I totally agree with JoeBaldwin-- This song was written in 83 or 84 during the last spike of real tensions between the US and USSR. The single cover of this song is red and gold and really "official" looking, reminiscent of Soviet stuff.
The lyrics also totally fit in with this idea... "feel your muscles as your body decays"... the Soviet system died in part because Reagan and others forced them to throw all their money into the military, which US could afford and they couldn't... "baby now your struggle's all in vain" alluding to Marx's claim that there would always be a struggle between proletariat and the masses, a fundamental Soviet idea... there are probably ten more but this is probably boring people so I'll stop now.
I also like how the very basic I-IV-V chords and beat (the roots Queen tried to get back to on the Works) is reminiscent of socially/politically conscious American artists of that time, like Springsteen and Mellencamp, like Brian is channeling them.
The last verse is even more amazing-- "what the hell we fighting for?", "just have time to say your prayers", makes me think of Samantha Smith (remember her?) and has lots of resonance today too... this is maybe where Brian brought it back to something more basic and common, like, the Hammer of God could fall on the US (or anywhere else) just as easily as the Russians, we're just people too!
I am such a fan of how Brian can be so true to classic rock and good guitar but still right songs just as poetic and interesting as Mercury. Queen wouldn't have been Queen without him.
I totally agree with JoeBaldwin-- This song was written in 83 or 84 during the last spike of real tensions between the US and USSR. The single cover of this song is red and gold and really "official" looking, reminiscent of Soviet stuff.
The lyrics also totally fit in with this idea... "feel your muscles as your body decays"... the Soviet system died in part because Reagan and others forced them to throw all their money into the military, which US could afford and they couldn't... "baby now your struggle's all in vain" alluding to Marx's claim that there would always be a struggle between proletariat and the masses, a fundamental Soviet idea... there are probably ten more but this is probably boring people so I'll stop now. I also like how the very basic I-IV-V chords and beat (the roots Queen tried to get back to on the Works) is reminiscent of socially/politically conscious American artists of that time, like Springsteen and Mellencamp, like Brian is channeling them. The last verse is even more amazing-- "what the hell we fighting for?", "just have time to say your prayers", makes me think of Samantha Smith (remember her?) and has lots of resonance today too... this is maybe where Brian brought it back to something more basic and common, like, the Hammer of God could fall on the US (or anywhere else) just as easily as the Russians, we're just people too!
I am such a fan of how Brian can be so true to classic rock and good guitar but still right songs just as poetic and interesting as Mercury. Queen wouldn't have been Queen without him.
@lapofthegods well put. +1
@lapofthegods well put. +1