Innuendo Album
Queen's fourteenth studio album, a return to their bombastic mid-1970s style, released in February 1991.
Innuendo is the fourteenth studio album by the British rock band Queen, released on 4 February 1991 through Parlophone in the United Kingdom and Hollywood Records in the United States. Produced by David Richards and Queen, it was recorded between March 1989 and November 1990. Stylistically, Innuendo has been regarded as a return to Queen's mid-1970s bombastic period of exaggerated music and lavish production. The album cover was designed by Queen and Richard Gray, with booklets and single covers inspired by illustrations by 19th century French artist Jean-Jacques Grandville.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Queen
- Released
- 4 February 1991
- Recorded
- March 1989 – November 1990
- Studio
- Metropolis (London); Mountain (Montreux)
- Genre
- Hard rock; progressive rock
- Length
- 53:48 (original CD); 48:13 (original LP)
- Label
- Parlophone; Hollywood
- Producer
- Queen; David Richards
Lore & Background
The band and producers were aiming for a November or December release date in order to catch the crucial Christmas market, but Mercury's declining health meant that the release of the album did not take place until February 1991. In the spring of 1987, Freddie Mercury had been diagnosed with AIDS, although he kept his illness a secret from the public and denied numerous media reports that he was seriously ill. The album was released in the US under a new label, the Disney-owned Hollywood Records, in an effort to garner greater exposure there. Hollywood had also secured the rights to Queen's Elektra and Capitol back catalogues, and began reissuing albums early in 1991, marking Queen's 20th anniversary. Nine months after the album was released, on 24 November 1991, Mercury died of AIDS-derived bronchopneumonia, making Innuendo the final Queen album to be released during Mercury's lifetime.
Reader's Guide
Innuendo was supported by the singles 'Innuendo', 'Headlong', 'I'm Going Slightly Mad', 'These Are the Days of Our Lives', and 'The Show Must Go On'. The album peaked at number one in seven countries, including the United Kingdom. It was voted the 94th greatest album of all time in a national 2006 BBC poll. The album's title track began as a jam session in Switzerland amongst Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon in spring 1989. Freddie Mercury was upstairs and heard them playing the beat, and turned it into a song, creating the melody and starting off the lyrics. The middle section features a flamenco interlude played by Yes guitarist Steve Howe. 'I'm Going Slightly Mad' was begun in Mercury's London house, after he had the idea of writing a song about madness, inspired by Noël Coward's camp one-liners. 'Headlong' was written by May at the studio they had in Switzerland; he recorded it for his debut solo album, Back to the Light, but after hearing Mercury sing it, decided it worked better as a Queen song. 'These Are the Days of Our Lives' was written by Taylor; the music video for this song was Mercury's last appearance in a video medium, and with his knowing farewell look straight at the camera, Mercury whispers 'I still love you' at the end of the song.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Innuendo | Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor | 6:31 |
| 2 | I'm Going Slightly Mad | Mercury, Peter Straker | 4:22 |
| 3 | Headlong | Brian May | 4:38 |
| 4 | I Can't Live with You | May | 4:33 |
| 5 | Don't Try So Hard | Mercury | 3:39 |
| 6 | Ride the Wild Wind | Taylor | 4:42 |
| 7 | All God's People | Mercury, Mike Moran | 4:21 |
| 8 | These Are the Days of Our Lives | Taylor | 4:15 |
| 9 | Delilah | Mercury | 3:35 |
| 10 | The Hitman | Mercury, May, John Deacon | 4:56 |
| 11 | Bijou | Mercury, May | 3:36 |
| 12 | The Show Must Go On | May | 4:35 |
| Total length | 53:48 | ||
Disc 2: Bonus EP (2011 Universal Music CD reissue)
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I Can't Live with You (1997 Queen Rocks Version) | May | 4:50 |
| 2 | Lost Opportunity (B-side to "I'm Going Slightly Mad") | May | 3:53 |
| 3 | Ride the Wild Wind (Early version with guide vocal) | Taylor | 4:14 |
| 4 | I'm Going Slightly Mad (Mad mix) | Mercury | 4:37 |
| 5 | Headlong (Embryo with guide vocal) | May | 4:44 |
| Total length | 22:18 | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created the Innuendo Album and when did it arrive?
Queen released this seventeenth studio record in October 1991 as their final project issued during Freddie Mercury's lifetime. The band threw everything into the production to create something dense before his passing months later.
Which singles are featured on this release?
Notable tracks include the title track "Innuendo," the emotional anthem "The Show Must Go On," and the upbeat "I'm Going Slightly Mad." These songs showcase the layered rock and progressive experimentation that defines the era.
How does Innuendo Album's story conclude?
The narrative ends with this record arriving just months before Freddie Mercury passed away, closing out his studio contributions. It stands as a permanent testament to their theatrical rock style and sonic ambition in the early 1990s.
More in Eras & Legacy
Elsewhere in Queen
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