Killer Queen by Queen [1974]

- Intially moves in small intervals get progressively wider (rising an octave in bars 20-21)

- the same falling fifth motif is used in the chorus (forms a modified falling sequence)

- word setting is almost entirely syllabic

- backing vocals sometimes include vocables

- lack of word-painting, other than a slide to emphasise sarcastic use of 'queen' in the chorus

- phaser effect on 'laser beam'

- compound quadruple 12/8 

- occasional use of 6/8 to extend phrases

- moderato 

- verse and chorus begin with anacrusis

- use of syncopation (stressing the normally unaccented beats) e.g. bars 3,7,8

- homophonic (melody and accompaniment)

- use of immitation

- 4 part harmonies in backing vocals

- 3 part texture in guitar solo

- gradually increasing in density from a light-textured start

- chordal texture for vocals at start + end of chorus

- brief contrapuntal fragments in accomp (polyphonic)

- guitar parts in parallel 3rds in instrumental after chorus

- lead vocal (tenor) and backing vocals (overdubbed 3 + 4 part harmony)

- piano overdubbed with ****** tonk

- guitar (overdubbing - to create a richer sound)

- bass guitar (largely doubled by LH piano part)

- drums + percussion (e.g. wind chimes + triangle)

USE OF;

- vibrato

- tremalo

-bends + slides

- palm mute

- written in 1974 

- from album 'sheer heart attack'

- rock song but has theatre + opera influences

- Queen formed in London in 1970

MEMBERS OF QUEEN;

- Freddie Mercury - lead singer + pianist

- Brian May - lead guitar + backing vocals

- Roger Taylor - drums + backing vocals

- John Deacon - bass guitar

- Mainly in root position triads (chords)

- chords are mainly diatonic (occasional chromatic chords)

- use of dissonance

- short tonic pedal

- dominant pedal in instrumental links (to break up phrases)

- multi-tracked vocals = parallel harmonies

- circle of fifths (bars 20-21)

- Eb major

- some tonal ambiguity

- verses start in Cm

- choruses modulate to Bb major

- both quickly modulate

- ends with perfect cadence in Eb major

- (finger clicks) verse 1 (bar 1-14)

- chorus (bars 15-22)

- instrumental (bars 23-26)

- verse 2 (27-38)

- chorus + guitar solo (39-50)

- verse 3 (bars 51-68)

- chorus (bars 69-78)

- outro (bars 79-end)