Queen – Action This Day: A Call to Arms Disguised as Disco
Queen, the British rock band renowned for its flamboyant theatricality and operatic grandeur, ventured into unexpected territory with their 1982 album, Hot Space. This period marked a conscious shift in their sound, incorporating elements of disco, funk, and synthesizers alongside their signature rock anthems. One such track, “Action This Day”, stands out as a fascinating anomaly – a disco-infused song with a message that belies its dancefloor-ready exterior.
Background
Released as a single in the US, “Action This Day” garnered a mixed reception. Disco was nearing its commercial twilight, and some fans were taken aback by Queen’s foray into the genre. However, beneath the infectious groove and prominent synthesizers lies a song with a powerful undercurrent. The lyrics, penned by drummer Roger Taylor and co-written with Freddie Mercury, carry a message of urgency and social commentary.
The song opens with a driving, four-on-the-floor beat, a stark contrast to the layered guitar work that often dominated Queen’s earlier recordings. Synthesizers provide a pulsating bassline and shimmering textures, creating the unmistakable disco atmosphere. However, a closer listen reveals a sense of unease lurking beneath the surface. The lyrics paint a picture of societal unrest, frustration with bureaucracy, and a call for immediate action.
Lines like “There’s a fire burning in the city tonight” and “Frustration’s building, tension’s taking hold” evoke a sense of simmering discontent, a feeling that aligns more with punk rock than disco. Mercury’s vocals, while characteristically powerful, are imbued with a raspy urgency that underscores the song’s message. The iconic “woo-hoo” backing vocals, a staple of many disco tracks, take on a slightly subversive quality in “Action This Day,” adding to the song’s underlying tension.
Despite its disco leanings, “Action This Day” retains some of Queen’s signature rock elements. Taylor’s powerful drumming shines through, providing the song’s backbone. Guitarist Brian May’s presence is more subtle, but his distinct fretwork adds textural depth in the instrumental bridge. The result is a genre-bending hybrid – a disco song with a rock heart and a message that transcends the dance floor.
“Action This Day” may not be Queen’s most commercially successful song, but it holds a significant place in their discography. It serves as a testament to their willingness to experiment and challenge boundaries while staying true to their core message. The song’s call for action remains relevant even decades after its release, a reminder that social commentary can find a platform even within the confines of popular music.
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Here are some additional details about the song:
- “Action This Day” was written by Roger Taylor and Freddie Mercury.
- It was released as a single in the US in 1982 from the album Hot Space.
- The song reached number 41 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.