We Are the Champions

Lore & Background

The song embodies numerous elements of arena rock, with Brian May stating, "We wanted to get the crowds waving and singing. It's very unifying and positive." Musically, it is based on Mercury's piano part, with Roger Taylor and John Deacon providing drums and bass guitar backing. May overdubbed guitar sections, building to a solo played simultaneously with the last chorus. Mercury employed complex harmony, including major and minor 6th, minor 7th, minor 11th, half-diminished, and diminished chords, and the choruses featured four-part vocal harmonies. The lead vocal is demanding and strident, with a highest point of C5 both belted and in falsetto. The single featured "We Will Rock You" as its B-side, and the two songs were often played consecutively at Queen concerts and on radio broadcasts. An alternate version starting in monochrome before blasting into color was broadcast on BBC's Top of the Pops 2.

Did You Know?

• The song was written with audience participation in mind; Mercury said 'We' refers to everyone singing it.