More often than not, my readers have the answer to any question I happen to ask. The mail poured in when I couldn't think of any other songs about blue jeans, and one helpful reader rushed to my aid when I needed to know the duet status of Paradise By The Dashboard Light. But late last week I was wondering about the True Reason That Tracii Guns Left Guns N' Roses and I have not gotten one piece of mail.
I thought sure that a retired GNR fan would know, although it is entirely possible that I am the last person in the world (other than Jeff J.) that actually cares about Izzy Stradlin. I also sometimes think that I am the last person who remembers when GNR was an actual rock band and not a forum for Axl to act like a complete and total horse's ass. Back when he was still known as W. Axl Rose. Anyway, as of yet no one has clued me in to the secret of Tracii Guns' departure, but thanks to a helpful reader I now know the translation of the phrase Teo Torriatte:
My Japanese college roommate told me that Teo Torriatte did in fact mean Let Us Cling Together. But it was a problematic translation because while cling in English can be metaphorical, apparently it is not so in Japanese, and she got the giggles every time I listened to the song.
I don't think, however, that this disqualifies the song. Las Palabras de Amor does in fact mean the words of love. And Teo Torriatte is one of my favorite songs and it doesn't get on many lists of any kind.
-YetAnother
P.S. No disrespect to a leather clad Mr. Dickinson, but I vote for Roger Taylor in leather pants.
Well, I think that Las Palabras de Amor (The Words of Love) was disqualified simply because it is on Hot Space. Not my favorite album, that one. It's so easy to take shots at Hot Space, and I usually try to be above such behavior, but...man is that album bad. Bad compared to the other albums from 1982? No. (Not that I can even think of an album from 1982 at this very minute, but the fact that I can't just says to me that Hot Space isn't as wretched as other albums released that year.) Oh, no. I bet Van Halen released an album that year. I look forward to a lecture from the Cowboy.
But compare Hot Space to other Queen records, and it becomes a glaring weak spot. You don't even have to compare it to A Night At The Opera (if that is your version of a classic Queen album) or Queen II (my version of a classic Queen album) to know it is bad. Simply look at the albums that surround Hot Space. (I am not counting Flash Gordon here because it was created to be a soundtrack.)
Hot Space is nestled between The Game and The Works, both excellent albums. I am the first to admit that The Works is never my first choice when I want to listen to some Queen, but I still think it is a good album. And The Game is terrific. But somehow in the middle of two decent rock albums sits Hot Space. I bet if I gave it another chance I would find little flashes of brilliance and all sorts of bits that I love, but, you know. Hot Space.
Imaginary phone call:
Any Friend: What are you doing?
Me: Listening to Hot Space.
Friend dies pointing and laughing and it is entirely the fault of Hot Space. Would playing Queen II be the over-the-phone equivalent of CPR? Actually, I think I only have one friend who would know what I was talking about if I mentioned Hot Space. Maybe two. So I can probably listen to it without fear of injuring my friends. Not that I'm going to listen to it, because, you know. Hot Space.
Teo Torriatte is not disqualified because that would mean changing the list, and I don't want to do that. And since let us cling together is not metaphorical in Japanese, that is enough of a technicality to keep it listed. Also, it's from A Day At The Races which is an album I enjoy very much. The song though, not one of my favorites. That is because at the end of the song there is a children's choir. I believe that children's choirs have their place, and that place is as far away from me as humanly possible. It's not cute, it's not heartwarming, and it is under no circumstances endearing. It's children singing on a Queen record and I don't like it. Other than that, it is a fairly pretty song.
P.S. I don't know if I have made myself one hundred percent clear on the Bruce vs. Roger debate. I am talking present day Bruce versus present day Roger. I know people love handsome late seventies Roger, but I am talking about modern times. These days when I look at Bruce Dickinson I don't think, "Dude! It's time to buy yourself some relaxed fit jeans."