We Are the Champions

We Are the Champions is a song by the rock band Queen. It was released on October 7, 1977, along with We Will Rock You as a double A-side from the album News of the World. The two songs are also usually back-to-back on later compilation albums. Although it achieved relatively little commercial success on its initial release (#13 in Germany, #13 in Austria, #2 in the UK, #4 in the US) it is among the band's best-known songs. The song is especially popular at award ceremonies after sporting events.

History

The piece was written by Freddie Mercury. It relied on getting the audience to sing along. Brian May called it "very unifying and positive." People loved it because it was so "uplifting".

In 2001, Brian May and Roger Taylor recorded a version of the song with Robbie Williams for the film Knights of Passion. In 2020, a version with Adam Lambert followed under the title You are the Champions, on the occasion of the Corona Pandemic.

Cast

• Freddie Mercury: (background) vocals, piano
• Brian May: electric guitar, background vocals
• Roger Taylor: drums, background vocals
• John Deacon: Bass