“Somebody to Love” is a song by the British rock band Queen, written by lead singer and pianist Freddie Mercury. It debuted on the band’s 1976 album A Day at the Races and also appears on their 1981 compilation album Greatest Hits. Written by Mercury at the piano, “Somebody to Love” is a soul-searching piece that questions life without love. Through voice layering techniques, Queen was able to create the soulful sound of a 100-voice choir from three singers: Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor. John Deacon did not sing backing vocals, on the album recording. Mercury’s fascination and admiration for Aretha Franklin was a major influence for the creation of this song.
The song has similarities to Queen’s earlier hit “Bohemian Rhapsody” with its complex harmonies and guitar solos; however, instead of mimicking an English choir, the band turned to a gospel choir. It reached No. 2 in the UK and No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song demonstrated that “Queen could swing as hard as it could rock, by channelling the spirit of gospel music”.
Billboard stated that the song grabs attention with gimmicks such as changes in volume and tempo and the use of classical music elements. Cash Box said that “sounding like the Harvard Chorale on the opening and backing up Freddie Mercury might be their idea of a logical progression from A Night at the Opera“, and that “there’s a grand finale, with hand clapping and thundering percussion.” Record World said that “the group continues to stretch the limitations of the commercial single” by incorporating “operatic overtures” along the lines of “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Los Angeles Times critic Robert Hilburn said that “its gospel-tinged urgency maintains the English band’s knack for arrangements that are at once off-beat, yet well within the broad rock mainstream. “Somebody To Love” was named one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Queen played “Somebody to Love” live from 1977 to 1985, and a live performance of the song is featured on the albums Queen Rock Montreal and Queen on Fire – Live at the Bowl. In addition to these live performances, there were collaboration tributes to “Somebody to Love” after Mercury’s death in 1991. The song was performed live on 20 April 1992 during the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, with George Michael on lead vocals. Since its release in 1976, the song has appeared in several television shows, such as the Idol franchise, The X Factor, and Glee, as well as films, including Happy Feet and Ella Enchanted. It has also been covered by many artists, including Taylor Hawkins.
In November 2018, Australian singer Troye Sivan released a version of the song. The song was released to coincide with the release of the film Bohemian Rhapsody. Universal Music Group released three tracks by different artists channelling their inner Freddie Mercury; this is the third and final instalment, following Shawn Mendes’ “Under Pressure” and 5 Seconds of Summer’s “Killer Queen” released in October 2018. Similarly to the aforementioned tracks, proceeds from the single benefit the Mercury Phoenix Trust. In a statement, Sivan said, “I’m so beyond honoured to have been asked to cover ‘Somebody to Love’ by Queen, a masterful song by the most legendary band.” Queen’s manager Jim Beach said Sivan’s version “is both moving and totally original”.
