Somebody to Love (Queen song)
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| “Somebody to Love” | |||||
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| Single by Queen from the album A Day at the Races |
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| B-side | ? | ||||
| Released | November 12, 1976 | ||||
| Format | 7" | ||||
| Recorded | 1976 | ||||
| Genre | Gospel Progressive rock, Rock |
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| Length | 4:56 | ||||
| Label | EMI, Elektra (US) | ||||
| Writer(s) | Freddie Mercury | ||||
| Producer | Queen | ||||
| Queen singles chronology | |||||
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"Somebody to Love" is a song written by Freddie Mercury and performed by English rock band Queen featured on the 1976 album A Day at the Races.
[edit] 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.
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.
During American Idol season 5, Brian May, while working with Elliott Yamin, said this song was written with Aretha Franklin in mind.
[edit] Cover versions
- In 1977 there was an Italian version, "Un uomo per me" ("A man for me"), performed by Mia Martini with the chorus "I Cantori Moderni di Alessandroni". It's included on Martini's album Per amarti ("To love you").
- In 1992 at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, performed by George Michael.
- In 2004, "Somebody to Love" was featured in Ella Enchanted, performed by Anne Hathaway.
- In the 2006 animated film Happy Feet, actress Brittany Murphy performs the song. The song appears on the soundtrack.
- Contestant Elliott Yamin performed it for Queen night on American Idol 5 in 2006.
- Contestant Ben Mills performed an a cappella version of the song on the British television series The X Factor on December 2, 2006.
- Covered on December 11, 2006 at the 9:30 club in Washington, DC by Ray LaMontagne.
- Pop Opera group G4 performed it during the first season of the UK talent show The X Factor in 2004, which later appeared in their third and last album Act Three, released in 2006.
- Contestant Tarisai Vushe performed it to a standing ovation for Brit-pop night on "Australian Idol (2007)".
- Contestant Rhydian Roberts performed it on X Factor series 4, on December 1st 2007.
- Contestant Francesca Jackson performed it on the British television series I'd Do Anything on April 5th 2008.
- Contestant Martin Hoberg Hedegaard performed it to standing ovation on the Danish hit show X Factor (Denmark). Simon Cowell, Thomas Blachmann, Remee and Queen guitar player Brian May have all praised his performance.
- French-Canadian singer Sylvain Cossette covered this song from his 2007 album '70s, and was released as the second single from that album.
- Spanish singer Edurne release a Spanish version of the song (called Un Poco de Amor) as the first single from her 2008 album Premiere.
[edit] External links
- The Sunday Freeman - review
- Queenpedia - detailed worldwide release information
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