Freddie Mercury: Isolated Vocals on ‘We Are the Champions’

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It’s always a treat to discover musical gems on YouTube. In recent years, we’ve been treated to hearing isolated vocals (or instruments) of many of our classic rock favorites. It’s a fascinating way for fans to pull back the curtain a bit to reveal some of the complicated aspects of the recording process.

In many cases, we’re talking about songs that we’ve heard only one way – as a finished recording – literally hundreds of times. To hear our icons sing or drum or play bass, etc., without the other instruments or vocals can be truly illuminating.

Such is the case with Queen‘s “We Are the Champions.” We feel reasonably confident that since you’ve taken the time to read this, and it’s a song you’ve heard so often, you could probably win a karaoke championship with it.

The studio recording was originally issued on October 7, 1977, as an advance single, three weeks before the release of their News of the World album. By then, Queen had already earned five Top 10 singles in the U.K., though just one—barely—in the U.S. (with “Bohemian Rhapsody”).

“We Are the Champions” became a worldwide smash, peaking at #2 in the U.K. and #4 on the Hot 100. Its B-side? “We Will Rock You.”

Isolated vocals from the great Freddie Mercury singing on “We Are the Champions” plus a video mashup? Yes, please! It all adds up to another Classic Video.

Mercury was born September 5, 1946, and was still just 31 years old when it was released.

An expanded edition of Queen’s debut album is being released. Queen I Collector’s Edition arrives on October 25, 2024, via Hollywood Records. It’s available for pre-order in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.

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