‘We Are the Champions’ is a song by the British rock band Queen, released from the band's sixth album News of the World (1977). Written by lead singer Freddie Mercury, it remains among rock's most recognisable anthems. The song was a worldwide success, reaching number two in the UK, number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, number three in Canada, and the top ten in many other countries. In 2009 it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and was voted the world's favourite song in a 2005 Sony Ericsson world music poll. n 1977–1978,
‘We Are the Champions’ was released as a single in many countries, reaching number 2 on the UK Singles Chart. number 4 on Billboard in the US, number 3 in Canada, the top 10 in Ireland, Netherlands, and Norway, and the top 15 in Germany, Austria, and Sweden. In 1992, 1993, and 1998, the single was re-released in France, totalling 45 weeks on the chart and peaking at #19, #14, and at #10 during the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Written by Freddie Mercury, ‘We Are the Champions’ was built on audience response following a concert at Bingley Hall, Stafford in which the audience sang ‘You'll Never Walk Alone’ to the band. Freddie Mercury stated: "I was thinking about football when I wrote it. I wanted a participation song, something that the fans could latch on to. Of course, I've given it more theatrical subtlety than an ordinary football chant. I suppose it could also be construed as my version of 'I Did It My Way.' We have made it, and it certainly wasn't easy. No bed of roses as the song says. And it's still not easy." It 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." ‘We Are the Champions’ has become an anthem for victories at sporting events, including as an official theme song for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, and has been often used or referenced in popular culture. The song has also been covered by many artists.
The single featured ‘We Will Rock You’, which preceded the song on the album, as its B-side. The two songs were often played consecutively at the close of Queen concerts, and are customarily played together on radio broadcasts (in album order). Keeping with tradition, the two songs were also used to close the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert with all the show's acts joining in behind the lead vocal of Liza Minnelli.
Labels – EMI (UK), Elektra (US)
Songwriter – Freddie Mercury
Producers – Queen, assisted by Mike "Clay" Stone
SONG LYRICS
[Verse 1]I've paid my dues
Time after time
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
[Pre-Chorus]
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through (And I mean to go on and on, and on, and on)
[Chorus]
We are the champions, my friends
And we'll keep on fighting till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions
Of the world
[Verse 2]
I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it
I thank you all
But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise
[Pre-Chorus]
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose (And I mean to go on and on, and on, and on)
[Chorus]
We are the champions, my friends
And we'll keep on fighting till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions
Of the world
[Outro]
We are the champions, my friends
And we'll keep on fighting till the end, oh
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions