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Queen (June 20, 1974 Release) “Seven Seas Of Rhye” / “See What A Fool I’ve Been” – Single 7" US

Jun 20, 1974
3 min read

In the United States, “Seven Seas Of Rhye” was released on June 20, 1974 by Elektra Records (catalogue EK-45891), coinciding with the US launch of Queen II. This marked Queen’s strategic push into the American market with a full version of the track that had already broken them in the UK.


RELEASE DETAILS

Artist: Queen

Label: Elektra

Date: June 20, 1974

Catalogue: EK-45891

Format: 7" Vinyl Single

Country: USA

A-Side: “Seven Seas Of Rhye”

Written by: Freddie Mercury

Produced by: Queen, Roy Thomas Baker B-Side: “See What A Fool I’ve Been” Written by: Brian May

Produced by: Queen, Roy Thomas Baker



TRACK LIST

US 7" Commercial Single (EK-45891)

A. Seven Seas Of Rhye

B. See What A Fool I’ve Been

LINKED RELEASES / VARIANTS

Main Commercial – EK-45891 (Stereo) Promo copies exist

PERSONNEL

  • Freddie Mercury — lead vocals, piano

  • Brian May — electric guitar, backing vocals

  • Roger Taylor — drums, percussion, backing vocals

  • John Deacon — bass guitar


THE STORY 

The US release of “Seven Seas Of Rhye” on June 20, 1974 by Elektra Records featured “See What A Fool I’ve Been” (by Brian May) as the B-side. The full version, completed for Queen II, was a compact rock anthem with fantasy lyrics inspired by Mercury’s mythical world of Rhye. While it did not chart significantly in the US, it helped build Queen’s profile leading to their later breakthrough with “Killer Queen”.

CONTEXT & NOTES

This US single coincided with the American release of Queen II. The B-side “See What A Fool I’ve Been” is a rare non-album track with a bluesy edge. The song’s UK success (No.10) and Top of the Pops performance were key to Queen’s early momentum. The fantasy-driven lyrics and theatrical delivery set Queen apart from contemporaries.

International Issues UK

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI – EMI 2121 — UK · 1974

Canada

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Elektra — Canada · 1973

Angola

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI — Angola · 1974

Australia

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Elektra — Australia · 1974

Finland

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI — Finland · 1974


France

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI — France · 1974

Germany

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI — Germany · 1974



Ireland

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI — Ireland · 1974

Netherlands

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI — Netherlands · 1974

New Zealand

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — Elektra — New Zealand · 1974

Portugal

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI — Portugal · 1974

South Africa

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI — South Africa · 1974

Sweden

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI — Sweden · 1974

Yugoslavia

  • Seven Seas Of Rhye — 7", 45 RPM, Single — EMI — Yugoslavia · 1974

RELATED MATERIAL 

Queen (1974) Queen II (Album)

For other relevant posts, see the tags at the foot of the page.

SOURCES Discogs, 45cat, 45worlds, Official Charts, Wikipedia

All single artwork, photographs, labels, and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.





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