In 1992, 19, 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. number 4 on Billboard in the US, number 3 in Canada, the top 10 in Ireland, Netherlands, and Norway, and top 15 in Germany, Austria and Sweden. In 1977–1978, "We Are the Champions" was released as a single in many countries, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. 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." Chart performances 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. 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. Gary Graff for Billboard magazine, January 2018. "In some ways the definitive Queen song, from its balladic verses to its anthemic chorus, "Champions" has an eternal lock on sports stadium playlists." 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. 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. 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.
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. The two songs were often played consecutively at the close of Queen concerts, and are customarily played together on radio broadcasts (in album order). The single featured " We Will Rock You", which preceded the song on the album, as its B-side. 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. 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. May overdubbed some guitar sections, initially subtle, but building to a "solo" played simultaneously with the last chorus. Musically, it is based on Mercury's piano part, with Roger Taylor and John Deacon providing a drums and bass guitar backing. Problems playing this file? See media help. įeaturing 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". It also presents for the first time the original recorded length of the track, which is two choruses more than the 1977 edited single. It was made from previously unheard vocal and instrumental takes from the original multi-track tapes. 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. The song has also been covered by many artists. "We Are the Champions" has become an anthem for victories at sporting events, including as an official theme song for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and has been often used or referenced in popular culture. Brian May called the song "unifying and positive". Written with audience participation in mind, Mercury said "We" in the song’s title refers to everyone who is singing it. In 2011, a team of scientific researchers concluded that the song was the catchiest in the history of popular music. In 2009 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and was voted the world's favourite song in a 2005 Sony Ericsson world music poll.
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. Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, it remains among rock's most recognisable anthems. " We Are the Champions" is a song by the British rock band Queen, first released on their 1977 album News of the World. " We Are the Champions" / " We Will Rock You"