We Are the Champions

"We Are the Champions" is a song by the British rock band Queen, released from the band's sixth album News of the World (1977).[2] Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, it remains among rock's most recognisable anthems.[3] The song was a worldwide success, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart, number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, number three in Canada and the top ten in many other countries.[4][5] In 2009 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame[6] and was voted the world's favourite song in a 2005 Sony Ericsson world music poll.[7]

For other uses, see We Are the Champions (disambiguation).

"We Are the Champions"
UK single picture sleeve
Single by Queen
from the album News of the World
B-side"We Will Rock You"
Released7 October 1977[1]
Recorded1977
GenreRock
Length2:59
LabelEMI (UK)
Elektra (US)
Songwriter(s)Freddie Mercury
Producer(s)Queen, assisted by Mike "Clay" Stone
Queen singles chronology
"Long Away"
(1977)		 "We Are the Champions" / "We Will Rock You"
(1977)		 "Spread Your Wings"
(1978)
Music video
"We Are the Champions" on YouTube

Written with audience participation in mind, Mercury said "We" in the song's title refers to everyone who is singing it.[8] Brian May called the song "unifying and positive".[9] "We Are the Champions" has become an anthem for victories at sporting events,[10] including as an official theme song for the 1994 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 a Raw Sessions version of the track to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of News 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.[11]

Music

Written by Freddie Mercury, "We Are the Champions" was built on audience response following a concert at Bingley Hall, Stafford in which the audience sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" to the band.[12][13][14] It embodies numerous elements of arena rock,[15][16] with Brian May stating, "We wanted to get the crowds waving and singing. It's very unifying and positive."[9]

Musically, it is based on Mercury's piano part, with Roger Taylor and John 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 the Live Aid concert, at Wembley Stadium, London in 1985.[17]

The single featured "We Will Rock You", which preceded the song on the album, as its B-side. The two songs were often played consecutively at the close of Queen concerts, and are customarily played together on radio broadcasts (in album order).[3] Keeping with tradition, the two songs were 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.[3]

Reception

Cash Box said that it contains "heroic lyrics and rapid changes in dynamics and emotional intensity" and praised guitarist Brian May's "dark backing lines and rippling fills."[18] 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."[19]

Music video

The video for "We Are the Champions" was filmed at a special video shoot with fan club members at the New London Theatre on 6 October 1977 and was directed by Derek Burbridge.[20] 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.[20] An alternate version which starts in monochrome before blasting into colour as the drums and guitars kick in was broadcast on the BBC's Top of the Pops 2 and comprises alternate footage shot on the same day.[21]

Legacy

"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 for Billboard magazine, January 2018.[22]

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 perfect sing-along song."[23][24]

The song is popular at sporting events, often being played after a major victory by the home team. For example, it was played at Highmark Stadium after the Buffalo Bills defeated the New England Patriots in the 2021 NFL playoffs.[25]

Chart performances

In 1977–1978, "We Are the Champions" was released as a single in many countries, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.[4] number 4 on Billboard in the US,[5] number 3 in Canada, the top 10 in Ireland, Netherlands, and Norway, and top 15 in Germany, Austria and Sweden.[26][27]

In 1992, 1993 and 1998, the single was re-released in France, totalling 45 weeks on the chart and peaking respectively at #19, #14, and #10 during the 1998 FIFA World Cup.[27]

Personnel

Information is based on the album's Liner Notes[28]

Track listings

Charts

Sales and certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[57] Platinum 90,000‡
France (SNEP)[58]
Original release 		Gold 500,000*
France (SNEP)[59]
1998 re-release 		Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[60] Platinum 500,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[61] Platinum 50,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[62] Platinum 962,000[63]
United States (RIAA)[64]
1977 vinyl release 		Platinum 2,000,000^
United States (RIAA)[65]
2003 digital release 		4× Platinum 4,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Hank Marvin version

In 1992, Hank Marvin recorded a version of the song featuring Brian May on guitar. Royalties from the single were donated to the Terrence Higgins Trust. The song peaked at number 66 on the UK charts.[66]

CD-single track listing
  1. "We Are the Champions" (4:55)
  2. "Moontalk" (3:13)
  3. "Into the Light" (4:00)
  • Tracks 1–2 performed by Hank Marvin featuring Brian May
  • Track 2-3 performed by Hank Marvin

Scorpions version

In 2004, German rock band Scorpions with Michael Kleitman released their version retitled "You Are the Champion". This special version was recorded in honour of Michael 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 the German Singles Chart.[67] It was subsequently included on the album Stand Up for the Champion – Michael Schumacher in 2006 when he decided to retire from Formula One racing.

