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Queen (November 8, 1974 Release) Sheer Heart Attack LP / TC / 8-Track UK

  • Nov 8, 1974
  • 2 min read

Queen’s third studio album Sheer Heart Attack, released on November 8, 1974, marked their breakthrough into mainstream success with the hit “Killer Queen” and a shift toward a more direct, hard rock and glam sound.


Artist: Queen

Title: Sheer Heart Attack Date: November 8, 1974

Label: EMI

Format / Type: LP Vinyl Album (Stereo), Cassette Album, 8-Track Cartridge Country: United Kingdom

Catalogue:

  • LP: EMC 3061 / OC 062 ◦ 96025 (and variants)

  • Cassette (TC): TC-EMC 3061 / OC 244 o 96025 (various label/shell variants)

  • 8-Track: 8X-EMC-3061 / OC 346 ○ 96025

TRACK LIST 


Side A

  1. Brighton Rock

  2. Killer Queen

  3. Tenement Funster

  4. Flick Of The Wrist

  5. Lily Of The Valley

  6. Now I'm Here

Side B

  1. In The Lap Of The Gods

  2. Stone Cold Crazy

  3. Dear Friends

  4. Misfire

  5. Bring Back That Leroy Brown

  6. She Makes Me (Stormtrooper In Stilettoes)

  7. In The Lap Of The Gods... Revisited


THE STORY

Produced by Roy Thomas Baker and Queen, Sheer Heart Attack was recorded across multiple studios (Trident, Rockfield, AIR, Wessex) between July and October 1974. It marked a move away from the progressive elements of Queen II toward a more accessible hard rock and glam sound while retaining the band’s theatrical flair.





CONTEXT & NOTES

Sheer Heart Attack was Queen’s first major commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 12 in the US. It was recorded while Brian May was recovering from hepatitis. The album features the famous “no synthesizers” credit and helped establish Queen’s classic sound ahead of A Night at the Opera. Multiple pressing variants exist with different label designs and inner sleeve details.



PERSONNEL

  • Freddie Mercury – vocals, piano, jangle piano

  • Brian May – guitar, vocals, ukulele-banjo

  • Roger Taylor – drums, vocals, percussion

  • John Deacon – bass, acoustic guitar, double bass

PRODUCTION 

Produced by: Roy Thomas Baker and Queen

Engineered by: Mike Stone and others

CHARTS

  • UK Albums Chart: Entered November 23, 1974, Peak #2 (25 weeks on chart)

PACKAGING / ARTWORK HIGHLIGHTS

  • Gatefold-style elements with inner sleeve containing lyrics and credits

  • Iconic Mick Rock photography and sleeve concept by Queen

  • Early pressings have specific inner sleeve variations (angle-cut corners, no crest copyright)


WHAT THE SLEEVE SHOWS

The front cover shows the four band members (Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, John Deacon) in a dramatic, angled pose against a black background with hands raised and red text “QUEEN SHEER HEART ATTACK”. The back cover features the same black background with band photography, full track listing on both sides, production credits, and EMI logo.

RELATED MATERIAL

See tags at foot of page.

SOURCES Discogs, 45 Worlds, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, EMI Records

All album 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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