Remember way back when before Nelson Mandela Day (click here), Dr. May's birthday (click here), and RT's birthday (click here) when we were working our way through the set list of the 1975 Hammersmith Odeon Christmas Eve concert? Well, despite our three week detour, we have two songs left on the set list.
Son and Daughter was written by Dr. May and appeared on the band's 1973 debut album Queen. It was the B-side to Queen's first single Keep Yourself Alive, which did not chart.
Son and Daughter is one of the first songs that Dr. May ever wrote for Freddie Mercury to sing. The vocal range is much more in line with Dr. May's abilities rather than Freddie's. As Dr. May grew more comfortable with and knowledgeable of Freddie's voice, he was willing to take more vocal risks in his songwriting. The backing track is strictly RT and Dr. May, however, singing male alto and baritone, respectively.
Some fun facts about Son and Daughter: The lyrics of this song are also rather unusual for Dr. May and are available here. And according to As it Began, the official Queen biography, this is the first Queen song that bassist John Deacon ever learned to play.
Happy Listening!
I am so intrigued by the lyrics of this song that I googled some interpretation sites. Although I couldn't find anything from an "expert" I did find someone who seemed to be on the same wavelength as I - interpreting it as a song about Jesus. Thanks for a thought-provoking blog today!
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