CD-single track listing
  1. "You Are the Champion" (3:31)
  2. "You Are the Champion" (Instrumental) (3:31)
  3. "E Sara Perche (Spread Your Wings)" (3:12)
  • Tracks 1–2 performed by Scorpions and Michael Kleitman
  • Track 3 performed by Michael Kleitman

Crazy Frog version
"We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)"
Single by Crazy Frog
from the album Crazy Frog Presents More Crazy Hits
Released5 June 2006
Recorded2005
Genre
Length3:03
LabelMinistry of Sound
Songwriter(s)Freddie Mercury
Producer(s)Erik Wernquist
Crazy Frog singles chronology
"Jingle Bells/U Can't Touch This"
(2005)		 "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)"
(2006)		 "Last Christmas"
(2006)
Music video
"We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)" on YouTube

A cover version by Crazy Frog titled "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)" was released as a single on 5 June 2006, to coincide with the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Vocal arrangements include a sample portion of Queen's original recording.

Music video

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 movie Cars.

Chart performance

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 certified Gold disc two months after its release by SNEP, the French certifier, and became the fifteenth best selling single in 2006 in that country.

Track listings
CD single
  1. "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)" (radio edit) – 2:57
  2. "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)" (club mix) – 5:49
Maxi single
  1. "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)" (radio edit) – 2:57
  2. "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)" (house mix) – 6:04
  3. "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)" (club mix) – 5:51
  4. "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)" (club mix dub) – 5:17
  5. "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)" (video)

Charts

Certifications and sales
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Belgium (BEA)[90] Gold 25,000*
France (SNEP)[91] Gold 200,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Queen + Adam Lambert version
"You Are the Champions"
Single by Queen + Adam Lambert
Released1 May 2020[92]
Recorded2020
GenreRock
Length2:07
LabelVirgin EMI
Producer(s)
Queen + Adam Lambert singles chronology
"You Are the Champions"
(2020)		 "The Show Must Go On (Live at O2 Arena, 4 July 2018)"
(2020)
Music video
"You Are the Champions" on YouTube

During the COVID-19 pandemic, May, Taylor and Adam Lambert released "You Are the Champions" on 1 May 2020, with proceeds going to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.[93] In 2020, "You Are the Champions" peaked at #46 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.[94] The song also debuted on the UK 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]

Track listings
  1. "You Are the Champions" – 2:07
  2. "You Are the Champions" (Instrumental version) – 2:07
  • Digital download and streaming[101]
  1. "You Are the Champions" – 2:07

