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| News of the World (Queen album) | |
|---|---|
| Name | News of the World |
| Type | studio |
| Artist | Queen |
| Released | 28 October 1977 |
| Recorded | 1977 |
| Studio | Sarm East, Wessex Sound Studios, Basing Street Studios |
| Genre | Rock |
| Length | 39:11 |
| Label | EMI, Elektra |
| Producer | Queen, Mike Stone |
| Prev title | A Day at the Races |
| Prev year | 1976 |
| Next title | Jazz |
| Next year | 1978 |
News of the World (Queen album) is the sixth studio album by Queen, released on 28 October 1977 by EMI Records and Elektra Records. Recorded during a period of international touring, the album juxtaposes anthemic arena rock with rawer, stripped-down tracks, containing two of the band's most enduring singles. It marked a stylistic pivot that influenced subsequent rock music trends and reinforced Queen's presence across United Kingdom and United States markets.
Queen began writing and rehearsing material for the album during the 1977 leg of their world tours, including performances at Shepperton Studios rehearsals and sessions at Sarm East Studios, Wessex Sound Studios and Basing Street Studios. The band members—Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon—co-produced with engineer Mike Stone. Influences during the sessions ranged from the band's earlier work on A Night at the Opera and A Day at the Races to contemporaneous developments in punk rock and progressive rock, as evidenced by attempts to pare back production textures. Touring commitments, including dates in Europe and North America, led to a condensed recording timetable and an emphasis on concise arrangements.
The album contains a mix of hard rock, glam rock, and stadium anthems, with songs showcasing distinct authorship: Taylor's contributions emphasized power and rhythm, while Brian May supplied layered guitars and harmonic complexity; Freddie Mercury provided theatrical melodies and piano-driven arrangements, and John Deacon contributed tight, pop-oriented basslines. Notable tracks display call-and-response vocals, heavy guitar riffs, and gang vocal techniques reminiscent of stadium rock conventions popularized by artists such as Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, and David Bowie. The anthemic "We Will Rock You" features sparse percussion and foot-stomp patterns, whereas "We Are the Champions" employs grand piano, multi-tracked harmony vocals, and orchestral sensibilities akin to arrangements found in works by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Elton John. Other cuts, like "Sleeping on the Sidewalk" and "Get Down, Make Love", channel influences from blues rock traditions and funk rock grooves present in recordings by Jimi Hendrix and Sly and the Family Stone.
EMI and Elektra coordinated the album's release on 28 October 1977, issuing lead singles to promote radio play on stations such as BBC Radio 1 and WNEW-FM. Queen supported the album with televised appearances and a series of concerts across Europe and North America, including setlists at venues like Hammersmith Odeon and arenas typical of tours by The Who and Led Zeppelin. Music press outlets including NME, Rolling Stone, and Melody Maker covered the release. Promotional strategies emphasized the singles' singalong hooks, while music videos and televised performances showcased the band's stagecraft, contributing to sustained chart presence.
Initial critical reaction was mixed, with some reviewers from Rolling Stone and Melody Maker praising the anthems but questioning stylistic shifts; other critics drew comparisons to contemporaneous works by Punk rock bands and glam contemporaries. Over time, the album's reputation grew; "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" became cultural fixtures at sporting events such as FIFA World Cup matches and Wimbledon finals, and have been covered by artists including Queen + Paul Rodgers, KISS, Muse, and Michael Bublé. The songs have been inducted into various halls of fame and cited in scholarly discussions of popular music performance practices. The album influenced arena rock setlists for acts like Bon Jovi, U2, and Guns N' Roses, and figures in retrospectives about the late 1970s music industry alongside releases by Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and Pink Floyd.
News of the World reached top chart positions across multiple territories, peaking within the top ten of the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard 200 in the United States, and achieving gold and platinum certifications from organizations including the British Phonographic Industry and the Recording Industry Association of America. Singles "We Are the Champions" and "We Will Rock You" charted highly on the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart, and sustained heavy radio rotation. Sales were bolstered by international touring and continued catalogue sales, ultimately making the album one of Queen's best-selling studio records.
The original track listing features songs written individually by band members, illustrating their diverse songwriting palette. Personnel on the album includes the four members of Queen: Freddie Mercury (lead and backing vocals, piano), Brian May (electric guitar, backing vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, percussion, backing and lead vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar). Production personnel included Mike Stone as engineer and co-producer, with mastering and studio technicians drawn from teams associated with Sarm Studios and Wessex Sound Studios. (Specific track credits follow standard album sleeve listings.)
The album cover, designed by Frank Kelly Freas and adapted by Queen art collaborators, features an iconic illustration of a giant robot carrying the band members, blending science-fiction imagery with rock iconography similar to visual themes used by artists like H.R. Giger and publications such as Life (magazine). Packaging for the vinyl release included inner sleeves with credits and photographic material, reflecting presentation practices of contemporary releases by EMI Records and Elektra Records. Special editions and reissues have reproduced original artwork and included bonus liner notes chronicling the album's production and touring context.
Category:1977 albums Category:Queen (band) albums