yourfairyking
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Post by yourfairyking on May 24, 2021 23:55:27 GMT
I've heard that many people thought 'Jazz' was a terrible album title because it wasn't jazz music. It's always been clear that it's a play on "all of that jazz" (or "more of that jazz" if you prefer), so the album is essentially the jazz. I don't know how people could think they'd make a full jazz record. Might as well assume that 'The Game' is Queen's first computer game.
I remember hearing about this in 'Days of Our Lives', and from some review when the album released. Maybe it just sticks out to me because it's my favorite album title (behind Hot Space), so it seems much dumber than it really is.
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Post by Ryan Newton on May 25, 2021 0:15:49 GMT
I've never heard anyone say that.
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jo
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Post by jo on May 25, 2021 0:37:44 GMT
I've heard that criticism, particularly from Americans who generally don't use the word "Jazz" in a context outside of music. Freddie makes it pretty clear within a few seconds of the needle drop that it's not going to be Jazz. I've also heard the criticism that it was was tailored to an American audience, I don't really know if that was the case but It certainly performed well in the US charts. Of all the Queen albums I think it has aged the best, the singles are largely more popular/well known than they were at the time of the release and there isn't really any songs that are terribly dated. The Game was the block buster here in the U.S. and that has also remained well loved by U.S. Queen fans.
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yourfairyking
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Post by yourfairyking on May 25, 2021 0:49:39 GMT
I've never heard anyone say that. Here's one that I found. They don't say that it's a bad title specifically, but that it's just confusing. " The album’s title seems to be chosen randomly, because the music on the album has little to do with the genre or the album’s (cover) art. In the day and age of punk and new-wave the title could be considered unwise, especially considering the fact the band seemed to want to connect to those genres with their preceding album." en.apoplife.nl/queen-and-fascism-the-jazz-album/And, like jo said, I also believe it's aged quite well, at least in a writing sense. The production is a bit flat in some areas, but it's never really bothered me too much. The songs are incredibly strong, start to finish, which definitely makes up for said flat production.
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pg
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Post by pg on May 25, 2021 6:09:24 GMT
It's a random Dutch person writing a blog.
Why would anyone take THAT seriously??
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Post by The Fairy King on May 25, 2021 8:58:58 GMT
Harvey Kubernik
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jazz78
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Post by jazz78 on May 25, 2021 16:59:13 GMT
Having become a Queen fan the year before this album was released and had already bought the previous 6 albums prior to JAZZ, I was already anticipating the newest release. Yeah, it's sound quality is not as big as their previous albums and a couple of songs fall short of the mark BUT it was still a great album just the same. I bought it just about 2 days after I had seen them in Providence so this album was played to death!!! I still enjoy the title to this day and even named one of my cats Jazz! What it really needs is another mixdown and going through each track to correct some issues with the sound... especially the drums!
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yourfairyking
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Post by yourfairyking on May 25, 2021 23:12:31 GMT
Having become a Queen fan the year before this album was released and had already bought the previous 6 albums prior to JAZZ, I was already anticipating the newest release. Yeah, it's sound quality is not as big as their previous albums and a couple of songs fall short of the mark BUT it was still a great album just the same. I bought it just about 2 days after I had seen them in Providence so this album was played to death!!! I still enjoy the title to this day and even named one of my cats Jazz! What it really needs is another mixdown and going through each track to correct some issues with the sound... especially the drums! I think this is the closest we'll get for the moment. youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-Dlrh3xUEoRhsQcmSFrPCfkHNR32LZkq
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basch
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Post by basch on Jun 1, 2021 21:52:16 GMT
I think the title 'Jazz' sticks less with people who don't have English as their mother language, simply because they're less familiar with the different connotations the word jazz has. But that's just a guess. I don't hate it as a title, but don't like it either.
After all those years, I still like the album though. For me, it suffers a bit from the strange running order of the songs. With a diffferent running order, I think it would've become a more cohesive whole. Nevertheless it contains some gems. I really like Jealousy and Dead On Time and it's a pity both songs weren't included in the live setlist. In the early nineties I spoke Brian about Dead on Time and asked him why it was never played live. He said that he wanted to play it live during the Jazz tour, but that the other three thought the song didn't work out live (which possibly means that they've tried it during rehearsals, although Brian didn't say that in particular- That is just my interpretation of his words). I'm glad that If You Can't Beat Them was on the setlist in 1979, but unfortunately in the end also dropped from the setlist.
