29: Ain't Much I'm Asking

29. "I Want It All" by Queen {#50; 5/89} [Video: I Want It All.]

What in the heck was wrong with people in 1989? How could they not see that this is a great song? "I Want It All" by Queen could only make it to #50 on the charts, and yet here is a partial list of the crap that made it to #1 in 1989:

"My Prerogitive" by Bobby Brown
"Lost In Your Eyes" by Debbie Gibson
"Like a Prayer" by Madonna
"Rock On" by Michael Damian
"Satisfied" by Richard Marx
"Toy Soldiers" by Martika
"Batdance" by Prince
"Girl I'm Gonna Miss You" by Milli Vanilli
"Hangin' Tough" by New Kids On the Block
"Cold Hearted" by Paula Abdul
"Listen to Your Heart" by Roxette
and
"Another Day In Paradise" by Phil Collins

That, my friend, is a list full of turdage! And yet, "I Want It All" could only make it to #50?!?

I firmly believe that if "I Want It All" had been released more during the middle of Queen's heyday, in the late 70s or early 80s, it would have been a giant hit. It's an excellent song! A great rocker! Greed is good! Instant gratification! I want it all! And, I want it now!!! (Seriously. "Body Language," which is a horrible song, made it to #11 in 1982. If "I Want It All" had been released in 1982 it would have at least reached the Top 5!)

I should point out that there are two versions of this song, the album version and the single version. Usually when this happens, I prefer the album version, because the single version often chops off portions of the song. (See: "Pressure," "Come Sail Away," and "Piano Man.")

However, in this instance it is the single version that is far superior. Why? The album version starts with some guitars, then goes to the first verse, then reaches the chorus. Meanwhile, the single version goes straight to the dadgum chorus! The chorus is the best part of the song! The song is about wanting it all and wanting it now! So, of course the song should lead off with the chorus!!! The difference between the album and the single versions of this song is enormous! I don't know if the album version would even crack the HondoJoe Top 400, and yet the single version is nestled away in the Top 30!!! (That's a big difference!)

(I can think of one other song where the single version is far superior to the album version, only now I can't seem to find the single version anywhere, "Turn Up the Radio" by Autograph. The only version I can find now starts with a guitar intro; in my memory, the song started off with the lead singer yelling "Turn it up!" before any guitars at all.) (I could be mis-remembering.)

COMING UP NEXT: If I could turn back time.