Writing of "We Are the Champions" began as early as 1975. However, at the time,
Freddie Mercury deemed it unsuitable for inclusion in the band's then-current album, and the song was not recorded until 1977. 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." Musically, it is based on Mercury's piano part, with
Roger Taylor and
John Deacon providing a drums and bass guitar backing. May overdubbed some guitar sections, initially subtle, but building to a "solo" played simultaneously with the last chorus. Mercury employed complex and advanced harmony, including major and minor 6th, minor 7th, minor 11th, half-diminished, and diminished chords, and the choruses featured some of these voiced as four-part vocal harmonies. The lead vocal is very demanding and strident (highest point is a C5 both belted and in falsetto), with one of Mercury's most notable performances taking place at the
Live Aid concert, at
Wembley Stadium, London in 1985. 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. ==Reception==