All the Queen songs in 'We Will Rock You'
From 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to 'We Are the Champions,' check out all 25 Queen songs in the popular musical We Will Rock You, coming to the London Coliseum.
To take a line from “Fat Bottomed Girls,” Queen music makes the rockin’ world go round. And now the hit Queen musical, We Will Rock You, is set to make West End go round, as the show heads to the London Coliseum in summer 2023.
Set in a futuristic corporate world, We Will Rock You centres on a group of Bohemians who do whatever they can to bring free thinking back to their daily routines. As they try to defeat a Killer Queen, can they fulfill a prophecy and restore any sense of normalcy?
There’s over 20 Queen songs in the musical, including “Another One Bites the Dust,” “I Want to Break Free,” and “Don’t Stop Me Now.” After 12 years at the Dominion Theatre, the popular musical returns to London. Brenda Edwards and Lee Mead play the Killer Queen and Khashoggi, with further casting to be confirmed.
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"Innuendo"
Welcome to planet Earth. Except, it’s not called Earth anymore. It’s renamed ‘Planet Mall’, a technologically-advanced world that’s controlled by the Globalsoft Corporation. On Planet Mall, everyone behaves the same.
“Innuendo” sets the scene for this radical world. Queen released “Innuendo” in 1990, and it’s often compared to “Bohemian Rhapsody” for its long instrumentals and hard rock rhythms.
"Radio Gaga"
In “Radio Gaga”, audiences see the Planet Mall inhabitants for the first time. The Ga Ga Kids have no concept of individuality. By listening to the same music, wearing the same clothes, and believing in the same ideals, they move like one being. All they hear is “Radio Gaga.”
Queen recorded “Radio Gaga” to talk about the rise in fans watching music videos, rather than listening to its pure form on the radio. The song inspired generations of artists — Lady Gaga even credits her stage name to the 1984 track.
"I Want to Break Free"
Meet Galileo. He lives on Planet Mall, but he’s not your typical Radio Ga Ga kid. Instead, he hears strange voices in his head, and he struggles to make sense of what’s happening around him. In “I Want to Break Free,” Galileo shares that he doesn’t want to adhere to conformist rules. He wants to behave in a way that suits him.
In the music video for Queen’s 1984 song, all four band members dress up as housewives; notably Freddie Mercury wears a pink top, a black skirt, white heels, all with a moustache.
"Somebody to Love"
Can anybody find Scaramouche somebody to love? Like Galileo, she’s an open book, struggling to exist alongside her peers. Separately, Scaramouche and Galileo are captured by Globalsoft police. Freddie Mercury’s fascination with gospel singer Aretha Franklin inspired Mercury to write the 1974 song.
"Killer Queen"
Here's the Killer Queen. She’s a no-nonsense, strong-willed leader that heads up Globalsoft, Planet Mall's ruling corporation. Essentially, Killer Queen is ‘God’.
The villainous character gets her name from the 1974 song — the original track is about an escort.
"Play the Game"
The only game for the Killer Queen is to protect her world. When she learns of hidden instruments on Planet Mall, she orders Khashoggi — head of Globalsoft police and the Killer Queen's right-hand man — to destroy any instruments. You wouldn't want to mess with this evil pair. "Play the Game" is the first song on Queen's eighth album, The Game.
"Under Pressure"
Finally, our two Planet Mall-crossed lovers meet. When Galileo and Scaramouche greet one another in the hospital, they discover they’re not alone in this world. Sure, they’re a threat. But they can take over the world together.
Queen and David Bowie collaborated on the 1981 track, later sampled by Vanilla Ice for “Ice Ice Baby.”
"A Kind of Magic"
Khashoggi follows Killer Queen’s instructions to the letter. He’s blown up all the rocks. He's destroyed all possibilities of hidden instruments (or so he believes, stay tuned.) For Killer Queen, it's akin to a magic trick.
Queen's 1986 song was originally recorded for the Highlander film. The "A Kind of Magic" music video was filmed in the Playhouse Theatre, now home to Cabaret.
"I Want It All"
Meet Brit and Meat. They’re rocking bohemians. They’ve managed to escape the Radio Ga Ga world and bravely collect materials for musical instruments. Between Brit and Meat, they’re doing whatever it takes to bring real music in the world.
The 1989 song became a rallying cry for anti-apartheid protests in South Africa. Sadly, Freddie Mercury never performed the song live; he died in 1991, a year before its first live performance.
"Headlong"
It’s awkward when Galileo and Scaramouche meet Brit and Meat for the first time. The Bohemians believe they’re spies. But when Galileo recounts the “Bohemian Rhapsody” lyrics from memory, Brit and Meat believe he is the Dreamer. Galileo and Scaramouche are invited deep underground to the Heartbreak Hotel — there’s nothin’ they can do about it.
Brian May originally wrote "Headlong" for his debut solo album, but after hearing Freddie Mercury sing the lyrics, May allowed Queen to record the track.
"No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young)"
In this heartfelt song, the Bohemians reveal they’re named after singers from previous generations. Brit and Meat are named after Britney Spears and Meatloaf respectively, but there's also Mick (Jagger,) Aretha (Franklin) and (Michael) Jackson.
