ABOUT
We Are the Champions is a power ballad written by Freddie Mercury and recorded and performed by Queen. It is one of their most famous and popular songs, and has since become an anthem for sporting victories.
Musically, it was based around Mercury's piano part, with Roger Taylor and John Deacon providing a drums and bass guitar backing. Brian May overdubbed some guitar parts, initially subtle, but building to a 'solo' played simultaneously with the last chorus. Mercury employed many 'jazz' chords (major and minor 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th and 13th harmonies), and the choruses featured these voiced as 4 and 5-part vocal harmonies. The lead vocal is very demanding and strident, and in live performances, Mercury often deferred to let Taylor handle the highest parts of the melody.
The song comes from the News Of The World (1977) album and follows We Will Rock You. This pair of songs was often used to close Queen concerts. Keeping with tradition, it was also used to close the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert with all the show's acts joining in behind the lead vocal of Liza Minnelli.
See also: Lyrics
DETAILS
Album: News of the World
Released: October 7, 1977
Format: 7" single, CD
Recorded: 1977
Genre: Rock
Length: 2:59
Label: EMI (Europe), Electra Records (U.S.)
Writer(s): Freddie Mercury
Producer(s): Queen and Mike Stone
CHART POSITIONS
#1 (France)
#2 (Netherlands; UK)
#3 (Canada; Ireland)
#4 (US)
#12 (Austria)
#13 (Germany)
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