Greatest Hits

When Hollywood Records signed Queen in the late 80's, it seemed like the height of folly. The band had been out of the public eye for years, had not had a hit in the US for nearly a decade, and the first thing the band did was throw a huge party on the Queen Mary. Then Freddie Mercury died of AIDS in 1991, and Innuendo began to receive a second look. Then came a little film called Wayne's World.

Thanks to a pivotal scene in that movie, "Bohemian Rhapsody" took on a second chart life, peaking even higher than it did the first time. Hollywood rushed the Classic Queen compilation out to capitalize on the moment, and found Queen in the Top Ten albums for the first time since The Game.

It didn't take long for Hollywood to get a second disc out, which is a modified version of the original "Greatest Hits." Having swiped "Bohemian Rhapsody" and a couple other for the first go, "I Want To Break Free" and "Body Language" move to this set. The albums after The Works are on "Classic Queen."

A better bet is to pick this CD with "Classic Queen," or go whole hog and get the double set Queen - Greatest Hits, Vols 1&2, which packages them together AND adds a couple bonus songs. They all include nice book packages and lyrics. Frankly, any of the Queen hits collections is worth it, and Hollywood has done their best to issue as many as possible as the Queen legacy soldiers on.

The CD I received was a copy and I thought it would be a used original.

Queen are a legendary band. Led by the legendary vocalist Freddie Mercury, the group released some of the finest albums, from their 1973 debut 'Queen' to their final album in 1991, with 'Innuendo,' they gave us nothing but straightforward rock when other bands were giving us disco and mediocre pop rock.

The American version of 'Greatest Hits' is a disappointing. Hollywood Records originally released this as a companion to 'Classic Queen,' released in 1992 to cash in on "Queenmania" which was started through the legendary film 'Wayne's World.'

I do ask, however, why is this necessary? I'm sure many people have asked that over the years. It wasn't great when it was released in the '90s, and it certainly isn't great in 2008.

The music is five stars, don't get me wrong. Everything Queen did, in my opinion, is five stars automatically (except for the Paul Rodgers tracks).

But, I'll be at least the 90th person to say it, how can you have a 'Greatest Hits' album and not include Queen's biggest hit, 'Bohemian Rhapsody'? Yes, I understand that was on 'Classic Queen,' but can't it appear on 'Greatest Hits'?

Also, I notice that 'I Want To Break Free' is here. Yes, that was one of their great '80s triumphs, but why is it on a compilation of songs focusing on songs from the 1973-1980 period? It seems very out-of-place here. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' should be here; 'I Want To Break Free' should be on 'Classic Queen.'

Overall, I suggest 'Greatest Hits I & II.' The U.K. 'Greatest Hits' albums are far superior to the American versions. Thank god Hollywood released those in the States. The songs are great, but skip this in favor of that instead.

Recommended for the easily pleased casual fan.

I BOUGHT THIS CD FOR THE FIRST SONGS. THE REST OF THE ALBUM IS FORGETABLE AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED. THE BICYCLE SONG IS LAME. BUT HEY: THIS IS 80'S MUSIC SO ONE MUST HAVE A LITTLE UNDERSTANDING..

Have had this CD for years. Old copy damaged. Just had to have another. Queen's music will be around for a long while.