Best I Can

The Zoo Crew is spinning Queensrÿche's "Best I Can" from their 1990 album Empire, a track that resonates with the Zoo Freaks for its uplifting message and polished sound. One fascinating piece of trivia about the song is its unique opening, which features a nightmarish wash of sound, a scream, staccato keyboards, and children’s vocals, setting a dramatic tone before diving into its inspirational narrative. The song tells the story of a young man who survives a self-inflicted gunshot wound, leaving him paralyzed, yet he strives to overcome his physical limitations to achieve his dreams, as evidenced by lyrics like, “A young man now in a private chair / I see the world through a bitter stare / But, my dream is still alive / I’m gonna be the best I can.” Interestingly, a reader comment on a uDiscoverMusic article clarified a common misconception, noting that the song focuses entirely on the son’s journey, not the father, who only briefly mentions failing to find the gun.

Another layer of intrigue comes from the song’s production, which has been celebrated for its groundbreaking quality. A post on X by @doomedparade highlights how "Best I Can" and the Empire album set a benchmark in audio production, with a sound so thick that one engineer described it as feeling like “you could walk through the sound.” This full-bodied production, particularly the snare and bass drum, has been a reference point for producers and engineers ever since. However, not all fans embraced the song’s commercial leanings. A review on Encyclopaedia Metallum describes the song’s inspirational tone and “Milli Vanilli keyboards” as off-putting to some classic Queensrÿche fans, who preferred the band’s earlier, heavier sound. Despite this, the song’s accessibility helped Empire achieve triple-platinum status, as noted in a Queensrÿche X post commemorating the album’s 30th anniversary.

Queensrÿche began their journey in 1981 in Bellevue, Washington, initially under the name The Mob. The band, consisting of vocalist Geoff Tate, guitarists Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton, bassist Eddie Jackson, and drummer Scott Rockenfield, recorded a four-track demo that included the song “Queen of the Reich.” When they discovered another band shared their original name, they adopted Queensrÿche, inspired by their demo track. Their self-titled EP, released in 1983 through Seattle’s 206 Records, generated significant buzz, leading to a deal with EMI-America. Albums like The Warning (1984) and Rage for Order (1986) showcased their evolving sound, blending heavy metal with progressive and gothic elements. Their breakthrough came with the 1988 concept album Operation: Mindcrime, which sold over a million copies and established them as “The Thinking Fan’s Metal Band,” as described in a Louder Sound article. This momentum carried into Empire, which marked their commercial peak.

Fans can connect with Queensrÿche through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where the band shares updates, tour dates, and reflections on their legacy. For deeper fan engagement, the Queensrÿche Fan Club on Facebook offers a space for fans to discuss albums, share memorabilia, and organize meetups. Additionally, the fan-run site AnybodyListening.net provides long-form commentary, interviews, and podcasts, maintaining the community spirit of early fan sites despite competition from social media, as noted in a Reddit discussion on fan culture. These platforms keep the Zoo Freaks and other fans connected to Queensrÿche’s enduring legacy.