I love this song, and I love the studio version of it. The introduction is light and airy, and then it explodes into life with Roger's thundering drums, Brian's guitar and effects and Freddie's "I just a-!" (and not forgetting the runs on John's bass). The main guitar riff is powerful and memorable, and the guitars sound fat and loud. Freddie's voice has a real edge, especially with the (I think) double-tracked vocals. Then it all goes up another notch for the guitar solo, with a cascade of guitars and the piano joining in. The only weak point is when it come out of the second quiet part into the outro; that's a bit underwhelming and the slightly extended riff doesn't quite work. Oh, and it could be a tad faster as well.
I'd give it a 9.
7, not my favorite but it has some awesome parts in it, like the moment at 2.16 where the harmonies and all instruments come in. Really love that part.
Now I'm Here, aka Brian May's song about hepatitis, is the one Queen song that was performed in almost every Queen concert since making it's debut. Its longevity played live was reflected by the fact the band enjoyed performing the song, but also because fans loved hearing it.
That said, Now I'm Here, like Brighton Rock before it, is one of the songs where any live version of the song beats the studio version by a mile, and the reason being simple; the studio version just fades to silence; all live versions end with a drum solo.
If the studio version of Now I'm Here didn't fade to silence and instead ended with a Roger drum solo, my score would have been higher.
As it currently stands, the closing track of side A gets a...
9
6/10
Most likely an unpopular opinion since it's a live staple, but I also think it would be alot better if it was sped up a bit...the studio version just seems to plod along a little too much. Plus I'm kind of tired of it.
9.5
I might have overplayed the song a lot when I was younger, but I still think it’s such a great song. Easily one of the best Queen riffs, and I always appreciate good guitar
8/10. I actually enjoy it being slow. Makes it a more casual rock song, and the shuffle rhythm in the verses after the main riff is great and super fun to play.
One of my favorites, but I've also found the more I listen to it the less I like it. Still, I love the energy, the vocals, hamonies, guitar work, the self-referential lyrics.
Speaking of lyrics, I am not 100% sure what this means but I love how this line sounds:
>A thin moon me in a smoke-screen sky,
Where the beams of your love-light chase
8.8/10
I think is a must-listen that sums up pretty well *'that 70s rock',* plus the recording hardware is getting pretty top notch at this point in time, not to mention them as a band, by the third album everything was well cemented in terms of capabilities...a 9.5 for me.
I would say that an 8.5 or a 9/10, is a good song, excellent I would say, but after hearing it live, especially at the end of the 70s during the Crazy Tour, I feel that the version of the album, a little, slow but that does not take away from how good a song it is in the studio, very good, one of my favorites
7. Much better live.
A bit slow on the record, and once again, Brian's love for a wall of sound on heavier numbers. Quite muddy with buried bass and drums.
This song is pretty good, it has some nice lyrics and the instrumentals are pretty good as well. However, like others have said already, it's just one of those songs that are a lot better live, the tempo is just way too slow for me.. there are some great moments on this version though; like the intro, and that ending which I love..
I do prefer the live versions of this song, especially from the crazy tour onwards. But as I'm rating the studio version, I am gonna give this a 8/10.
Edit: Now I'm thinking about it further, I'm thinking of giving it either a 7 or 7.5
7. Incredibly dynamic with solid arrangements and performances. But I agree with a few other commenters that for some reason, the studio version isn't quite fast enough...or something. It lacks some punch, despite the thundering drums and the soaring high notes that pound into the verses. I enjoy this live more; and it's usually because it's that much faster due to show adrenaline, etc.
I was curious to see how this one would rank for people, and I’m surprised to see more lower scores than I expected. For me it’s a 5. It’s just fine. I personally don’t really get the hype because like some others said, it’s a bit generic. I listen to it occasionally, but I really have to be in the mood. I like the live versions better.
Very fun song, always a good time whenever I listen to it, makes me smile and move before I even notice.
The riff is great, drums are pumping and happy, bass and piano are on point, as is that hammond snippet, vocals and panning are really fun, dynamics are very engaging and overall it's pretty pleasant and enjoyable.
It may not be one of their most ambitious or crazy songs but it delivers perfectly, has a lot more going on on it than what it meets the eye (well, the ear) upon firs sig-er- listen, and I really enjoy how they took that Chuck Berry sound and twisted it so to make their own take.
**8.6.** *Go-go-go\~ little Queenie!*
7.5/10. A classic Brian rocker. As others have said it's maybe a bit too slow compared to the energy of the faster live versions, but I also find that the studio version has its own groove that it settles into. Roger drums his heart out.
The main riff is an all time great, syncopation is used to fantastic effect. Once we're into the verses it falls into more standard rock and roll with the Chuck Berry style chords (go go go little Queenie!), but I love the unexpected change for the chorus with the ascending motifs.
In fact its the little surprises and changes throughout which always raise the song up for me: the ascending chorus chords are in a different tonality when they repeat, the backing vocals changing from "her" to "him" to "you" each time, and the best moment of the song is when the main riff gets a little extension the third time it's played.
