The Game (Queen album)
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The Game is the eighth studio album by Queen released 30 June 1980. It was the only Queen album to reach the #1 position in both the United Kingdom and the United States and became Queen's best selling studio album in the US with four million copies sold to date, tying News of the World's US sales tally. Notable songs on the album include the bass driven "Another One Bites the Dust" and the rockabilly "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", both of which reached number 1 in the United States. The Game was the first Queen album to use a synthesizer[8] (an Oberheim OB-X). The album's working title was "Play the Game", but Taylor voiced concern about its possible overtones of conformity, so it was changed to simply "The Game".
The album features a more pop/rock sound than its predecessor, Jazz. The album's style would be augmented on Queen's next release Hot Space, and future Queen albums. At approximately 35 minutes, The Game is the shortest of Queen's studio albums.
Re-issued in May 2003 on DVD-Audio with Dolby 5.1 surround sound and DTS 5.1. The 5.1 mix of "Coming Soon" features an alternate backing track, because the final master tapes were not found when mixing the album to 5.1.
The photo on the cover of the EMI CD is different from that originally used on the LP and cassette even though the Hollywood CD still has the original photo. The original photo (with Taylor having folded arms and May not having a hand resting upon his exposed hip) is shown in the article. This alternate photo was also used on cover of the DTS DVD-Audio edition of the album released in 2003.
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "Sail Away Sweet Sister (To The Sister I Never Had)", "Coming Soon", and "Save Me" were recorded from June to July of 1979.[9] The rest of the songs were recorded between February and May of 1980.[10]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Play the Game" | Freddie Mercury | 3:30 |
| 2. | "Dragon Attack" | Brian May | 4:18 |
| 3. | "Another One Bites the Dust" | John Deacon | 3:35 |
| 4. | "Need Your Loving Tonight" | Deacon | 2:50 |
| 5. | "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" | Mercury | 2:44 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rock It (Prime Jive)" | Roger Taylor | 4:33 |
| 2. | "Don't Try Suicide" | Mercury | 3:52 |
| 3. | "Sail Away Sweet Sister" | May | 3:33 |
| 4. | "Coming Soon" | Taylor | 2:51 |
| 5. | "Save Me" | May | 3:50 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 11. | "Dragon Attack" (1991 remix by Jack Benson and R.A.K.) | 4:23 |
Reception
Record Mirror awarded The Game 4/5 stars, writing: "After Zeppelin and even before the Scorpions, Queen are the most exciting band I've ever seen or heard. And I'm sure all you lovers of quality music will agree."[4] Rolling Stone felt that it was "nice to hear a Queen album with songs, not 'anthems'," but opined that "these guys know how this music should sound and feel, but they can't bend enough to get with it."[5] The Washington Post gave a scathing review, writing: "After five years of unchallenging, dismal albums, this was supposed to be Queen's comeback. But no such luck."[7]
Allmusic awarded the album 4.5/5 stars, opining that it "finds Queen turning decidedly, decisively pop, and it's a grand, state-of-the-art circa 1980 pop album that still stands as one of the band's most enjoyable records." George Starostin was also appreciative, describing the album as "catchy, diverse, well-written and atmospheric."[1] Out ranked it #28 of 100 in a poll of "more than 100 actors, comedians, musicians, writers, critics, performance artists, label reps, and DJs, asking each to list the 10 albums that left the most indelible impressions on their lives."[11]
Personnel
- Freddie Mercury: Lead Vocals, Piano, Backing Vocals, Guitar, Synthesiser
- Brian May: Electric, Acoustic & 12-String Guitars, Piano, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Synthesiser
- Roger Taylor: Drums, Electronic Drums, Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Synthesiser
- John Deacon: Bass, Guitar, Piano
Additional synthesisers by Mack
Singles
- "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"/"Spread Your Wings (Live)" – Elektra E46579; released October 5/7th, 1979 (UK #2 / US #1)
- "Save Me"/"Let Me Entertain You (Live)" – Elektra; released January 25, 1980 (UK #11)
- "Play the Game"/"A Human Body" (non album B-side) – Elektra E46652; released May 30, 1980 (UK #14 /US #42)
- "Another One Bites the Dust"/"Don't Try Suicide" – Elektra E47031; released August 22/12th, 1980 (UK #7 / US #1)
- "Need Your Loving Tonight"/"Rock It (Prime Jive)" – Elektra E47086: released November 18, 1980 (US #44)
Charts
| Country | Charts | Sales | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak position | Weeks | Certification | ||
| Argentina | 1 | 250.000 | ||
| Australia | 11 | 120.000 | ||
| Canada | 1 | Platinum (5x) | 600.000 | |
| Ireland | 1 | 100.000 | ||
| Portugal | 1 | 60.000 | ||
| United Kingdom | 1 | 18 | Platinum | 300.000 |
| United States | 1 | 43 | Platinum (4x) | 4.400.000 |
| Germany | 2 | Gold | 400.000 | |
| Netherlands | 2 | Gold | 50.000 | |
| Norway | 2 | 17 | 40.000 | |
| Austria | 5 | 30 | Gold | 40.000 |
| Japan | 5 | 100.000 | ||
| Sweden | 7 | 7 | 50.000 | |
| Italy | 9 | 150.000 | ||
| France | 17 | 300.000 | ||
References
- ^ a b George Starostin review
- ^ Q, 8/02, p.148: "...Saw them adapt their sound for the first time: to the rockabilly and funk groove fads of 1980."
- ^ NME review (archived at queenarchives
- ^ a b Record Mirror review (archived at queenarchives.com)
- ^ a b Rolling Stone review
- ^ Sounds review (archived at queenarchives)
- ^ a b Washington Post review (archived at queenarchives)
- ^ Baker, Theodore (1965). Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians: Centennial Edition (5th Edition ed.). Schirmer Books. ISBN 0028655257.
The album yielded ... 'Play the Game,' which featured the group's first use of the synthesizer...
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|accessyear=,|accessmonth=, and|month=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ http://www.discogs.com/Queen-The-Game/release/369059
- ^ http://www.discogs.com/Queen-The-Game/release/369059
- ^ Out: "The 100 Greatest, Gayest Albums"