All in all, Jazz was a great ending to Queen's music in the 70's. Queen's 80's records did less for me, although they got it back on track with The Miracle and I think Innuendo is a classic, that belongs to the same category of all their classic records from the 70's.
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georg
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Post by georg on Jun 1, 2021 23:14:38 GMT
Rock a La Carte would’ve been a much better name. Or Razzamatazz.
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yourfairyking
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Post by yourfairyking on Jun 2, 2021 4:11:19 GMT
For me, it suffers a bit from the strange running order of the songs. With a diffferent running order, I think it would've become a more cohesive whole. Nevertheless it contains some gems. Queen never seemed to have a fantastic track order on their albums. The closest four that really get it right are 'Innuendo', 'Queen I', 'The Works', and 'Hot Space'. 'Jazz' isn't terrible, but starting with 'Mustapha', as much as I love that song, was a poor choice. Especially when you have 'Let Me Entertain You' as the side closer. I don't really know where 'Mustapha' would go, but the end of side one would be fine.
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Post by martinpacker on Jun 2, 2021 14:13:18 GMT
starting with 'Mustapha', as much as I love that song, was a poor choice. I think starting with that was a big "F*** you" to the critics.
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georg
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Post by georg on Jun 2, 2021 15:41:19 GMT
I think starting with that was a big "F*** you" to the critics. As much as I dislike the track (and I don’t dislike it as much as I used to) it is a startling and effective opener, something the band were generally good at. And the way it starts in mono and then opens up into stereo is stunning. I think I’ve come to appreciate it more as a song or a piece rather than as a potential single to be played on the radio. That’s something I need to remind myself of every now and then with Queen: not everything they did was intended for the hit parade, and should be listened as such.
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Lord Fickle
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Post by Lord Fickle on Jun 2, 2021 16:40:01 GMT
As much as I dislike the track (and I don’t dislike it as much as I used to) it is a startling and effective opener, something the band were generally good at. And the way it starts in mono and then opens up into stereo is stunning. I remember first hearing it, and in 1978 it certainly had a sonic 'wow' factor. The album didn't sound bad at all at the time, but time has certainly not been kind to its production values. In fact, a funny story is attached to that, as I first heard Jazz while I was staying with a very prim and proper Aunt (I was 14 at the time), and she got quite a shock when she looked at the album cover and unfolded the poster! 😄
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basch
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Post by basch on Jun 2, 2021 16:40:22 GMT
Rock a La Carte would’ve been a much better name. Or Razzamatazz. Razzamatazz would've been a great title.
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Lord Fickle
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Post by Lord Fickle on Jun 2, 2021 16:41:53 GMT
Rock a La Carte would’ve been a much better name. Or Razzamatazz. Razzamatazz would've been a great title. Nazareth had beaten them to that one. RazzamaJazz? 🤔
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chowder
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Post by chowder on Jun 21, 2021 12:26:03 GMT
I think it is (indeed?) an odd album and I always think that Freddie has a different accent on a number of songs, which I don't hear on other albums. But that also makes this album very interesting and there are some great tunes on it. Especially the ones not sung by Freddie.
I recall that, when I just entered the Queen world around the early 90's, I knew someone who also liked Queen, but she also hadn't heard all of their albums yet. When I told her that I ordered an album called Jazz, she immediately said that Queen does not make jazz music. Funny remark which ties in with a comment made by the topic starter.
