"We Are the Champions" is a song by the Britishrock bandQueen, released from the band's sixth albumNews of the World (1977).[3] Written by lead singerFreddie Mercury, it remains among rock's most recognisable anthems.[4] The song was a worldwide success, reaching number 2 in theUK, number 4 on theBillboard Hot 100 in the US, number 3 in Canada, and the top 10 in many other countries.[5][6] In 2009, it was inducted into theGrammy Hall of Fame[7] and was voted the world's favourite song in a 2005Sony Ericsson world music poll.[8]
Written with audience participation in mind, Mercury said "We" in the song's title refers to everyone who is singing it.[9]Brian May called the song "unifying and positive".[10] "We Are the Champions" has become ananthem for victories atsporting events,[11] includingits use during the1994 FIFA World Cup, and has been often used or referenced in popular culture. The song has also been covered by many artists.
On 7 October 2017, Queen released aRaw Sessions version of the track to celebrate the40th anniversary of the release ofNews of the World. It was made from previously unheard vocal and instrumental takes from the original multi-track tapes. It also presents for the first time the original recorded length of the track, which is two choruses more than the 1977 edited single.[12]
Writing of "We Are the Champions" began as early as 1975. However, at the time,Freddie Mercury deemed it unsuitable for inclusion in the band's then-current album, and the song was not recorded until 1977.[13] It embodies numerous elements ofarena rock,[14][15] withBrian May stating, "We wanted to get the crowds waving and singing. It's very unifying and positive."[10]
Featuring Mercury on piano,Classic FM called "We Are the Champions" a "bombastic monument of an anthem", with "its soaring, triumphant melody known at sporting events and award ceremonies the world over".[11]
Musically, it is based on Mercury's piano part, withRoger Taylor andJohn Deacon providing a drums and bass guitar backing. May overdubbed some guitar sections, 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 four- and five-part vocal harmonies. The lead vocal is very demanding and strident (highest point is a C5 both belted and in falsetto), with one of Mercury's most notable performances taking place at theLive Aid concert, atWembley Stadium, London in 1985.[16]
The single featured "We Will Rock You", which preceded the song on the album, as itsB-side. The two songs were often played consecutively at the close ofQueen concerts, and are customarily played together on radio broadcasts (in album order).[4] Keeping with tradition, the two songs were also used to close the 1992Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert with all the show's acts joining in behind the lead vocal ofLiza Minnelli.[4]
Cash Box said that it contains "heroic lyrics and rapid changes in dynamics and emotional intensity" and praised guitaristBrian May's "dark backing lines and rippling fills."[17]Record World called it a "stately rocker well-suited to its title" and suggested that "it could serve as a sort of new wave anthem."[18]
The video for "We Are the Champions" was filmed at a special video shoot with fan club members at theNew London Theatre on 6 October 1977 and was directed by Derek Burbridge.[19] Mercury performs in a trademark Harlequin outfit – a half black, half white version – in front of an enthusiastic crowd who wave Queen scarves in a manner similar to English football fans.[19] An alternate version which starts in monochrome before blasting into colour as the drums and guitars kick in was broadcast on the BBC'sTop of the Pops 2 and comprises alternate footage shot on the same day.[20]
"In some ways the definitive Queen song, from its balladic verses to its anthemic chorus, "Champions" has an eternal lock on sports stadium playlists."
—Gary Graff forBillboard magazine, January 2018.[21]
In 2011, a team of scientific researchers concluded that "We Are the Champions" was the catchiest song in the history of pop music, despite its not reaching #1 in the charts in any major market. Dr. Daniel Mullensiefen said of the study: "Every musical hit is reliant on maths, science, engineering and technology; from the physics and frequencies of sound that determine pitch and harmony, to the hi-tech digital processors and synthesisers which can add effects to make a song catchier. We've discovered that there's a science behind the sing-along and a special combination of neuroscience, math and cognitive psychology that can produce the elusive elixir of the perfectsing-along song."[22][23]
In 1992, 1993, and 1998, the single was re-released inFrance, totalling 45 weeks on the chart and peaking at number 19, number 14, and number 10 during the1998 FIFA World Cup.[26]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
In 1992,Hank Marvin recorded a version of the song featuring Brian May on guitar. Royalties from the single were donated to theTerrence Higgins Trust. The song peaked at number 66 on the UK charts.[67]
In 2004, German rock bandScorpions with Michael Kleitman released their version retitled "You Are the Champion". This special version was recorded in honour ofMichael Schumacher winning his seventh F1 Formula One Championship. The song was slightly re-written, most notably changing "We" to "You" which is a direct reference to Schumacher. The song peaked at number 92 on theGerman Singles Chart.[68] It was subsequently included on the albumStand Up for the Champion – Michael Schumacher in 2006 when he decided to retire from Formula One racing.
A cover version byCrazy Frog titled "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)" was released as asingle on 5 June 2006, to coincide with the2006 FIFA World Cup. Vocal arrangements include a sample portion ofQueen's original recording.
The music video depicts Crazy Frog in bed dreaming that he is competing in a football match against Killbots. When the music video was originally released online, it appeared as it was released. However, the current version lacks the ball being kicked and the accompanying sound effects.
After being internationally released, it was shown before the animated movieCars.
The single had its greatest success in France. It went straight to #1 on 10 June 2006, and stayed at this position for five weeks. It remained for nine weeks in the Top 10, seventeen weeks in the top fifty, and twenty five weeks in the chart. On 30 August 2006, it was certifiedGold disc two months after its release bySNEP, the French certifier, and became the fifteenth best selling single in 2006 in that country.
During theCOVID-19 pandemic, May, Taylor andAdam Lambert released "You Are the Champions" on 1 May 2020, with proceeds going to theCOVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.[93] In 2020, "You Are the Champions" peaked at #46 on theBillboardHot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.[94] The song also debuted on theUK Singles Chart at #95 in 2020.[95] On 5 August 2020 limited edition CD and 7" vinyl versions of the single were announced with 3,000 copies each.[96] The physical versions both charted on #1 in their specific UK Official Charts on 28 August 2020.[97][98]
^Freddie Mercury (Songwriter) (2005).Bohemian Rhapsody with audio commentary (A Night At The Opera - 30th Anniversary Collectors Edition DVD). United Kingdom: Queen.I remember when I was writing "Bohemian Rhapsody", I had a song called "We Are the Champions" but I just didn't feel that it fitted at the time.
^Huang, Hao (2012).Music in the 20th century. Vol. 3. Coda Books Ltd. p. 508.ISBN978-1-9085-3884-0.Queen (...) proved expert at creating crowd-pleasing and long lasting anthems such as "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" — popular songs for the burgeoning stadium-rock circuit.
^"Hits of the Week"(PDF).Record World. 22 October 1977. p. 1. Retrieved16 February 2023.
^abMcLeod, Ken (2013).We are the Champions: The Politics of Sports and Popular Music: The Politics of Sports and Popular Music. Ashgate Publishing. p. 124.
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