QUEEN (October 13, 1978) – "Bicycle Race" / "Fat Bottomed Girls" Format: 7" Single: UK
Released on October 13, 1978, "Bicycle Race" / "Fat Bottomed Girls" was issued as a double A-side single by Queen through EMI Records in the United Kingdom. Taken from the band's seventh studio album Jazz, the release paired two of the album's most recognizable tracks and became one of Queen's most memorable late-1970s singles.
Written respectively by Freddie Mercury and Brian May, the two songs were deliberately linked, each containing lyrical references to the other. The coupling demonstrated the band's ability to balance humour, hard rock, elaborate production and memorable hooks within a single release.
The single reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart and achieved international chart success throughout Europe, North America and Oceania. In later years both songs would become staples of Queen compilations and live performances, helping to cement their status within the band's catalogue.
RECORDING
Both tracks were recorded during sessions for Jazz in 1978.
"Bicycle Race" was written by Freddie Mercury.
"Fat Bottomed Girls" was written by Brian May.
Both recordings were produced by Queen and Roy Thomas Baker.
STYLE & THEMES
"Bicycle Race" combines rock with a playful lyric inspired by contemporary events and popular culture, while "Fat Bottomed Girls" delivers a blues-influenced hard rock sound built around Brian May's distinctive guitar work.
The songs were intentionally interconnected. Near the conclusion of "Fat Bottomed Girls", Freddie Mercury shouts "Get on your bikes and ride!", while "Bicycle Race" includes the line "Fat bottomed girls, they'll be riding today."
Together, the pair became one of Queen's most distinctive double A-side releases.
TRACK-BY-TRACK NOTES
• Bicycle Race — Written by Freddie Mercury. Released as one side of the double A-side single and later included on Jazz.
• Fat Bottomed Girls — Written by Brian May. Built around a blues-rock riff and released as the companion side of the double A-side.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was released in the United Kingdom on October 13, 1978 through EMI Records under catalogue number EMI 2870.
A United States release followed on October 24, 1978 through Elektra Records.
Several UK manufacturing variations were produced, including promotional copies, solid-centre pressings and a documented mispress edition.
The release was promoted in conjunction with the forthcoming Jazz album and became one of Queen's most successful worldwide singles of the period.
CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS
AMERICA
USA: Billboard Hot 100 — Peak: 24
USA: Cash Box Top 100 — Peak: 18
Canada: RPM Top Singles — Peak: 17
EUROPE
UK: Official Singles Chart — Peak: 11
Ireland: Irish Singles Chart — Peak: 10
Netherlands: Dutch Singles Chart — Peak: 7
France: French Singles Chart — Peak: 7
Norway: VG-Lista — Peak: 7
Austria: Austrian Singles Chart — Peak: 21
Germany: German Singles Chart — Peak: 27
PACIFIC
New Zealand: Singles Chart — Peak: 20
CERTIFICATIONS
Brazil: Gold
Italy: Gold
New Zealand: 2× Platinum
United Kingdom: Platinum
United States: 2× Platinum
PERSONNEL
Freddie Mercury — lead vocals, backing vocals
Brian May — guitars, lead vocals on chorus of "Fat Bottomed Girls", backing vocals
Roger Taylor — drums, backing vocals
John Deacon — bass guitar
PRODUCTION
Produced by Queen and Roy Thomas Baker
Label: EMI Records (UK)
Label: Elektra Records (USA)
NOTES
Issued as a double A-side release.
"Bicycle Race" was written by Freddie Mercury.
"Fat Bottomed Girls" was written by Brian May.
Both sides were produced by Queen and Roy Thomas Baker.
The release was taken from the album Jazz.
UK release date: October 13, 1978.
US release date: October 24, 1978.
The single reached No. 11 on the UK Singles Chart.
The songs were linked lyrically, with direct references to each other appearing within the lyrics.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Catalogue | Date | Format |
Queen | Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls | EMI | UK | EMI 2870 | October 13, 1978 | 7" Single |
Queen | Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls | EMI | UK | EMI 2870 | 1978 | 7" Single (Mispress) |
Queen | Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls | EMI | UK | EMI 2870 | 1978 | 7" Single |
Queen | Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls | EMI | UK | EMI 2870 | 1978 | 7" Single (Solid Centre) |
Queen | Bicycle Race / Fat Bottomed Girls | EMI | UK | EMI 2870 | 1978 | 7" Promo |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
7" Single | EMI 2870 | A. Bicycle Race AA. Fat Bottomed Girls |
7" Promo | EMI 2870 | A. Bicycle Race AA. Fat Bottomed Girls |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2, RockfilesUK.
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