Stairway to Heaven or Bohemian Rhapsody?
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Topic: Stairway to Heaven or Bohemian Rhapsody?
Posted By: TexasKing
Subject: Stairway to Heaven or Bohemian Rhapsody?
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 11:54
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Which classic tune do you prefer? BR for me. Never a big fan of Stairway.
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Replies:
Posted By: Larkstongue41
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 12:07
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I heard too much Queen during childhood which makes it hard for me to really listen to them today. For this reason I listen to "Stairway to Heaven" a lot more but my vote still goes to "Bohemian Rhapsody" (mostly due to the harmonic vocals) although I wouldn't mind never hearing it again. ------------- "Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar." |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 12:16
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Feel like I’ve heard both too many times which is no fault with their quality. There are a great many Zep tracks I prefer to Stairway to Heaven. — unlike most people , of the long tracks a particular favourite of mine is Carouselambra, ------------- Watching while most appreciating a sunset in the moment need not diminish all the glorious sunsets I have observed before. It can be much like that with music for me. |
Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 12:55
| Depends on my mood. |
Posted By: Progosopher
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 13:51
Carouselambra is also a favorite of mine.  Achilles Last Stand and Kashmir are also among my favorites. I love Stairway and have heard it so many times I can sing along to every part to it - not just the vocals but the guitar, drums, bass, recorders. Everything. I am giving it my vote simply because I am so much more familiar with it. Not that Bohemian Rhapsody is second rate by any means.------------- The world of sound is certainly capable of infinite variety and, were our sense developed, of infinite extensions. -- George Santayana, "The Sense of Beauty" |
Logan wrote:Posted By: Manuel
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 14:48
| Too close to choose for me. I guess I enjoy them very much, and depending on the mood I'm in, I would play the one that suits me better. |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 14:48
agreed
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Posted By: AZF
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 15:15
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BR is more fun. Stairway is too stuffy. Mind you, Carouselambra Vs BR would be a tougher choice! |
Posted By: Hercules
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 16:09
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They're both excellent but neither is the best track ever by any means. BR is more creative but pretentious; STH is just a great rock track. I'd go for BR, just. ------------- A TVR is not a car. It's a way of life. |
Posted By: maryes
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 16:26
| Both great songs... but Starway Heaven !!! |
Posted By: The.Crimson.King
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 19:26
BR for me...STH is one of my least fave LZ songs  ------------- https://wytchcrypt.wixsite.com/mutiny-in-jonestown" rel="nofollow - Mutiny in Jonestown : Progressive Rock Since 1987 |
Posted By: Barbu
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 20:55
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Stairway ------------- |
Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 21:17
Yeah, same as Comfortably Numb/ABITW, just can't find the urge to listen to them anymore. Though I will enjoy it when I do. As a composition, I think Stairway has a better flow. I know the pastiche aspect of Rhapsody is intentional but it gets in the way now for me (which is why Show Must Go On is my favourite Queen song these days). On the other hand, I prefer Freddie's pure vocal delivery by far to Plant's terribly affected singing on Stairway (as in many other songs). Still...just for the elegant build up of Stairway, leading to the climactic guitar explosion, will give the nod to Stairway.
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 21:43
| Stairway to Heaven for me, though I do love both. |
Posted By: twosteves
Date Posted: November 25 2017 at 22:52
same here---It's Queens best song and one of Zeps average songs
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Posted By: Wanorak
Date Posted: November 26 2017 at 09:05
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Bohemian Rhapsody. ------------- A GREAT YEAR FOR PROG!!! |
Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: November 26 2017 at 15:50
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Stairway.......but then I have never been much of a Queen fan. Their stuff was often far too 'campy' for me.
