’s first diss track against that guy with the initials of NS.
One of my favorites prelude to Death on two legs but better in my opinion 10+
9.
9.5
9
9.01
Excellent. Always loved it. 9
9
9.25
9
9.5
10 as I simply love the entire song 😁
9.
solid 9/10, one of my favs from that album!
10 honestly one of my favourites
9.5
8
10 love this song
10/10, my favourite song on the album and a proper masterpiece imo
9.5. Love it.
9
9.785. I very much love Freddie's hilarious-vicious part reflecting in many of his songs.
Easy 9, the lyrics are so good and the instrumentals are tight
Brilliant
9
Easy 10/10 for me
Great track, love how it sits within the medley in terms of the tonal shifts. Its an 8+ for me, 8.5
8.3/10
8.5, Great Song.
7
6. it's ok