Freddie Mercury in the Show Me State
Freddie Mercury in the Show Me State
“The show must go on
I’ll face it with a grin
I’m never giving in
On with the show”
— Queen, The Show Must Go On

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
The British rock band Queen wrote The Show Must Go On during a troubling time for the group. Although it wasn’t yet public knowledge, the band’s lead singer, Freddie Mercury, was already dying of AIDS. The song was recorded in 1990 and released as part of the album Innuendo in 1991, shortly before Freddie’s death later that year. He never got to perform the song live, but the recorded version embodied his passion for performance right up until his dying days.
This is not a happy song. Although it is about overcoming adversity, there’s no joyful victory or happy ending here. The song’s somber tone and minor keys acknowledge that life can be full of anguish, tragedy and pain. But the chorus reminds us we have to keep on living anyway. In order to have meaning in our lives, we have to continue doing the things we love.
It’s also a song that captures my mood — and probably many of yours as well — about the state of the world today. In 2021, it’s not HIV and AIDS causing all the trouble, but rather COVID. Many have gotten sick. Many have died. In some places, COVID is worse today than it ever was. Just as it was with Freddie Mercury, the song of our lives today could easily be set to a background of B Minor chords.
And yet, the show must go on.
As many of you know, the Motion + Power Technology Expo takes place September 13–16 in St. Louis. It’s going to be a different kind of trade show than most people have ever experienced. Attendance will likely be the lowest in anyone’s memory. We’ll all be wearing masks and doing our best to both network and social distance at the same time.