Somebody to Love (Queen song)

"Somebody to Love"
UK single picture sleeve
Single by Queen
from the album A Day at the Races
B-side
Released19 November 1976 (UK)[1]
Recorded1976
Genre
Length4:56
Label
Songwriter(s)Freddie Mercury
Producer(s)Queen
Queen singles chronology
"You're My Best Friend"
(1976) 		"Somebody to Love"
(1976) 		"Tie Your Mother Down"
(1977)
Music video
"Somebody to Love" on YouTube

"Somebody to Love" is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by lead singer and pianist Freddie Mercury. It debuted on the band's 1976 album A Day at the Races and also appears on their 1981 compilation album Greatest Hits.[4]

The song has similarities to Queen's earlier hit "Bohemian Rhapsody" with its complex harmonies and guitar solos; however instead of mimicking an English choir, the band turned to a gospel choir. It reached No. 2 in the UK and No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[5][6] The song demonstrated that "Queen could swing as hard as it could rock, by channeling the spirit of gospel music".[7]

Written by Mercury at the piano, "Somebody to Love" is a soul-searching piece that questions life without love. Through voice layering techniques, Queen was able to create the soulful sound of a 100-voice choir from three singers: Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor. John Deacon did not sing backing vocals on the recorded album. Mercury's fascination and admiration for Aretha Franklin was a major influence for the creation of this song.

Queen played "Somebody to Love" live from 1977 to 1985, and a live performance of the song is featured on the album Queen Rock Montreal, Queen on Fire – Live at the Bowl.[8] In addition to these live performances, there were collaboration tributes to "Somebody to Love" after Mercury's death in 1991. The song was performed live on 20 April 1992 during the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, with George Michael on lead vocals.[9]

Since its release in 1976, the song has appeared in several television shows, such as the Idol franchise, The X Factor, and Glee, as well as films, including Happy Feet and Ella Enchanted. It has also been covered by many artists, including Taylor Hawkins.

  1. ^ "Queen - Somebody To Love". Dutch Charts. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Queen - "Somebody to Love" (Singles Going Steady Classic)". PopMatters. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  3. ^ Elliott, Paul (13 July 2016). "Every song on Queen's Greatest Hits, ranked from worst to best". loudersound. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Allmusic was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Hot 100 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference UK Chart was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Fox, Brian. "John Deacon on Queen's 'Somebody to Love'". Bass Player. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Montreal was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ "Queen "The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert" video and song lyrics". Ultimatequeen.co.uk. Retrieved 11 October 2016.