GREAT COVERS | Scorpions - Love Of My Life (Episode 2)

#scorpions #queen #virginrock
I have a special spot for this song; not only is it incredibly beautiful in its own right, but it was also the very first song I listened to as I started off on this journey of discovery. And yet, Scorpions managed to do it justice, too, and bring their own kind of “special” to their rendition.

Here’s the link to the original recording:

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Special thanks to those who are keeping my ko-fi cup supplied:
I’ve formed the habit of publishing all the names of my supporters simply because I appreciate your appreciation of my work, and I want to recognize each one of you personally. But, unfortunately, YouTube allows a limited number of characters for the description, and I cannot fit all names anymore. So, this is my message to each one of my supporters personally:
THANK YOU!
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Amy Shafer, LRSM, FRSM, RYC, is a classical harpist, pianist, and music teacher, Director of Piano Studies and Assistant Director of Harp Studies for The Harp School, Inc., holds multiple degrees in harp and piano performance and teaching, and is active as a solo and collaborative performer. With nearly two decades of teaching experience, she teaches privately, presents masterclasses and coaching sessions, and has performed and taught in Europe and USA.

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Credits: Music written and performed by Queen

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[KierAce]

I don't think Freddy ever sang a song the same way twice. He fed off the energy of the crowd and tried to give that energy back to them, singing what he felt in the moment. That's why I love watching his different live performances.

[SynphamyMusic]

I've always had enormous respect for Scorpions, their singer is one of the greatest. He always sounds incredible. I wonder if they consciously avoided doing all the Freddie-isms on purpose because everyone knows there's only one Freddie. Scorpions have done a ton of covers and they always fit so well in their own sound, they can pay tribute to great artists without the need to mimic them and Klaus has such a unique voice, he just does what he does best.

[Quotenwagnerianer]

It is so easy as an outisider to take this stuff for granted, but imagine how it must have felt for Freddie.
You wrote a song, and composing, apart from being self expression, is also about pleasing others AND pleasing yourself. You yourself want to like what you wrote.
And then you perform your song live and tens of thousands sing it with you.
What an experience that must have been.

[Mrvictorfernandes]

I will forever have a soft spot for the Wembley '86 version of "Love Of My Life." It fills an emptiness in my heart while grieving simultaneously, but I cherish it like the memory of a lost love. Thank you Freddie for being the emotional voice to the reclusive heart.

[arnodobler]

You have to listen to the Queen live in Rio version, about 500, 000 Brazilians sing perfectly.

[CLechleitner]

"Love of my Life" at a Queen concert is not just a live version of a song.

"Love of my Life" (and "Bohemian Rhapsody") are the emotional cornerstones and the backbone of each and every Queen concert and it HAS to be sung by the audience.
That's even more true now with Freddie only present virutally. Just watch any of the videos of the more recent live renditions of the song. It's Brian on guitar, Freddie on the video wall, and the audience.

Queen and Freddie are the musical loves of many of our lifes, and the audience is the love of the band's and Freddie's professional lifes.

IMO some performances from the "Freddie Mercury Tribute" belong in this series too even if term "cover" might be arguable there. Particularily "Somebody to Love" (George Michael) is #wow.
Other candidates from that gig are "I Want to break free" (Lisa Stansfield), "We are the Champions" (Liza Minelli!) and "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Elton John & Axl Rose), and others.

[Whitestripe]

I'm so glad you watched Queen's live version of this song - and I was actually there in the crowd at that performance. It was literally the first concert of any kind I'd ever been to - I was 14 and with my dad! It's so interesting hearing you talk about the audience participation, because I am somewhere in that crowd of voices, singing along! My memories of the day are so positive - there was such a warm and friendly atmosphere in the stadium, and Queen had an ability to play these huge venues but still maintain a feeling of intimacy - quite a rare thing, I think. I've seen a lot of bands and artists in large venues, and sometimes the feeling of intimacy can be lost - but the opposite seemed to happen with Queen and they really seemed to suit these massive venues. Anyway, enjoyed the video as always and it's very interesting to hear your thoughts about both of these interpretations and performances of the song!

[deboraclark]

Freddie was making love with the audience, but also making the song have two meanings. The original meaning is his love of Mary, and also the audience. Lovely cover by the Scorpions❤️ great reaction

[Hartlor_Tayley]

Brian playing solo acoustic guitar to a stadium crowd and Freddie’s charisma etc. just incredible. The scorpions in a completely different setting making it work to that audience. All the great live bands knew you had to play to the room and merge with the audience on some level. It’s hard to explain. Great video and commentary. Thank you

[DropAnchor]

Klaus is just amazing. Clarity and excellent intonation.

