Killer Queen Elements

Melody

Mainly syllabic word-setting

Vocalisation in BVs

Often conjunct

Descending sequence b7-8.

Some octave leaps b62.

Rhythm/Metre

Moderate tempo

Compound time (12/8) - swung feel

Occasional 6/8 bars - extend phrase length

All verses/choruses start with anacrusis

Syncopation frequent (b44–46)

Texture

Mostly homophonic (M&A)

Imitation

Layered textures (overdubbing)

Polyphonic during guitar solo

Panning (b42-43 backing vocals) 

Antiphonal (b67-68)

Instrumentation & Orchestration

Tenor + falsetto

Instruments: lead/BVs, piano (overdubbed w honky tonk), 4 electric guitars, bass, drum kit

Guitars and vocals - overdubbed - richer colour

Guitar techniques: slides, bends, pull-offs, vibrato

Recording effects: multi-tracking, EQ, flanger, distortion, reverb, wah-wah, panning, overdubbing

Genre (context)

Glam rock

Composed Freddy Mercury

3rd studio album “Sheer Heart Attack” 1974

Freddie Mercury (s), Brian May (g), Roger Taylor (d), John Deacon (b)

About upper-class prostitute

Harmony/Tonality

Eb maj

Opens in C min, moving to Eb maj for chorus

Ambiguous tonality at times

Brief modulations

Most chords in root position

Some dissonance (b30)

Extened harmony

Circle of fifths (b20-21)

Pedal b27-30

Structure

Verse–chorus structure

V1

C1

Instrumental

V2

C2

Guitar solo

V3

C3

Outro