The Show Must Go On (arr. Kathleen McGuire) by Queen Sheet Music for SSAA Choir at Sheet Music Direct

Product Details

Artist Queen

Score Type

PDF, Included with PASS

Composer Brian May Freddie Mercury John Deacon Roger Taylor

Arranger Kathleen McGuire

Format Digital Sheet Music

Pages 8

Arrangement SSAA Choir

Publisher KATHLEEN MCGUIRE

Level 3

Product ID 1737720

Genre Pop Rock

Instruments Choir

Product Description

THE SHOW MUST GO ON is a poignant power ballad by QUEEN. The final track on their 1991 album, Innuendo, it was mostly written by guitarist Brian May, although credited to the four band members. The song refers to Freddie Mercury's efforts to continue performing while unwell and approaching the end of his life due to complications with HIV/AIDS (which had not yet been made public). When the band recorded the song in 1990, Mercury was so frail, they were concerned he may not be able to sing. Mercury forged ahead valiantly, and the rest is history.

This SSAA arrangement follows the original fairly closely, with an emotive solo voice needed for the verses and a robust 4-part choir joining with the chorus and bridge sections. The fade-out at the end can be emphasized by the choir turning away from the audience. As a stand-alone, piece, this arrangement has been sung at memorial services or special events commemorating loss.

Instrumental parts (available separately) add the quintessential QUEEN sound, including two synthesizers, electric guitar, electric bass and drum kit. The YouTube sample provided is the TTBB arrangement (available separately).

This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.