At this point in We Will Rock You, they reflect on Freddie Mercury, who passed away in 1991 with AIDS. The 1997 song came about after a performance with Queen and Elton John, dedicated to those who die too soon.
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love"
After the tender moment, the Bohemians continue to rock out. This Act One closer is all about championing why music exists; to make people feel free. But, they’re not alone. Khashoggi has discovered the Heartbreak Hotel.
As the Bohemians are rounded up for capture, Brit is sadly killed. Scaramouche and Galileo escape from the hidden underworld, determined to see out the prophecy.
The 1979 song reached number one in four countries — impressive considering it took Queen frontman Freddie Mercury five to ten minutes to write.
"One Vision"
For the start of Act Two, we see the Ga Ga kids once more. They haven’t changed at all. They still think, act and breathe. They share… one vision. Queen recorded the 1985 single "One Vision" in honour of Martin Luther King Jr's ability to overcome the odds and promote equality.
"Who Wants to Live Forever"
We pick up with Galileo and Scaramouche as they’ve broke free from the Bohemian's secret place. But how could Khashoggi have found them so quickly? Together, the pair realise that while they were in hospital, tracking devices were implanted in them. After removing the devices, they confess their love — living forever isn’t worth it if they’ve not got each other.
Like "A Kind of Magic," "Who Wants to Live Forever" was also written for Highlander. Seal, Sarah Brightman, and Dune have since covered the 1986 song.
"Flash"
Some bohemians made it out of the Heartbreak hotel, but their numbers are depleted. Khashoggi still sees red, and continues to make sure their existence is eradicated. In “Flash,” he’ll torture all the Bohemians quicker than a lightning strike could hit them all.
"Flash" is the theme song of 1980 film Flash Gordon, with original vocals by Brian May and Freddie Mercury.
"Seven Seas of Rhye"
The Bohemians are a determined bunch. They won’t give in to Khashoggi’s asks. Khashoggi does all it takes to impress the Killer Queen, draining their brains of any information and making them Ga Ga kids.
At the same time, Galileo channels himself to the Bohemians and sees how they're being attacked. Galileo and Scaramouche decide to visit the Seven Seas of Rhye — platonically, of course.
"Seven Seas of Rhye" hails from Queen's 1973 debut album, Queen. The nonsensical song aims to capture fantastical imaginative worlds created by children.
"Fat Bottomed Girls"
Globalsoft HQ isn't your typical corporate headquarters. While Khashoggi tells Killer Queen that the Bohemians are all gone, Killer Queen and her posse perform “Fat Bottomed Girls.” The upbeat track is on Queen's 1978 album, Jazz.
"Don't Stop Me Now"
Congratulations are in order for the Killer Queen. With all the instruments destroyed, and no Bohemians in sight, the prophecy won't come true. So tonight, just like the 1979 single says, she's going to have herself a good time. At first, Brian May struggled performing the song, as it represented a drug-fuelled time in Freddie Mercury's life.
"Another One Bites the Dust"
Audiences only get a few chords of “Don’t Stop Me Now,” before Khashoggi interrupts her victory song. The Killer Queen believes there's no enemies on Planet Mall. But Khashoggi must share that Galileo and Scaramouche are still out in the world — ultimately, Khashoggi failed. The Killer Queen isn’t happy. Another one gone, another one gone.
Queen's 1980 song was going to be used in the Rocky film; Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" ultimately made the cut.
"Hammer to Fall"
In order to see if their superstition is correct, Galileo and Scaramouche make their way to the Seven Seas of Rhye. What will they see? "Hammer to Fall" also appears in Highlander, and also reflects life in the Cold War.
"These Are the Days of Our Lives"
Meet Pop the librarian. He once told people about the wonders of books. Now, he’s serving lifeless, braindead Bohemians pints of beer. In this reflective number, Pop contemplates the past, present, and future. Queen drummer Roger Taylor wrote the 1991 song in dedication to Freddie Mercury; Mercury died two months after the song's release.
"Bicycle Race"
The prophecy finally makes sense now. When Pop explains the full events, Scaramouche has an epiphany — the bright star is Freddie Mercury’s statue. It’s pointing to Wembley Stadium, the “place of living rock,” but how will they get there? Both "Bicycle Race" and "Fat Bottomed Girls" reference each other in their songs, so listen out for the crafty lyrics.
"Love of My Life"
Sadly, Wembley Stadium isn’t rocking anymore. There are no instruments to be seen. There’s no live music. How can they transform the stadium? Easy. Make sure that music is at the centre of their worlds. Choosing "Love of My Life" at this moment of the show pays homage to Freddie Mercury conducting audiences who'd sing along during this song.
"We Will Rock You"
Even though Pop is a small character, it’s down to him to save the future of Planet Mall. When he hacks into Globalsoft’s network, he changes the music, allowing people to think individually once more. Queen will rock!
The musical's title song is perhaps one of Queen's most-recognisable tunes. Get ready to stomp, clap, and cheer your way through this song.
"We Are the Champions"
Galileo, Scaramouche, and the rest of the Bohemians have saved the day. Killer Queen and Khashoggi are nowhere to be seen. Free thinking wins. They are the champions. When Queen created the 1984 song, they wrote it with audience participation in mind. So it's the ideal rallying cry to lift everyone's spirits at the end of We Will Rock You.
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