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BrƎИsꓘi
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Post by BrƎИsꓘi on Jun 21, 2021 13:54:53 GMT
Queen never seemed to have a fantastic track order on their albums. The closest four that really get it right are 'Innuendo', 'Queen I', 'The Works', and 'Hot Space'. 'Jazz' isn't terrible, but starting with 'Mustapha', as much as I love that song, was a poor choice. Especially when you have 'Let Me Entertain You' as the side closer. I don't really know where 'Mustapha' would go, but the end of side one would be fine. there are some really good album titles - but neither The Works, nor Hot Space could be deemed so (for me). why? The Works - really isn't "what it says on the tin" - in reality, it's anything but that. Too much fakery with synthesised instruments, and not much in quality or true variety. The Works [definition]: Everything, the full range of possibilities - it really isn't. Hot Space - i'm sure i read a quote somewhere where a band member (back in '82) tried to define what a "hot space" is. the definition being something that was musically on trend - ie fashionable right now. Hot Space was nothing of the sort, it was (in truth) between 7 and 4 years too late. the funk/dance/disco thing had had its (studio 54) day in the mid/late 70s, and most decent rock bands - and some shitty ones too (Kiss) had trod this path long before Queen. Therefore, both of the above album titles are really unsuitable - if the band had intended the titles to actually mean anything. Conversely, Jazz does work - the whole thing was conceived well, an absolute smorgasbord of genres infused with constant variations in playing styles - and the small matter of the New Orleans launch party, was perfect affirmation of the title. Now, as for titles that were good - either because they were fitting or - just great album titles, I'd include: Innuendo, Miracle, Made In Heaven (the former) and News of The World, A Day At The Races, A Night At The Opera (the latter).
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Lord Fickle
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Post by Lord Fickle on Jun 21, 2021 13:58:40 GMT
Queen never seemed to have a fantastic track order on their albums. The closest four that really get it right are 'Innuendo', 'Queen I', 'The Works', and 'Hot Space'. 'Jazz' isn't terrible, but starting with 'Mustapha', as much as I love that song, was a poor choice. Especially when you have 'Let Me Entertain You' as the side closer. I don't really know where 'Mustapha' would go, but the end of side one would be fine. there are some really good album titles - but neither The Works, nor Hot Space could be deemed so (for me). why? The Works - really isn't "what it says on the tin" - in reality, it's anything but that. Too much fakery with synthesised instruments, and not much in quality or true variety. The Works [definition]: Everything, the full range of possibilities - it really isn't. Hot Space - i'm sure i read a quote somewhere where a band member tried to define what a "hot space" is. the definition being something that was musically on trend - ie fashionable right now. Hot Space was nothing of the sort, it was (in truth) between 7 and 4 years too late. the funk/dance/disco thing had had its (studio 54) day in the mid/late 70s, and most decent rock bands - and some shitty ones too (Kiss) had trod this path long before Queen. Therefore, both of the above album titles are really unsuitable - if the band had intended the titles to actually mean anything. Conversely, Jazz does work - the whole thing was conceived well, an absolute smorgasbord of genres infused with constant variations in playing styles - and the small matter of the New Orleans launch party, was perfect affirmation of the title. Now, as for titles that were good - either because they were fitting or - just great album titles, I'd include: Innuendo, Miracle, Made In Heaven (the former) and News of The World, A Day At The Races, A Night At The Opera (the latter). I think you could criticise most album titles under 'trades descriptions'. Where is there any news in News Of The World? There's nothing about horses or any other kind of racing in ADATR. The only ones that really fit in that context are Queen, Queen II, and ANATO for the Bohemian Rhapsody middle section. 🙂
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Egietje
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Post by Egietje on Jun 21, 2021 14:42:32 GMT
there are some really good album titles - but neither The Works, nor Hot Space could be deemed so (for me). why? The Works - really isn't "what it says on the tin" - in reality, it's anything but that. Too much fakery with synthesised instruments, and not much in quality or true variety. The Works [definition]: Everything, the full range of possibilities - it really isn't. Hot Space - i'm sure i read a quote somewhere where a band member tried to define what a "hot space" is. the definition being something that was musically on trend - ie fashionable right now. Hot Space was nothing of the sort, it was (in truth) between 7 and 4 years too late. the funk/dance/disco thing had had its (studio 54) day in the mid/late 70s, and most decent rock bands - and some shitty ones too (Kiss) had trod this path long before Queen. Therefore, both of the above album titles are really unsuitable - if the band had intended the titles to actually mean anything. Conversely, Jazz does work - the whole thing was conceived well, an absolute smorgasbord of genres infused with constant variations in playing styles - and the small matter of the New Orleans launch party, was perfect affirmation of the title. Now, as for titles that were good - either because they were fitting or - just great album titles, I'd include: Innuendo, Miracle, Made In Heaven (the former) and News of The World, A Day At The Races, A Night At The Opera (the latter). I think you could criticise most album titles under 'trades descriptions'. Where is there any news in News Of The World? There's nothing about horses or any other kind of racing in ADATR. The only ones that really fit in that context are Queen, Queen II, and ANATO for the Bohemian Rhapsody middle section. 🙂 There was also some talk of miracles on The Miracle , and one might say it was a miracle Freddie was still able to sing as well as he did until the end, though that would be more fitting for a few years later. And, although this is just one point of view and nothing that should be taken too seriously, with Freddie sadly being gone when Made in Heaven was in production (putting the actual album together, not most writing/recording), it was almost as if Freddie helped make the album from 'heaven', hence the title Made in Heaven being quite fitting imo.
