Please... fix it, Daddy?

Queen's News of the World album has long been known as a cultural staple with the hit songs "We Are the Champions", and "We Will Rock You". However, my focus isn't about the songs on the album, but the album art. Queen's News of the World cover art takes from the magazine, Astounding Science Fiction where artist Frank Kelly Freas depicts a large, intelligent robot with a dead man in hand accompanied by the caption "Please... fix it, Daddy".

When the band contacted Freas, he produced the album art that we now see on one of rock music's most iconic albums. On the cover, the man in Freas original painting is replaced with two of the band members (Freddie Mercury and Brian May) while the other two members (Roger Taylor and John Deacon) are seen falling from the robot's grasp.

When I first saw the cover art, I was shocked to see such a haunting image accompanying the childhood rock tunes that I grew up hearing. However, It was very thought provoking- enough so that I looked further into it's background. With the caption in mind, I interpreted the story regarding the art to be quite similar to Frankenstein. Although the robot's creator isn't seen in the art, we know that there must be one. Also, because of the caption we understand that the robot is oblivious to the world around him, and doesn't understand the idea of death or the extent of the powers. In the end, we can conclude that the robot is quite similar to a baby, and feels emotions similar to what a human can perceive. This rises multiple moral questions similar to the ones found in Frankenstein. While the creature doesn't come into prolonged contact with his creator, his innocent curiosity is shown through his first encounter with Dr. Frankenstein. Because of this, the creature's unawareness puts him in a similar situation to the robot on the cover of News of The World. The moral question of who is at fault for murder is found in both of these examples. One can easily point the finger to the creator who doesn't take control a being that is able to kill. However, one must also understand that both, although unaware, are able to think independently. This goes further to beg the question if morals are taught or imbedded. While much of the album's songs have little correlation with the album art. Before playing the album, one is always confronted with a haunting image that makes you think.