------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin |
Posted By: Squonk19
Date Posted: November 26 2017 at 16:45
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Stairway - a very complete song. BR is a gold-plated classic, but must bow down to the daddy of epics! By the way........Does anyone remember laughter? ------------- “Living in their pools, they soon forget about the sea.” |
Posted By: AEProgman
Date Posted: November 26 2017 at 16:49
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Gave it to Zep as it is such a classic (although overplayed, could say the same about BR), but love both for different reasons. ------------- 
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Posted By: ClosetothSupperBrick
Date Posted: November 26 2017 at 18:17
| What do I have to do to get permission to vote in this poll? Do I not have enough "experience" to be able to vote?... |
Posted By: Larkstongue41
Date Posted: November 26 2017 at 19:07
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^ You need a certain number of points. You get one point for each post you make and you receive 5 points when you are thanked. You need 20, 30 or 40 (I can't quite remember) points to vote in polls. Here I'll give you a thank so you'll be closer. Welcome to PA's btw! ------------- "Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar." |
Posted By: Blaqua
Date Posted: November 26 2017 at 20:43
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The out of this world BR I like Stairway too ofc
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Posted By: Thatfabulousalien
Date Posted: November 26 2017 at 21:55
Brown Shoes Don't Make it  ------------- Classical music isn't dead, it's more alive than it's ever been. It's just not on MTV. https://www.soundcloud.com/user-322914325 |
Posted By: iluvmarillion
Date Posted: November 26 2017 at 22:04
| Used to love Stairway. Now I just think Led Zeppelin have written better songs. For instance listen to Dazed and Confused; brilliant song. As for BR I've never been a fan of the song. I'm more a fan of Brian May the guitarist than a Queen fan. |
Posted By: Libor10
Date Posted: November 27 2017 at 02:36
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BR. Not easily, but it's IMO more complex song than classic rock piece STH. In fact as somebody write above, Zep's Carouselambra is more interesting for me too (not that I put it before BR). And true is I heard both these songs too many times and being a little bored when I listen to them. More to it, Queen have better songs than BR (The March Of The Black Queen over BR everyday; or The Prophet's Song for that matter). ------------- 
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Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: November 27 2017 at 05:01
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Not a fan of either band but these are both classics. I appreciate the Rhapsody but have always loved Stairways. |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: November 27 2017 at 05:04
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Bohemian Rhapsody. I've probably heard it enough now, but it is rock genius and completely unique in feel and structure...especially for a hit single!! Stairway is a just a very good song, but nowhere near Zeps best. ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: November 27 2017 at 05:16
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Oh by the way I hope that all of you know the hilarious "The Money Or The Gun" album/show, "Stairway" times 22. |
Posted By: Mormegil
Date Posted: November 27 2017 at 05:25
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No vote - can't decide. Both are incredible, but it depends on my mood. ------------- Welcome to the middle of the film. |
Posted By: Jeffro
Date Posted: November 27 2017 at 06:52
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Scaramouche, scaramouche, will you do the fandango? ------------- We all dwell in an amber subdomain, amber subdomain, amber subdomain. My face IS a maserati |
Posted By: digdug
Date Posted: November 27 2017 at 09:39
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both songs are amazing and deserve the fame they have. I vote Stairway but it's close. ------------- Prog On! |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: November 27 2017 at 09:40
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Queen ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: November 27 2017 at 14:42
 Stairway'. Can't imagine Pink including it into one of her shows. Never really get tired of hearing it on occasion which I can't say for that other ditty.------------- "It just has none of the qualities of your work that I find interesting. Abandon [?] it." - Eno |
Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: November 27 2017 at 14:46
------------- "It just has none of the qualities of your work that I find interesting. Abandon [?] it." - Eno |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: November 27 2017 at 14:49
| Both are very over played imo. I chose Stairway although I like both. |
Posted By: HackettFan
Date Posted: November 28 2017 at 18:11
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Stairway to Heaven. It's hard for me to believe this is close. I don't care for Bohemian Rhapsody. I don't care for opera either. I tolerate it with Amon Düül because it's embedded in really nice improv. Bohemian is too packaged, no space to move in. ------------- A curse upon the heads of those who seek their fortunes in a lie. The truth is always waiting when there's nothing left to try. - Colin Henson, Jade Warrior (Now) |
Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: November 29 2017 at 06:42
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I used to say that Stairway to Heaven is my all-time favorite song, but Kashmir is my favorite Led Zeppelin song. Bohemian Rhapsody is a fun song, and probably everyone's favorite scene from the Wayne's World movie. ------------- 
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: November 29 2017 at 21:02
So, which would be your favourite version of Kashmir? Original 70's, Unledded version, or the live reunion version of a few years ago? I was just listening to the 3 of them and just can't choose, they are all great. |
Posted By: stewe
Date Posted: November 29 2017 at 23:48
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To be "objective", Bohemian Rhapsody is miles ahead in terms of creativity, intricacy, artistry, progressiveness. Stairway to Heaven is "just" beautiful ballad, rather lengthy, with repetitive themes all over the track and 3-chord simple hard rock ending. However they are somewhat equal to me, and incomparable, as Stairway (and other Zeppelin) have a specific strong emotional impact on me (spontaneity, intensiveness... a bit hippie-like) whereas (early) Queen impress me more by aesthetics, composition, intellect. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/trevorrabin/?chartstyle=basic10" rel="nofollow">  <a href="http://steveer.ic.cz" rel="nofollow" |
Posted By: CaP
Date Posted: November 30 2017 at 04:28
I agree... but if I have to chose, it's Zeppelin for me. Stairway to heaven gives me goose bumps every time, it's an incredibly powerful song ------------- E per tutti il dolore degli altri è un dolore a metà |
Posted By: Dopeydoc
Date Posted: December 01 2017 at 15:21
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Stairway to Rhapsody |
Posted By: iluvmarillion
Date Posted: December 01 2017 at 21:12
I don't find anything intellectual about Bohemian Rhapsody. To me it's just doodling on the piano, but each to his/her own I guess.
