The Works

by Queen

Overview

Following the disappointing commercial performance of the dance-oriented Hot Space in 1982, Queen took 1983 off to get refocused and work on a follow-up that would put the band back on track. While the songwriting had definitely improved on the resulting The Works in 1984, the album sonically lacked the punch of such earlier releases as News of the World and The Game (strangely, Hot Space even had a better overall sound). Although the album only peaked at number 23 on the U.S. album charts, it was a Top Ten hit in just about every other area of the world, producing the huge single "Radio Ga Ga." Three other tracks were hits in Queen's native England -- the uplifting "I Want to Break Free," the love song "It's a Hard Life," and the politically conscious rocker "Hammer to Fall," which dealt with the danger of nuclear weapons. Other highlights included the '50s-sounding "Man on the Prowl," the electronic experiment "Machines," the thunderous "Tear It Up," and a touching acoustic ballad, "Is This the World We Created...?" Perhaps with a more straight-ahead production (and a U.S. tour), The Works would have landed Queen back on the top of the charts stateside. ~ Greg Prato

Product Details

Release Date:	07/26/2024
Label:	Universal Japan
UPC:	4988031658970
Rank:	215359

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Queen   Primary Artist
Brian May   Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background),Guitar
Freddie Mercury   Piano,Vocals
Fred Mandel   Piano,Synthesizer
John Deacon   Guitar,Guitar (Bass)
Roger Taylor   Drums,Percussion,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Brian May   Executive Producer,Synthesizer Programming,Composer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering,Mastering Engineer
Freddie Mercury   Composer,Synthesizer Programming
Fred Mandel   Programming,Synthesizer Programming,Synthesizer Arrangements
Mack   Engineer,Producer
John Deacon   Composer,Synthesizer Programming
Roger Taylor   Composer,Executive Producer,Synthesizer Programming
Justin Shirley-Smith   Mixing,Engineer,Audio Supervisor
Adam Ayan   Mastering
Queen   Engineer,Producer
Reinhold Mack   Synthesizer Programming,Engineer,Producer
Kris Fredriksson   Engineer,Mixing Engineer,Audio Supervisor,Audio Restoration
Jim Beach   Management
Stephan Wissnet   Assistant Engineer
George Hurrell   Photography
Nick Froome   Engineer
Nigel Mills   Engineer
Gregg Brooks   Sleeve Notes
Joshua J. MacRae   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Audio Supervisor,Sound Supervision
Gary Taylor   Sleeve Notes
Stefan Wissnet   Assistant
Michael Beiriger   Engineer
Bill Smith   Sleeve Design
Ed Delena   Assistant