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billy
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Post by billy on Jun 23, 2021 19:34:31 GMT
I thought the title fit, as Dreamer’s Ball seemed “jazzy” to me (what little I knew of jazz). They’d had opera in a title, and now jazz. Not a big deal for my favorite eclectic rock band. But I also thought there might be a British definition of jazz that I wasn’t aware of, just like I didn’t know News of the World was a British newspaper. Or that ANATO and ADATR were Marx Brothers film titles.
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BrƎИsꓘi
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Post by BrƎИsꓘi on Jun 23, 2021 21:11:40 GMT
I think you could criticise most album titles under 'trades descriptions'. well, yes. some artists liked to "keep it real" though: Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin II Led Zeppelin III Led Zeppelin IV they went a bit "rogue" after that Peter Gabriel Peter Gabriel Peter Gabriel Peter Gabriel after being bereft of titling capability he follows those four LPs with "So" "Us" and "Up" - controversial stuff, or his typewriter had lots of non-functioning keys? Van Halen Van Halen II not so dedicated to stretching a point, were they? Traveling Wilburys Vol 1 Traveling Wilburys Vol 3 skipping vol 2 - to confuse the simpletons Chickenfoot Chickenfoot III taking an unoriginal leaf out of the Wilbury's book The Hollies [1964] The Hollies [1974] how to confuse folk...release two different albums ten years apart with the same title Fleetwood Mac [1968] Fleetwood Mac [1975] a bit of a Hollies stunt? McCartney McCartney II McCartney III ...fifty years (count them) between I & III - a record, surely?
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dysan
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Post by dysan on Jun 24, 2021 8:38:27 GMT
Even as a kid I took Jazz to mean "Jazz it up, guys!" IE "to make something more interesting, exciting, or attractive" which fits the album perfectly after the stripped down NOTW. It's obviously a nice play on words too, because depending who you ask Jazz can mean sex which is also very Queen and one of the main themes of the record. It's just a cool and unusual word for a cool and unusual album.
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Frank
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Post by Frank on Jun 25, 2021 2:08:36 GMT
The New Orleans party association and the sexual nature of the album both give the title credit. Plus I'd argue Dreamers Ball does sound jazzy enough. It works. And actually, Jazz has grown on me the most out of any album. Despite its production it's a very fun record. The only track that drives me mad is Fun It. I just think the hook sounds stupid. "Don't shun it...fun it!" Lol I laughed when just tonight I found a car's license plate that actually read "Fun It." I couldn't believe it!
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yourfairyking
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Post by yourfairyking on Jun 25, 2021 4:07:56 GMT
I think you could criticise most album titles under 'trades descriptions'. well, yes. some artists liked to "keep it real" though: Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin II Led Zeppelin III Led Zeppelin IV they went a bit "rogue" after that Peter Gabriel Peter Gabriel Peter Gabriel Peter Gabriel after being bereft of titling capability he follows those four LPs with "So" "Us" and "Up" - controversial stuff, or his typewriter had lots of non-functioning keys? Van Halen Van Halen II not so dedicated to stretching a point, were they? Traveling Wilburys Vol 1 Traveling Wilburys Vol 3 skipping vol 2 - to confuse the simpletons Chickenfoot Chickenfoot III taking an unoriginal leaf out of the Wilbury's book The Hollies [1964] The Hollies [1974] how to confuse folk...release two different albums ten years apart with the same title Fleetwood Mac [1968] Fleetwood Mac [1975] a bit of a Hollies stunt? McCartney McCartney II McCartney III ...fifty years (count them) between I & III - a record, surely? I'm starting to think Queen should've gone full-on Talking Heads style, and just named each of their albums after the year they were recorded. Jazz would've been called Queen:78. Effectively saying "this is how we sound this year."
