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Historically speaking, this should have been the coda. This was Freddie’s final statement. The man was dying, basically.
A somber opening, a vocal wail, a calliopal carousel melody that gives way to a giant metal guitar version of the riff, overlaid and overlaid and then…
A meaty introspection by the singer.
What is there left for me to do in this life.
Did I achieve what I had set in my sights.
Am I a happy man, or is this sinking sand,
Was it all worth it, was it all worth it.
Yeah, now hear my story, let me tell you about it,
We bought a drum kit. blew my own trumpet.
Played the circuit, thought we were perfect,
Was it all worth it. giving all my heart and soul and
Staying up all night, was it all worth it,
Living breathing rock n’roll, a godforsaken life,
Was it all worth it, was it all worth it all these years.
Put down our money without counting the cost,
It didn’t matter if we won – if we lost,
Yes we were vicious. yes we could kill,
Yes we were hungry. yes we were brill,
We served a purpose, like a bloody circus,
We were so dandy we love you madly,
Was it all worth it. was it all worth it,
Living breathing rock n’roll, this godforsaken life,
Was it all worth it. was it all worth it,
When the hurly burly’s done –
We went to Bali, saw God and Dali.
So mystic, surrealistic,
Was it all worth it, giving all my heart and soul,
Staying up all night, was it all worth it,
Living breathing rock n’roll this never ending fight,
Was it all worth it, was it all worth it,
Yes, it was a worthwhile experience,
It was worth it.
Did I achieve what I had set in my sights.
Am I a happy man, or is this sinking sand,
Was it all worth it, was it all worth it.
Yeah, now hear my story, let me tell you about it,
We bought a drum kit. blew my own trumpet.
Played the circuit, thought we were perfect,
Was it all worth it. giving all my heart and soul and
Staying up all night, was it all worth it,
Living breathing rock n’roll, a godforsaken life,
Was it all worth it, was it all worth it all these years.
Put down our money without counting the cost,
It didn’t matter if we won – if we lost,
Yes we were vicious. yes we could kill,
Yes we were hungry. yes we were brill,
We served a purpose, like a bloody circus,
We were so dandy we love you madly,
Was it all worth it. was it all worth it,
Living breathing rock n’roll, this godforsaken life,
Was it all worth it. was it all worth it,
When the hurly burly’s done –
We went to Bali, saw God and Dali.
So mystic, surrealistic,
Was it all worth it, giving all my heart and soul,
Staying up all night, was it all worth it,
Living breathing rock n’roll this never ending fight,
Was it all worth it, was it all worth it,
Yes, it was a worthwhile experience,
It was worth it.
I’m not sure the band or Freddie, for that matter, had ever written anything so personal and confessional. This is an overview of the past 17 years and it cuts like a knife. This should have been the band’s final statement. And, if it was, it would have been the perfect coda.
This is the most inspired the band had sounded in ages. And the most bombastic production as well. But, not obnoxiously so. Instead, it sounds like they were really putting it all out there. Really giving it their all.
Was it worth it?
Hell yes.
Grade: A+
