287 - Queen I Want It All 1989

Following their massive 1986 European stadium tour for the "A Kind of Magic" album, Queen took an extended break. Rumors swirled about an impending breakup, but it turned out the break was brought on by a painful marital divorce for guitarist Brian May (who subsequently battled depression and contemplated suicide), and Freddie Mercury being diagnosed with AIDS. Instead of sinking further into misery, the band regrouped, worked on each other's mental state, and recorded one of their most inspired albums, 1989's "The Miracle". "I Want It All" was composed by Brian May in 1987, the title is said to be inspired by his girlfriend Anita Dobson who would frequently utter "I want it all and I want it now". The idea of having intro, verses, choruses and solos over the same chord progression was reused on their next album with another May song, "The Show Must Go On". Mercury and May share the lead vocals. Mercury played keyboards, May played classical and electric guitars and Taylor used double-kick bass drum for the first time.