Personnel

References
  1. "Queen singles".
  2. "BRITs 25 Song Award: We Are The Champions – Queen". BBC. Retrieved 21 January 2011
  3. "We Are the Champions: Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 January 2011
  4. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  5. Billboard allmusic.com (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  6. "GRAMMY Hall Of Fame". GRAMMY.org. Archived from the original on 11 October 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  7. Haines, Lester (29 September 2005). "'We Are The Champions' voted world's fave song". The Register. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  8. LIFEQueen: The Music. The Life. The Rhapsody. Time Home Entertainment. October 2018.
  9. "Betty the tea lady's feet can be heard on Queen's We Will Rock You". Metro. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  10. "Freddie Mercury's isolated vocals from 'We Are The Champions' prove he was one of the finest tenors in history". Classic FM. Retrieved 11 June 2021. Its soaring, triumphant melody is known at sporting events and award ceremonies the world over
  11. "We Are The Champions & We Will Rock You – The Unheard 'Raw Sessions'". Queen Online. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  12. "Queen interview: Brian May on We Will Rock You". Absolute Radio. YouTube. 17 August 2011. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  13. Interview with Tom Browne for BBC Radio One, broadcast Christmas Eve and Boxing Day 1977
  14. "Queen's 'News of the World': 10 Things You Didn't Know" Rolling Stone. Dan Epstein. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  15. Gaar, Gillian G. (4 December 2012). "Album reviews of Queen's second box set of reissues". Goldmine. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  16. Huang, Hao (2012). Music in the 20th century. Vol. 3. Coda Books Ltd. p. 508. ISBN 978-1-9085-3884-0. 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.
  17. "Sacha Baron Cohen to play Freddie Mercury" BBC News Retrieved 22 January 2011
  18. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 22 October 1977. p. 23. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  19. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 22 October 1977. p. 1. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  20. McLeod, Ken (2013). We are the Champions: The Politics of Sports and Popular Music: The Politics of Sports and Popular Music. Ashgate Publishing. p. 124.
  21. "Queen - We Are The Champions (Alternative BBC Video)". BBC. YouTube. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  22. "The 25 Best Queen Songs (Updated 2018)". Billboard. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  23. "Queen's 'We Are The Champions' is the catchiest song ever, say scientists". NME. Retrieved 13 June 2021
  24. "Freddie Mercury's isolated vocals on 'We Are The Champions' will haunt you forever". The Independent. Retrieved 13 June 2021
  25. "ByChrisMason". Twitter. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  26. Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  27. "We Are the Champions", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  28. Queen. News of the World (Album Notes). EMI. 1977.
  29. Hung, Steffen. "Forum – 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  30. "Queen – We Are the Champions" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  31. "Queen – We Are the Champions" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  32. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  33. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Queen" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  34. "Queen – We Are the Champions" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  35. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. 5 February 1978. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  36. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, January 28, 1978
  37. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 227.
  38. "The Hot 100: Week of August 15, 1992". Billboard. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  39. "Queen – We Are the Champions" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  40. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  41. "Queen – We Are the Champions". AFP Top 100 Singles.
  42. "Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales: Nov 17, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
  43. "Queen – We Are the Champions". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  44. "Queen Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  45. "Queen Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  46. "Queen Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  47. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  48. Hunter, Nigel; Scaping, Peter, eds. (1978). "Top 100 Singles in 1977". BPI Year Book 1978 (3rd ed.). London, England: The British Phonographic Industry Ltd. pp. 216–17. ISBN 0-906154-01-4.
  49. "Kent Music Report No 236 – 1 January 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1978". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 8 January 2022 – via Imgur.com.
  50. 1978 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  51. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  52. "Top 100 Hits of 1978/Top 100 Songs of 1978". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  53. Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 30, 1978
  54. 1998 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com Archived 1 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  55. "Rock Songs – Year-End". Billboard. 2018. Retrieved 5 December 2018.
  56. "Hot Rock Songs – Year-End 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  57. "Danish single certifications – Queen – We Are The Champions". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  58. "French single certifications – Queen – We Will Rock You / We Are The Champions" (in French). InfoDisc. Select QUEEN and click OK. 
  59. "French single certifications – Queen – We Are The Champions" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  60. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Queen; 'We Are The Champions')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  61. "Italian single certifications – Queen – We Are The Champions" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 29 May 2022. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "We Are The Champions" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  62. "British single certifications – Queen – We Are the Champions". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  63. Copsey, Rob (20 November 2018). "Queen's bestselling singles on the Official UK Singles Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  64. "American single certifications – Queen – We Are the Champions". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  65. "American single certifications – Queen – We Are the Champions". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  66. "Hank Marvin UK Charts". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  67. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts".
  68. "Crazy Frog – We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  69. "Crazy Frog – We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  70. "Crazy Frog – We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  71. "Crazy Frog – We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  72. "Crazy Frog – We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)". Tracklisten. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  73. "Crazy Frog: We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  74. "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved 16 December 2007)
  75. "We Are the Champions (Ding a Dang Dong)", in various singles charts Acharts.us (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  76. "Crazy Frog – We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  77. "Crazy Frog – We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  78. "Crazy Frog – We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  79. "Crazy Frog – We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  80. "Crazy Frog – We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  81. "Crazy Frog – We Are the Champions (Ding A Dang Dong)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 16 December 2007.
  82. 2006 Austrian Singles Chart Austriancharts.at (Retrieved 17 May 2008)
  83. 2006 Belgian (Flanders) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  84. 2006 Belgian (Wallonia) Singles Chart Ultratop.be (Retrieved 29 July 2008)
  85. 2006 French Singles Chart Disqueenfrance.com Archived 4 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine (Retrieved 16 December 2007)
  86. "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  87. "Årslista Singlar – År 2006" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  88. "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2006 – hitparade.ch". Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  89. "2006 UK Singles Chart" (PDF). ChartsPlus. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  90. "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2006". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
  91. "French single certifications – Crazy Frog – We Are The Champions" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.
  92. "You Are the Champions". Queen Vault. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  93. "Queen and Adam Lambert release music video honoring "Champions" of the coronavirus fight". CBS News. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  94. "Queen Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  95. "Queen full Official Chart History". Official Charts UK. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  96. "Press Release: 'You Are The Champions' To Be Released on 7" Vinyl and CD". QueenOnline. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  97. "Official Physical Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts UK. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  98. "Official Vinyl Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts UK. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  99. "You Are the Champions - Limited Edition 7" vinyl". Queen Online Store. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  100. "You Are the Champions - Limited Edition CD single". Queen Online Store. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  101. "You Are the Champions – Single by Queen & Adam Lambert on Apple Music". Apple Music. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.