Queen have recently released remastered versions of their first five albums, and the occasion has led to the publication of a couple of top ten lists, so I think I'll add one of my own. I'll start today with only spots 10. and 9. because I've been wanting to write about these two songs for another reason: their influence on Radiohead.

10. "White Queen (As it Began)" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHobnwUhhIM): This one's a Brian May song from 1974's Queen II. May's ultra-brainy concept of the guitar as orchestral instrument has been a clear influence on Radiohead's approach to the instrument and to the studio itself. And besides that, the strings at the beginning of this are very evocative of the way they're used on "How to Disappear Completely" and "Faust Arp", for a couple of examples.

9. "The Prophet's Song" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xmsXqgHHEI): A through-composed masterpiece, also by May, from A Night at the Opera (1975) which features the echo (a.k.a. delay) effect which he had applied to his guitar work on "Brighton Rock" (which became a showpiece of their live performances for years). Its influence on Radiohead can be heard in the two closing tracks from The King of Limbs, "Give Up the Ghost" and "Separator".

I'll have the last eight spots for you over the next couple of posts.