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Sheer Heart Attack (song)

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Wikipedia article




{{Infobox song

| name = Sheer Heart Attack

| cover = Sheer Heart Attack by Queen US vinyl.png

| alt =

| caption = B-side label of the US vinyl pressing of the "It's Late" single release

| type = song

| artist = Queen

| album = 'News of the World'

| EP =

| A-side = * "Spread Your Wings" (Europe)

* "It's Late"

(US)

| written =

| published =

| released = *10 February 1978 (Europe)

*25 April 1978 (US)

| format =

| recorded = JulySeptember 1977 at Basing Street and Wessex Studios

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = *Hard rock

*heavy metal

*punk rock

| length = 3:27

| label = EMI, Parlophone (Europe)
Elektra, Hollywood

(US)

| writer = Roger Taylor

| composer =

| lyricist =

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| title =

| next_title =

| next_year =

| misc =

}}

"'Sheer Heart Attack'" is a song by the British rock band Queen, released on their sixth studio album 'News of the World' in 1977. It is one of two songs on the album entirely written by Roger Taylor, the other being "Fight from the Inside".

Background



"Sheer Heart Attack" was originally written for the album of the same name in 1974, but was not included on the album for several reasons. The song was finished for 'News of the World' in 1977, and is characterized by its fast, even tempo throughout its length, with the raw simplicity and traditionalism of punk rock including an abrupt ending.

Roger Taylor sang lead on the demo, but for the definitive version the band decided Freddie Mercury should sing lead vocals, with Taylor singing the chorus. Taylor plays almost every instrument on the finished track, with some help from Brian May on lead guitar and "screams". This is one of the few original Queen recordings that does not feature bass guitarist John Deacon.

The song was the B-side of the Deacon-penned single "Spread Your Wings" in February 1978. It was also the B-side of the single "It's Late", written by May, which was released only in Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Japan in April 1978.

Live performances



The song was performed live from 1977 to 1984. It has been released on three live albums: 'Live Killers' in 1979, 'Queen Rock Montreal' in 1981, and 'Queen on Fire - Live at the Bowl' in 1982.

Personnel



Information is based on the album's Liner NotesQueen. News of the World (Album Notes). EMI. 1977.

*Freddie Mercury lead and backing vocals

*Brian May lead guitar

*Roger Taylor lead and backing vocals, drums, rhythm guitar, bass guitar

References



Category:1977 songs

Category:Queen (band) songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Stone (record producer)

Category:Songs written by Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)

Category:British punk rock songs

Category:British hard rock songs

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