Queen » Tracks » The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke

Queen – The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke (2:32)

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About This Track

Mercury was inspired to write “The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke” after seeing Richard Dadd’s painting The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke. For the intricately-arranged studio recording, Mercury played harpsichord as well as piano, and Roy Thomas Baker played the castanets. Taylor called this song Queen’s “biggest stereo experiment”, referring to the intricate use of panning in the mix.

The song, like most of the songs on the album, features medieval fantasy-based lyrics, and makes direct reference to the painting’s characters as detailed in Dadd’s poem, such as Queen Mab, Waggoner Will, the Tatterdemalion, and others. Apparently whenever Queen had spare time, Mercury would drag them to the London’s Tate Gallery, where the painting was, and still is today.

The complex arrangements are based around a backing track of piano, bass guitar and drums, but also included harpsichord, multiple vocal overdubs, and overdubbed guitar parts. The lyrics follow the claustrophobic atmosphere of the painting, and each of the scenes are described. The use of the word “Quaere” has no reference to Mercury’s sexuality, according to Taylor. The band never performed this song live.
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Albums featuring this track

  • Queen II
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  • Queen 40 Limited Edition Collector's Box Set
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  • MelonMan1981

    Danny Elfman probably loves this song! :)

    November 2011

  • CoolLikePlastic

    Also, can I just say I love the sharp contrast between the two alternating phrases? Brilliant.

    July 2011

  • CoolLikePlastic

    I think this is probably the best rock song about a Richard Dadd painting [3] It's a great song xD

    July 2011

  • Tarkus10

    Best song of the album.

    June 2011

  • backtothelight

    I think this is probably the best rock song about a Richard Dadd painting [2]

    May 2011

  • davidbowiegirl

    Googled, and the painting looks awful.

    November 2010

  • davidbowiegirl

    Awesome song, one of my favourite Queen songs! <3

    November 2010

  • DBMethos

    "Fairy dandy tickling the fancy of his lady friend"...I just love the delivery of that line.

    June 2010

  • purloiner

    Great song, I've only just properly discovered its origins, amazing, Mercury/Queen are the DADDy

    March 2010

  • KillerVictim

    is the MASTER-STROKE!

    November 2009

  • do2l

    LOVE~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    October 2009

  • Igor_Piegas

    I could spend my day listening to this.

    July 2009

  • bonnetrocks

    2nd fave song on album after" Nevermore". Unforgettable.

    April 2009

  • jcameronuk

    I think this is probably the best rock song about a Richard Dadd painting

    April 2009

  • Poole10

    Great song, best Queen album!

    January 2009

  • maciey_em

    i love how he plays with his own voice in this song

    January 2009

  • kingofhollywood

    Queen lyrics in the early days were second to none.........i gotta find out what they were smokin, cause i want some. there will never be another Freddie Mercury.....lets thank God he was a musician and not an accountant

    December 2008

  • Ammarena

    amazing. listening to this song makes me feel like being in a fairytale. the guys were so full of crazy ideas! most of all freddie i guess...miss you so much...

    November 2008

  • Viggo_Immortal

    "politician with senatorial pipe" xD

    August 2008

  • re_cart

    amazing lyrics

    July 2008
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