On This Day in 1975: Queen Released Their Fourth Album Featuring the Iconic Hits
Christopher Hopper; distributed by Elektra Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
A Bold New Chapter for Queen
On November 21, 1975, Queen dropped their fourth studio album, A Night at the Opera. This ambitious project was co-produced by the band and Roy Thomas Baker, becoming, at the time, the most expensive album ever made.
The album’s title came from the Marx Brothers film of the same name, which inspired the band’s theatrical vision in the studio. It also proved to be a commercial success—topping the UK charts and becoming the band’s first platinum album in the U.S.
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“Bohemian Rhapsody”: The Crown Jewel
A Night at the Opera features “Bohemian Rhapsody,” arguably Queen’s most famous song. The track blended rock, opera, and pop in an unprecedented way—and topped the UK charts. The band pushed boundaries: Freddie Mercury’s layered vocals, the multi-part structure, and rich production made the song a standout.
The ambition paid off, helping Queen gain global recognition. At the time, the recording process used 24-track technology, which allowed intricate vocal overdubs and dramatic shifts in style.
Creativity Across the Album
Queen didn’t stop at one big hit. The album opens with “Death on Two Legs,” a hard rock track written by Freddie Mercury about a bitter relationship with their former manager. Its scathing lyrics and aggressive delivery set a bold tone for the record.
Another standout is “The Prophet’s Song,” written by Brian May. At over eight minutes, it’s the longest track on the album, combining progressive rock with a dreamy atmosphere. Meanwhile, drummer Roger Taylor contributed “I’m in Love with My Car,” his only album track written entirely by him.
A Moment of Confidence and Risk
Brian May later said that during the making of A Night at the Opera, the band was “at the peak of our confidence. It felt like there wasn’t anything we couldn’t do.” That mindset helped drive Queen to explore different musical styles, from ballads to rock to operatic segments.
Despite the high cost and the complexity of the work, the gamble paid off. The album gave Queen their first No. 1 in the UK, and “Bohemian Rhapsody” held the top spot for nine weeks, turning them into international superstars.
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