"Las Palabras de Amor (The Words of Love)" is a rock ballad by the English rock band Queen. It was released as the third single from their 1982 album Hot Space. Written by guitarist Brian May, the song proved more popular in the United Kingdom than their previous single ("Body Language"), reaching #17 in the UK Singles Chart.[1]
Contents[]
[hide] *1 Background
Background[edit][]
The song's lyrics were written by guitarist Brian May.[2] Vocals were provided by lead singer Freddie Mercury with May on the high harmony vocal. The song was inspired by the band's close relationship with their Latin-American fans. It marked the band's fourth appearance on Top of the Pops (the first, second and third being for "Seven Seas of Rhye", "Killer Queen" and "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" respectively). For this mimed performance May is seen playing a grand piano and, on the recording, he plays both piano and synths in addition to acoustic and electric guitars. May also sang lead vocals for the harmonized line "this time and evermore" throughout the song. At one point Mercury is seen miming incorrect words.
During the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium in 1992, this was the third song of the second half, performed by Zucchero and Queen.[3] In Queen + Paul Rodgers Rock The Cosmos-tour 2008 it was played in the Spanish speaking countries, sung by Brian.
This song also made it onto 1999 Queen's Greatest Hits III after Made in Heaven song "Heaven for Everyone" but before Brian May's single "Driven by You".[2]
Singer Elaine Paige recorded the song for her 1988 album of Queen cover versions.
The baby's face image of the single's cover would reappear on The Cross single for their song "New Dark Ages".
Personnel[edit][]
- Freddie Mercury - lead and backing vocals
- Brian May - lead and backing vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, piano, synthesizer
- Roger Taylor - drums, backing vocals
- John Deacon - bass guitar
Charts[edit][]
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK | 17 |
| Ireland | 10 |