Queen - Hammer To Fall (EMI)

The fourth single to be taken from The Works. Just who are Queen trying to kid? I saw them play a stunning concert at Wembley recently but I remember writing "tuneless dirge" in my notebook alongside "Hammer To Fall". Why should I change my mind now? (Dave Ling, No 1, September 15, 1984)

There's something decidedly suspect about grown men poncing around in frocks and false boobs, and Queen are certainly old enough to know better. That they get away with these sort of antics says something for the loyalty of their fans, but this mess of a song will test the dedication of even those misguided souls. An overblown, melodramatic piece of nothing. (Karen Swayne, No 1, September 22, 1984)

When people start referring to their musical output as 'product' - as Freddie Mercury did on Radio l's Saturday Live the other day - it's a sure sign that the tinkle of cash registers has become more important than artistic integrity. This time it's Brian May's turn to put a bit of money in the bank and, although his song's about as modern as his stage outfits (i.e. prehistoric), it's bound to be a monster hit. How depressing. (Vici MacDonald, Smash Hits, September 27, 1984)