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Post by boredatwork on Jul 26, 2021 3:25:30 GMT
How was Jazz received generally in America when released? Looking back in hindsight, it seems a bit of an oddity sandwiched between the 2 huge Stateside studio albums (I think the only 2 that sold better in the US than in the UK, comparatively). NOTW is constantly mentioned as an iconic album that influenced so many and The Game was obviously a monster, but Jazz is barely referred to, at least looking from the outside.
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BrƎИsꓘi
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Post by BrƎИsꓘi on Jul 26, 2021 13:29:49 GMT
How was Jazz received generally in America when released? Looking back in hindsight, it seems a bit of an oddity sandwiched between the 2 huge Stateside studio albums (I think the only 2 that sold better in the US than in the UK, comparatively). NOTW is constantly mentioned as an iconic album that influenced so many and The Game was obviously a monster, but Jazz is barely referred to, at least looking from the outside. if we're just talking about the USA, then perhaps a bit more context is required. yes it (Jazz) was sandwiched between two huge LPs, but that was Queen's path in the USA (until America dumped Queen): Sheer Heart Attack - RIAA - GOLD (>500,000) A Night at the Opera - RIAA - 3x Platinum (>3,000,000) A Day at the Races - RIAA: Platinum (>1,000,000) NOTW - RIAA: 4× Platinum (>4,000,000) Jazz - RIAA: Platinum (>1,000,000) Game - RIAA: 4× Platinum (>4,000,000) Hot Space - RIAA: Gold (>500,000) My point being: Queen's USA mega-sellers were alternating with those shifting 500,000 - 1,999,999 copies.
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goose44
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Post by goose44 on Jul 27, 2021 20:53:48 GMT
Queens sales figures are very inaccurate. I don't think their records have ben updated properly in years. Examples are for the US, JAZZ is at least 2x platinum and AKOM should be platinum. Hollywood records probably has no money to pay royalties to get the real sales figures.
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BrƎИsꓘi
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Post by BrƎИsꓘi on Jul 27, 2021 21:03:52 GMT
Queens sales figures are very inaccurate. I don't think their records have ben updated properly in years. Examples are for the US, JAZZ is at least 2x platinum and AKOM should be platinum. Hollywood records probably has no money to pay royalties to get the real sales figures. surely this would apply to the entire catalogue, so my point still stands: queen's USA album sales would alternate between mega-sellers and not-so-mega.
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Post by boredatwork on Jul 28, 2021 2:06:07 GMT
How was Jazz received generally in America when released? Looking back in hindsight, it seems a bit of an oddity sandwiched between the 2 huge Stateside studio albums (I think the only 2 that sold better in the US than in the UK, comparatively). NOTW is constantly mentioned as an iconic album that influenced so many and The Game was obviously a monster, but Jazz is barely referred to, at least looking from the outside. if we're just talking about the USA, then perhaps a bit more context is required. yes it (Jazz) was sandwiched between two huge LPs, but that was Queen's path in the USA (until America dumped Queen): Sheer Heart Attack - RIAA - GOLD (>500,000) A Night at the Opera - RIAA - 3x Platinum (>3,000,000) A Day at the Races - RIAA: Platinum (>1,000,000) NOTW - RIAA: 4× Platinum (>4,000,000) Jazz - RIAA: Platinum (>1,000,000) Game - RIAA: 4× Platinum (>4,000,000) Hot Space - RIAA: Gold (>500,000) My point being: Queen's USA mega-sellers were alternating with those shifting 500,000 - 1,999,999 copies. I never noticed the pattern like that before! And I don't think I ever realised quite how much of a drop off there was between The Game and Hot Space!! Just proves that it obviously wasn't the IWTBF video that killed their careers in America (as often stated).... The rot started before that. Another One Bites The Dust could paradoxically be their biggest US single yet also what ended their success there for 10+ years? If that wasn't such a hit, they may not have even attempted something like Hot Space?! Pure conjecture on my behalf, obviously
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