[madmanasaurusRex]

I’ve never seen the Scorpions version. Pretty darned good really! Very true to the original. A true German homage to the British band Queen. Thank you Amy/Vlad. 😊

[AliT]

That was interesting. I find Freddie’s version is more passionate, emotional perhaps because the song is so personal to him. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the Scorpion version. Would love to see you do Simon & Garfunkel’s Sounds of Silence and the cover done by Disturbed.

[kendallneason]

When I hear this song sung by Freddie I hear such emotion it makes me weep. I’ve always been jealous of his former girlfriend/ best friend Mary Austin. How amazing he wrote a song for her that thousands of people sang. I love Scorpions original Still Loving You, Wind of Change and Rock You Like A Hurricane. Interesting to hear the differences in Queens’ song. Very different but better than most modern covers I hear these days. Nobody can sing with emotion like Freddie Mercury though. He just enthralls me. Always. ❤

[sambirch]

It's interesting that more established bands haven't covered Queen songs considering what a large back catalogue Queen has. It's probably down to the fact that few bands feel they could create a cover that would do justice to the original. Klaus pulls it off because he has a genuinely strong and characterful voice and he's backed by very able musicians.

[nvskibum]

For more Freddie- related covers:

1. The Great Pretender- The Platters original vs. Freddie’s cover (music video version).

2. Tutti Frutti—Little Richard’s original vs. Queen’s cover in ‘86 Live at Wembley concert.

3. Can’t remember if you discussed George Michael’s cover of Queen’s Somebody to Love at the Freddie Mercury Tribute concert, often called the greatest Queen cover ever and perhaps George Michael’s greatest live performance.

4. The Show Must Go On, from Queen’s Innuendo album vs. Céline Dion’s cover in her first concert😮 after the passing of her husband/manager. Very touching and appropriate song.

[Fadeyes]

This song is pure love throughout my life. I like scorpions version as well, i always felt thought that the are rushing it a bit in terms of rhythm.

[celiamolina-rgcr]

Freddie is looking for the participation of the audience, that is why he sing a bit and let the audience take control of the song. Of course it need to be different because he is singing parts of the song. It do not let him puts the emotions of the song together. The other singer did a fantastic job singing, he has a clear and beautiful voice. Freddie is unique, I am glad this singer did this cover, because he did an amazing cover, and at the same time is spreading Freddie legacy’s music. I love Freddie until I die, but this singer was not trying to to imitate or disrespect him.

[jj-xtyz]

Having seen Queen many times (even with Freddie - Glasgow 79, Edinburgh 82 and Newcastle 86) Freddie, unlike some of his peers, was entirely focused on the audience every second he was on stage. He was NEVER self-indulgent and seeing him in person was like being with a friend

I think he meant it when he sang 'I still love you' to the audience and, in his final video performance when he was very frail, he used those words again to say goodbye to his fans and the world 😢

[chergui]

Thank you Amy for your assessment of the 3 versions of "Love of My Life." It indeed was fitting that you went back to your first Queen song, and I'm thrilled to hear that you continue to listen to that song. In my opinion, whenever Freddie sang/performed a song, whether in the studio or live, he did it with complete PASSION. I don't know how else to explain Freddie's singing. As you watch live performances, look at his face, look at the sweat pouring out of him. He's passionate about every word and note he sings. I'm not sure I'd call it theatrical...maybe a little...but, passionate, YES!!! Passion towards the crowd, towards all genres of music, towards the recipient of the song (in this case, supposedly it's written for his former girlfriend and long time friend, Mary Austin). Freddie puts every fiber of his being into singing and conveying a feeling to the listener; it's as if Freddie reaches deep into his belly and heart and pulls out the feelings and bares them and his soul to the listener. Again, in my opinion, it's hard to find a singer who can demonstrate that kind of talent. RIP Freddie Mercury.

[LeeKennison]

I really enjoyed both of the Queen & Scorpions performances and your reactions. Interesting comments on the different qualities of singing by Freddie and Klaus, along with the different style and tonality in the piano. I am really glad you enjoyed both performances so much. Along with Stevie Ray this is a great start to your first Great Covers weekend. I know the idea of covers in rock interests you Amy, and there are a whole bunch of possibilities with this series. I can already tell from all the recommendations that were in the comments on your last one that your community also likes this idea.