Hooking up virtually between the UK and Los Angeles, Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor and singer Adam Lambert have recorded a new version of Queen’s classic, We Are The Champions. Widely regarded as one of the most instantly recognizable anthems, it was this same song Queen + Adam Lambert played for their first performance together on the May 2009 American Idol finale.
Brian May and Roger Taylor have been performing pop-up concerts from their respective homes while in lockdown and the seeds of this new May, Taylor and Lambert version of We Are The Champions were sown when May posted a MicroCon invitation to jam with him on the classic Queen track on his Instagram. Taylor was first to respond, followed by Lambert who in his at-home performance changed the lyric mid-song to You are the Champions.
Overwhelmed with calls for the track to be made available to download the resulting ‘virtual jam’ version now titled You Are The Champions and additionally featuring band bass player Neil Fairclough, is available now on all streaming and download services.
Proceeds raised from the track will go to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization (WHO), powered by the United Nations Foundation. The Fund provides tools and resources to health workers on the frontlines globally, including PPE, testing kits, trainings, and more. Additionally, the Fund supports the rapid development of a vaccine and theraputics.
As the unfolding coronavirus outbreak has forced Queen + Adam Lambert to reschedule their 27 date UK and European tour to 2021, it’s hoped this new ‘We Are The Champions’ will also provide some consolation for disappointed fans.
Since its initial release in October 1977, the Freddie Mercury-penned We Are The Champions, has become a victory parade anthem uniting sports terraces and on-field celebrations the world over. This enduring anthem is frequently heard at the winning line of motor races and has also become synonymous with track and field events, soccer and baseball championships and even (without endorsement) at presidential campaign rallies.
Freddie said of We Are The Champions: “I wanted to write something that everyone could sing along to. And at the same time, I thought it would be nice to have a winning song that’s meant for everyone.”
“By each playing our part and addressing the difficult times we are all sharing we will win this challenge,” the band say. “During this time our thoughts and thanks are with those dedicated medical heroes standing up to the battle daily on our behalf. They are the champions. You are the champions.”