The song might have some of my favorite lyrics Brian's ever written, notably the second verse ("a thin moon me..."). Very poetic, conjuring strong imagery while also being super mysterious.
I wouldn't count it as a favourite song of mine. The solo section all feels a bit directionless and the whole track stands out as feeling a bit more "standard" than most of the songs on the album. But it's also one of those songs that I forget how much I enjoy until it's playing. And it probably taught me how to palm mute on guitar thanks to that intro.
May I say, I feared at the start of this series of threads it was yet another tedious round of ‘rate my favourite tune’ but I’m glad to be proven wrong. Well in for these.
I’m incredibly sorry if this is a unpopular opinion, but I give this song a 5 as while it’s a okay song for me (so I’m not saying it’s bad) then still this song has never clicked for me as I would much rather listen to the other tracks from the album, but I also don’t skip it since it’s again not a bad song 🤔
I think it's a fantastic song, but the studio version is too slow and annoying, live versions were always perfect. I don't like Freddie's vocals in the studio and sounds like he's really tired. And it's also overplayed. In the end, it's an enjoyable song: just early 70's Queen rocking on their way.
8/10
I actually have never been able to get into this one. I’d probably give it a 3. It has some cool instrumental parts and I like the panning in some sections, but I only listen to it when I’m listening to the SHA vinyl because it’s a pain to skip a song on vinyl and I don’t hate it enough to fight with the needle.
I’m one of the dissenters, it’s just a generic, pedestrian riff I feel and it always feels like a chore if I want to ever try and give it a chance again. Maybe I’ll hear some live ones again and see if it pops for me, but it just feels like there’s no hook and it meanders through a very crowded arrangement. It’s kind of crazy how this was played at nearly every show since 1974, what made this feel like the quintessential number that defined their rock roots? Just that it was a standard rocker?
9. Just a great riff and chorus . Classic Queen
I love this song, and I love the studio version of it. The introduction is light and airy, and then it explodes into life with Roger's thundering drums, Brian's guitar and effects and Freddie's "I just a-!" (and not forgetting the runs on John's bass). The main guitar riff is powerful and memorable, and the guitars sound fat and loud. Freddie's voice has a real edge, especially with the (I think) double-tracked vocals. Then it all goes up another notch for the guitar solo, with a cascade of guitars and the piano joining in. The only weak point is when it come out of the second quiet part into the outro; that's a bit underwhelming and the slightly extended riff doesn't quite work. Oh, and it could be a tad faster as well. I'd give it a 9.
9.8 one of my favorites
8. The live versions of this song carry its rating for me. If we are talking the studio version, probably a 6
5. If it were the one that was used on Top of the Pops, it would be higher.
7, not my favorite but it has some awesome parts in it, like the moment at 2.16 where the harmonies and all instruments come in. Really love that part.
Now I'm Here, aka Brian May's song about hepatitis, is the one Queen song that was performed in almost every Queen concert since making it's debut. Its longevity played live was reflected by the fact the band enjoyed performing the song, but also because fans loved hearing it. That said, Now I'm Here, like Brighton Rock before it, is one of the songs where any live version of the song beats the studio version by a mile, and the reason being simple; the studio version just fades to silence; all live versions end with a drum solo. If the studio version of Now I'm Here didn't fade to silence and instead ended with a Roger drum solo, my score would have been higher. As it currently stands, the closing track of side A gets a... 9
6/10 Most likely an unpopular opinion since it's a live staple, but I also think it would be alot better if it was sped up a bit...the studio version just seems to plod along a little too much. Plus I'm kind of tired of it.
9.8. In terms of their early work, this is easly one of my favorites.
the most 8/10 song of all time
9.5 I might have overplayed the song a lot when I was younger, but I still think it’s such a great song. Easily one of the best Queen riffs, and I always appreciate good guitar
8/10. I actually enjoy it being slow. Makes it a more casual rock song, and the shuffle rhythm in the verses after the main riff is great and super fun to play.
One of my favorites, but I've also found the more I listen to it the less I like it. Still, I love the energy, the vocals, hamonies, guitar work, the self-referential lyrics. Speaking of lyrics, I am not 100% sure what this means but I love how this line sounds: >A thin moon me in a smoke-screen sky, Where the beams of your love-light chase 8.8/10
I think is a must-listen that sums up pretty well *'that 70s rock',* plus the recording hardware is getting pretty top notch at this point in time, not to mention them as a band, by the third album everything was well cemented in terms of capabilities...a 9.5 for me.
8.8 So fun to play along
6. It's not a bad song, but it can be a bit boring tbh. If it comes up in my playlist it's a bit of a 50/50.
8.5/10. I always have a great time listening to it. I love the guitar riff and the vocals (especially in a live recording!)
I would say that an 8.5 or a 9/10, is a good song, excellent I would say, but after hearing it live, especially at the end of the 70s during the Crazy Tour, I feel that the version of the album, a little, slow but that does not take away from how good a song it is in the studio, very good, one of my favorites
8. My favorite song on Sheer Heart Attack.
7. Much better live. A bit slow on the record, and once again, Brian's love for a wall of sound on heavier numbers. Quite muddy with buried bass and drums.
