25 Albums Every Gay Guy Should Hear

From: Next Magazine

Queen

The Works 

Queen has an epic discography, but The Works stands above all the rest. Not only because it features favorites like “Radio Ga Ga,” “Hammer to Fall” and “I Want to Break Free,” but because the story of the record seemed to declare Freddie Mercury’s queerness to the world through song. This album helped teach the men who bought it when it was released in 1984—as well as the generations who found it in the years to come—how to break free and be their truest, most extreme selves. —MD

The Works is the eleventh studio album by British rock band Queen, released in February 1984. After the synth-heavy Hot Space, the album saw the re-emergence of Brian May and Roger Taylor's rock sound, while still incorporating the early 80s retro futuristic electro pop of the German electronic underground (Freddie Mercury) and New York (John Deacon) funk scenes.

Recorded at the Record Plant Studios and Musicland Studios from August 1983 to January 1984, the album's title comes from a comment Taylor made as recording began – "Let's give them the works!"