Queen – The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke (2:33)

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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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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