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Posted By: Tillerman88
Date Posted: December 02 2017 at 06:53
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Two 70's Rock classics completely out of contest. Both ones will keep on memory throughout countless generations for diverse reasons - my own ones: intense, finely arranged melodic lines .... emanated by groundbreaking guitar riffs or freakin' catchy piano and vocal sections....... literally immortal through every new generation that once upon a time lent an ear to what their parents listened to...... Somewhat biased? Who gives the f*** anyway...at least on a non prog forum hahahah . ------------- The overwhelming amount of information on a daily basis restrains people from rewinding the news record archives to refresh their memories... |
Posted By: socrates17
Date Posted: December 03 2017 at 16:53
| Neither is ever in heavy rotation on my stereo, but I'm staggered that Bohemian Rhapsody (which I'd thought was popular only due to Wayne's World) is almost tied with a real classic which actually exhibits some dynamic range. |
Posted By: Thatfabulousalien
Date Posted: December 03 2017 at 17:26
Prog was already a very existent thing in 1975 too, many of our "classics" already existed (Genesis, Crimson, Yes, ELP etc), all of which have more intellectual depth anyway. I think it is media exposure that elevated the Rhapsody's popularity. It's more of the "hey, I know that song!" kind of mentality. ------------- Classical music isn't dead, it's more alive than it's ever been. It's just not on MTV. https://www.soundcloud.com/user-322914325 |
Posted By: Thatfabulousalien
Date Posted: December 03 2017 at 17:26
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Is it just that it is a famous song that has a few section that gets everybody wet? ------------- Classical music isn't dead, it's more alive than it's ever been. It's just not on MTV. https://www.soundcloud.com/user-322914325 |
Posted By: Thatfabulousalien
Date Posted: December 03 2017 at 17:28
Zeppelin has many songs way better and more intricate than Stairway too...  ------------- Classical music isn't dead, it's more alive than it's ever been. It's just not on MTV. https://www.soundcloud.com/user-322914325 |
Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: December 03 2017 at 17:36
hmm one may accuse Bohemian Rhapsody of many things, but it seems like lack of dynamic range need not be one of them
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Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: December 03 2017 at 19:17
lol, you learn something new everyday.
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: December 04 2017 at 08:02
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Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: December 04 2017 at 08:31
| I mean, why did they put that super soft piano part followed by heavy operatic chorus ("He's just a poor boy from a poor family") if not to introduce dynamics...to give just one example from a rollicking ride. |
Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: December 04 2017 at 14:56
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Queen's only good song vs Zeppelin's masterpiece. BR wins.
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: December 04 2017 at 18:32
yeah it seems like the whole song is so dynamic it's almost static in its dynamism. Both have been so overplayed but I was sick of Stairway to Heaven by the mid 70s, and while I probably don't need to hear either again, I think BR every decade or so would elicit no protest from me
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: December 04 2017 at 18:34
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Posted By: mechanicalflattery
Date Posted: December 04 2017 at 20:37
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BR has range, but there's nothing natural or 'dynamic' about it; it essentially consists of several brief tracks, utterly unremarkable on their own, artificially stitched together to form the illusion of some masterful whole. Excellent vocal melodies obfuscate a song that otherwise alternates between mundanity to novelty. It's not a bad song, but I generally attribute its popularity to nostalgia and the fact that most listeners never get exposed to genuinely imaginative music. It's a watered-down version of the collage techniques and studio experimentation The Mothers, Soft Machine, and The United States of America had already accomplished in the 60's (among other groups), and what virtually every prog band accomplished in the 70's. Hell, even the Beatles had already done a whole side-length collage of songs years earlier. Stairway is overplayed, but at least it feels somewhat organic.
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Posted By: rogerthat
Date Posted: December 04 2017 at 21:11
This is a false dichotomy. It may not have a natural flow (I also think so) but if it has range, it has range. There's no such thing as 'undynamic' dynamic range. There are a number of Queen songs in fact that are constructed purely as a pastiche and have a lot of dynamic range. Going back to say March of the Black Queen on their second album.
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Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: December 05 2017 at 05:46
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Two great classics, but Bogemian Rhapsody gets the edge. ------------- 
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Posted By: socrates17
Date Posted: December 05 2017 at 13:56
Black Dog, for one, leaps to mind.
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Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: December 05 2017 at 14:50
------------- "It just has none of the qualities of your work that I find interesting. Abandon [?] it." - Eno |
Posted By: The Bearded Bard
Date Posted: December 05 2017 at 15:49
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Stairway
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Posted By: rushfan4
Date Posted: December 05 2017 at 15:58
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