PTRACER wrote: ↑4 months ago
@Everso Biggyballies I don't recall seeing the video but the song was released in 1975 so some of those clips are a little out of place! And half of it looks like early 1950s German Sportscars and Formula 500 (F3?) racing.
Also what's that crash with a Bugatti driving into a crowd of people? Doesn't seem appropriate...
Agree some of the clips are a. bit odd given they are more modern than 1975.... the opening JPS shot of Elio de Angelis, plus later on a shot of I think Gilles in a Ferrari and a flash of a Parmalat Brabham Plus some computer game inserts all look out of place. Oh and a car with Michelin tyres... they didnt join F1 until 1977
The bit of the 'Bugatti' (not convinced its a Bugatti) I guess at the time of the song Health and Safety plus the perception of motor racing was a bit different back then.
Oh I did find this morning a much better quality copy of the video here: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x206ewo
The revving sounds at the conclusion of the song were a recording of Taylor's then current car, an Alfa Romeo. The lyrics were inspired by one of the band's roadies, Johnathan Harris, whose Triumph TR4 was evidently the "love of his life". The song is dedicated to him, with the liner notes mentioning, "Dedicated to Johnathan Harris, boy racer to the end".
Harris in his TR4
In an article I found Harris actually was more than a roadie....
also the sound engineer, sound mixer, used to drive the Transit van (in the early days) and was
also a flatmate to Roger and Freddie 'and others'.
He was considered the 5th member of the band, so important to the band that he got a financial deal that involved him receiving a percentage of the band’s live shows.
He fell very ill in the late 1970's and became unable to tour. They lost touch.
Interesting more detailed article here about him:
https://quirkysubject.tumblr.com/post/6 ... ohn-harris
It seems the song originally created some friction in the band.... it was written and sung by Roger Taylor and basically he got the same royalties as Freddie did simply by being on the B side of 'Rhapsody'
When it came down to releasing the album's first single, Taylor was so fond of his song that he locked himself in a cupboard until it was agreed that it would be the b-side to the album's first single, "Bohemian Rhapsody". This decision would later become the cause of much internal friction in the band, in that while it was only the B-side, it generated an equal amount of publishing royalties for Taylor as the main single did for Mercury simply because it was the B-side to "Bohemian Rhapsody"
.Queen later decided to give a collective co-writing credit for all songs, regardless of who contributed. This meant everyone got equal royalties for any singles/hits, which meant there was less friction with members more willing to let their songs/ideas be worked on - knowing they wouldn't lose any credit or royalty money in the process.
Lyrics
Oh
The machine of a dream
Such a clean machine
With the pistons a-pumpin'
And the hubcaps all gleam
When I'm holding your wheel
All I hear is your gear
With my hand on your grease gun
Mmm, it's like a disease, son
I'm in love with my car
Got a feel for my automobile
Get a grip on my boy racer roll bar
Such a thrill when your radials squeal
Told my girl I'll have to forget her
Rather buy me a new carburetor
So she made tracks saying this is the end now
Cars don't talk back they're just four-wheeled friends now
When I'm holding your wheel
All I hear is your gear
When I'm cruisin' in overdrive
Don't have to listen to no run-of-the-mill talk jive
I'm in love with my car (I'm in love with my car, love with my car)
Got a feel for my automobile
I'm in love with my car (I'm in love with my car, love with my car)
String back gloves in my automo-love