Somebody to Love (Queen song)

Infobox Single
B-side = White Man
Name = Somebody to Love


Artist = Queen
from Album = A Day at the Races
Released = 12 November 1976
Format = 7"
Recorded = 1976
Genre = Rock Power Ballad
Length = 4:56
Label = EMI, Elektra, Hollywood
Writer = Freddie Mercury
Producer = Queen
NoReviews = yes
Last single = "You're My Best Friend"
(1976)
This single = "Somebody to Love"
(1976)
Next single = "Tie Your Mother Down"
(1977)

"Somebody to Love" is a song written by Freddie Mercury and performed by English rock band Queen featured on their 1976 album "A Day at the Races".

Song

Like "Bohemian Rhapsody", the major hit from Queen's previous album, "Somebody to Love" has a complex melody and deep layering of vocal tracks, this time based on a gospel choir arrangement. It was the first single off the album "A Day at the Races". It is a rock ballad on which band members Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor multitracked their voices to create the impression of a 100-voice gospel choir. The lyrics, especially combined with the gospel influence, create a song about faith, desperation and soul-searching; the singer questions both the lack of love experienced in his life and the role and existence of God. Staying true to Queen's guitar-driven style, it was also filled with intricate harmonies and a notable guitar solo by Brian May, and it went to number 2 on the UK charts and number 13 on the U.S. singles chart. The song requires many high notes, ranging from an Ab4 to an Eb4 [citation|title=Freddie Mercury's highest notes|publisher=YouTube|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWIaoj4dGq8]

A promotional video was made combining a staged recording session at Sarm East Studios (where the A Day at the Races album was recorded) and film footage of the band's performance at Hyde Park that September.

The song was included on their first "Greatest Hits", released in 1981.

Live Performances

This was also one of few tracks where John Deacon sang backing vocals when performed live between 1977 and 1982 (he did not sing backing vocals on The Works Tour). His voice was clearly heard on bootlegs from the band's performance at Earls Court in June, 1977 and at the Houston Summit in December, 1977. From 1977-1982, the song was performed in full, and from 1984-1985, it was played as a medley preceding "Killer Queen". At the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert held at Wembley Stadium, the song was performed by George Michael, and this was later rereleased in 1993 as the lead track of an EP called "Five Live" which went to #1 in the UK. This version is also available on "Greatest Hits III", released in 1999. When performed live, Mercury would often lower the higher melodies of the song.

Personnel

*Freddie Mercury: lead vocal, piano
*Brian May: electric guitar, backing vocals
*John Deacon: bass guitar, backing vocals
*Roger Taylor: drums, backing vocals

Trivia

*During American Idol season 5, Brian May, while working with Elliott Yamin, said this song was written with Aretha Franklin in mind.
*The song was covered by Brittany Murphy for the film Happy Feet.
*The song was also performed in Ella Enchanted (film).

External links

* [http://queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Queen_-_12-05-1976_-_Somebody_to_Love_-_The_Sunday_Freeman%2C_NY The Sunday Freeman] - review
* [http://queenpedia.com/index.php?title=Somebody_To_Love_%28single%29 Queenpedia] - detailed worldwide release information