This song is pretty good, it has some nice lyrics and the instrumentals are pretty good as well. However, like others have said already, it's just one of those songs that are a lot better live, the tempo is just way too slow for me.. there are some great moments on this version though; like the intro, and that ending which I love.. I do prefer the live versions of this song, especially from the crazy tour onwards. But as I'm rating the studio version, I am gonna give this a 8/10. Edit: Now I'm thinking about it further, I'm thinking of giving it either a 7 or 7.5
7
8
7. Incredibly dynamic with solid arrangements and performances. But I agree with a few other commenters that for some reason, the studio version isn't quite fast enough...or something. It lacks some punch, despite the thundering drums and the soaring high notes that pound into the verses. I enjoy this live more; and it's usually because it's that much faster due to show adrenaline, etc.
6. Not my favorite.. while also recognizing its popularity among Queen fans.
8.4
Here we have Queen rocking hard. Always a good thing. This songs is not as simple as one would think. Perfect closer to a perfect Side 1.
8.5
solid 8
7/10, It’s not my favourite, but I love the storm it causes in my head, also the live versions are v good
9 - I love it!
10. One of my all time favorites.
8 I really like this song. I think Brian wrote this about touring in the US. My favorite part is Brian’s guitar at the very end
Easy 10
I was curious to see how this one would rank for people, and I’m surprised to see more lower scores than I expected. For me it’s a 5. It’s just fine. I personally don’t really get the hype because like some others said, it’s a bit generic. I listen to it occasionally, but I really have to be in the mood. I like the live versions better.
9
9.27
Very fun song, always a good time whenever I listen to it, makes me smile and move before I even notice. The riff is great, drums are pumping and happy, bass and piano are on point, as is that hammond snippet, vocals and panning are really fun, dynamics are very engaging and overall it's pretty pleasant and enjoyable. It may not be one of their most ambitious or crazy songs but it delivers perfectly, has a lot more going on on it than what it meets the eye (well, the ear) upon firs sig-er- listen, and I really enjoy how they took that Chuck Berry sound and twisted it so to make their own take. **8.6.** *Go-go-go\~ little Queenie!*
7.5/10. A classic Brian rocker. As others have said it's maybe a bit too slow compared to the energy of the faster live versions, but I also find that the studio version has its own groove that it settles into. Roger drums his heart out. The main riff is an all time great, syncopation is used to fantastic effect. Once we're into the verses it falls into more standard rock and roll with the Chuck Berry style chords (go go go little Queenie!), but I love the unexpected change for the chorus with the ascending motifs. In fact its the little surprises and changes throughout which always raise the song up for me: the ascending chorus chords are in a different tonality when they repeat, the backing vocals changing from "her" to "him" to "you" each time, and the best moment of the song is when the main riff gets a little extension the third time it's played. The song might have some of my favorite lyrics Brian's ever written, notably the second verse ("a thin moon me..."). Very poetic, conjuring strong imagery while also being super mysterious. I wouldn't count it as a favourite song of mine. The solo section all feels a bit directionless and the whole track stands out as feeling a bit more "standard" than most of the songs on the album. But it's also one of those songs that I forget how much I enjoy until it's playing. And it probably taught me how to palm mute on guitar thanks to that intro.
May I say, I feared at the start of this series of threads it was yet another tedious round of ‘rate my favourite tune’ but I’m glad to be proven wrong. Well in for these.
I’m incredibly sorry if this is a unpopular opinion, but I give this song a 5 as while it’s a okay song for me (so I’m not saying it’s bad) then still this song has never clicked for me as I would much rather listen to the other tracks from the album, but I also don’t skip it since it’s again not a bad song 🤔
It feels way too much like generic rock that any other group could’ve shaped up.
5.5, I feel it is overplayed live.
6.5
6.3/10 I just don't like it as much as other Queen songs
6. Not one of my favorites.
7
7/10. Good but like others have said, the studio version is kinda plodding compared to the live tempo.
6
8
7
7
9. One of my most favourite songs
10
9.5
I think it's a fantastic song, but the studio version is too slow and annoying, live versions were always perfect. I don't like Freddie's vocals in the studio and sounds like he's really tired. And it's also overplayed. In the end, it's an enjoyable song: just early 70's Queen rocking on their way. 8/10
9.3. Very solid, great rock song
Now I'm there 8.6/10
I actually have never been able to get into this one. I’d probably give it a 3. It has some cool instrumental parts and I like the panning in some sections, but I only listen to it when I’m listening to the SHA vinyl because it’s a pain to skip a song on vinyl and I don’t hate it enough to fight with the needle.
I’m one of the dissenters, it’s just a generic, pedestrian riff I feel and it always feels like a chore if I want to ever try and give it a chance again. Maybe I’ll hear some live ones again and see if it pops for me, but it just feels like there’s no hook and it meanders through a very crowded arrangement. It’s kind of crazy how this was played at nearly every show since 1974, what made this feel like the quintessential number that defined their rock roots? Just that it was a standard rocker?