A Kind of Magic (song)

Infobox Single
Name = A Kind of Magic
Artist = Queen


from Album = A Kind of Magic
B-side = A Dozen Red Roses for My Darling
Gimme the Prize (Kurgan's Theme)
Released = 17 March, 1986
Length =

• 4:23 (Album Version)

• 3:37 (CD bonus track: "A Kind of 'A Kind of Magic'")

• 6:23 (12" Extended Version)

• 4:10 (Original Highlander Version)

Format = 7"/12" vinyl single
Label = EMI, Capitol
Recorded = 1985/1986
Genre = Pop-Rock, Glam Rock
Writer = Roger Taylor
Producer = Queen and David Richards
Last single = "One Vision"
(1985)
This single = "A Kind of Magic"
(1986)
Next single = "Princes of the Universe"
(1986)

"A Kind of Magic" is a Rock song written by Roger Taylor for the film "Highlander", for which Queen wrote the music. The song reached number three in the UK Singles Chart, but only reached number forty-two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Recording

Name

The phrase "a kind of magic" is actually used in the film by Christopher Lambert and impressed Taylor so much that he made it into a full song. There are references to the film in the lyrics – "one prize, one goal"; "no mortal man": "there can be only one".

Composition

Taylor wrote the melody and chords for the version that appeared in the film. Freddie Mercury composed a new bass line, added instrumental breaks, and changed the song's order. Mercury and David Richards produced this new version. The song was still credited only to Taylor. Taylor's version is at the end of the film. Mercury's version is on the album.

Live performances

The song was a live favourite on Magic Tour of the same year, which proved to be Queen's last with the original foursome.

Music video

Notable is that guitarist Brian May didn't use his famous Red Special guitar in the music video, instead he used a 1984 copy. Mercury is dressed as a magician type of figure. He enters an apparently condemned house where Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon (all dressed as stereotypical hobos) are asleep until awakened by Mercury's entrance. The Queen members then appear dressed regularly with their instruments. Throughout the video, cartoon images dance to the beat of the song.

Chart positions

Personnel

*Freddie Mercury: Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
*Brian May: Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
*Roger Taylor: Drums, Backing Vocals
*John Deacon: Bass

Additional musicians:
*Spike Edney: Keyboards

References

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